Lonely Planet Best of Tokyo

Rather than any particular sight, its Tokyo itself that enchants visitors. Its a sprawling, organic thing, stretching as far as the eye can see. Its diverse collection of neighbourhoods is always changing, so no two experiences of the city are ever the same.

Some neighbourhoods feel like a vision from the future, with ever-taller, sleeker structures popping up each year; others evoke the past with low-slung wooden buildings and glowing lanterns radiating surprising warmth. Elsewhere, drab concrete blocks hide art galleries and cocktail bars and every lane hints at possible discoveries. In Tokyo you can experience the whole breadth of Japanese arts and culture, from centuries-old sumo and kabuki to cutting-edge digital art.

When it comes to Tokyo superlatives, however, the citys food scene tops the list. Wherever you are, youre usually within 100m of a good, if not great, restaurant. Its a scene that careens nonchalantly between the highs and lows: its not unusual for a top-class sushi restaurant to share the same block with an oil-spattered noodle joint. Tokyoites love dining out; join them and delight in the sheer variety of tastes and experiences the city has to offer.

Tokyo may seem daunting at first: its subway map is a tangle of intersecting lines and is often compared to a bowl of noodles. But once you get out there, youll be surprised how easy it is to navigate. That subway can take you everywhere you want to go; trains are frequent (though sometimes uncomfortably crowded) and almost always on time, and stations are well signposted in English.

Tokyo

From pop culture events to festivals that have been taking place for centuries, there is always something going on in Tokyo. Like elsewhere in Japan, the seasons have special meaning and every new bloom is a reason for celebration.

Chidori-ga-fuchi in cherry | F11PHOTO/SHUTTERSTOCK

Top Festivals & Events

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Tokyo is eerily quiet for O-shgatsu (the first three days of the new year), but picks up as the month rolls on. Days are cold, but usually clear; sights are generally uncrowded.