Tokyo’s main attraction is the opportunity to simply experience its astounding and unique atmosphere.

Dembo-in Garden is one of Tokyo’s best kept secrets. Situated in Asakusa, the magnificent garden is believed to have been made in the 17th century by Kobori Enshu, the genius of Zen landscape design. The garden is usually empty and utterly serene. The ideal time to visit is in the spring, when the wisteria blooms. A peaceful path encircles a pond, offering different views at every turn. The only sounds are of birds and splashing fish. An English sign on Dembo-in-dori, about 150 yards west of the intersection with Naka-mise-dori, indicates the entrance, through a large wooden gate. It is part of the living quarters of the abbot of Senso-ji Temple, so it may be closed if the abbot has guests.

Edo-Tokyo Museum is housed in a super-sized traditional Japanese storehouse, and is a wonderful place to learn about Tokyo’s history and culture, from the Edo period of the shoguns up to the post-war reconstruction. There are full-size models of period buildings and the Nihombashi ‘Bridge of Japan’, as well as displays presenting the daily life and customs of the city’s past. It is a short walk from Ryogoku Station.

The Imperial Palace provides a historical and tranquil space in the heart of the city. Located on the former site of Edo Castle, the Palace (named Kokyo) is a large park area surrounded by moats and massive stone walls just, a short walk from Tokyo Station. It is also the current residence of Japan's Imperial Family. Guided tours of the palace are offered in Japanese, with an English pamphlet and audio guide provided. Tours must be reserved in advance at the Imperial Household Agency. Visitors can enter the inner grounds on 23 December and 2 January, when members of the Imperial Family make several public appearances on a balcony. The Imperial Palace East Gardens (Kyoko Higashi Gyoen) are open to the public throughout the year except on Mondays, Fridays and special occasions. It is a pleasant formal garden, surrounded by a section of the original castle moat. Special features include a teahouse, pond and waterfall.

The beautiful greenery of Hama Rikyu Park presents a surreal contrast to the futuristic skyline of the Shiodome area. Once a Royal residence, the park is located near Tokyo Bay and features fresh seawater ponds which change water level with the tides as well as a charming teahouse and old duck-hunting grounds.

Meiji Shrine is one of Japan’s finest examples of Shinto architecture. The enchanting Meiji Shrine is tucked away in the centre of a dark, cool forest – an unexpected oasis in the centre of the city. Passing through a vast wooden gate, the visitor follows the path through the forest to the shrine. On weekends, it is often possible for visitors to see a traditional wedding procession and the precincts are one of the best places to experience the festivities of New Year, Coming of Age Day (second Monday in January) and the children’s festival of Shichi-Go-San (weekends around 15 November). The Gyoen Inner Garden, in the shrine grounds, is well worth visiting during June, for the spectacular displays of irises.

The Nezu Institute of Fine Arts houses one of Tokyo’s finest gardens, encompassing more than five acres of trees, flowers, ponds, waterfalls, and seven striking tea pavilions. The fine arts museum houses a private art collection of superb exhibits of Japanese paintings, calligraphy and ceramics, some of which are registered as National Treasures. See their website: www.nezu-muse.or.jp/index_e.html 

Nezu Shrine houses several prominent buildings dating from the early 1700's, and is the site of an annual Azalea (tsu-tsu-ji) Festival around the end of April. The buildings alone are worth a look, and the hillside of blooming azaleas is stunning in April. It is near Nezu Station and Ueno Zoo.

Rainbow Town, also known as Odaiba, is on the group of artificial islands in Tokyo Bay, connected by the Rainbow Bridge. The small futuristic town is billed as Tokyo’s ‘Waterfront Town for the 21st Century’ and includes several shopping and entertainment centres, theme parks, hot spring baths, museums and futuristic architecture. Many of its buildings such as Tokyo Big Sight Exhibition Centre are becoming Tokyo’s new landmarks, while the ship-shaped Museum of Maritime Science has excellent displays and hands-on exhibits, fun for the whole family. The monorail ride to and from the island, gives superb views of the area, and is an attraction in itself.

Rikugien is one of the most beautiful, classical gardens of Tokyo. Dating back to the 1700’s, it reproduces 88 scenes from famous poems in miniature scale and is absolutely gorgeous any time of year. It’s quite spacious with a central pond, islands, forested areas, man-made hills and several teahouses. It takes about an hour to cover the garden's whole network of walking paths at a leisurely speed. It’s just a 2 minute walk from Komagome Station.

Sensoji Temple in Asakusa district is Tokyo’s most revered Buddhist temple and a site of pilgrimage and tourism for many centuries. Founded in 628AD, to enshrine a gold statuette of the Kannon Bodhisattva (the Goddess of Mercy), the temple has a five-storey pagoda and is always bustling with worshippers. Smoke from the huge incense burner in front of the temple is said to have healing powers. The temple is the focal point of the great Sanja Festival that takes place every year on the third weekend in May. The shops and restaurants surrounding the temple still preserve a bit of the flavour of old Tokyo.

Shinjuku Garden is a gorgeous 150-acre park at the Shinjuku Gyoen-mae Eki Station. Once a Royal estate, it offers a perfectly peaceful place for leisurely strolls. Pretty paths wind their way through hills, ponds, bridges and more than 3,000 kinds of flora. There are also a variety of gardens in Japanese, French, and English styles as well as a greenhouse filled with tropical plants. The best times to visit are April, when 75 different species of cherry trees (1,500 trees in all) are in bloom, and the first two weeks of October, during the chrysanthemum exhibition. The park is open Tuesday-Sunday 9am-4pm; during April it’s open on Monday too from 9am-4pm for cherry blossom season.

Tokyo Tocho Twin Towers in Shinjuku, are known for their extraordinary architecture and spectacular observation decks on the 45th floor. Designed by Kenzo Tange, one of Japan’s top architects, the monumental twin towers are said to be inspired by Notre Dame, although the imposing granite facade rather brings to mind scenes of Batman’s Gotham City. The observation decks are reached by high-speed elevator and give spectacular views over the city. On particularly clear days, you can see Mount Fuji. Clear days are most common from October until the beginning of May. The towers house the offices of Tokyo’s central government. Entrance is free.

Tsukiji Fish Market is the largest of its kind in the world, handling over 2,000 tons of marine products every day. All sorts and sizes of fish are bought and sold in the early hours before 9am and has become one of Tokyo's major tourist attractions. However, since Tsukiji Market is a site where serious business is conducted, it is important for visitors not to interfere with the action by not bringing any large bags and not obstructing traffic along the narrow lanes.

Ueno Park was once the site of temples and nobles’ mansions, yet is now Tokyo’s premier cherry blossom viewing spot and home to interesting temples, important museums, as well as the Ueno Zoo. It is the oldest zoo in Japan. The Tokyo National Museum houses treasures of Japanese art, while the National Museum of Western Art and the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum host international exhibitions. The park is located right next to Ueno Station.

Yoyogi Park is a spacious Western style park with wide lawns, trees and ponds, popular among foreign residents and famous for its brilliant autumn leaves. It offers a convenient retreat just five minutes walk west of Harajuku Station.