To see all of Tokyo in one day is quite impossible. There are so many places to see and explore throughout this beloved city. To experience all the gardens, food, attractions, shops, and districts would take someone years. Due to the size, you will have to pick and chose places to go and see or experience. Here are some areas that I think are a must-see if you only had one day in Tokyo, Japan.
The Imperial Palace East Garden - These gardens are the inner palace area that is open to the public. None of the main buildings of the palace in this area remain today, but the moats, walls, guardhouses, and gates still exist in the area. The gardens are a place where people can go to relax and explore. Throughout the seasons, this garden is a very touristy area. Thanks to the different flowers that bloom year-round and the fall foliage, this garden has become a destination many people aspire to see. The cherry blossoms are also another aspect that attracts tourists to the area. Many people will take engagement photoshoots or landscape photography here, trying to capture the true beauty that is at the gardens.
Koishikawa-Korakuen - This garden is known as the oldest and best Japanese garden in Tokyo. Built in the early Edo Period (1600-1867), this garden uses ponds, stones, trees, and hills to replicate the Japanese and Chinese scenery. The walking trails lead to viewpoints, where visitors are supposed to view the garden. Even though I visited Koishikawa-Korakuen in the Spring, this garden is known for its view in the Fall and cherry blossom seasons. With the many maple trees planted around the grounds, when fall comes, the area explodes with the most beautiful shades of red, orange, and yellow due to the foliage. Even with the garden built next to the Tokyo Dome, the chaotic life of the city does not bleed into the atmosphere of the area, and you are still able to experience the tranquility and peacefulness that one encounters in the wilderness.
Akihabara - Considered the hub for everything related to modern Japanese culture, the anime and manga fans will lose their mind in this area. The area centers around video games, anime, manga, electronics, and computer-related goods. This particular shopping district is widely popular and well known around the world. Icons from relevant anime are constantly displayed in the shops' windows, and there are numerous maid cafes and arcades throughout the district. While visiting this area, I was completely overwhelmed with what I was witnessing and experiencing. There was always something I could buy or participate in this area. For the ultimate nerd, like myself, this area can make a dent in your wallet if you aren't careful. You also can tend to lose track of time in this area. I spent over four hours here, and it felt like 10 minutes. This area should be a must-see if you feel like you have an inner nerd inside of you. You won't be disappointed.
Shibuya Ward - This ward is home to mainstream shopping and luxury shopping. If you are looking to shop at stores like Gucci, American Eagle, Ralph Lauren, and more like this is the area for you! Along with the more mainstream stores, there are a lot of side streets to explore as well. The side streets contain more boutique-like shops and more unique experiences. Trendy eateries and sticker shops are off the beaten path, and the boutiques have gorgeous clothing. Many of the stores I was able to explore, I was intrigued by because I had never seen anything like them anywhere else in the world. I came across this one eatery that sold drinks out of plastic lightbulbs! The beverage (that I think was a lemonade seltzer of some sort) was delicious and beat the heat that was radiating outside that day. Within this ward, there is a Tokyo Disney store and the famous Shibuya Crossing. The Disney store contained three floors of Disney merchandise, some only being store specific, which made the Disney store more original than others. The Shibuya Crossing was a great place to people watch. The crosswalk is known as the busiest crosswalk in the world and has thousands of people cross it at peak times during the day. Many visitors and tourists will come to see the crosswalk between 3 pm- 6 pm to witness its use at the busiest of time.
Takeshita Street - This street is a pedestrian shopping street that contains everything from Tokyo name brand stores to small fashion boutiques and cafes. Many of the smaller shops are known as testers, which means that manufacturers will populate these stores with prototypes and new fads to see which styles become hits or flops. This area is widely popular for its "Lolita" style clothing, and many young teens can be found shopping here for the latest styles. Its cute style is clothing, attracts many people from around the globe. Be aware that this street is beyond crowded. Shoulder to shoulder with people. If you are not a crowd person, you should skip this one.
Depending on what you are looking to experience in Tokyo, there is something for everyone. Between shopping, anime, technology, gardens, and so much more, this city is truly one that is original. Trying to pick and choose what you want to see and do is always a challenge, but if you have a general idea of what kind of experiences you want, it makes the trip a bit easier on you and your travel companions. I have never quite been to a city like Tokyo, and I barely was able to explore a fifth of the massive city. I cannot wait to return and see more of the area and discover more neat shops and activities to participate in.
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