Attractions — Tokyo Metropolis

The Sanrio Exhibition offers a journey through 60 years of Sanrio's 'kawaii' culture, featuring beloved characters like Hello Kitty. Visitors can explore valuable designs and interactive elements, though some find the exhibition space to be relatively small.

Chiikawa Bakery offers a whimsical, character-themed experience, delighting fans with its pink, fairy-tale decor and adorable, themed baked goods. Visitors consistently praise the charming atmosphere and photo opportunities, though it operates strictly by reservation and does not offer dine-in service.

Koami Shrine is a small, historic shrine in Tokyo's Nihonbashi district, renowned for its unique money-washing ritual believed to bring good fortune and wealth. Visitors often come to pray for luck and prosperity, and many appreciate the spiritual atmosphere and the availability of charming, wealth-attracting amulets.

JRA Tokyo Racecourse is a comprehensive facility offering horse racing, entertainment, and leisure activities in a vibrant atmosphere. Visitors can experience Japanese horse racing culture, enjoy various viewing areas, and utilize dining and relaxation facilities, making it suitable for families and sports enthusiasts.

Torimi Shrine in Shiroi offers a rare public viewing of the Embracing Kangiten, an elephant-headed deity often kept hidden due to its sensual depiction. This 18th-century stone effigy provides a unique glimpse into a less commonly seen aspect of Japanese Buddhist iconography, appealing to those interested in esoteric religious art.

The corporate headquarters of Mitsubishi Motors.

The Hermès facade is made of translucent glass blocks.

Geometric façade.

The headquarters of the Sony corporation.

An interesting pearlescent facade.

Ajinomoto Stadium is a large multi-purpose stadium in Tokyo, primarily known for hosting football matches, rugby, and concerts. Visitors praise its vibrant atmosphere during events, especially for FC Tokyo games and major concerts. While not a standalone tourist destination, it offers an exciting experience for those attending an event.

Futako-Tamagawa Rise is a large shopping complex offering a variety of shops, restaurants, and entertainment options, including seasonal ice rinks and illuminations. Visitors appreciate its spaciousness, diverse dining, and the pleasant atmosphere, especially around the Futako-Tamagawa Station area and nearby river.

Aoyama Technical College is an architectural curiosity in Tokyo, known for its striking, industrial design that resembles a giant insect or machine. Designed by Makoto Sei Watanabe, it stands out dramatically amidst its residential surroundings, offering a unique visual experience for those interested in avant-garde buildings.

The Ariake Incineration Plant's 140-meter chimney features an unusual dot-based clock that has puzzled visitors since 1995. The design uses illuminated dots on a circle to indicate hours and dots on a vertical line to show five-minute intervals, making it one of Tokyo's most unconventional timekeeping devices. It's an oddly charming piece of industrial design best appreciated from a distance during a walk through Odaiba's waterfront.

The Basho Memorial Statue commemorates Matsuo Bashō, one of Japan's greatest haiku poets, at the site where he is believed to have penned his famous 'frog' poem. Located within the Bashō Heritage Garden, the statue uniquely rotates to face the Sumida River after sunset, offering a subtle nod to his connection with the waterway.

The Tone Canal Billiken Shrine offers a quirky cultural experience, housing a tin statue of Billiken, an American mascot turned Japanese lucky god. Visitors can rub its feet for good fortune, a tradition rooted in its surprising history. For a deeper dive, the original statue is displayed at the Nagareyama City Museum.

This touching bronze sculpture in Tsukijigawa-Ginza Park commemorates Chirori, Japan's first certified therapy dog, and her puppies. It tells a unique story of resilience and pioneering welfare work, offering a quiet moment of reflection amidst Tokyo's bustling cityscape.

Coicorin features two granite cat sculptures in Ginza, known for their wish-granting powers, particularly in matters of love. Visitors interact with the statues by petting them in specific ways to manifest their desires, making it a unique cultural curiosity.

The Shirahige-Higashi Firewall Apartment Complex in Tokyo's Sumida Ward is a unique example of disaster-resistant urban planning. These massive concrete buildings, equipped with rolling steel shutters and fire cannons, were designed to act as a firebreak and evacuation shelter for up to 100,000 people in the event of a major fire or earthquake.

The Ghost Buddha at Kōfuku-ji Temple is a mysteriously disfigured Jizō statue, whose skeletal appearance has earned it its spectral nickname. Its origins and the cause of its unique form are unknown, even to the temple priests, making it a local enigma.