Attractions — Tokyo

A shop for toys and figures.

Yoyogi Park was part of the 1964 Olympic Games. Most temporary structures were dismantled after the Games, but one of the main Olympic facilities — the Yoyogi National Gymnasium — is still in use today.

The corporate headquarters of Google.

Noh is a form of Japanese theatre — older and more classical, characterized by seriousness and austerity. Noh actors are traditionally male. The main character wears special masks instead of expressive facial acting, and performances are long and may require some preparation from the audience. To balance Noh’s drama, it is often combined with comic scenes (kyōgen); that mix is called nōgaku. The main Noh stage in Tokyo is the National Noh Theatre. Seats are equipped with screens showing English subtitles, but even so the performance can be hard to follow.

Takagi Shrine is a charming Shinto shrine in Tokyo known for its unique association with 'go-en' (fate and relationships) and adorable rice ball motifs. Visitors can find these 'onigiri' hidden throughout the grounds, symbolizing the shrine's dedication to the deity of creation and birth.

Ono Shrine is a historical Shinto shrine in Tama, Tokyo, with roots dating back to 531 BC. While not a major tourist attraction, it offers a glimpse into ancient Japanese religious practices and features a large torii gate and a rebuilt Zuishinmon Gate.

The Arima Family Plot consists of several mysterious gravestones located within the Tokyo National Museum's Japanese garden. Their presence, after all other temple graves were relocated, remains an unexplained historical anomaly that intrigues visitors.

Fantasy Dining Alice in a Labyrinth was a unique 'Alice in Wonderland'-themed restaurant in Tokyo, known for its immersive decor and themed food. While the original location has closed, similar Alice's Fantasy Restaurants continue to operate in other parts of Japan, offering a whimsical dining experience.

Enkiri Enoki is a small, unconventional shrine in Tokyo known for its unique operation entirely by vending machines. Visitors come here to pray for the severance of bad relationships or the beginning of new ones, or even to overcome addictions, making it a curious stop for those interested in local customs.

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 Gorilla Building in Tokyo's Sangenjaya neighborhood features a large gorilla sculpture clinging to its facade, holding a schoolgirl. It's a whimsical and unexpected sight that offers a fun photo opportunity for those exploring the area.

The Hermès facade is made of translucent glass blocks.

Shiotama is an unusual art installation featuring humanoid, polka-dotted sculptures crawling on all fours in the NTV plaza in Tokyo's Shiodome district. While not a major attraction, visitors often stumble upon these quirky figures when heading to the nearby Ghibli Clock or Nittele Tower, finding them to be a peculiar and memorable sight.

The Shin-Ōhashi Bridge, spanning the Sumida River, holds a unique place in art history as the subject of a famous ukiyo-e print that later influenced Vincent Van Gogh. While the current structure is modern, its historical significance offers a glimpse into Tokyo's past and its artistic connections.

The Site of Yatate Hajime commemorates the starting point of Matsuo Bashō's famous journey, "The Narrow Road to the Deep North." Visitors can see a mural of his inaugural haiku under Senju-ōhashi Bridge and statues of the poet on both sides of the river, marking a significant moment in Japanese literary history.

Takao Inari Shrine is a small, unassuming shrine in Tokyo's Nihonbashi-Hakozakicho district, notable for its modern design and a peculiar legend. It is said to house the deified skull of a 17th-century courtesan, Takao-Dayū, and is believed to offer relief from head-related ailments.

The Young Clock Tower, a creation by renowned artist Taro Okamoto, stands as a unique artistic landmark in Tokyo's Ginza district. While often overlooked, its vibrant design and philosophical underpinnings offer a glimpse into Okamoto's distinctive style, serving as a precursor to his more famous works.

Yubizuka is a unique bronze sculpture located within the grounds of Denzuin Temple, commemorating the master of shiatsu, Tokujiro Namikoshi. Visitors find it an unusual and somewhat quirky monument, often discovered as an unexpected detail during a visit to the temple.

Perched atop a confectionery college in Kichijōji, the Futaba Cake Building is a giant, two-tiered cake sculpture designed to catch the eye of passengers on the Chūō railway line. It serves as a whimsical advertisement for the school, complete with candles, strawberries, and a school logo.

The Five Zelkovas of Kami-Itabashi are a peculiar natural landmark in Tokyo, known for their historical significance and the local legend of a 'curse' that protects them. These trees stand prominently in the middle of a road, sparking both local pride and traffic complaints, and are rumored to be haunted.