Tourist Attractions & Monuments Tokyo

Timetable

Opening times vary widely, but most museums and parks will be open between 10am and 5pm. On Saturdays and Sundays, there are often long queues, especially for temporary exhibitions. Each institution has a different closing day. Temples and shrines open early (around 8 a.m.) and also close at 4 or 5 p.m., except during festivals.

To be booked

Private tours of the Imperial Palace and special tours of Toyosu Market should be booked online in advance. Some museums and theaters are also very popular, and it's advisable to buy tickets well in advance, e.g. for the Ghibli Museum, the TEAMLAB Museum of Digital Art and certain temporary exhibitions. Since the Covid-19 epidemic, online booking and prepayment have become the norm. In some cases, this saves time and reduces ticket prices. It is advisable to visit each establishment's website a few days (or even weeks) before your visit to check booking conditions.

Budget & Tips

The free tours of Asakusa and Ueno are a good opportunity to discover the city with locals, as are those of the National Diet. If you're planning several museum visits, the Grutto Pass (¥2,500) entitles you to discounts and free admission to 95 museums and galleries in Tokyo(www.rekibun.or.jp). It can be purchased directly at the museums concerned, at certain tourist offices or online. Note also that some attractions, such as Shibuya Scramble Square, offer online pre-sales at lower prices. Don't hesitate to check the information on the websites.

Many things to do in Tokyo, such as visiting temples and shrines or taking part in festivals, are free. Some galleries are too, such as Design Festa Gallery (in Harajuku), Scai the Bathhouse (in Yanaka) or 3331 Arts Chiyoda (in Akihabara).

Main events

Every season is full of festivals, most of them linked to temples and shrines. For more information, see the Agenda section of this guide.

Smokers

Smoking is banned in the vast majority of public places.

Tourist traps

In museums, small boutiques and workshops, do-it-yourself activities (origami, paper, wooden objects, etc.) are all the rage. While some offer a real opportunity to try your hand at Japanese crafts, others are sometimes far too expensive for what's on offer. You be the judge.