12 of the Most Instagrammable Places in Tokyo
Tokyo is a massive metropolis with many corners to explore. But with its array of parks, frenetic markets and ancient shrines in stark contrast with gleaming skyscrapers, it can be difficult to know where to begin. To best capture the city's famous, colorful cuisine and distinct aesthetic, grab your camera and head to these iconic — and seriously photogenic — Tokyo spots.
1. Meiji Shrine
Located next to Harajuku Station, the Meiji Shrine is a quiet respite for overwhelmed travelers. Originally built and dedicated in 1920, this shrine exalts the spirits of the Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. Millions of visitors flock here to participate in the first prayers of the New Year — so if you’re visiting during that time, be prepared for crowds.
2. Sensō-ji Temple
Sensō-ji Temple is a five-story Buddhist temple located in the Asakusa district of Tokyo. According to legend, two brothers retrieved a statue of Kannon, goddess of mercy, from a nearby river, which they returned to the waters. Yet the statue came back to them. The temple was built shortly after in the 7th century, and remains Tokyo’s oldest temple.
3. Ueno Park
Originally a part of the Kaneiji Temple, Ueno Park is now a beautiful green space that has been open since 1873. A variety of museums are accessible from the grounds, including the Tokyo National Museum, the Museum of Western Art, Ueno Zoo and the National Science Museum. Visit between late March and early April to photograph the park's 1,000-plus cherry trees in bloom during cherry blossom season.
4. Tokyo Tower
Clearly modeled after the Eiffel Tower, this building is the second-tallest structure in Japan, standing more than 1,090 feet above the Shibakoen district of Minato. Originally constructed as a communications tower, Tokyo Tower also has an observation deck from where you can capture panoramic views of the skyline. But the tower is also an arresting sight. Swing by in the evening to admire (and Instagram) the illuminated structure.
5. The Scramble
Considered the world’s busiest intersection, Shibuya Crossing (or The Scramble) is an assemblage of crosswalks, flashing lights and hurried commuters. Rumor has it that a great view of The Scramble can be found from the glass-front Starbucks on the second floor of the Q-front building. Just be sure to arrive (and order your coffee) during rush hour to see the most impressive surge of foot traffic.
6. Tokyu Plaza Omotesando
Designed by Hiroshi Nakamura, the shopping center at Tokyu Plaza Omotesando is every fashion-fiend's dream. One of the most impressive characteristics of the marketplace, however, is the gorgeous mirrored archway. The stairway into the plaza is framed by a faceted collection of mirrors, each one reflecting a distinct streetscape. Visitors can also head up to the sixth floor-terrace to shoot a few photos of the Harajuku district below.
7. The Soho
Located in the Odaiba district is the Soho, a 13-story office building with conference and dining rooms, fitness facilities, a top-floor bar, rooftop terrace, and even showers. This is a perfect space to visit if you’re a remote worker, but it’s also fun to explore as a tourist seeking eye-catching Instagrams. Play with contrast to emphasize the vibrant, colorblocked hallways.
8. Roppongi Hills
Roppongi Hills is one of the largest building development projects in Tokyo, and it's crowned by an impressive 54-story skyscraper. The building, named for the architect Minoru Mori, is home to several corporations including Google Japan, Lenovo, and The Pokémon Company. Visitors, however, can check out the Mori Art Museum on the 53rd floor, and take scenic shots from the observation decks on the 52nd and 54th floors.
9. Rikugien
If you are traveling during autumn, plan a trip to Rikugien garden. Rikugien, meaning “six poems garden,” is home to miniatures depicting scenes from famous poems. A network of walking paths meander along waterways and rolling hills, and wind around maple trees that turn fiery red and orange in the fall.
10. Golden Gai
This system of six narrow alleyways in the middle of booming Shinjuku is home to a variety of micro bars and boutiques (some of which serve only regulars, and guests of regulars). But if a bar has a menu displayed outside, it's open to all. Drop by in the evening for a plate of barbecue chicken, and snap a few photographs of the streets' glowing neon signs.
11. Todoroki Valley
Todoroki's lack of landscape design makes it a refreshing, laid-back break from the otherwise orderly city. Bridges and statues adorn the walking paths, and travelers can happily stumble upon hidden tearooms and shrines. Buy a sweet kuzumochi cake from the Setsugetsuka tearoom and set up a picnic while you Instagram the untamed space.
12. Tsukiji Market
A staggering variety of seafood is sold here — just note that the wholesale area of the market is a place of serious commerce with a strict set of rules. Don’t show up in sandals or high heels, don’t obstruct the traffic or touch anything that isn’t yours, and don’t bring your bags or suitcases inside. Do, however, take advantage of the Instagram-worthy dishes you’ll find on sale in the outdoor market.
Photo of a woman taking a photo of Ueno Park in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images)
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.