Places to visit (or skip) in major Tokyo stations

The Yamanote Line is often called Tokyo’s most famous train line. Easily identifiable with its lime green color scheme, the train line loops around the city’s major shopping areas, cultural landmarks, and more, with stops at stations such as Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Harajuku. We know that despite the crowds, first-time travelers still head to these areas; so we’ve compiled a beginner’s guide to the Yamanote Line’s most iconic stations, including which ones are worth prioritizing and which ones you might want to skip.

If you’re keen on exploring uncrowded and uniquely charming areas of the train line, be sure to check it out Our guide to the hidden gems of the Yamanote Line.

Shibuya Crossing | Photo: Airbreaker ZH

Shibuya

Perhaps one of the most photographed districts in all of Tokyo, Shibuya is a major business and entertainment center known for its iconic scramble intersection. The area offers countless shopping, dining and nightlife options and epitomizes modern Japanese culture.

Shibuya attractions

• Shibuya intersection: Yes, it will be very crowded and overwhelming, but if you are in the area, this intersection is still worth a look, especially after dark. The Zigzag Crossing is smaller than you might think, so it only takes a few minutes to see it all, unless you’re determined to take photos. Please be careful not to disturb pedestrians who are actually trying to cross the street.
• Miyashita Park: This multi-level shopping mall features a stylish and modern rooftop park, a great place to take a break and enjoy refreshments. Although it’s always crowded, the mall has plenty of outdoor space and feels less claustrophobic than the Shibuya Scramble Square mall, which is directly connected to Shibuya Station.

Must-see attractions in Shibuya

• Shibuya Sky Observatory: Located on top of the Shibuya Scramble Plaza building, this deck offers panoramic views of Tokyo. Although the views are stunning, the sunset time slot is difficult to get a reservation for, and you’ll almost certainly face large crowds. If you just want to enjoy a beautiful city view, go to the Tokyo Government Building Observation Deck in Shinjuku (free) or Roppongi Hills City View (less crowded).
• Hachiko statue: This small bronze statue commemorates the touching story of the loyal Akita dog and has always been a popular gathering spot and photo spot – which means it’s always surrounded by chaos. Skip it unless you’re a big fan of the story.

Meiji Jingu Shrine | Photo: James Pell

Harajuku

Harajuku has a long and colorful history as the city’s kawaii cultural hub and is the birthplace of many legendary streetwear brands. The station is close to the beautiful Meiji Jingu Shrine and the lively Yoyogi Park, so you can enjoy a moment of tranquility away from the bustling streets of Harajuku.

Harajuku attractions

• Meiji Shrine: Dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, this magnificent shrine is not only a meaningful cultural site but also a stunning nature reserve in the city. Home to Japan’s first “Eternal Forest,” made up of trees planted by 110,000 volunteer citizens, the shrine is a peaceful place of reverence and beauty.
• Yoyogi Park: When the weather is nice, this vast free park is the perfect place to relax with a coffee or picnic.
• Harajuku Laforet: If you are looking for unique contemporary Japanese fashion brands, you should definitely check out this multi-level mall. Its entrance is right next to the iconic Vivienne Westwood store.
• In Harajuku: The network of backstreets and alleys surrounding Cat Street, often referred to as “Urahara” (Harajuku), is filled with unique boutiques, thrift shops, galleries and cafes.

Things not to miss in Harajuku

• Takeshita Street: This narrow pedestrian street is one of Harajuku’s iconic attractions, filled with trendy boutiques, shops and street food. However, it’s nearly impossible to get around without rubbing shoulders with millions of tourists, and what originally made the street so iconic – its eclectic, quirky mix of styles and subcultures – has faded significantly over the years. Unless you really want to go to a pet cafe (some of which have very questionable ethics) or a specific shop down the street, maybe skip it.
• Omotesando: Often referred to as Tokyo’s Champs Elysées, this tree-lined avenue is lined with glamorous high-end shops, such as the museum-like Ralph Lauren flagship store and ornate Dior and Hermès branches. However, this avenue gets very crowded, especially as you get closer to the Harajuku side. Unless you’re looking for a specific fashion piece, it’s probably not worth squeezing through people’s hoards. The same stores in Ginza are spaced wider apart, which may make your shopping experience less crowded.

Shinjuku Mode Yokocho | Photo: Pema G

Shinjuku

Even if you don’t live on the Yamanote Line, you’ll probably end up in Shinjuku, one of the busiest stations in the world. Shinjuku is a huge, diverse urban center that’s almost a city in itself, with several large department stores, nightlife, towering skyscrapers, and more.

Shinjuku attractions

• Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden: A vast oasis of tranquility in the heart of Shinjuku, Shinjuku Gyoen is famous for its blend of three different garden styles: traditional Japanese, English landscape, and French formal. It can get very crowded during cherry blossom season, but we highly recommend strolling any other time of the year.
• Isetan Shinjuku Store: Along with historic department stores in Tokyo’s East Ward such as Nihombashi Takashimaya and Ginza Mitsukoshi, Isetan Shinjuku is one of the city’s most gorgeous and luxurious department stores. Even if you don’t buy anything, it’s fun to walk around and admire the beautiful homewares, clothing stores, and wide variety of candy on the basement floor.
• Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building: If you’re looking for a city view without the crazy crowds, this is an underrated (and free) observation deck. On a clear day, you can even see Mount Fuji in the distance!
• Think out Yokocho: As you might have guessed, this narrow lane called “Memory Lane” is lined with yakitori stalls, izakaya stalls, and other food stalls, and is mostly filled with tourists at this point. But if you’re in Shinjuku, it’s worth walking through it, especially at night when the lanterns are lit. Just don’t expect a real local experience.

Attractions not to be missed in Shinjuku

• Thank you, Hao Ga: Kabukicho, Tokyo’s red-light district, is notorious for tricking tourists into bars with hefty cover charges and expensive drinks. This is not the best area, especially after dark, so unless you really like the nightlife there, we recommend skipping it. Golden Gai is the area’s most popular little bar street with tourists and is often mentioned online, but it’s not worth the risk if you want a more authentic experience (instead, check out our Newbridge Bar Tour Video Guide).
• Don Quixote: Most tourists go to the grocery store to buy souvenirs and knick-knacks, but we recommend skipping the Shinjuku store as it can be crowded at any given time.

Tokyo Station Building | Photo: Yoshihiro

tokyo station

Tokyo Station is one of Japan’s central transportation hubs, best known for its majestic red brick Marunouchi Station Building, which serves as the gateway to the Shinkansen (bullet train) network. The surrounding Marunouchi district features stylish skyscrapers, high-end shopping malls, and the tranquil and historic Imperial Palace.

Attractions near Tokyo Station

• Museums and Galleries: Not many tourists know that there are some world-class cultural institutions located near Tokyo Station: artison museumwhich houses Japanese art from ancient times to contemporary times; Mitsubishi No. 1 Museuma restored Meiji-era architectural treasure; and Tokyo Station Gallerya gorgeous space located in the historic Tokyo Station Marunouchi Building. These indoor spaces are perfect for rainy day activities.
• Forbidden City East Garden: The Imperial Palace East Gyoen is a large free public park in the center of Tokyo, occupying a historical site within the inner circle of Edo Castle. While the main buildings no longer exist, visitors can explore the original moat and stone walls, climb the foundations of the former castle tower, and admire the beautifully preserved Ninomaru Japanese Garden.
• Tokyo International Forum: A must-visit for architecture lovers, this conference and arts center is known for its striking fiberglass structure, designed by Uruguayan architect Rafael Viñoly.

Attractions you can skip near Tokyo Station

• Tokyo Character Street and Tokyo Ramen Street: If you’re already at the station traveling somewhere, these concentrated shopping areas within the Tokyo Station subway allow you to shop efficiently, but we don’t recommend going out of your way to browse. You can find the same specialty items and food in other, less crowded areas of the city.

Shinobazu Pond in Ueno Park

Ueno

Ueno is a great place for a change of pace, especially for families with children. Ueno Park is one of Japan’s oldest parks and is home to several renowned museums and cultural institutions, such as the Tokyo Metropolitan Festival Concert Hall. The vast park also houses a zoo and is surrounded by a variety of historic restaurants. take a look at our Extensive guide to the area.

Attractions in Ueno

• Tokyo National Museum: As Japan’s oldest and largest museum, the Tokyo National Museum houses an unparalleled collection of Japanese art and antiques. The Honkan (Japan Gallery) displays Japanese art from prehistoric times to the 19th century in chronological order, including Jomon period statues and samurai armor.
• Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum: Founded in 1926 as Japan’s first public art museum, the institution hosts rotating special exhibitions of Japanese and foreign masterpieces (such as a retrospective of Joan Miró, works from the Van Gogh family collection).
• Shinobazu Pond and surrounding areas: Located at the southern end of Ueno Park, this tranquil pond features a lush lotus pond, rowing boats and a cormorant pond that serves as a bird sanctuary. Standing in the middle of the lotus pond, Benten is definitely a highlight of the picturesque scenery.

Must-see attractions in Ueno

• Ueno Zoo: While this is an affordable and convenient activity for families, it may not be worth the trek if you’re short on time. Since this is a historic zoo, some of the enclosures and exhibits tend to be outdated.
• Park, during cherry blossom season: We recommend avoiding this area during cherry blossom season as the crowds can be overwhelming. have Enjoy cherry blossoms in a less crowded place All over the city.

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