Top Tourist Attractions in Tokyo - Places not to be missed

The Imperial Palace where the Imperial Family still resides is one of the main attractions in Tokyo. It was built in the 17th century, as the focal point from which the spread of the entire city initiated. The original structure was not a Palace but a Fort, built by Lord Ota Dokan. It was later converted into the gorgeous palace as is seen today. One of the key attractions of the palace is the Nijubashi Bridge, which means "double bridge". If you are planning a visit to the Palace, try to visit it on the 2nd January or the 29th of April when the main Palace gates open to the public.

What Times Square is to New York is what Ginza is to Tokyo. The iconic shopping area is considered a must visit by many a shopaholic. Ginza is geographically interesting as well, as it is here that five ancient roads from five major cities in Japan meet. If you are not in a mood to go shopping, there are plenty of quaint cafes to sit in and people watch. The area is quite popular among tourists, and adjacent to Ginza is where you would find most of the upscale hotels and serviced apartments in Tokyo, including the likes of Ascott The Residence. Ginza is always crowded no matter the day of the week, though weekends naturally see a larger crowd.

Senso-Ji Temple is the most well-known place of worship in all of Tokyo and is located in the district of Asakusa. The shrine itself is preceded by a long stretch of shops where everything from masks, combs, wood carvings to kimonos are sold. The shrine has been erected in the name of Kannon, the goddess of compassion. Although the temple has been rebuilt over the years and undergone numerous bouts of renovation, it still retains its original architectural appearance. The main attractions of the temple are "Thunder-Gate", a tall red paper lantern, the Incense Vat, and the temple doves who are believed to be able to tell visitors' fortunes.

Visiting a museum is a must-do whenever you visit a new city; it is the one place where an entire history can be browsed and would place much of what you see and hear in the city in context. The National Museum of Nature and Science, locally known as "Kokuritise Kagaku Hakubutsukan" is located in Ueno Park in Tokyo. The museum opened in 1871 and is one of the oldest places you can visit in the city. Having undergone renovations and refurbishments through the years, the exhibits include interactive displays of everything from the historical times to Tokyo's advancements in nuclear energy and space exploration. Two of the most interesting galleries that you must not miss include the Global Gallery "Chikyukan" where you will find vintage vehicles and robots among others, and Highlights of Japan Gallery "Nihonkan", which is more about the traditional aspects of the country.