Things to do in  Kanto

The legendary Mt. Fuji (Fuji-san) stands 12,388 feet (3,776 meters) tall. Travelers from around the world head to Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park to see the mountain, and more than one million of them hike all the way to the top each year for the 360-degree views of Lake Ashi, the Hakone Mountains, and the Owakudani Valley.

Built in 1958, the Tokyo Tower held the title of Japan’s tallest tower until the Tokyo Skytree, almost double its height, snagged the top spot. The original tower still affords great views from its two observation decks with views as far as Mt. Fuji (Fuji-san) on a clear day. It also houses a Shinto shrine, several bars, and a ground-floor entertainment complex.

Standing at the northern end of Nakamise shopping street in the traditional old district of Asakusa, Senso-ji Temple is one of Tokyo’s most visited temples. Dedicated to Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy, it’s also the city’s oldest temple and an important site in Japanese Buddhism, home to various structures, including the 5-Storied Pagoda, the Hozomon Gate, the Thunder Gate (Kaminarimon), and the Main Hall (Kannondo).

Step out of the station at Shibuya and you’re instantly in the thick of it. This is Tokyo at full volume with sky-high malls, flashing billboards, and hundreds of people moving in all directions. A popular meeting place and a prime photo opportunity, visitors come here to walk across the famous Shibuya Crossing—a tourist attraction in its own right. Venture further to discover a maze of shops, cafés, game arcades, and endless entertainment options around every corner.

Formed 3,000 years ago during the last eruption of Mt. Fuji, Lake Ashi (Ashi-no-ko) is a scenic spot in Hakone National Park. Considered sacred by the Japanese, it is home to the famous Hakone Shrine, the town’s most famous Shinto shrine at the foot of Mt. Hakone. Visitors come to see the shrine, take a boat out on the lake, or enjoy the many hiking trails in the area.

Home to the Emperor of Japan, the Tokyo Imperial Palace occupies the site of the original Edo Castle (Edo-jō), the Tokugawa shogunate’s castle, which was once the largest fortress in Japan. Located in the center of Tokyo, the palace is surrounded by moats and serene gardens.

At over 7,500 feet (2,300 meters) high, the Fuji-Subaru Line 5th Station—not to be confused with Fujinomiya 5th Station—affords spectacular views over Fuji Five Lakes and Hakone National Park. Easily accessible by road, the 5th Station lies at the midpoint of the Yoshida Trail to Mount Fuji’s summit, so many hikers begin their ascent here.

Located in central Tokyo, Meiji Shrine (Meiji Jingu) offers a peaceful retreat from the city’s fast pace. Dating back to the 1920s, it honors Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken and is one of Tokyo’s most important Shinto shrines. Visitors come to stroll the forested paths, pass under the giant torii gate, explore the shrine buildings, view murals, and purchase charms or write wishes on wooden plaques.

Along the central Tokyo waterfront, Hama Rikyu is a spacious garden with an island teahouse, seawater ponds that rise and fall with the tides, and traditional Japanese landscaping that contrasts with the ultra-modern skyscrapers and neon signs that crowd the park’s perimeter. It’s a welcome green space in this busy city, and a must-visit for anyone interested in Japanese gardening and design.

Akihabara, also commonly known as “Electric Town,” is the go-to area in Tokyo for electronics—and a popular spot to immerse yourself in anime and manga culture. Packed with hundreds of shops that sell everything from standard computer parts to rare collectibles, it’s equally known for its manga-themed and maid cafés, video game arcades, and vending machines selling everything imaginable. Bring your otaku (computer-nerd) friends and experience Japanese pop culture for yourself.

Tokyo Skytree isn’t just the tallest tower in Japan; it’s also the highest tower of its kind in the world at 2,080 feet (634 meters)—more than double the height of the Eiffel Tower. Taking over from the Tokyo Tower as the city’s leading TV and radio broadcast transmitter, the Skytree also has two observation decks with spectacular views across Tokyo and to distant Mount Fuji.

Sandwiched between the bustling districts of Shinjuku and Shibuya, Tokyo’s Harajuku district is known the world over for the youthful crowds that gather there to flaunt their wild fashions. This is where you can spot local teens dressed up in colorful and outlandish punk, goth, and anime costumes. But there’s even more to Harajuku than over-the-top street style—the main thoroughfare of Takeshita Street is also home to crepe stands, art galleries, and the Meiji Shrine (Meiji Jingu).

Experience the thrill of a cable car ride while taking in sweeping views of Mt. Fuji (Fuji-san) and Lake Ashi (Ashi-no-ko) along the way, by riding the Hakone Ropeway. One of the most popular attractions in the Japanese resort town of Hakone, the Hakone Ropeway connects Sounzan Station with Togendai Station on the shore of Lake Ashi.

With its neon lights, towering department stores, and trendy nightclubs, Tokyo’s upscale shopping district of Ginza is a chic, cosmopolitan adventure. You can catch a kabuki performance, check out the latest Japanese film or art exhibition, and dine at some of Tokyo’s best restaurants. And, then, of course, there’s the shopping—many consider Ginza to be the capital’s most glamorous retail district, thanks to its luxury department stores and flagship boutiques.

Crowded into a network of narrow alleyways in Tokyo’s Shinjuku district, Golden Gai is a cluster of more than 250 tiny bars—many no bigger than a closet and only large enough for a handful of customers. While some watering holes are reserved for members only, most of the uniquely themed establishments are open to all and offer a glimpse into a less formal side of Japanese culture.