Centred around bustling Tokyo Station and the Imperial Palace, Central Tokyo lies at the heart of the Japanese capital. It has long been the seat of political and economic power in the country and is home to historic gardens, grand shopping streets and outstanding museums.
Things to do in Central Tokyo
Dominating Central Tokyo is the Imperial Palace, which is the official residence of Japan’s monarchy. It lies on the former site of Edo Castle, with its sprawling park surrounded by moats and dotted with guardhouses built by the Tokugawa shoguns. Admire the seasonal flower displays of the East Gardens and explore the Museum of Imperial Collections before wandering through the adjacent Kokyo Gaien National Garden.
Located just outside the moat is the National Theatre of Japan, a monumental building that was inspired by the azekura-zukuri style of shōsōin (treasure houses). It regularly hosts traditional Japanese performance arts, including kabuki and nihon-buyō dance shows. On the opposite side of the Imperial Palace is the Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum where you’ll find an impressive collection of European artwork.
Baseball fans should coincide their visit to Central Tokyo with a game at the Tokyo Dome, which has been nicknamed the “Big Egg” and is home to the Yomiuri Giants. It lies alongside the family-friendly rides, roller coasters and shopping mall of Tokyo Dome City, as well as the interactive TeNQ Space Museum. Sprawling to the west are the traditional Japanese gardens of Koishikawa Korakuen.
Getting around Central Tokyo
Haneda Airport is around 45 minutes by train from Central Tokyo while Narita International Airport is just over an hour away. Long-distance trains, commuter railways and subway services connect to the massive Tokyo Station and buses travel throughout Central Tokyo. Many of the area’s sights are easily accessible on foot.