Tokyo

The world’s largest metropolitan area is also one of its quietest, in the sense that thirty-seven million people manage to live and move through it without much shouting. Shibuya and Shinjuku are the famous neon districts; Asakusa is the older Tokyo of Senso-ji temple and the Sumida river; Yanaka and Kagurazaka are the residential pockets where the late-Meiji wood houses survived the war. Tsukiji Outer Market for breakfast, an art museum in Roppongi for the afternoon, and a small bar in Golden Gai at midnight is a complete Tokyo day.

Dense crowd crossing Shibuya intersection at night beneath giant illuminated billboards, neon signs reflecting on wet pavement — Shibuya Crossing at night.

The red Kaminarimon gate of Senso-ji temple in Asakusa with its giant paper lantern, five-story pagoda visible behind in soft morning light — Senso-ji temple, Asakusa.

Narrow alley at Tsukiji Outer Market at dawn lined with fish stalls and steaming food carts, golden morning light — Tsukiji Outer Market at dawn.

Narrow alleyway in Golden Gai at midnight packed with tiny red-lit bars stacked above one another, neon signs and paper lanterns — Golden Gai at midnight, Shinjuku.

Yanaka old neighborhood at dusk with surviving Meiji-era wooden houses lining a narrow lane, warm window light spilling onto the street — Yanaka old neighborhood at dusk.

Tokyo Skytree illuminated at blue hour against a deep blue sky, with a traditional wooden boat on the Sumida River — Sumida River at blue hour, Tokyo Skytree.

Getting around: Tokyo runs on rails. Our interactive Tokyo train map animates the JR Yamanote loop and the key metro lines at once — press play and tap any station to see its interchanges.

Where to stay: The most luxurious hotels in Tokyo →

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