Have you ever gone to a place that you thought would be incredible but it ended up being a let down? It didn’t quite live up to all of the hype you read about and wonder how it got such great reviews on Trip Advisor?
Here are a few of those in Tokyo that you should rethink before planning an entire day around these sites.
Imperial Palace – The ancient palace is a massive and imposing building. The grounds are beautiful and the gates, moats, and monuments are worth a couple pictures but once you have had your fill, it’s time to move on and find something else to do. There just is not a lot to see as the main buildings are closed to the public and only a handful of (first come, first serve) tours are available but only visit a handful of small parts of the grounds. There are also a ton of tourist groups that clog up the area, making it hard to get a good picture. There are just better places to go around Chiyoda than just a photo opportunity here.
Sumo – Ryogoku – If sumo is in season, then this area is going to be a must see for both tourist and local alike. From practices, training, and matches, sumo is exciting but it has its seasons. If it is out of season in Tokyo, then there is not a lot to see in the Ryogoku area aside from some great restaurants and the sumo museum. Aside from that, the area is just a pleasant neighborhood without a go-to spot like the rest of Tokyo has. Pick your seasons carefully.
Tokyo Tower – Tokyo Tower is a big tourist trap, you have been warned. The observation deck is not the highest in the area, costs a lot more than others (more than Mori Tower), is usually crowded (especially with the tour groups). The rest of the tower is nothing but a souvenir shop that is geared for tourists. If you want to find an observation deck and spend half the money, head to Mori Tower in Roppongi Hills. There are better ways and cheaper options to get a birds eye view of Tokyo.
Gundam in Odaiba – The massive gundam in Odaiba (not the Gundam experience that is also over there, that’s a different spot), is an iconic statue that lights up and makes noises throughout various times in the day. It is a cool statue and worth a photo if you are in the area, but outside of that, there is not a lot to do in the area outside of shopping at the numerous malls in the area. Plus Odaiba is not the easiest to get to, so take note of that before hopping on the Yurikamome line.
Tokyo Station area – The train station is a central transportation hub in the center of Tokyo, not a big tourist attraction. The building itself is unique and if you are a train fan, it’s a fun place to to visit. However, outside of that, the station sits in the middle of a major business district in downtown Tokyo which gets pretty quiet after 5 PM. It’s just not a major entertainment hub so look elsewhere for food and fun.
And don’t let this list stop you from visiting these spots in Tokyo if you want to. They are simply spots that get a lot of attention and could be skipped over if you are short on time and want to prioritize other places instead.
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