Tokyo is the biggest city in the world and it contains a dynamic mix of history and tradition rubbing shoulders with everything unexpected and modern. In Tokyo all of your senses will be stimulated as you explore the most famous sites, food haunts and hidden away bars. You could do with a whole week or even longer to really get your teeth into everything that the city has to offer but regardless of how much time you’ve got, if you want to get the best Instagram spots on your feed then look no further – make sure you head to these twelve spots! For each one I’ve shared a link on Google Maps as well as the estimated walking time from the nearest metro / subway stations to make it even easier for you to find and save them yourself
First up on this list is the stunning temple complex of Sensō-ji in the Asakusa area. Asakusa is known as one of the more historical areas of city with streets and independent craft stalls that nod to Tokyo’s past. At the heart of Asakusa is Sensō-ji. The Buddhist temple is the oldest in the city although, whilst it was founded in 628, the current building is much more modern as it had to be rebuilt after it was destroyed in the Second World War.
The eye-catching crimson building is perfect to add the first pop of colour to your Japan Instagram feed. Since Sensō-ji is one of the most popular places to visit in Tokyo it can get very busy here so make sure you arrive as early as possible to get a clean shot. Both of the gates to the temple, The Kaminari-mon (Thunder Gate) at the entrance and the second gate known as The Hozo-mon are great spots to capture. There are also plenty of little details from the stalls of Nakamise to the Sake barrels to the gorgeous Five-Storied Pagoda.
Paris has got the Eiffel Tower and Tokyo has got the Tokyo Tower which looks remarkably similar except its painted in red and white to make it a little different (it’s actually to be inline with Air Safety Regs). The Tower is one of the tallest structures in Japan and as well as being a communications tower, it also has an observation deck which you can visit for an epic view across Tokyo. There are a number of spots to capture the tower from including Shiva Park 4th Block, Zōjō-ji Temple and Zōjō-ji Road.
Gotokuji Temple may just be the cutest temple you’ll ever go to and that’s thanks to hundreds of lucky cats which sit on shelves around the back of the temple which make a very cute Instagram shot. The temple is alleged to be the birthplace of the Maneki Neko (lucky cat) although it’s not conclusive whether Gotokuji is or not. However, a temple legend says that Ii Naotaka was caught in a thunderstorm and beckoned in by the temple cat.
The ultimate location for bar hopping in Tokyo is wandering down the narrow alleyways of Golden Gai. There are over 600 bars to choose from here and it’s a far more chilled and old school Tokyo vibe in comparison to the nearby buzzy, neon signs of Shinjuku and Kabuchikō. You could join a bar hopping tour with a local guide or get lost in the choice yourself as you choose between sake, cocktails and beer. Take a photo down one of the alleyways for a perfect slice of Tokyo street scene with the lanterns and signs lit up at night.
Meiji Jingu is Tokyo’s most famous and most visited Shinto Shrine which is located between Harajuku Station and Yoyogi Park so it’s nice and easily accessible. The perfect spot here for your Instagram is the row of fabulously painted Sake Barrels. Sake (rice wine) brings people closer to the gods as part of the Shinto belief. The barrels would have been given to the shrine by local Japanese sake brewers for the sake to be used at special ceremonies and festivities, the barrels can then be used as a lovely decoration in the park.
At the top of everyone’s list in Kyoto is a visit to Senbon Torii which has thousands of charming, traditional red painted tore gates leading up the mountain. However, there is also a lovely spot in Tokyo to capture the iconic red structures, if you’re only visiting Tokyo on your trip or can’t make it across to Kyoto. You’ll need to find the West Entrance into the Hie Shrine and here you’ll make your way up a flight of steep steps passing underneath the crimson gates all the way to the top. During the day you’ll likely need to wait for your turn. Whilst it’s not as busy as Senbon Torii in Kyoto, it is considerably smaller making it trickier to get a clear shot here.
There’s another tower in Tokyo to get a bird’s eye view of the city and that’s the Tokyo Skytree. It also has a rather iconic structure which soars up above the city and is recognisable all over Tokyo. There are a few ways this makes a great Instagram spot. As you’re exploring on the ground, the Skytree will undoubtedly make an appearance in some of your street shots but it also makes a great photo when you’re standing right beneath it looking up.
At 634m high, the Skytree is the tallest structure in Japan and the tallest tower in the world so you can bet that another great Insta shot is from the observation deck where you can see across Tokyo’s cityscape. You can see the city stretch on for miles. If you visit on a clear day you can possibly capture Mt Fuji in the distance and a trip up at sunset will hopefully get you an epic sky background to go alongside the skyscrapers.
