landmark
Shinjuku
Tokyo's massive commercial and entertainment hub featuring towering skyscrapers, neon-lit nightlife streets, and the famous Kabukicho district.
1 km · about 5 min drive
Tokyo, Japan · Asia
Tokyo works well as a base: 1km from Shinjuku.
Tokyo is a major city located in Tokyo, Japan. With a population of 9,733,276, it is one of the largest urban centers in Asia.
On a road trip, Tokyo sits in Japan, where you drive on the left. It's in the Asia/Tokyo time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Tokyo to your route.
Tokyo, officially the Tokyo Metropolis, is the capital and most populous city of Japan. The population of the city proper was over 14 million as of 2023. The Greater Tokyo Area, which includes Tokyo and parts of six neighboring prefectures, is the third-most populous metropolitan area in the world, with 33 millionRead more
residents as of 2025.
Lying at the head of Tokyo Bay, Tokyo is part of the Kantō region, on the central coast of Honshu, Japan's largest island. It is Japan's economic center and the seat of the Japanese government and the Emperor of Japan. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government administers Tokyo's central 23 special wards, which formerly made up Tokyo City; various commuter towns and suburbs in its western area; and two outlying island chains, the Tokyo Islands. Although most of the world recognizes Tokyo as a city, since 1943 its governing structure has been more akin to that of a prefecture, with an accompanying Governor and Assembly taking precedence over the smaller municipal governments that make up the metropolis. Special wards in Tokyo include Chiyoda, the site of the National Diet Building and the Tokyo Imperial Palace; Shinjuku, the city's administrative center; and Shibuya, a hub of commerce and business.
Tokyo, originally known as Edo, rose to political prominence in 1603 when it became the seat of the Tokugawa shogunate, and by the mid-18th century, Edo had evolved from a small fishing village into one of the largest cities in the world, with a population surpassing one million. After the Meiji Restoration (1868), the imperial capital in Kyoto was moved to Edo, and the city was renamed Tokyo (lit. 'Eastern Capital'). Tokyo was greatly damaged by the 1923 Great Kantō earthquake and by allied bombing raids during World War II. Beginning in the late 1940s, Tokyo underwent rapid reconstruction and expansion, which fueled the Japanese economic miracle, in which Japan's economy became the second-largest in the world at the time, behind that of the United States. As of 2025, Tokyo is home to 26 of the world's 500 largest companies, as listed in the annual Fortune Global 500.
Tokyo was the first city in Asia to host the Summer Olympics and Paralympics, in 1964, and also hosted in 2021. It hosted three G7 summits, in 1979, 1986, and 1993. Tokyo is an international hub of research and development and an academic center, with several major universities, including the University of Tokyo, the top-ranking university in Japan. Tokyo Station is the central hub for the Shinkansen, the country's high-speed railway network, and the city's Shinjuku Station is the world's busiest train station. Tokyo Skytree is the world's tallest tower. The Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, which opened in 1927, is the oldest underground metro line in Asia.
Tokyo's nominal gross domestic output was 120.2 trillion yen (US$887.9 billion) in FY2022 and accounted for 21.2% of Japan's economic output, which converts to 8.43 million yen or US$62,291 per capita. Including the Greater Tokyo Area, Tokyo is the second-largest metropolitan economy in the world after New York, with a 2022 gross metropolitan product estimated at US$2.08 trillion. Although Tokyo's status as a leading global financial hub has diminished with the Lost Decades since the 1990s, when the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) was the world's largest, with a market capitalization about 1.5 times that of the NYSE, Tokyo is still a leading financial hub, and the TSE remains among the world's top five major stock exchanges. Tokyo is categorized as an Alpha+ city by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network. It ranked 14th in the 2024 edition of the Global Livability Ranking, and has been ranked as the safest city in the world by the Economist Intelligence Unit.
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Discover famous landmarks, scenic roads, and more near Tokyo.
Tokyo offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.
Plan your road trip to Tokyo with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Tokyo as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.
Tokyo is located in Tokyo, Japan, Asia. The coordinates are 35.6895 latitude, 139.6917 longitude.
Tokyo has a population of approximately 9,733,276 people, making it a major city in Japan.
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Essential numbers in Japan
Japan Helpline (24h English assistance): 0570-000-911. An International Driving Permit (1949 convention) is required to drive.
Full driving guide for Japan8 notable places within an hour's drive.
landmark
Tokyo's massive commercial and entertainment hub featuring towering skyscrapers, neon-lit nightlife streets, and the famous Kabukicho district.
1 km · about 5 min drive
landmark
A serene Shinto shrine surrounded by a lush forested park, dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken in the heart of Tokyo.
2 km · about 5 min drive
cafe
Deus's Harajuku outpost in Tokyo bringing Australian motorcycle and surf culture to the heart of Japanese street fashion.
3 km · about 5 min drive
landmark
The world's busiest pedestrian crossing, where thousands of people cross simultaneously from all directions at this iconic Tokyo intersection.
3 km · about 5 min drive
landmark
The primary residence of the Emperor of Japan, set within vast gardens and moats in the heart of Tokyo.
6 km · about 10 min drive
museum
An immersive digital art museum where interactive, boundary-less artworks flow from room to room in a mesmerizing sensory experience.
6 km · about 10 min drive
landmark
Red-and-white communications tower inspired by the Eiffel Tower, an enduring symbol of post-war Japan.
6 km · about 10 min drive
landmark
Tokyo's vibrant electronics and anime district, famous for its neon-lit streets, manga shops, and otaku culture.
7 km · about 15 min drive
Other places to explore near Tokyo.
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