The Very Best Things To Do In Chiyoda, Tokyo

Welcome to Chiyoda, the imperial neighborhood of Tokyo! Of course, Chiyoda’s most famous site is the Imperial Palace, the residence of Japan’s Emperor. However, there is more to visit in this neighborhood than this. In this blog, I will share with you all the things to do in Chiyoda as well as some recommendations on where to eat and sleep. Sounds good? So let’s get started!

CHIYODA

Chiyoda is one of the 23 special wards in Tokyo and it is located right in the center of the city. The neighborhood contains the Imperial Palace and a circular surface around it with a radius of 1km. This makes it one of the least populated neighborhoods in Tokyo since the Imperial Palace occupies the vast majority of its surface.

Of course, the main attraction of this area is the palace but there are many other activities to do in Chiyoda like the Tokyo International Forum, Yasukuni Shrine, or Hibiya Park.

THE 10 BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN CHIYODA

1. Tokyo Imperial Palace

The Imperial Palace in Tokyo consists of the Imperial Residence, where Japan’s Emperor and family live, and the Imperial Palace Complex, where he undertakes official duties. It is located on the site of the former Edo Castle, which was the seat of the Tokugawa Shogunate who ruled Japan for over 300 years. The former Edo Castle was destroyed during World War II.

Unfortunately, the grounds of the Imperial Palace are not open to the public. It is only possible to visit the Imperial Palace by joining a guided tour. These tours are held daily (Tuesday to Saturday) at 10:00 and 13:30. They are in Japanese and English and last around 75 minutes. To get a ticket for these tours, you must fill in an application at the official Imperial Household Agency website.

If you are not interested in joining one of these tours or like us, don’t have a lot of time available, you can still see some parts of it from the outside.

Nijubashi Bridge. Nijubashi (Double Bridge) is a two-arched stone bridge that gives access to the inner grounds of the palace. It can be easily seen from the Kokyo Gaien Square.
Sakuraya Tatsumi Yagura. This is one of the vigilance towers in the castle walls.

2. East Gardens of the Imperial Palace

The East Gardens of the Imperial Palace or Higashi Gyoen are, as their name says, located in the East Part of the Imperial Palace. Contrary to the Palace, these are open to the public and can be visited for free.

These gardens are truly a place to relax and enjoy the beauty of Japanese gardens. There are many areas to explore, the rose garden, the bamboo garden, Ninomaru Grove and Garden, etc. Just wander around and find your favorite area in this little oasis within the city.

The gardens are open daily, except for Mondays and Fridays and special occasions. They are open at 9 am and the closure time varies between 16:00 and 18:00 depending on the month of the year.

3. The National Museum of Modern Art

Next to the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, you can find the National Museum of Modern Art in Tokyo (MOMAT). The collection of the museum has many pieces of notable Japanese artists since the Meiji period and some contemporary western artists. If you love art, then this museum is something to consider during your stay in Tokyo.

The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday between 10:00 to 17:00. On Fridays and Saturdays it is open until 20:00. For admissions prices, check the official website of the MOMAT to get the updated information.

4. Tokyo Station

Tokyo Station is one of Japan’s busiest train stations. However, the first place is taken by Shinjuku Station, also in Tokyo. Here, you will be able to catch many Shinkansen lines (the high-speed lines) as well as many inter-city lines.

The station building has two different façades that contrast one another. The station building on the Marunouchi side is a red brick building dating from 1914. Besides getting trains, here you will find a hotel, restaurants and even an art gallery!

On the opposite side of the station, the Yaesu Side, the building is a more modern one.

5. Ramen Street

Speaking of Tokyo Station, did you know that underneath the station there is a special alley full of small Ramen restaurants? This has given it, the nickname “Tokyo Ramen Street”.

It is the perfect place to get some delicious food if you find yourself getting off a train here around lunch or dinner time.

6. Tokyo International Forum

The Tokyo International Forum is a convention and arts center. It is probably one of the most characteristic buildings near Tokyo Station and worth a visit if you’re an architecture enthusiast. Its symbolic glass atrium can be visited for free without having to visit any of the exhibitions held there.

In addition, the Oedo Antique Market, the biggest outdoor antique market in Japan is held here on the first and third Sunday of every month between 9:00 and 16:00. Here you will be able to find Japanese pottery, kimonos, Western tableware, etc.

7. Yasukuni Jinja Shrien

This shrine dates from the 19th century and was built to commemorate the Japanese people who have died in a war. It is famous for its 25-meter-high Torii Gate and the Yashukan Museum that lies on its grounds. The Yashukan is a museum that commemorates Japan’s wars.

This temple is very popular during springtime due to the many cherry trees that are in it. In fact, these cherry trees are used by the meteorological agency to officially declare the beginning of spring blossoming season in Tokyo.

8. Nihonbashi Bridge

Nihonbashi Bridge is a bridge that has the same name as the district where lies. Its name translates into English as “Japan’s Bridge” and it is one of the most renowned monuments in Tokyo with Kirin Statues which are mythological creatures with the torso of a deer, an ox tail, and the hooves of a horse.

Unfortunately, the elevated road built on top of it, makes it a little less special.

9. National Diet Building

The National Diet Building is the center of political activity in Japan and its construction took 17 years to complete. The Central Hall has extensive murals depicting the four seasons and stained-glass windows.

The building is composed of The House of Representatives, which offers tours daily and in English, and The House of Councillors. This House of Councillors also offers tours during weekdays but unfortunately, they are in Japanese only.

10. Marunouchi Nakadori Street

Complete your visit to Chiyoda neighborhood by doing some window shopping on Marunouchi Nakadori Street. This stone-paved street, lined with trees on both sides of the street has many luxury brands, restaurants, and cafés.

HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU NEED TO VISIT CHIYODA?

This question is always so difficult to answer… If you want to visit everything I mentioned in this blog, you will need more or less a day. If, on the other hand, you only choose the places that appeal to you the most from this blog, I think half a day is more or less enough.

WHERE TO EAT IN CHIYODA?

If I’m being completely honest, I was not very impressed with the restaurants I tried in Chiyoda so I will not recommend any restaurant in particular.

I would only recommend, checking out Tokyo Ramen Street and getting something to eat in one of the restaurants there if you’re there around lunch or dinner time. Unfortunately, we were never around it at dinner time so we didn’t try it ourselves but every time we passed by, people were waiting in line.

WHERE TO SLEEP IN CHIYODA?

The first hotel we stayed at in Tokyo was located very close to Tokyo Station (although technically it was in Chuo, not Chiyoda). We mainly chose our hotel in this area due to its proximity to Tokyo Station and in my opinion, this was the only good thing about staying in this area.

If you’re planning on doing one or several day trips out of Tokyo, a hotel in Chiyoda is something that you may consider. However, you should also know that this neighborhood is more of an office district and there is not much nightlife or open restaurants at night. For us, this was not a problem, but if you’re looking to enjoy Japan’s nightlife, then you might consider lodging in a different area in Tokyo.

If like us, location near Tokyo Station is more important than active nightlife, then I can’t recommend enough the hotel we stayed at, the Daiwa Roynet Ginza Premier. The hotel was super comfortable and with every amenity, you might need.

MAP WITH ALL LOCATIONS

And that’s it for my blog about the 10 best things to do in Chiyoda. I hope you liked it and found it useful. Let me know what you think in the comments!

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