The Suntory Hall in Tokyo was described by Herbert Von Karajan, one of the greatest conductors to ever live, as “a jewel box of sound.” The Suntory Hall was designed with the help of composers and conductors from around the world to have incredible acoustics. It is one of the best concert halls for listening to classical music in the world. The Shinjuku Gyoen National Park is perhaps the most beautiful green space in Tokyo. This park has within it several gardens including English Landscape, French Formal, and Japanese Traditional, among others. Make sure to visit the Teahouse at the Japanese Traditional Garden and partake in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony.

The Tokyo Skytree, the world’s largest freestanding tower in the world, is a relatively new addition to the city of Tokyo. The construction of the tower finished in the spring of 2012, and the building truly towers over the city. The tower has two observation decks, at respective heights of 350 and 450 meters. From both decks you will experience an amazing view of the city. One of the most significant spiritual sites in Tokyo is the Meiji Shrine, a Shinto Shrine located in Shibuya, Tokyo. The shrine is dedicated to the divine spirits of Emperor Meiji, and Empress Shoken. This shrine is a wonderful place to learn more about Shinto, Japan’s indigenous spirituality. A beautiful evergreen forest surrounds the shrine, where many relax and escape from the busy city life.

Tokyo boasts more Michelin stars than any other city in the world. It is truly one of the best, if not the best, cities in the world for eating. Sukiyabashi Jiro is a Michelin three star restaurant in Tokyo known to be one of the best sushi restaurants in the world. The restaurant and its owner Jiro Ono were the subject of the 2011 documentary Jiro Dreams of Sushi. The restaurant is located in the Ginza district of Tokyo. Nihon Ryugin, another Michelin three star restaurant in Tokyo, is considered to be one of the best restaurants in the world. It was ranked as No. 22 in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants of 2013. The menu consists of high tech modern Japanese cuisine with traditional roots. Known for using the most fresh and local Japanese ingredients, Nihon Ryugin should be on the list for any serious foodie.

Every year in Tokyo, there is a short period of about 10 days in spring when the Cherry Blossom trees are in bloom. This is a truly beautiful site that attracts visitors from all around the world. Generally in late March or early April, it is difficult to predict exactly when the season will be. If you are in Tokyo at this time of year it is an extraordinary site to see. Another beautiful time of year to travel to Tokyo is in autumn when the leaves change color. Tokyo has one of the greatest public transportation systems in the world. It is convenient, decently priced, and will be able to take you wherever you need to go. It’s advisable to buy either a PASMO or JR Suica card if you plan to use the metro often. These are available for purchase at most ticket machines.