Coronavirus updates: Attractions and venues in Tokyo that are still open

The main temple of the Buddhist Jodo sect in the Kanto area, Zojo-ji was built in 1393 and moved to its present location in 1598. In the 17th century 48 temples stood on this site. The main hall has been destroyed three times by fire in the last century, the current building being a 1970s reconstruction. The most historic element is the Sangedatsumon main gate – dating back to 1605, it’s the oldest wooden structure in Tokyo. 

Kaminarimon Gate, the colossal vermillion entrance to Sensoji Temple, metropolitan Tokyo’s oldest and most popular temple, is quintessential old-school Tokyo, and the temple itself is a sight to behold, too.

From its majestic torii gate and the surrounding forest to the iconic wall of sake barrels, Meiji Shrine (or Meiji Jingu) is easily the most iconic shrine in Tokyo and draws millions of visitors every year. 

Opened in March 2010, the site of the former Rensei Junior High School may still look like an educational institution from the outside, but its interiors have been transformed to serve a very different purpose. Each classroom is dedicated to a gallery or creative space, whose occupants are free to experiment with the interior any way they choose. 

In a perfect world, all bookshops would be like this. It's easy to lose hours thumbing through the selections here, which include a good range of English-language titles, art books, antique tomes and magazine back issues. 

The Tsukiji Shijo (market), usually just referred to as Tsukiji, holds a special place within Japan’s food culture. Although the inner market has moved to Toyosu, there are still plenty of restaurants, food stalls, and takeaways at the outer market, which functions as a shopping district and food hub.

In addition to housing natural hot spring baths, open-air baths, saunas and more, this Edo era onsen theme park also does a line in festivals, fortune telling, places to drink and dine, shopping, and even overnight accommodation. Oedo Onsen Monogatari houses six different type of baths, including one in which you can lie down (‘neyu’), a lukewarm bath ideal for summer (‘nuruyu’) and a special bath for dogs (‘Tsunayoshi Bath Tub’). 

Get back to nature without straying too far from the nearest Starbucks with an outing to Yoyogi Park. This ever-popular spot in central Tokyo occupies the site of Japan's first successful powered aircraft flight, and later the athletes' village during the 1964 Olympics. The north side is a lush sprawl of trees and greenery where city slickers can take a break from the crush or let their pets roam free at the dog run. The south side has an event plaza and open-air stage that hosts many of Tokyo’s larger festivals, including the annual Earth Day, Thai Festival and One Love Jamaica. The park is open 24 hours, and includes a parking lot. You'll find Meiji Shrine, NHK, Shibuya Ax and the National Gymnasium (Kokuritsu Yoyogi Kyogijo) nearby.