Last reviewed: · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.
Overview & City Profile
Taitō (台東区) in Tokyo Prefecture (Kanto, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Senso-ji Temple & Kaminarimon Gate (浅草寺・雷門), Ueno Park & Tokyo National Museum (上野公園), Yanaka Ginza Historic District and served by Inarichō Station (稲荷町駅) (0.2 km) via the regional hub at Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno & Haneda Airport (HND). Set at 21 m elevation (35.7125°N, 139.7800°E), Taitō offers travelers a base for sampling regional Edomae nigiri sushi, Tokyo shoyu & tsukemen ramen, Monjayaki (Tsukishima) cuisine and exploring neighboring Arakawa (荒川区) (2.3 km), Bunkyō (文京区) (2.7 km), Chiyoda (千代田区) (3.1 km), Sumida (墨田区) (3.6 km).
The building was constructed in Western style. In English, it is known as Taitō City. Situated in the northeastern portion of the wards area of Tokyo, Taitō is surrounded by five other special wards: Chiyoda, Bunkyō, Arakawa, Sumida and Chūō. The ward was founded on March 15, 1947, with the merger of the old Asakusa and Shitaya wards when Tokyo City was transformed into Tokyo Metropolis. During the Edo period, the Yoshiwara licensed quarter was in what is now Taitō. Within Tokyo Prefecture, Taitō (台東区) serves as a special ward of tokyo in Tokyo Prefecture (municipal incorporation: 1947-03-13) and pairs naturally with wider prefectural highlights such as 23 historic & futuristic special wards (Asakusa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ginza) plus leafy Western Tokyo Tama cities (Kichijoji/Musashino, Mitaka, Tachikawa, Hachioji/Mount Takao).
| Quick Fact | 2026/2027 Travel Reference for Taitō (台東区) |
|---|---|
| Japanese Name | 台東区 (Taitō) |
| Top Local Landmarks | Senso-ji Temple & Kaminarimon Gate (浅草寺・雷門) · Ueno Park & Tokyo National Museum (上野公園) · Yanaka Ginza Historic District · Kanei-ji Temple & Ueno Toshogu Shrine · Ameyoko Market |
| Nearest Rail Station | Inarichō Station (稲荷町駅) (0.2 km) |
| Primary Regional Hub | Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno & Haneda Airport (HND) (Capital: Tokyo (Shinjuku)) |
| Prefecture & Region | Tokyo Prefecture · Kanto |
| Elevation & Coordinates | 21 m · 35.7125°N, 139.7800°E |
| Best Season to Visit | Spring (Mar–May) & Autumn (Oct–Nov) |
| IC Card & Rail Coverage | Suica / PASMO / ICOCA via Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno & Haneda Airport (HND) · Shinkansen fares → |
| Local Food Specialties | Edomae nigiri sushi, Tokyo shoyu & tsukemen ramen, Monjayaki (Tsukishima), Tempura & tonkatsu, Fukagawa-meshi (clam rice) & artisanal depachika sweets |
| Administrative Status | Special ward of Tokyo in Tokyo Prefecture (Incorporated: 1947-03-13) |
| Area & Population | 10.08 km² (16,139/km²) · 168,277 residents |
What to See & Do in Taitō (台東区): Landmarks & Sights
Visitors exploring Taitō (台東区) from Inarichō Station (稲荷町駅) (0.2 km) at 21 m elevation (35.7125°N, 139.7800°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Taitō):
- Senso-ji Temple & Kaminarimon Gate (浅草寺・雷門) — local sightseeing landmark near Taitō (台東区).
- Ueno Park & Tokyo National Museum (上野公園) — local sightseeing landmark near Taitō (台東区).
- Yanaka Ginza Historic District — local sightseeing landmark near Taitō (台東区).
- Kanei-ji Temple & Ueno Toshogu Shrine — local sightseeing landmark near Taitō (台東区).
- Ameyoko Market — local sightseeing landmark near Taitō (台東区).
- Primary Rail Gateway for Taitō: Inarichō Station (稲荷町駅) (0.2 km) (connecting to Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno & Haneda Airport (HND)).
Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Taitō
When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Taitō (台東区) and Inarichō Station (稲荷町駅) (0.2 km), consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Tokyo Prefecture and Kanto:
- Arakawa (荒川区) — 2.3 km from Taitō (Tokyo Prefecture)
- Bunkyō (文京区) — 2.7 km from Taitō (Tokyo Prefecture)
- Chiyoda (千代田区) — 3.1 km from Taitō (Tokyo Prefecture)
- Sumida (墨田区) — 3.6 km from Taitō (Tokyo Prefecture)
- Chūō (中央区) — 5.2 km from Taitō (Tokyo Prefecture)
Getting to Taitō & Getting Around
Train & hub access to Taitō (台東区) via Inarichō Station (稲荷町駅) (0.2 km): Direct international flights into Haneda (HND, 20m from center) and Narita (NRT, 40–60m); connected to all JR East & JR Central Shinkansen lines plus JR Chuo Line to West Tokyo. From Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno & Haneda Airport (HND), transfer to local JR or private rail lines serving Inarichō Station (稲荷町駅) (0.2 km) to reach central Taitō (35.7125°N, 139.7800°E).
- Local rail & IC cards at Inarichō Station (稲荷町駅) (0.2 km): JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Tokyo (Shinjuku) with Taitō (台東区) and neighboring Arakawa, Bunkyō, Chiyoda. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Taitō, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
- Luggage & station coin lockers: Travelers exploring Taitō and continuing toward Arakawa can store bags at major transfer stations or check suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker and ship large bags ahead via Takkyubin.
- Driving & car rental around Taitō: While Inarichō Station (稲荷町駅) (0.2 km) anchors public transit for Taitō, picking up a rental car at Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno & Haneda Airport (HND) makes it easy to link Senso-ji Temple & Kaminarimon Gate (浅草寺・雷門) and Ueno Park & Tokyo National Museum (上野公園) with nearby Arakawa (荒川区) (2.3 km), Bunkyō (文京区) (2.7 km), Chiyoda (千代田区) (3.1 km), Sumida (墨田区) (3.6 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.
What to Eat in Taitō (台東区) & Tokyo
Dining near Inarichō Station (稲荷町駅) (0.2 km) and across Taitō (台東区) highlights the regional food culture of Tokyo Prefecture and Kanto. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Taitō:
- Local specialty & terroir of Taitō (台東区): geothermal hot-spring (onsen) ryokan hospitality and mountain tourism alongside sweet cherry (sakuranbo) orchards and highland fruit farming.
- Edomae nigiri sushi — regional specialty enjoyed across Taitō (台東区) and Tokyo Prefecture.
- Tokyo shoyu & tsukemen ramen — regional specialty enjoyed across Taitō (台東区) and Tokyo Prefecture.
- Monjayaki (Tsukishima) — regional specialty enjoyed across Taitō (台東区) and Tokyo Prefecture.
- Tempura & tonkatsu — regional specialty enjoyed across Taitō (台東区) and Tokyo Prefecture.
- Fukagawa-meshi (clam rice) & artisanal depachika sweets — regional specialty enjoyed across Taitō (台東区) and Tokyo Prefecture.
If you are dining in Taitō (台東区) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Inarichō Station (稲荷町駅) (0.2 km).
Where to Stay in Taitō (台東区)
Visitors staying overnight in Taitō (台東区) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Inarichō Station (稲荷町駅) (0.2 km), or base at major rail hubs in Tokyo (Shinjuku) (Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno & Haneda Airport (HND)) or neighboring Arakawa, Bunkyō, Chiyoda for quick train access into Taitō. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.
Best Time to Visit Taitō & Seasonal Highlights
Seasonal guide for Taitō (台東区, 21 m elevation at 35.7125°N, 139.7800°E): Late March–early April for cherry blossoms; October–early December for crisp blue skies and golden ginkgo avenues; vibrant year-round indoors and out.
Wider sightseeing across Tokyo Prefecture that pairs well with visiting Senso-ji Temple & Kaminarimon Gate (浅草寺・雷門) in Taitō (台東区) includes: 23 historic & futuristic special wards (Asakusa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ginza) plus leafy Western Tokyo Tama cities (Kichijoji/Musashino, Mitaka, Tachikawa, Hachioji/Mount Takao).
Practical Travel Tips for Taitō (台東区)
- Tourist information (観光案内所) for Taitō: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno & Haneda Airport (HND) or Inarichō Station (稲荷町駅) (0.2 km) for local bus schedules to Senso-ji Temple & Kaminarimon Gate (浅草寺・雷門) and walking maps of Taitō (台東区).
- Cash & ATMs in Taitō: Convenience stores and major hotels around Inarichō Station (稲荷町駅) (0.2 km) accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Senso-ji Temple & Kaminarimon Gate (浅草寺・雷門) often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Taitō accept foreign debit cards.
- Local dining hours in Taitō: Around Inarichō Station (稲荷町駅) (0.2 km) and neighboring Arakawa, Bunkyō, Chiyoda, lunch service typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM with last orders between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM.
Frequently asked questions
What are the top things to see and do in Taitō (台東区)?
Top local sights and scenic landmarks in and around Taitō (台東区) in Tokyo Prefecture include Senso-ji Temple & Kaminarimon Gate (浅草寺・雷門), Ueno Park & Tokyo National Museum (上野公園), Yanaka Ginza Historic District, Kanei-ji Temple & Ueno Toshogu Shrine, Ameyoko Market. Visitors often combine sightseeing in Taitō with side trips to neighboring Arakawa (荒川区) (2.3 km), Bunkyō (文京区) (2.7 km), Chiyoda (千代田区) (3.1 km), Sumida (墨田区) (3.6 km).
How do I get to Taitō (台東区) by train?
The nearest rail gateway for Taitō (台東区) is Inarichō Station (稲荷町駅) (0.2 km), connected via the regional hub of Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno & Haneda Airport (HND). Direct international flights into Haneda (HND, 20m from center) and Narita (NRT, 40–60m); connected to all JR East & JR Central Shinkansen lines plus JR Chuo Line to West Tokyo. Use our Shinkansen Fare Calculator to price bullet-train connections to Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno & Haneda Airport (HND).
What local food should I eat in Taitō and Tokyo Prefecture?
When dining around Inarichō Station (稲荷町駅) (0.2 km) in Taitō (台東区), look for Tokyo Prefecture specialties including Edomae nigiri sushi, Tokyo shoyu & tsukemen ramen, Monjayaki (Tsukishima), plus Tempura & tonkatsu and Fukagawa-meshi (clam rice) & artisanal depachika sweets at local shokudo, izakaya, and station bento counters.
When is the best time to visit Taitō (台東区)?
Situated at 21 m elevation (35.7125°N, 139.7800°E) in Kanto, Taitō follows Tokyo's seasonal calendar: Late March–early April for cherry blossoms; October–early December for crisp blue skies and golden ginkgo avenues; vibrant year-round indoors and out. Compare month-by-month weather in our Japan Seasonal Calendar.
Official sources & further reading
Rules, prices and schedules change. Confirm details here before you travel: