Our Ultimate Guide To The Best Things To Do In Tokyo

Sensory overload……Tokyo, a vast sprawling metropolis of everything modern and hi-tech, full of old temples, quirky shrines and top-notch cuisine, a city that dazzles its enchanted visitors with bright lights and a unique blend of old and new. A city that I hope we re-visit for the rest of our lives.

It’s a place that quickly blurs the lines of reality, with digital art museums, over-sized robots, quirky cafes and themed restaurants, and I don’t think I’ve ever been anywhere that has so much to offer with all its distinctly, different neighborhoods.

I remember walking through the colorful neighborhood of Akihabara for the first time only to stumble down a narrow side-street full of capsule machines and video games, and to my surprise there were two sumo wrestlers playing the classic arcade game of street fighter. I wonder which one was playing as Zhonda! It’s moments like these that you seem to come across regularly in this city, moments that surprise and captivate your imagination!

We spent 11 nights in Japan’s bustling capital to discover the best this city has to offer and compile our list of amazing places for you to visit on your trip.

Best Things To Do In Tokyo

Visit Senso-Ji Temple

Senso-Ji Temple dates as far back as the 6th century and is linked to the Tendai sect of Buddhism. The story behind the temple is that two brothers were fishing in a nearby river and found a Buddha statue, they decided to bring the statue back and rebuilt their home into a temple, which was later renamed as Asakusa Senso-Ji Temple.

If you want to capture good photographs we recommend visiting Senso-Ji Temple early morning whilst the rest of the city sleeps. This is the oldest temple in the capital and the busiest so don’t expect to have the place to yourself, but even then it makes for an interesting experience and has some unique photograph opportunities.

Location – Asakusa

Getting there – Get off at Asakusa station – use the rose Asakusa line (metro stop A18), or the orange Ginza line (metro stop G19).

Opening Times – The temple grounds are open 24 hours a day, but the main hall of the temple is open from 06:00 till 17:00 daily.

Tips – Plan to arrive around 05:30 am for the best photograph opportunities.

Visit The Robot Restaurant

Anything weird and wacky, Japan has thought of it and you’re likely to find it here in Tokyo. The robot restaurant is no exception!

This is a show featuring giant mechanized robots with dazzling lights, lasers and scantily-clad girls, it’s all kinds of crazy but if your looking for the quirkier side of Tokyo then plan in a trip here. Just bear in mind that the show is very touristy and the food isn’t the best, but it’s still a blast so just plan to eat somewhere else before or after the show.

Location – Shinjuku

Getting there – Get off at Shinjuku station – use the light green (leaf) Shinjuku line (metro stop S1) or the magenta Oedo line (metro stop E27). The circle JR Yamanote line can also be used – get off at Shinjuku Station.

Show Times – There are various show times starting from 3:30 pm til 9:30 pm.

Tips – Eat before or after the show, book online and in advance to secure a ticket, and make sure to check the trust-pilot reviews before booking through an online vendor.

Get Tipsy At Golden Gai

Head to Golden Gai for a great night out, It’s an area that comprises of six narrow side-streets filled with 200 boozy bars and restaurants. Many of these bars have different themes, are small, and most fit no more than 6 to 8 people – it’s a classic Tokyo night out!

You may even find yourself stumbling into a small karaoke bar to belt out a few classics at the end of the night. Kanpai!!

Location – Shinjuku

Getting there – Get off at Shinjuku station – use the light green (leaf) Shinjuku line (metro stop S1) or the magenta Oedo line (metro stop E27). The circle JR Yamanote line can also be used – get off at Shinjuku Station.

Opening Times – Most of these bars open from around 6:00-7:00 pm and remain open until the early hours of the morning.

Tips – Most of these bars welcome tourists, but a few are kept just for locals. Check if there is a cover charge and just remember that you will be paying slightly higher prices in these bars.

Try Some Yakatori Down Omoide Yockocho aka Memory Lane

Take a trip down this small side-street to soak up the atmosphere, enjoy a beer and try some Yakatori. Our own personal recommendation however is to skip over the Yakatori and try some very cheap, and very delicious soba noodles.

It’s also a cool place to have a boozy evening, just remember you won’t find any cocktails here just good old Japanese booze, so grab a highball, sochu, Japanese beer or sake and enjoy. Kanpai!

Location – Shinjuku

Getting there – Get off at Shinjuku station – use the light green (leaf) Shinjuku line (metro stop S1) or the magenta Oedo line (metro stop E27). The circle JR Yamanote line can also be used – get off at Shinjuku Station.

Opening times – Most of the small bars and restaurants here open around lunchtime and remain open till the early hours of the morning.

Tips – Head here for an early lunch of delicious soba noodles, and come back for an evening beer or to photograph the atmosphere.

Visit The Team Lab Digital Art Museum, Borderless

We didn’t really know what to expect when we visited the museum, sure we’d seen photos on Instagram and over the internet but we ended up loosing at least 4 hours of the day here and took way too many photographs.

The museum is a real treat! The art is projected across the many walls of the museum and it changes each time you see it. The digital-art displays also react with a persons touch or presence, creating an interactive, immersive and ever-changing art experience.

There are many different rooms and experiences, including the very Instagram-able lantern room, so be sure to visit them all at least once.

Location – Mori building

Getting there – there isn’t a metro line that takes you this area of Tokyo, but there is a train that will get you there. You will need to get to Shimbashi metro station first using the rose Asakusa line (metro stop A10) or the orange Ginza line (metro stop G08). Alternately take the circle JR Yamanote line to Shimbashi station.

Once at Shimbashi Station follow the signs to the Yurikamone Line and get off at Aomi station (U10).

Opening times – weekdays 10:00 am till 7:00 pm, weekends and holidays 10:00 am till 9:00 pm

Tips – Buy your tickets online in advance as they sell out, and try to visit on a weekday. It’s a great place for photography so remember to bring your camera, but don’t forget to just enjoy the experience as well. Also keep in mind it will be busy and most other people are there just to get photos.

Train As A Samurai

This isn’t just an experience for for those who are interested in Japanese martial arts! It’s for people who want to know how the samurai lived, to understand bushido, and learn how to master the katana.

We started off with a tea ceremony, followed by an introduction to the workings of a samurai sword and into the history of the samurai. After this we learnt the art of zen meditation in order to quiet our minds. The master Yusuke then taught us various sword techniques for defending, parrying and attacking, followed by each of us cutting through bundles of bamboo.

Finally the experience was finished off with Yusuke playing the traditional flute and treating us to a display of his swordsmanship.

When we travel we are always looking for a slightly different experience away from the normal tours, and I honestly couldn’t recommend partaking in this experience enough!

Mario Kart Your Way Around Tokyo

Personally we didn’t get to do this as we ran out of time, but on various occasions we were passed by Mario, Luigi and Donkey Kong as they hurtled their way across the city in go-karts, and it looked like great fun. When we next return to Tokyo we’re definitely making time for this!

There are different companies that offer this tour with various packages and costumes, but keep in mind you will need an international driving license.

Experience The Chaos & Fun Of The Shibuya Crossing

Shibuya crossing is said to be the busiest intersection in the world, with as many as 3,000 people trying to cross in all directions at peak times!

It’s a great place to grab an iconic and memorable photo in the busy capital, or just grab your GoPro and video the action. In our opinion though it’s just as fun to watch all the crazy-mad chaos, and other people trying to get a photo in the middle of this hectic crossing.

Try and experiment with different angles for pictures and visit the various viewpoints. The Starbucks is a good place to grab a coffee and watch the action, and for a higher viewpoint you can head into the Magnet shopping building and visit The Deck for a birds-eye view. The Deck viewpoint will cost you a reasonable 300 yen, but keep in mind this is an open top viewpoint and can close when it rains or is windy.

Getting there – the crossing is located right outside Shibuya Station.

To get to Shibuya Station take the purple Hanzomon line (metro stop Z01), the brown Fukutoshin Line (metro stop F16) or the orange Ginza line (G01). There is also a Shibuya stop on the circle JR Yamanote line.

Visit Shinjuku Gyoen

Shinjuku Gyoen is one of Tokyo’s largest and most beautiful parks. It’s just a short walk away from Shinjuku station but feels worlds away from the bustling streets of downtown Tokyo.

The park is a great place to picnic, escape the crowds for a few hours and enjoy the beautifully manicured Japanese gardens. There are large ponds, small islands with bridges as well as French and English gardens, all of which are surrounded by trees that change colour with the seasons, most notably the maple tree.

Location – Shinjuku

Getting there – use the JR circle Yamanote line to get to Shinjuku Station or JR Chuo line to get to Sendagaya station. Alternatively using the metro use the red Marunouchi line and get off at Shinjukugyoenmae station (metro stop M10).

Opening times – open everyday except Monday (closed Tuesday if Monday is a national holiday). It also closes for a few days over New Year. Last admission 30 minutes before closing.

• 9:00 am – 4:30 pm – 1st October till 14th March
• 9:00 am – 6:00 pm – 15th March till 30th June and 21st August till 30th September
• 9:00 am – 7:00 pm – 1st July till 20th August

Tips – there are 3 different entrances to the park so you can easily enter through one and exit from another if that makes it easier to get a more convenient train station for your next destination.

Visit One Of The Many Themed Cafes Or Restaurants

Tokyo is home to many popular sub-cultures and has entire neighborhoods based around video games and manga, but another way to explore the quirkier side of this vibrant city is by visiting one of its many themed cafes or restaurants.

Some of the most popular cafes are themed on anime and manga series such as Dragonball or Gundam, whilst others based on the interaction between people and animals. For example if you want to pet an owl or hedgehog while enjoying your morning latte this is also possible, in our opinion however these animal cafes are not entirely ethical and it’s important to do your research before visiting one.

There are also many themed restaurants that range from cute, to bizarre, to downright disturbing. For example visit The Lockup and you’ll be taken by the guards and shut away in your cell for the evening, drinks will be served to you in test tubes and beakers, and food will take on the form of body parts. On top of this staff roam the corridors wearing creepy masks and occasionally terrorizing the customers.

If your looking for amazing food however we recommend looking elsewhere as most of these restaurants are more about the experience, and the food although themed tastes pretty standard.

Feast On Delicious Seafood At Tsukiji Fish Market

The inner market is now closed so don’t expect to come here and see the famous tuna auction, this has been relocated and renamed Toyosu Market. There is however a whole array of delicious seafood to get stuck into at the outer Tsukiji Fish Market, so make sure you come here with a big appetite!

There’s some super-fresh sushi joints, there’s stalls selling skewers of Unagi, there’s tuna, blow-torched lobster, scallops, uni and pretty much anything else that comes freshly caught off the side of a fishing rig.

The Toyosu Market has been changed drastically, the prime cause and effect being over-tourism. There are now only certain areas in which tourists are allowed to go within the inner-market, and you can only view the auction from behind a sheet of glass.

Location – Tsukiji, Chuo City

Getting there – Get off at Tsukiji station on the silver Hibiya Line (metro stop H10) or get off at Tsukijishijo (metro stop E18) on the magenta Oedo Line.

Opening times – most shops open around 5:00 am and are closed by 2:00 pm, if not earlier. The market is closed on Sundays and some national holidays. Some shops also close on a Wednesday.

Tips – to get the most from your visit arrive before midday. If you leave it till the afternoon some shops may already start to close and you’ll miss out on the freshest catches!

Take In The City Views At One Of The Viewpoints

The Roppongi Hills viewpoint is our personal favorite, this is an open-top viewpoint offering spectacular vistas of Tokyo, including views of Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Skytree and if you’re lucky even Mt. Fuji. Unfortunately sunrise is out of the question here as the viewpoint doesn’t open till 10:00 am, so we recommend getting there in time for sunset, and to hang around after to get some night shots.

Another great viewpoint can be found at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (Tokyo Tocho for short). The views of Tokyo are amazing, and slightly different views can be found in the buildings two towers, both of which are located on the 45th floors. Best of all it’s free!

Location – The Roppongi Hills viewpoint is located in Roppongi, Minato-ku. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Viewpoint is located in Shinjuku.

Getting there – Get off at Roppongi Station – take the magenta Oedo Line (metro stop E23) or the silver Hibiya Line (metro stop H04)

Opening times – 10:00 am till 11:00 pm and admission ends 30-60 minutes before closing.

Tips – Go on a clear day where you can even get views of Mt. Fuji, bring a telephoto lens to get a picture of Mt. Fuji.

Visit Gotokuji Temple

Gotokuji Temple is located around 15 minutes by train from Shinjuku Station, and we recommend a quick visit if you have time.

This is a Buddhist Temple situated in Tokyo’s Setagaya district, and what’s made this temple a popular spot (other than Instagram) is the fact it’s been tied back to being the birthplace of maneki-neko – the beckoning cat, good luck charm.

Here you can purchase a cat figurine, make a wish on it and leave it at the temple for good luck. You can also enjoy the temple grounds and marvel at the thousands of cat figurines, that have their own little space at the side of the temple.

Location – Gotokuji, Setagaya City

Getting there – there isn’t a metro line that takes you to here, but there is a train. Take the metro to Shinjuku Station – use the light green (leaf) Shinjuku line (metro stop S1), the magenta Oedo line (metro stop E27) or use the circle JR Yamanote line.

Once at Shinjuku Station follow the signs to the Odakyu line and get off at Gotokuji Station.

Opening times – 6:00 am till 6:00 pm

Tips – this temple is situated outside of the main areas of Tokyo so allow a little extra time to get there. It’s easiest to get there from Shinjuku Station so try to visit on a day you will also be heading to Shinjuku.

Explore The Colorful Harajuku Area

Quirky vintage stores, colorful street art, themed cafes and Japanese-pop culture. This area is a great place to stroll around so grab one of the famously, delicious crepes and navigate your way through the buzz of crazy and cool. Harajuku is also a popular shopping spot and apart from the boutique stores there’s plenty of big shopping malls around the area including the Tokyu Plaza, with its Insta-famous mirrored entrance.

Getting there – the best train station to get off is Harajuku station on the JR circle Yamanote line.
The nearest metro station is Meiji-jingumae Station. Use the green Chiyoda line (metro stop C03) or the brown Fukutoshin line (F15).

Visit Meiji Jingu

Meiji shrine is a shrine dedicated to the spirits of Emperor Meiji, who was the first Emperor of modern Japan along with his his Empress Shoken. The shrine dates back to 1920 when it was first constructed 8 years after the passing of the Emperor but it was destroyed in the second world war and rebuilt shortly afterwards.

As you pass through the large wooden torii gate and into the tranquility of the forest surroundings you’ll quickly forget you are among all the bustle of Tokyo! There are many forest pathways to stroll along as you make your way up to the main shrine, and this is also a popular place for traditional Shinto weddings.

Location – Shibuya District

Getting there – the best train station to get off is Harajuku station on the JR circle Yamanote line. The nearest metro station is Meiji-jingumae Station. Use the green Chiyoda line (metro stop C03) or the brown Fukutoshin line (F15).

Opening times – sunrise till sunset

Tips – Head to the inner gardens in June when irises are blooming, also keep an eye out for traditional Shinto weddings.

Take In The Bright Lights Of Kabukicho

Make no mistake Kabukicho is Tokyo’s red light district! It’s full of places where you can order girls on a touchscreen, there’s love hotels, late night pit-stops and pachinko parlors. But it’s still a great place to photograph and there’s some pretty decent food spots in the area, not to mention the resident Godzilla that lights up and performs a short show.

Location – Shinjuku

Getting there – Get off at Shinjuku station – use the light green (leaf) Shinjuku line (metro stop S1) or the magenta Oedo line (metro stop E27). The circle JR Yamanote line can also be used – get off at Shinjuku Station.

Experience Sumo Culture In Ryogoku

Ryogoku is where you need to head if you want to watch a sumo match. If there are no sumo tournaments on we recommend getting in touch with some of the stables in the area, as a small number of them let you watch the early morning training for free.

There are also various tour companies that offer packages to watch the early morning training, but be prepared to pay quite a bit, and they are charging you for something you could potentially organise yourself for free.

Rub Shoulders With The Locals At An Izakaya

An Izakaya is a type of gastropub/restaurant that originally evolved from sake bars and boozy joints, but now the food is just as much of a draw as the alcohol. They now come in all shapes and sizes and serve anything from Japanese-style tapas bites to a range of seafood and okonomiyaki.

There was a great atmosphere in the Izakayas we visited and we felt very welcomed by the Japanese. Some of them even ended up drinking around the table with us, and offering us drinks. It’s fair to say we both woke up with a bad head the next morning, but it was totally worth it!

One thing we will say is that most don’t have English on the menu and some of the seafood-Izakayas will serve up whatever was freshly caught that day, so it can be a bit of a gamble as to what you end up ordering. We also did a food tour which took us to a few different Izakayas, and we highly recommend doing one if it’s your first time.

Eat At Ichiran Ramen

Ramen is a famous staple food in Japan, and what better place to try some than a place that feels like a quintessential Tokyo experience, Ichiran Ramen.

Ichiran Ramen is a Japanese ramen chain that specializes in Hakata-style tonkotsu ramen. This type of ramen broth has a slightly milky texture and is derived from pork bones. It’s absolutely delicious!

It’s not your typical dining experience. You’ll order your ramen and drinks from a vending machine, then you’ll be given a ticket where you can pick the spice level, how much garlic you want and the noodle texture.

The seating is arranged in rows, and your dish will be served to you through a small vent before being closed again.

There are several Ichiran Ramen’s in Tokyo, the most popular ones being in Shinjuku and Shibuya. Many of them are open 24 hours a day!

Explore The Minato-Ward Area

In our opinion the area around the Tokyo Tower and Shiba Park deserves at least half a day of your itinerary. Shiba park is one of the oldest parks in Japan and is a great place for a picnic or to take an afternoon stroll. There’s ever changing views of the Tokyo Tower as you make your way around the area, and some great photo opportunity’s to discover around the park and tower.

Another reason to visit the area is to see the Zojoji Temple which was also featured in The Wolverine Movie.

The temple is of great historic importance in Japan, most notably for its relationship with the Tokugawa clan, who were the rulers of Japan during the Edo-Period. The site is also the resting place of six of the Tokugawa Shoguns, who are buried in a mausoleum on the temple grounds.

Located to the side of the temple you can also see thousands of Jizou statues wearing red knitted hats and holding windmills.

Getting there – this area is easily accessible from many different subway stations including Shibakoen (metro stop I05) and Onarimon (metro stop I06) on the blue Mita Line, Akabanebashi (metro stop E21) or Daimon (metro stop E20) on the magneta Oedo Line or Daimon (metro stop A09) on the rose Asakusa Line. You could also get off at Hamamatsucho Station on the JR circle Yamanote Line.

Explore Your Inner-Geek In Akihabara

This is definitely a place we recommend to visit if you want to see the quirkier side of Japan. The whole neighborhood is pretty much dedicated to all things geeky and otaku, with manga, anime, video games, oh and of course maid cafes!

There’s bright lights, quirky food, themed cafes, arcades and just a general free-for-all atmosphere. If you fancy a bit of shopping head over to Yodobashi Camera for all things electrical and pretty much anything else, or if your after affordable souvenirs try Don Quijote.

Getting there – get off at Akihabara metro station on the silver Hibiya line (metro stop H15) or the Akihabara station on the JR circle Yamanote line or JR Sobu line.