An expert guide to help you experience the best of Tokyo
Overview
Tokyo is widely known as the largest city in the world, with 14 million people in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area and a grand total of 41 million people in the Greater Tokyo Area. It's no wonder this can be a confusing destination when it comes to planning your trip, there are so many options and so many things to see and do. This list aims to make things easier and save you time, Tokyo is one of the most impressive cities in the world, it contains cities within cities, and has many interesting districts, each offering their own unique vibe and atmosphere.
Table of Contents
FAQ
The Best Things To Do In Tokyo
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days should you spend in Tokyo?
The answer to this question is of course a little subjective, it depends on how much you love city attractions and how long you have for your entire trip to Japan, but generally speaking, you should spend at least 3 days in Tokyo. The most common range for travellers to Japan is 3-5 days in Tokyo, many people spend a week or more and don't run out of things to do.
Where are the best areas to stay in Tokyo?
The best areas to stay in Tokyo are Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Central Tokyo. This is where you'll find the most convenient access to public transport for easy travelling around the city and throughout Japan. But you don't have to stay in these areas, there are many amazing locations that offer different vibes, and nearly everywhere in Tokyo will give you easy access to the train network. We have published two articles ranking hotels based on thousands of customer reviews for Shinjuku and Shibuya, you can check them out below.
How does Tokyo compare to Osaka?
This one is also subjective, but the general consensus is the main difference is the people, Osaka people are more friendly than Tokyo people. This friendliness means the bars and nightlife offer a unique vibe in Osaka, with many people preferring it over Tokyo. So if you're mostly interested in bars and nightlife, then Osaka will be an awesome part of your itinerary. However, if you're strapped for time with your Japan trip, then skipping Osaka is a wise option - Tokyo will provide you with the most unique Japanese city experience and there's a lot more to do in Tokyo than Osaka.
Is it worth getting a tour guide in Tokyo?
Tokyo is truly an incredible city filled with many hidden gems, amazing restaurants, and interesting stories. If you want to maximise your time here, get away from the tourists, and gain a deeper understanding of the various attractions, then a tour guide is the best option.
The 10 Best Things To Do In Tokyo
1. The TeamLab Digital Art Experience - Borderless & Planets
The TeamLab digital art exhibitions in Tokyo provide a sensory experience unlike anything else in the world. These are fully immersive, interactive, and visually stunning exhibitions that carefully integrate sight, sound, and touch to provide you a unique way to experience the world of futuristic digital art. Some notable highlights include a cafe that senses your cup of tea and projects an infinitely blooming flower into your teacup. Or the room completely surrounded by mirrors, with thousands of LEDs hanging from the ceiling, creating a magical universe that extends in all directions. Or perhaps the room where you get to draw your own sea creature on a piece of paper, and then watch as it comes to life in a vast digital aquarium. This is only the tip of the iceberg for what you can expect from TeamLabs in Tokyo.
There are two locations in Tokyo, TeamLab Borderless is the original and slightly more popular option, while TeamLab Planets is a second addition and slightly less busy. The main difference between the two is the size and the type of exhibitions, Borderless is larger and takes about 3 hours, while Planets is smaller and takes about 1-2 hours. If you have the time, it's worth checking out both. Note that you might need to wait 30-60 minutes lining up to enter the exhibition in order to prevent overcrowding.
TeamLab Borderless
Opening Hours: 9am - 9pm (Last entry 8pm)
Cost: ¥3,600 - ¥5,600 ($30 - $50)
TeamLab Borderless Tickets: Buy Tickets Here
TeamLab Planets
Opening Hours: 9am - 10pm (Last entry 9pm)
Cost: ¥3,600 - ¥4,600 ($30 - $40)
TeamLab Planets Tickets: Buy Tickets Here
2. Shibuya Crossing & Views At Shibuya Sky
The Shibuya Crossing is one of the most famous landmarks in Tokyo and happens to be the busiest crossing in the world. Official estimates state that up to 3000 people cross the intersection during peak times.
Towering 230 meters above the crossing is the incredible Shibuya Sky rooftop, often said to provide the best views of Tokyo. The Shibuya Sky is a stunning place to watch the sunset and is more than just an observation deck, it includes hammocks for cloud watching, the sky edge for hair-raising views, an art gallery, and a lovely bar and cafe. They also conduct light shows when it gets dark to enhance the nighttime experience. It's definitely a must while you're visiting Japan, the true size and scale of Tokyo can only be appreciated from high above the ground.
The Shibuya Scramble Crossing
Opening Hours: 24/7
The Shibuya Sky Rooftop
Opening Hours: 10am - 10:30pm (Last entry 9:20pm)
Cost: ¥2500 ($20)
Shibuya Sky Tickets: Buy Tickets Here
3. The Golden Gai & Memory Lane
Image Source: KMrT
The Golden Gai and Memory Lane (also known as Omoide Yokocho) are two laneways in Shinjuku that offer a lively atmosphere for traditional Japanese bars and restaurants. The bars, known as izakayas, are mostly found in the Golden Gai, making it a great place for drinking and meeting fellow travellers or Japanese people looking to practice their English. While some of the izakayas will only be available for people who speak Japanese, you'll find many that are English-friendly, just make sure to be respectful to the venues that can't cater to non-Japanese speaking guests.
Memory Lane is similar to the Golden Gai but contains a mixture of restaurants and izakayas, making it a great place if you prefer to have dinner. Memory Lane also has a slightly different vibe, and considering they're only a 10-minute walk from each other, it's worth checking out both.
The Golden Gai
Hours: 6pm - Late
Memory Lane (Omoide Yokocho)
Hours: 6pm - Late
4. Experience Sumo Wrestling
Tokyo is the heart of Sumo Wrestling culture in Japan, making it the perfect place to seek out a live match or join a Sumo Experience tour. Official sumo wrestling tournaments are held in January, May, and September in Tokyo. You can obtain tickets before their official release date by purchasing a tournament tour on Viator, which includes a helpful expert who explains everything and helps you have a great time. Alternatively, you can buy the tickets directly from the official website, although it's a somewhat cumbersome process.
If you're not in town for the tournament dates, there's an awesome Sumo Wrestling Experience tour where you can learn about the sport, enjoy a full-course sumo meal while watching them battle, and even step in the ring with a real sumo wrestler.
Sumo Wrestling Tournaments
Tickets: Viator
Time: 3-4 hours
Dates: January, May, and September
Sumo Experience Tour
Tickets: Viator
Time: 3-4 hours
Dates: Year-round
5. Arcades & Anime Culture in Akihabara & Harajuku
Arcades, anime, and cosplay are part of Japan's world-famous subculture, and you'll find most of it concentrated in Akihabara and Harajuku. Akihabara is slightly more famous, well-known for its vibrant neon streets, unique arcade buildings, video game stores, and anime shops. Akihabara contains some of the best arcades in Japan, such as the amazing retro arcade Taito Hey, or the 6-story arcade building GiGo.
If fashion is more your thing, then head over to Harajuku where you'll find the biggest range of shops selling anime-style fashion items and cosplay clothing. There's also a super cool cafe called Cafe Reissue that does adorable latte art, just show them a photo of your pets and they'll turn them into a cute latte. Or check out the beautifully designed Tokyu Plaza Harajuku Harakado, a brand new building with a Japanese bathhouse and lush rooftop garden, perfect for hanging out and catching up with friends.
Gigo Arcade Akihabara
Hours: 10am - 11:30pm
Tokyu Plaza Harajuku Harakado
Hours: 11am - 11pm
6. Free Views At The Tokyo Tocho
If you wanna see how huge Tokyo is without paying for the views at Tokyo Tower or Shibuya Sky, then the Tokyo Tocho (also known as the Tokyo Government Metropolitan Building) is the perfect option, it's completely free. This 243 meter tall building has two towers, features some charming architecture, and is right next to Shinjuku. You can access viewpoints from both towers and it's connected to a subway station, making access a breeze. On a clear day you can even see Mt. Fuji in the distance.
The Tokyo Government Metropolitan Building (Tokyo Tocho)
Opening Hours: 8:30am - 5pm
Cost: Free
7. Tokyo DisneySea
Tokyo DisneySea is the only DisneySea in the world. It was originally planned to be built in California but was cancelled due to a number of regulatory hurdles, but the idea was eventually picked up by Japan and then opened in 2001. Tokyo DisneySea is ideal for anyone who wants the Disneyland experience but wishes it was a bit less childish, so parents who are looking to please their kids but also enjoy themselves will find DisneySea to be the perfect option. It's a huge 176-acre theme-park built on the seaside next to Tokyo Bay, featuring fun rides, awesome attractions, and cool restaurants. And of course, everything is sea themed. It's also known as being slightly less busy than Disneyland, but it's still worthwhile aiming for a weekday instead of a weekend.
Tokyo DisneySea
Opening Hours: 9am - 9pm
Cost: ¥8400 ($55 USD)
Tickets: Purchase Online
8. Asakusa & Sensoji Temple
Asakusa is a historical district known for it's traditional charm, the Nakamise shopping street, and Sensoji Temple. Nakamise is a centuries-old shppoing street that marks the approach to the temple, filled with awesome street food and souvenir shops. The temple itself dates back to the 7th century, provides free entry for visitors, and features a 5 story pagoda. Tokyo Skytree is only a 20-minute walk from Asakusa, making it a popular combination for a trip to Sensoji Temple.
Sensoji Temple
Opening Hours: 6am - 5pm
Cost: Free
