35+ Fun Things to Do in Tokyo, Japan

Last updated on May 27th, 2026

Japan’s largest city is chaotic, exciting, and a bit daunting to visit. We’re sharing over 35 fun things to do in Tokyo to help you prioritize the best sights and eats!

When you think of Japan, you likely think of Tokyo. This massive city, with over 37 million people, is not only the most populated city in the world, but it’s even larger than the population of some countries!

But the city is more than just crowds of people. Here you can find vibrant streets, immersive art experiences, alleyways lined with izakayas, beautiful temples and shrines, bustling markets, and some of the best food in the country. It offers a little something for everyone!

However, we won’t lie, between its size and countless things to do, Tokyo can be very daunting to plan, especially if it’s your first time in Japan. But we’re here to help! In this guide we’re sharing over 35 fun things to do in Tokyo, all based on our personal experience in the city.

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35+ fun things to do in Tokyo, Japan

Before we dive into our list of fun things to do in Tokyo, a few disclaimers! First, this guide is catered to first time visitors to Tokyo. While there are so many more areas to explore in Tokyo, we are focusing more on the popular spots that make the most sense for a first trip to the city. We tried to group activities close to each other together, but you can also see all of the spots on the map above!

Lastly, this list is not in any particular order, but if you’re still overwhelmed by the options, our personal favorite experiences in Tokyo were:

Attending a Japanese baseball game.
Exploring the magical TeamLab Borderless.
Going to a sumo experience (and trying it for ourselves)!
The FOOD! Especially ramen, conveyor belt sushi, gyukatsu, melon pan, and Tsukiji Outer Market. Plus, visiting the amazing coffee shops.
Trying our first Japanese photobooth (purikura).
Walking the Shibuya Scramble Crossing.

1. Visit local coffee shops

It’s no secret that we love coffee. And lucky for us, Tokyo takes a lot of pride in the art of coffee and has a fantastic coffee scene! From cool walk up windows to customized coffee experiences, we didn’t have a bad cup the entire time we were in the city. While our list of coffee shops to visit in Tokyo is still long, some of our favorites were:

Coffee Swamp (Shinjuku): This was probably our favorite coffee shop overall! It’s a tiny spot tucked down a quiet side street in Shinjuku. But the vibes are great, with a record player going, and the flat whites were fantastic!
GLITCH COFFEE & ROASTERS (Multiple locations): If you want a coffee experience, Glitch needs to be on your list. You are given a one on one walk through of the beans and then they create an expertly crafted pourover or milk based drink with your bean of choice. However, expect to wait in line! We waited probably 30 minutes from getting in line to actually getting our drink, but we hear others have waited much longer.
Baggage Coffee (Harajuku): This spot was a lifesaver our first morning in Tokyo! It is open earlier (by Tokyo standards), the coffee is great, and there is a super cute dog.
Turret Coffee Tsukiji (Tsukiji): Their Turret Latte brought us back to life after 3 long and exhausting days exploring. It’s a very dark roast, which normally isn’t our preference, but the coffee flavor was strong and paired with the milk, was delicious.
FEBRUARY COFFEE ROASTERY (Asakusa): This is a great small spot near Sensō-ji! We loved the pink color scheme and the coffee was perfect after an early morning wandering around.

A+K Tip: Many coffee shops don’t open until 9 AM or later, so if you need early morning caffeine, head to a konbini to hold you over!

2. Try different konbini foods

Without a doubt, one of the best things to do in Tokyo (and Japan in general) is visit a konbini. These are convenience stores that are typically open 24/7 and offer many different snacks, grab and go food options, and drinks. They are affordable, reliable, and convenient spots to get an early breakfast and coffee, mid-day snack, or late night treat. We went to them almost daily!

The most common ones are 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Lawson, with each excelling at different items. Some of our favorite food items were:

FamilyMart’s spicy Famichiki was hands down our favorite konbini food. Make sure to get their special bun for it or add it to an egg salad sandwich for a fun twist.
The sandwiches! We loved the egg salad sandwiches, katsu sandwiches, and fruit sandwiches. All konbinis have these and we would eat them from any of them. We did struggle to find the fruit sandwiches at times though.
Onigiri are the perfect handheld snack. All stores offer these, but the selection may vary by store and the day’s inventory.
7-Eleven’s coffee and smoothie machines! We drank coffee from here (hot or iced lattes) almost daily. The smoothie machine was also so much fun.
Frozen treats, like Choco Monaka, frozen grapes, and Coolish. Our favorite though was the creme brulee ice cream from 7-Eleven! Truly one of the best store ice creams we have ever had.
The melon pan from Family Mart was another go-to. It’s delicious if you add some Coolish to the middle!
During our campervan road trip in Japan, we ate a lot of the pre-made meals from konbinis. The beef bolognese and gyudon from 7-Eleven were some of our staples!

3. Explore Meiji Jingu Shrine

One thing we loved about Tokyo is that despite being one of the busiest cities in the world, you can still find peaceful nature escapes. And if you find yourself near Harajuku, make sure to stop by Meiji Jingu Shrine. This Shinto shrine is located in a forest with towering trees, which will make you forget that you’re in the most populated city in the world.

Besides seeing the main shrine itself, there is quite a bit to do here. You can just wander its pathways, have a picnic on its lawn, explore different gardens and ponds, and see the wall of sake barrels. It’s also a popular spot for weddings, so if you time your visit right, you might get to see one!

4. Walk around Harajuku

Harajuku is one of the top places to visit in Tokyo for first time visitors. Yes, it’s touristy and busy. But it’s one of those spots that makes you think “wow, I am in Tokyo!”

Harajuku is known for youth fashion and kawaii culture, which is a term that means “cute.” One of the most famous examples is Hello Kitty! And along Takeshita Street you’ll find tons of stores selling clothes, fun desserts, like rainbow cotton candy and crepe stands, plus adorable souvenirs shops. One of our favorite stores here was WIGGLE WIGGLE.ZIP HARAJUKU. It’s part fun, colorful store and part photo experience, with different rooms you can take a photo in.

And while in Harajuku, head to the rooftop of Tokyu Plaza Omotesando for some nice views of the area!

5. Snap a photo in a purikura

Want a good laugh? One of the most hilarious things to do in Tokyo is to snap a photo at a purikura. These are Japanese photobooths where they essentially distort your face, giving you larger eyes, glossier skin, etc. The jumpscare we experienced when seeing how our faces looked still has us laughing!

How they work is if there are multiple booths, you’ll first choose a booth based on the style you like. You will pay outside the booth and choose the number of people and layout. Then you’ll snap photos in one room before going into another little room to edit them. While the purikura will likely distort your face automatically, you can also enhance or modify certain features, add stickers, etc. It’s a blast and makes for a great souvenir!

We personally did this at PURIKURA Shop NOA Takeshita Street, which has so many booths to choose from. Earlier in the morning it was practically empty, but we hear it can get busy.

6. Cook your own gyukatsu

One of our favorite food experiences in Tokyo was gyukatsu. Katsu is a breaded and deep fried cutlet of meat, with gyukatsu being made with beef. And the fun part is you get to cook it yourself!

You will get a plate with beef that has been breaded and lightly fried, but still mostly rare in the middle. And in front of you will be a personal grill, where you can then cook it to your liking! What we loved about this meal is that it’s not only a fun activity, but it’s also piping hot, since you cook each piece right before you eat it.

We tried gyukatsu at Gyukatsu Motomura Harajuku Branch and loved it so much that we had it in Kyoto as well.They serve it as a set meal, which comes with rice, tororo (grated yam), miso soup, some pickled vegetables, cod roe, and warabi mochi. It’s very filling!

A+K Tip: Because many restaurants have limited seating, it’s expected for everyone to order food. Some restaurants do have a minimum you have to order as well, so plan your stomach space accordingly!

7. Get trinkets at the gachapon machines

As you wander around Tokyo you will likely notice little capsule vending machines, with trinkets inside. These are called gachapon! The items inside range from small toys, miniature food figurines, small bags, pins and magnets, and so much more.

How they work is that you put some coins in the slot, turn the handle, and then it spits out a little capsule. While you can choose which gachapon machine to use, you don’t get to choose which item you actually get, so it’s a fun little surprise!

You can find these all over the city, either in a small cluster outside of a store or in dedicated gachapon stores, like CAPSULE LAB, with hundreds to choose from. Warning: they are a bit addicting! Especially if you don’t get the one you want the first time and want to keep trying.

8. Shop at MEGA Don Quijote

Don Quijote is a famous discount store in Japan that sells everything from clothing, snacks, household items, electronics, cosmetics, souvenirs, and so much more. And if you want the ultimate Don Quijote experience, head to a MEGA Don Quijote. The location in Shibuya is sensory overload and you could truly spend hours just wandering around and seeing what’s inside.

While we personally aren’t big shoppers, for many visitors this is a must-do activity in Tokyo!

9. Walk the Shibuya Scramble Crossing

Shibuya Scramble Crossing | Things to do in Tokyo

You can’t visit Tokyo without walking the Shibuya Scramble Crossing. Yes, a crosswalk is one of the best things to do in Tokyo!

But this is no ordinary crosswalk! It is the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world with sometimes up to 2,500 people crossing at once. 😱 It has become an iconic symbol of the city and getting to walk through it yourself is a very fun experience.

We personally suggest walking it both during the day and at night. It’s especially cool at night with the bright city lights! And while we often try to avoid crowds, for this crossing, we would advise going mid to late in the afternoon for the most number of people. While we didn’t have 2,500 crossing with us, it was still a lot of people.

10. See the Shibuya Scramble Crossing from above

Not only can you walk the Shibuya Scramble Crossing, but you can also view it from above! This gives you a whole different perspective than experiencing it from eye level. One of the easiest options is to go up to Mag’s Park Rooftop Shibuya Crossing, which does have a fee (which can vary), but does include a drink. You can also go to the Starbucks overlooking the crossing and buy a drink and watch it from the windows. For a free option, go up to the 11th floor of Shibuya Hikarie for a view, although it doesn’t appear to overlook it directly.

In our opinion, the best way to see it is from the top of Shibuya Sky! However, getting tickets for this observation deck can be a bit tough. We will share more about that next!

11. Watch the sunset from an observation deck

Tokyo is home to many different observation decks, where you can admire what a sprawling city it is. We highly recommend choosing one to visit at sunset, not only to watch the sun set over the city, but also to see the city lit up at night. Here are some of the top options to choose from!

Shibuya Sky

Shibuya Sky is said to be the best observation deck in Tokyo. And while we didn’t go to all of them, we do agree that it’s pretty incredible!

However, getting a ticket for it can be pretty tough, especially if you want to come at sunset. Tickets go on sale two weeks beforehand at midnight Japan time and the sunset times sell out within minutes. So make sure to set an alarm to snag one!

We were lucky enough to get a ticket for an hour before sunset. And despite it being too cloudy for sunset, it was still a great experience. Unlike many of the observation decks, which are indoors, Shibuya Sky is fully exposed with glass walls, some of which are short enough to see over. There’s also a turf area in the middle with seating where you can sit and relax.

Important to know: You cannot bring any bags out onto the deck (even small hip packs/crossbody bags). There are lockers you can use once you get to the top. Also, you can only bring cameras if they are on a camera strap around your neck or can fit in your pocket.

Roppongi Hills

Can’t get a ticket for Shibuya Sky? The Roppongi Hills – Tokyo City Viewobservation space is said to be a close second in terms of views. Plus it’s cheaper! Located on the 52nd floor of Roppongi Hills, this indoor observation deck has great views of the Tokyo Tower. We suggest buying your ticket in advance to ensure you get the timeslot you want.

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

Our third pick for an observation deck in Tokyo is the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. Not only does it have great views from the 45th floor, but it is FREE to visit! And at the observation area you can find a cafe, plus a gift shop that sold some really nice items.

For an even better experience, pair this with the free Tokyo Night & Light Show (item #25 on this list of fun things to do in Tokyo)! Just make sure to time your visit right, as there is usually a line to go to the observation point and the show only runs at specific times.

Tokyo Skytree

The Tokyo Skytree is the tallest structure in Japan at 634 meters (2,080 feet). There are two observation decks here, the Tembo Deck at 350 meters (1,148 feet) and the Tembo Galleria at 450 meters (1,476 feet), which has a spiraling glass skywalk and glass floor. You can either choose to visit the Tembo Deck or visit both with a combo ticket.

Tokyo Tower

One of the most iconic structures in Tokyo is Tokyo Tower, which looks like a red and white Eiffel Tower. For many people, choosing an observation deck that overlooks the tower is the goal. But if you actually want to go up in the tower, you can too! They have multiple different decks to enjoy and even an open air stair section. We suggest buying a ticket in advance, as times close to sunset can sell out.

Azabudai Hills Mori JP Tower

For the closest views of Tokyo Tower, but without going up the tower itself, head to the Azabudai Hills Mori JP Tower! Located right across the street from Tokyo Tower, the views don’t get much closer than this. To see the views, you will need to go to the cafe on the 34th floor and pay a ¥500 fee and buy a drink.

12. Snap a photo of the Hachiko Statue

Another famous sight to see in Shibuya is the Hachiko Statue. Hachiko was the dog of a Japanese professor. Back in the 1920s, Hachiko became famous for going to Shibuya Station every day with his owner and then going to pick him up after work. Unfortunately, his owner died suddenly, but despite this, Hachiko would still come to the station and wait for him for another almost 10 years.

Is someone cutting onions? 😭

Today, Hachiko and his statue are recognized as a Japanese symbol of enduring loyalty. You can see his statue outside of Shibuya Station. And even if you don’t care to snap a photo of the statue, we think the story behind it is really special and worth knowing!

13. Get conveyor belt sushi

Conveyor Belt Sushi | Foods to try in Japan

One of the most fun things to do in Tokyo, especially for sushi lovers, is to get conveyor belt sushi. This is where plates of sushi circle around the dining area on a moving conveyor belt. And how it works is you can either grab a plate of sushi that looks good to you, with the price being designated by the plate color, or you can order specific items, usually on a tablet.

There are a handful of places to try conveyor belt sushi in Tokyo, but we went to Mawashizushi Katsu Seibu Shibuya Store. Some say conveyor belt sushi isn’t the highest quality, but we thought it was delicious and fresh tasting. Plus affordable! We got 7 plates, some of which had cooked beef items, and it only cost $14.

Just be warned, they can have a very long queue, so make sure to arrive early and get your name on the list. While you wait, you can walk around Shibuya a bit!

Some other popular conveyor belt sushi spots are Kura (multiple locations), Kaitenzushi Nemuro Hanamaru KITTE Marunouchi, and Uobei Shibuya Dogenzaka Store.

14. Try food from a vending machine

Japan has the highest density of vending machines per person in the world, with about 1 machine for every 20-40 people! While most of these vending machines just sell drinks, you can sometimes find ones selling other items, like burgers, laundry detergent, train toys, frozen meat, and so much more. As you explore Tokyo, keep an eye out for unique vending machines and grab a treat!

Some of our favorite vending machines in Tokyo were:

IJOOZ: This is an orange juice vending machine! It squeezes the oranges right in front of you. We saw quite a few of these in Tokyo, but this one was located on the grounds of Sensō-ji.
Katsu Vending Machine: We saw this Tokyo Station (unfortunately we cannot remember the exact spot), but here’s another we saw on Google Maps!

15. Go to a Japanese baseball game

One of the top items on Adam’s Tokyo bucket list was going to a professional baseball game! We heard that Japanese baseball games are an absolute blast…and they weren’t kidding! The vibe was electric, with constant chanting and singing, instruments, and dancing. It felt a bit like a European soccer match mixed with an NFL game. Plus the food was solid! This was not only one of our favorite things we did in Tokyo, but in Japan as a whole! Even for Kathryn, who doesn’t care that much about baseball.

The Nippon Professional Baseball league’s regular season runs from late March until early October. We lucked out and caught the last regular game of the season and watched the Lotte Marines play the SoftBank Hawks (who were #1 in the league)!

Getting tickets can be a bit confusing, especially if you’re not Japanese. We got our tickets on Chiketto. You request the tickets and then they buy them for you, which means you may have to wait a day or two, especially with the time difference. But it was an easy process and the tickets were great!

16. Eat your way through Tsukiji Outer Market

For food lovers, one of the best things to do in Tokyo is visit Tsukiji Outer Market. It was once home to the Tsukiji Fish Market, which was the largest wholesale fish and seafood market in the world. The fish market portion has since moved to another market, but the outer market remains.

It is the most popular market to visit in Tokyo, with around 400 stalls selling anything from fresh tuna and seafood delicacies, sweet treats, Japanese street food, and souvenirs. There are many delicious foods to try here, but some of our favorite food stops at the market were:

Maguroya Kurogin: Their fatty tuna is like butter!
Tsukiji Yamacho: This is a great spot to try tamagoyaki, which is a sweet rolled omelet, with eggs, soy sauce, sugar, and mirin. It tastes sort of like french toast!
Matcha Stand Maruni TOKYO TSUKIJI: Their matcha lattes and hojicha lattes (our personal favorite) are delicious!
Tsukiji Ihachi honten/ A5 Wagyu Steak: Japan is famous for its wagyu, which is beef from the four breeds of cattle here in Japan. It’s known for having a large amount of marbling, which gives it a smooth, melt in your mouth texture. This is a great spot to try A5 Wagyu skewers, which is the highest possible grade. Warning: it’s expensive, but it was pretty life changing.
Tsukiji Sanokiya: This stand sells taiyaki, which is cake shaped like a tuna, with filling inside.

As you grab food from different stands, keep in mind that it’s considered rude to eat and walk in Japan. So if a stand does not have a spot to sit, just stand outside of it to eat before continuing to walk.

Want to experience the market with a local? Check out this Tsukiji Fish Market Food and Culture Walking Tour! Over 3 hours you’ll get to try some of the market’s most iconic eats, all while learning a bit about its history.

17. Visit TeamLab Borderless or Planets

TeamLab Borderless | 4 days in Tokyo itinerary

One of our personal favorite things to do in Tokyo is going to TeamLab. TeamLab is an immersive art experience that started in Japan, with two different ones to choose from in Tokyo: Planets and Borderless.

Deciding which to choose was tough, because there are a lot of opinions on which is better. But we ultimately settled on Borderless and were super happy with our decision!

Borderless is a museum without a map, where you can freely wander around to different rooms, with each immersing you in digital projections that flow across walls, floors, and ceilings, often adjusting to human movement. Plus some rooms full of 3D objects!

Together these rooms and different displays form one continuous, borderless world, with surprises around every corner. It was without a doubt one of the most engaging art experiences we have ever had!

To visit, you need to get a timed entry ticket, which we recommend getting in advance, as timeslots do sell out. But you can be in there as long as you want once you enter!

18. Go shopping in Ginza

Ginza | Best places to visit in Tokyo for first timers

One afternoon while in Tokyo we had a few spare hours, so we headed to Ginza. This is one of the top shopping districts, with many high end stores and both worldwide and Japanese chains. Some of the shops here are ones you can find anywhere, but there are some unique ones we would recommend going to.

Ginza Itoya: This is stationery heaven! Here you’ll find 11 floors full of stationery items, plus greeting cards, pens, leather goods, art supplies, crafts, home decor, and so much more. Even if you’re not into stationery, it’s totally worth exploring.
GINZA TSUTAYA BOOKS: This is one of the most beautiful bookstores we have ever been to! It’s spread out amongst a floor of the Ginza Six Mall, with different sections for different genres of books. Most books were in Japanese, but it was still fun to walk around.
MUJI Ginza: This is the flagship store for MUJI, which is a Japanese brand that sells apparel and home goods, with a focus on minimalism and sustainability. This location even has a hotel and cafe!

19. Visit Sensō-ji temple

Located in Asakusa, Sensō-ji is Tokyo’s oldest and most famous Buddhist temple. It was founded in 645 AD and it is dedicated to Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy. According to a legend, back in 628 AD, fishermen found a statue of Kannon in the Sumida River. Despite returning it to the river, it kept reemerging and the temple was eventually built to honor it.

Over the years, the main temple has been destroyed many times and the current iteration you see is famous for its striking red architecture, a 5 story pagoda, and a large red lantern, which weighs about 700 kg (1,543 lbs). Besides walking the grounds, there are a handful of things you can do while near Sensō-ji!

A+K Tip: This temple gets 30 million visitors a year. We suggest arriving close to sunrise to enjoy it with way less people. This does mean you may have to wait a bit for stores to open up, but it’s worth it for the peace and quiet.

Read your omikuji

Like reading your omikuji (fortune)! You will likely hear a rattling noise as you walk around, which is from the omikuji. You put a ¥100 coin into the slot and then shake the metal box. After shaking it, pull out a stick and then find the corresponding box on the wall to the stick. Then read your fortune! Hopefully you have better luck than we did. 😅

Try melon pan

Besides the omikuji, another must-do is grabbing some fresh melon pan. This is a Japanese sweet bread and despite its name, it doesn’t actually contain any melon. It’s just called that because its pattern sort of looks like a melon. The melon pan from Asakusa Kagetsudō Melon Bread was one of our favorite things we ate in Japan! We recommend getting a plain one and one with matcha ice cream inside. It’s served piping hot and is crispy on the outside, but soft inside.

Senso-Ji Melon Pan | Foods to try in Japan

See the temple from above

And lastly, before you leave, head up to the 8th floor of the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center. It is totally free and has an amazing view of Sensō-ji and Nakamise Shopping Street from above!

Check out Nakamise Shopping Street

Nakamise Shopping Street is a long pathway that leads to Sensō-ji, filled with different stands selling snacks and souvenirs. It’s the oldest shopping street in Tokyo!

20. Explore Akihabara Electric Town

Akihabara Electric Town | Best places to visit in Tokyo for first timers

Akihabara | Best places to visit in Tokyo for first timers

For the anime and gaming lovers, one of the best things to do in Tokyo is visit Akihabara Electric Town. This is the hub for all things anime, manga, and gaming. Here you can find neon signs, themed cafés, countless stores selling both recent and retro games, and multi-story arcades.

We loved walking around here and seeing all of the colorful lights and displays! One of our favorite stores was Super Potato, which has tons of retro game systems and games to buy. Plus an old school arcade!

21. Play games at an arcade

Love to play games? Head to an arcade! Tokyo is home to quite a few massive game centers where you can find multiple floors with all kinds of arcade games and claw machines. We had so much fun at TAITO Station in Akihabara. You can also find locations in Shibuya and Shinjuku too!

22. Visit Jimbocho Book Town

Jimbocho Book Town | Best places to visit in Tokyo for first timers

As book lovers, we knew we had to spend a little bit of time in Jimbocho Book Town while in Tokyo. This is an area of town that is home to 200 bookstores. While most of the books are in Japanese, it was still fun to pop in and out of shops. Some of our favorites were Jimbocho Book Center, Yaguchi Book Store, magnif, and Nanyodo Books. Just keep in mind, photos are prohibited in most of the bookstores.

Jimbocho is also known for its curry shops, so make sure to save room for lunch or dinner while here. We enjoyed a delicious beef curry at Curry Bondy. The wait was very long, but it was a fantastic and flavorful meal!

23. Go to a sumo wrestling experience

Sumo Experience | 4 days in Tokyo itinerary

Sumo Experience | Fun things to do in Tokyo

Hands down one of the most fun things to do in Tokyo is to attend a sumo wrestling experience. Sumo wrestling began in Japan as a sacred Shinto ritual to pray for good harvests, before becoming a professional sport during the 1600s as a way to raise money to build temples and shrines.

During our sumo experience we got to learn firsthand from two professional sumo wrestlers, including learning their stretches and techniques, plus watching a couple matches. And as we sat there, we also got to enjoy a couple different foods. Because with a diet of 7,000-10,000 calories per day, food is a big part of sumo wrestling. We got to cook Chankonabe, a hot pot dish that is loaded with protein, right at our seat, and we got to watch them pound mochi!

While the observing and eating was great, the best part of the experience was the audience interaction. They allow you to try pounding the mochi, practice the stretches and techniques, and even go against one of them in a match! Kathryn suited up (in an inflatable sumo suit!) and tried to take down one of the sumo wrestlers. She “won” 😜 and it was absolutely hilarious!

24. Walk around Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden | What to see & do in Shinjuku

Despite being the most populated city in the world, with buildings everywhere you look, Tokyo boasts more than 8,000 parks and gardens. And the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden is one of the largest parks in the city, with three different types of gardens, plus a greenhouse with tropical plants and lots of ponds.

We loved walking around here! It was a peaceful escape among the chaos. Try to find the adorable National Parks Dog stand for a refreshing lemonade!

25. See the free Tokyo Night & Light Show

Not only does the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building have a free observation deck, but every night they have multiple free light shows where they project different graphics onto the building! It runs a few times a night and is the largest architectural projection-mapped display, according to the Guiness World Records. And it is pretty spectacular! During the show we went to we got to see a massive Godzilla stomping around, some trippy shapes flying across the building, and Pac-Man!

26. Eat ramen

No trip to Tokyo is complete without ramen! Preferably daily! 😋There are many different styles and types of ramen and we recommend trying as many as you can while in the country.

In Tokyo, we loved Ramen Tatsunoya Shinjuku Otakibashidōri for two different types. The first being their tonkotsu, which is made by boiling pork bones for several hours with minimal other ingredients. The ramen is then topped with pork, mushrooms, green onions, sesame seeds, and a seasoned ramen egg.

They also have a delicious tsukemen, which means “dipping ramen.” The noodles are served separately from a thick, concentrated broth and then you dip the noodles into it.

We also loved Kanda Ramen Waizu Kanda Honten for their Iekei ramen, which is a mix of tonkotsu broth and shoyu (soy sauce) broth. It was super thick and savory!

Another ramen shop we really wanted to eat at was Karashibi Miso Ramen Kikanbo Kanda Honten. They are known for spicy ramen, but unfortunately the wait here was too long and we had to catch a train to Kyoto.

A+K Tip: One helpful resource for finding restaurants in Tokyo is a website called Tabélog, which is Japan’s top restaurant review website, with over 886,000 restaurants. While we typically shoot for as close to 5 stars as possible on Google Maps, we had read that on Tabelog, anything over 3.5 is considered to be really good.

27. Explore Shinjuku at night

Shinjuku is one of the best places to visit in Tokyo, especially for first-time visitors. Here you’ll find buildings covered in colorful signs, a 3D cat, alleyways lined with izakayas, and even godzilla! It represents the quintessential high energy and vibrant Tokyo that you may be envisioning before visiting. And while you can explore during the day, we think the area is more fun to see at night!

Want a more detailed list of things to do by neighborhood? Check out our neighborhood guides for Shibuya and Harajuku, plus Shinjuku!

28. Go on an Izakaya tour

Tokyo is filled with izakayas, which are small Japanese pubs that serve drinks and small plates of food. Some popular areas to visit an izakaya are Omoide Yokocho Memory Lane and Shinjuku Golden-Gai in Shinjuku and Shibuya Nonbei Yokocho in Shibuya. These streets are lined with many, giving you the chance to hop around between a few of them.

Just keep in mind that some do have an otoshi (cover charge) in the form of a mandatory side dish or food purchase. This is not a scam, but simply a part of the izakaya culture, as they are small establishments with little seating and typically slower turnover.

Want to go izakaya hopping with a guide? Check out this Izakaya Food Tour in Shinjuku, which has 4 stops and 14 different tastings!

29. See the torii gates at Hie-jinja Shrine

The Hie-jinja Shrine is one of Tokyo’s major shrines, tucked right in the city. Here you’ll find a peaceful escape, with lots of trees and a tunnel of about 90 vermillion torii gates. It is a much smaller version of the Fushimi Inari Shrine, which is one of the best things to do in Kyoto. So if you’re not visiting Kyoto or just want a lesser known torii gate experience, make sure to head here!

30. Eat a meal with a local (Borderless Visit)

If connecting with locals is something you’d enjoy, book a Borderless Visit (formerly Nagomi Visit)! This is where you can meet up with a local host and enjoy either lunch or dinner at their home. There is a fee to participate, which helps cover the food costs for the hosts.

To do this, you will need to submit a form with your date options, the stations you are willing to travel from, and the meal you’d like to partake in. You will also include information about yourself, so the hosts can learn about you beforehand. Hosts will be able to review requests and if they are available, they will respond. If they seem like a good fit for you as well, you can book a visit!

Unfortunately we were unable to secure a reservation, likely due to choosing limited date, time, and station options on our end. So having a lot of flexibility is key! But we know people who have done it and they raved about the experience.

31. Try Japanese desserts

Not only are the savory foods in Japan delicious, but the country also boasts some unique and fun desserts. And seeking out desserts to try is one of the most delicious things to do in Tokyo for those with a sweet tooth!

While there are countless desserts you could try, from quick bites at a konbini to cafes specializing in desserts, here are a few that stood out to us!

PAP.COFFEE for kakigori (Japanese shaved ice) with cream, sauces, and fresh fruit. We suggest splitting one, as they are HUGE!
Micasadeco & Cafe Jingumae for fluffy Japanese souffle pancakes.
Crepes in Harajuku. There are tons of stands to choose from!
Solatsuki for daifuku, which is mochi with red bean paste and a strawberry on top.
Asakusa Kagetsudō Melon Bread for melon pan with matcha ice cream.
Tsukiji Sanokiya for tuna shaped taiyaki!
I’m donut ? for delicious and fun donut combinations.
Ginza Orions for purin, which is a Japanese custard pudding that is similar to flan.

32. Go on a food tour

Tsukiji Outer Market | Foods to try in Japan

On this list of things to do in Tokyo we called out specific food items we loved, but if you want to try a wide range of popular Japanese dishes at once, go on a food tour! Not only will you get some tasty bites, but you’ll also get to learn a lot from a local guide along the way.

There are quite a few food tours to choose from in Tokyo, but these two tours are a great options to consider:

33. Spend a day at Tokyo Disneyland or DisneySea

For the Disney fans, one of the ultimate things to do in Tokyo is visit either Tokyo Disneylandor DisneySea! These two parks are located right next to each other, but offer different experiences.

Tokyo Disneyland offers some of the classic rides you can find in other Disney parks, like Splash Mountain, Thunder Mountain Railroad, and Haunted Mansion. Plus it has a castle!

Tokyo DisneySea on the other hand, is a completely new concept, unique to Japan. We hear it’s more of a story that you journey through, with beautifully designed, themed port of calls, all centering around a lagoon. And it has a couple more thrill rides, making it more fun for older visitors!

But the best part? Both parks are a fraction of the price of the US parks. You can visit just Disneyland or DisneySea starting at $61.25 USD per day. Or you can get a one day park hopper pass from $105.29 per day.

If we had one more day in Tokyo we would’ve loved to have gone to either park!

34. Visit the Ghibli Museum

Both before and during our visit to Japan, we watched a couple Studio Ghibli films. This is a Japanese animation studio created by animator Hayao Miyazaki and director Isao Takahata, with famous films like Spirited Away, Kiki’s Delivery Service, and My Neighbor Totoro. We highly recommend watching at least one before your visit!

And if you’re a fan of the films, visit the Ghibli Museum! Here you’ll get to wander through a magical space full of architecture reminiscent of the movies, plus learn about the animations, see different sculptures, watch short films, and more!

You must get tickets in advance, which become available at 10 AM Japan time on the 10th of the month for the following month.

35. Stay in a capsule hotel

There are many unique lodging options in Japan, like ryokans and love hotels. And while in Tokyo, stay the night in a capsule hotel! These are sort of like a hostel, with shared bathrooms, but instead of bunk beds, you get a capsule to sleep in, which typically has just a bed and nothing else. They were originally created for locals or salarymen (Japanese businessmen) who may have missed the final train of the night and needed a quick place to stay. But they are now also a popular tourist lodging option, due to how futuristic they look!

A couple popular capsule hotels in Tokyo are

36. Take a day trip

Last, but certainly not least, if you have a spare day in Tokyo, one of the best things to do is to go on a day trip! With the reliable and efficient transportation system in Japan, you can visit many other destinations from Tokyo pretty easily. Here are a few of the popular options to consider!

Mount Fuji

If seeing Japan’s highest and most iconic mountain is on your list, head to Mount Fuji! And while you could summit the mountain if visiting in the summer, it’s a challenging hike. So we’d suggest sticking to the Fuji Five Lakes region and seeing it from below.

During your day trip you could see the views from Chureito Pagoda, ride bikes around Lake Kawaguchiko, try Hoto (a local soup!), and enjoy ice cream at Oishi Park. It’s easy to visit by train, just take the Chuo Line from Tokyo to the Otsuki Station and then transfer to the Fujikyuko Line. The whole journey will be a little over 2 hours one way.

Or you could take a tour from Tokyo! These private tours take you to both Mount Fuji & Hakone. And the best part is that they are customizable to what you want to experience!

To learn more about visiting the area, check out our detailed guide with things to do in Mount Fuji, Japan (coming soon)!

Hakone

Hakone is a picturesque mountain town that is known specifically for its ryokans and natural hot springs, plus views of Mount Fuji. While popular for overnight visitors who want to stay in a ryokan, you can also visit just for the day!

For a day trip we suggest utilizing the Hakone Freepass, which despite its name is not free, but gives you access to multiple transportation methods in Hakone. You can even add on the train to and from Tokyo!

And while here, make sure to ride the Hakone Ropeway to Owakudani, visit the Hakone Amazake Tea House, Open Air Museum, and grab burgers from BOX BURGER.

We share even more fun things to do in Hakone here, plus we have detailed guide about how to stay at a ryokan with a private onsen!

Mount Takao

Mount Takao is one of the most accessible mountains to Tokyo. And it makes for a great day trip if you want a nature escape!

To get to the base of the mountain you can hop on the Keio line from Shinjuku for a 1-1.5 hour one way journey. Then, you can either hike to the top via multiple different trail routes or ride a cable car or chairlift. We suggest hiking up and then riding down for the ultimate experience. At the top you’ll have great views of the surrounding mountains, including Mount Fuji if you catch it on a clear day!

Akigawa Valley

Akigawa Valley is a gorgeous valley west of Tokyo, known for its beautiful forests (which are colorful in the fall!), clear rivers, a suspension bridge, and fishing. It’s a relaxing escape from Tokyo and gives you a great glimpse into the breathtaking scenery Japan has to offer.

Getting here takes a little over 2 hours (one way) if taking trains from Tokyo. You’ll want to hop on the Chuo Line from Shinjuku and then transfer to the Itsukaichi Line at Haijima Station. Once you get to Musashi-Itsukaichi Station, you will transfer to local buses, depending on what you want to see.

Or you could rent a car and drive yourself, which is about 1 hour, 15 minutes. We rented a campervan and drove around Japan and it was pretty easy, once you get used to driving on the opposite side (if you’re from the US, like us).

Kamakura

Last, but not least, head to Kamakura! Nicknamed “Kyoto of the East,” this coastal town is loaded with historic buildings, bamboo forests, beaches, and a giant buddha at Kotoku-in. To get here, you can take a direct train on the Shonan-Shinjuku Line from Shinjuku Station. This only takes an hour! There are also other train options, with connections, from other stations around Tokyo.

Planning your time in Tokyo, Japan

There is a lot to know before visiting Tokyo! In this first timer’s guide to visiting Tokyo we share how to get to the city, getting around, when to visit, what to eat and where to stay. Plus specific tips for Tokyo itself!

Looking for even more things to do in Tokyo? Check out our guide with over 35 fun things to do in the city. And if planning your time in the city feels a bit daunting, we have a ready to go 4 day Tokyo itinerary as well. Plus neighborhood guides, 17 Fun Things to do in Shibuya and Harajuku (Tokyo) and What to see & do in Shinjuku: Our 13 must-visit spots!

And if you need more help with planning your visit to Japan, check out other other Japan resources: