19 things to do in Tokyo

Tokyo is home to numerous tourist attractions and indoor activities, making it enjoyable to visit year-round.
However, the city experiences significant heat island effects, making summers extremely hot and humid, to the point where caution against heat stroke is necessary.
For those wishing to visit as many tourist spots as possible, the milder temperatures of spring or autumn are recommended.

As Japan's capital, Tokyo is exceptionally accessible from other cities.
It's about a 1-2 hour bullet train ride from Nagoya or Osaka.
Haneda Airport, which serves both domestic and international flights, offers excellent access from overseas as well.

Meiji Shrine was established in 1920 (Taisho 9) as a shrine to enshrine Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken.
The shrine consists of the Inner Garden, which centers around the sacred and serene main shrine and garden, the Outer Garden, which boasts many excellent sports facilities including the Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery, and the Meiji Kinenkan, a comprehensive wedding venue.

At the main Kaminari-mon or “Thunder Gate” known as an icon of Asakusa, you’ll find a larger-than-life, red lantern suspended above the walking path, while the guardian statues of Fujin (a wind god) and Raijin (a thunder god) flank the gate from both sides.
From the gate up to the main hall is a stunning 250m stretch known as Nakamise-Dori, lined with a number of unique souvenir stands and mouth-watering food shops.

Boasting a staggering height of 634 meters, TOKYO SKYTREE is the world’s tallest free-standing tower which stands in the center of TOKYO SKYTREE TOWN surrounded by tourist facilities.
The tower has two observation decks, Tembo Deck at a height of 350 meters and Tembo Galleria at 450 meters.

This is Japan’s first ever zoo, founded in 1882.
Despite its urban setting in the heart of Tokyo, it still keeps a lush, natural environment as well as about 2,500 different animal friends of some 350 different species.

Shinjuku Gyoen once stood as an estate of the Naito family, the hereditary vassals of the Tokugawa family in the Edo period before being established as a breathtaking imperial garden in 1906.
Today it remains open to the general public. Inside you’ll find the sprawling 58.3ha grounds keep three distinct gardens: a Japanese traditional garden, a formal garden, and a landscape garden, acclaimed as one of the best of modern day gardens to see.

Tokyo Tower debuted as it is now in 1958.
When it was built, Tokyo Tower proudly stood out as the tallest steel tower in the world. At a height of 33 meters, it was taller than the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
It is located in Minato Ward in the center of Tokyo. Tourists can take in sweeping views of the city from the observation deck.

This iconic shopping street stretches approximately 500 meters between JR Ueno Station and JR Okachimachi Station, lined with a fantastic 400 shops.
Year-round sales create a charming and lively atmosphere, offering tourists a condensed and yet rich experience of Tokyo's traditional downtown charm.

Located in Taito Ward, Tokyo, Ueno Park, formally known as Ueno Onshi Park, is a beautifully vast and historic park.
Renowned as an iconic cherry blossom viewing spot, it attracts tourists from both Japan and abroad, making it one of Tokyo's hottest tourist destinations during the spring.

This aquarium is built on the roof of a staggering building in Sunshine City, a fantastic large-scale commercial facility in Ikebukuro.
It is made up of three areas: “Sky Journey,” “Ocean Journey,” and “Waterfront Journey.”

Kabuki, a traditional Japanese performing art, is staged in various theaters across Japan, but Kabukiza Theatre is known for hosting the most glamorous performances.
Although Kabukiza might seem intimidating, it offers reasonably priced seats and single-act tickets, making it accessible for even kabuki beginners.

This compact and yet impressive aquarium is located on the 5th and 6th floors of Tokyo Skytree Town’s West Yard area.
It is completely indoors, and the aquarium’s unique artificial seawater production system makes the aquarium water wonderful and clean for the creatures living in it.
“As you get closer, you’ll love them even more” is the aquarium's motto, so tourists are encouraged get up and personal with the creatures on display.

In the quiet bedtown of Mitaka, Tokyo, there is a museum dedicated to the world famous Studio Ghibli, with director Hayao Miyazaki as its principal.
Studio Ghibli, established in 1985, is a renowned Japanese animation studio, mainly known for the animated film works of Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki.
The museum's catchphrase is "Let's get lost together.
" There is no set route in the Ghibli Museum.
Here, both adults and children are encouraged to wander and discover their own special spots within the unique and intriguing museum.

Opened in 2003, Roppongi Hills is a landmark complex in Roppongi.
The facility is lined with numerous luxury brand shops, and its dining establishments are generally of a higher caliber.

teamLab, an international art collective, uses digital technology to create experiential works that allow visitors to participate and become a part of the artwork spaces.
Opened in 2018, their museum teamLab Planets TOKYO offers a full lineup of works that bring viewers and art together.
Inside the museum is divided into two areas, the Water Area where "you walk through water" and the Garden Area featuring "a garden where you become one with the flowers".
Visitors follow a route to view multiple artworks in a stunning array of different formats.

Katsushika Shibamata has been chosen by the country itself as one of Japan’s iconic scenic spots.
It’s also no exaggeration to say that Shibamata Taishakuten and its approach are iconic parts of Tokyo’s shitamachi (old town) areas that possess strikingly nostalgic atmosphere and appearance.
It’s also famous as the hometown of Tora, the protagonist of the film "Otoko wa tsurai yo (It’s Tough Being a Man),” directed by Japanese film master YAMADA Yoji.

Spanning approximately 1.3km east to west from Tokyu Ikegami Line's "Togoshi Ginza Station," this shopping street hosts the range of 400 establishments, from fresh food stores to cafes, bakeries, and public baths.
A specialty of this shopping street, brimming with downtown charm, is the "Togoshi Ginza Croquette."
Several stores sell unique croquettes, making it fun to taste and compare the different flavors.

The construction of Japan’s 'front gate', Tokyo Station, began in March, 1908 and it was completed and opened in December, 1914.
Kingo Tatsuno, a pioneer of modern architecture in Japan, designed it.
The steel-framed, brick Marunouchi Station building was burned on the roof, suffering damage to the interior in the 1945 air raid.
After the War, it was restored up to the 2nd floor and has been in use for over 60 years.
In 2003, it was designated as a national important cultural property.

“Rainbow Bridge,” is an approximately 800-meter-long suspension bridge, an iconic part of Tokyo architecture that connects Odaiba and Shibaura.
At night the bridge is beautifully illuminated, and many people visit it to take pictures of one of Tokyo’s most well-known night views.
The walking path is about 1.7 kilometers long and has both a “north route” and “south route” starting on each side of the bridge, from the top of the bridge you can see a stunning cityscape of Tokyo from all directions.
The bridge can be crossed in about 20-30 minutes.

An observation deck offering a 360-degree panoramic view of the Tokyo cityscape from a height of approximately 230 meters above the ground in the heart of the city.
Located on the 14th, 45th, 46th and rooftop of Shibuya Scramble Square, the tallest building in the Shibuya area, there are three zones: "SKY GATE," "SKY STAGE" and "SKY GALLERY.

To avoid further deterioration, the aging Tsukiji Market, known as the “kitchen” of Tokyo, feeding the capital's people, was moved to Toyosu in 2018.
Along with improving safety, observational tour routes were set up, making it easier for visitors to enter the market and enjoy all it has to offer.

Located just outside the north exit of Kichijoji Station, this small alley is home to about 100 shops.
The name “Harmonica Alley” is said to come from the fact that the line of small storefronts looks like the holes on a harmonica.

Located just about a 3 minute walk from the West Exit of Shinjuku Station.
This area is lined with traditional izakayas (Japanese pubs).
The area hosts around 80 establishments offering delicious drinks and dishes.
Many of the shops are constructed in the "nagaya" style, separated by only a single board, contributing to the area's retro ambiance.

"Tokyo Ramen Street" is located on the first basement floor of "Tokyo Station Ichibangai", a commercial facility directly connected to Tokyo Station, just outside the "Yaesu Underground Central Exit ticket gate".
The following seven well-known restaurants in Tokyo are gathered here, and each restaurant offers a different genre of ramen.
In addition to the standard and popular menus, there are also limited edition menus available only at "Tokyo Ramen Street," allowing customers to fully enjoy the charm of each famous restaurant.

Over 400 food shops, restaurants, and specialty shops are gathered here.
Suppliers, general shoppers for daily food, and tourists searching for specialty food always crowd in even after a change of the location of the central wholesale market from Tsukiji to the nearby Toyosu in October, 2018.
Stores in Tsukiji Outer Market sell various items including seafoods, vegetables, fruits, processed foods, dry foods, and kitchenwares.
Restaurants serve Sushi, Seafood rice bowls, curry and rice, ramen, set menus, and more.
There is a endless queue of people out of the door in many shops.

Ginza is famous for its highly ranked shopping area.
Ginza Mitsukoshi is centrally located and also a representative department store with a long history in Japan.
Initially, the business consisted of selling Kimonos then called “Echigo- ya” which lasted from 1673. Ginza Mitsukoshi was opened in 1930.
Since then, its role has remained as a landmark of Ginza for about 90 years.

This shopping street stretches nearly 350m from the exit of Harajuku Station to Meiji Street.
There are many shops with colorful and cute sweets that are so much like Harajuku. Stop by in between other sights close by as this is a guaranteed crowd pleaser.

"Tokyo Station Ichibangai" is directly connected to "Tokyo Station", the gateway to Japan.
A wide variety of stores are gathered here, including ramen, local gourmet foods from all over Japan, Japanese and Western confectioneries from famous and long-established stores, and popular character goods.
Limited-time events and pop-up stores are also held often, so there is always something new to discover no matter how many times you visit.
It is also nice to know that many of the stores offer duty-free shopping.

Based on the concept of a theater in an urban space, people come here to play, learn, relax, and be surprised or impressed by this landmark in the Daiba district of Tokyo.
It is famous for a giant 19.7-meter statue of Gundam, a major Japanese anime.
Step inside this facility and have fun spending a whole day shopping for both domestic and overseas fashion, as well as various goods at general stores.
The mall also has a lot of restaurants, including Tokyo Gourmet Stadium, the largest food court in Rinkai-Fukutoshin.

Featuring an impressive architectural design suited to Omotesando’s elegant and fashionable high street image, Omotesando Hills has been a landmark in the area since its opening in 2006.
Boasting about 100 popular shops carrying famous brands and trendy fashions from within and beyond Japan, general goods and cosmetics stores, as well as eateries, this complex is always full of shoppers bustling here and there.

Azabudai Hills, is the megaplex hub that opened in Azabu in November 2023 with some 150 shops for fashion, culture, and unbeatable food across its floors.
The central plaza and halls throughout feature fresh greenery and wide open, luxe vibes to bring you the best of dining and shopping.

Park Hyatt Tokyo, located between the 39th and 52nd floor of the skyscraper “Shinjuku Park Tower” with an iconic triangular roof top, is fairly close to the Shinjuku Station and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building.
The views from the 177 rooms including 23 suites, all situated above the 42nd floor, are outstanding!
The rooms are a spacious 45～290㎡, ensuring comfort and functionality.

A high-rise hotel conveniently located just a 3-minute walk from the South Exit of Shinjuku Station, situated within the "Odakyu Southern Tower," a mixed-use skyscraper consisting of offices and shops, with 4 underground levels and 36 above ground.
The hotel's lobby and reception area are located on the 20th floor, at an elevation of 100 meters above ground.
The hotel also features unique restaurants where guests can enjoy meals with a view of the cityscape, making it an excellent choice for dining even without an overnight stay.

In 1890, upon the request of the Meiji Administration that was promoting the westernization of Japan, this hotel was opened by leading businessmen.
For the first 19 years, Shibusawa Eiichi, the representative of the founders, administered the management and served as president.
Today, 2,000 specialized staff, such as belstaff, concierge and laundry, are entertaining domestic and international guests.
The high-quality service and the hospitality are beloved by guests from all over the world.

Walking for 2 minutes from the entrance to Shinagawa Station, you will arrive at a convenient city hotel, which consists of four towers housing 3,554 rooms.
This is Japan’s largest number of rooms.
It also has restaurants, entertainment, sports facilities, etc.
Entertainment comes in a variety of different activities - movie theaters, a bowling alley, the aquarium of Maxell Aqua Park Shinagawa, the live hall Stellar Ball and “Club ex.“

This hotel was built in 1915 in Tokyo Station’s Marunouchi Station building and was restored to its original state in 2012.
Tokyo Station’s Marunouchi Station building has been designated as a National Important Cultural Property and is a symbol of Tokyo.
It is also known as a hotel that has been loved by famous writers.
Around 1956, Seicho Matsumoto frequently stayed at this hotel.
The view of the station platform from his guest room is said to have inspired him to use the train timetable as a trick in his novel “Points and Lines”.

Since its inception in 1991, "Tokyo Banana 'Miitsuketa'" has become a classic Tokyo souvenir. It's a Western-style confectionery, featuring a soft, fluffy sponge cake filled with banana custard cream made from finely mashed bananas.

“Otsumami-Nori'' is a popular souvenir made of carefully selected ingredients sprinkled between high-quality nori seaweed sheets.
It comes in cans featuring famous ukiyoe designs. Katsushika Hokusai’s “Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji: The Great Wave off Kanagawa'' and Kitagawa Utamaro’s “Fujo Ninso Juppin: Young Lady Blowing on a Poppin Glass”, making it an artistic and delicious Tokyo souvenir.

This shrimp senbei (rice cracker) producer was founded in 1866 with their headquarters in Nagoya.
This is a limited edition good sold only in Tokyo.
The crackers come with pictures of two pandas traveling in Tokyo - taking a snapshot in a tourist spot, eating and walking in Asakusa, watching sumo wrestling - they are so cute that you might hesitate to actually eat them.

Milky white chocolate is sandwiched between cookies made from a blend of whole wheat, rye and wild oats.
With its adorable appearance, your clients, friends, and family will be delighted to receive this box of cookies as a gift.
Featuring a crisp and flaky texture, with a taste that's not too sweet, the mild flavor of this cookie is really good!

Ueno Park's cherry blossoms are often the first to be mentioned when discussing Tokyo's cherry blossom viewing spots.
With a rich history of nearly 400 years, it stands as one of the premier cherry blossom viewing locations in Tokyo and the whole of Japan.
From late March to mid-April, when the cherry blossoms are in bloom, the park offers a breathtaking view with around 1,200 cherry trees flowering in full glory.
Each year during the cherry blossom season, a festival is held, featuring illuminated cherry blossom trees, various events, and bustling stalls lining the area.

The Sumida River Fireworks Festival, one of the largest in Japan, is held annually on the last Saturday of July.
Its history dates back to the Edo period when the eighth shogun, Yoshimune, held a water god festival and launched fireworks to console the spirits of those who died during a great famine and to pray for the end of the epidemic.
The festival was canceled for three consecutive years due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it has decided to be reinstated in 2023 after a four-year hiatus.
Two launch sites will light up the night sky with a breathtaking amount of approximately 20,000 fireworks in total.

"Tori-no-Ichi" is a festival held across Japan where people can pray for good business and financial luck.
It is held in various locations throughout November, but the "Tori-no-Ichi" held at Otori Shrine, said to be the original location of the festival, supposedly receives the most visitors and boasts the most stalls in Tokyo.
Visitors purchase lucky “rakes” to bring in good fortune for the coming year.

The "Marunouchi Illumination" is a wintertime tradition in the Marunouchi area that has been held for more than 20 years.
The event centers on Marunouchi Nakadori Avenue, the main street of the Marunouchi area, which is lined with high end brand-name stores along its 1.2-km stretch. Approximately 1.2 million LED bulbs will be hung in 360 street-adjacent trees in the Marunouchi area, from the Tokyo Kotsu Kaikan in front of Yurakucho Station to Otemachi Naka-Dori Avenue, and all of them will light up simultaneously.

Asakusa Jidaiya is known for reviving rickshaw riding in Asakusa. Apart from rickshaws, visitors can experience traditional Japanese activities such as Kimono rentals and Japanese cultural experiences.
The knowledgeable rickshaw driver knows the ins-and-outs of Asakusa.
They will take you through model courses and traveling spots such as Sumida Park, Nitenmon Gate, and Asakusa Shrine on the famous “Edo Sightseeing Tour ”. In the “Power Spot Temple Tour”.
visitors will explore Imado Shrine and Ushijima Shrine. Visitors can also request areas to visit according to personal preference.
Participating in the Japan Culture Experience package, visitors can join a tea ceremony, wagashi (Japanese sweets) making, wadaiko drums, shamisen playing performances, and unique occasions such as Iaido, or wearing Samurai armor to become a warrior.

“Symphony Cruise" takes passengers on an original route around Tokyo Bay.
The captivating cruise can be experienced for anywhere from 50 minutes to 2 hours and 30 minutes.
There are two ships in operation: the 450-passenger "Classica" and the 600-passenger
"Moderna," both of which are restaurant ships offering authentic cuisine prepared onboard.
The passengers can choose from a multitude of courses.
Including, French, Italian, sushi dining, and other cuisines to suit their tastes and needs.

Nearly 60 existing businesses are in specialized pavilions to offer children from ages 3 to 15 years old a truly unique experience of nearly 100 activities, including work and service job experiences.
Kids can experience the reality of some jobs and social life within the designated facilities.
Inside the building, a city created especially to be 2/3 the scale of a life-sized community spans on the 1st and 2nd floors.
The 1st floor hosts a plaza and theaters with a tour bus and a fire truck running through when kids are on the job. The 2nd floor is a lounge for parents to relax.

The all-new walk-through entertainment facility where you can actually experience the behind-the-scenes production of the "Harry Potter" and "Fantastic Beasts" series opened on June 16, 2023.
This is the first opening in Asia and boasts the largest indoor facility for "Harry Potter" in the world.
Step into the amazing sets created by the actual creators involved in the movies, such as the "Great Hall of Hogwarts," "Diagon Alley," and "Hogwarts Express at Platform 9¾." Additionally, there are unique sets that can only be seen here, which are a major attraction.

The observation deck on the 45th floor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building's Main Building No. 1 features the "Tokyo Metropolitan Government Memory Piano," installed in April 2019 during a renovation.
Supervised by Yayoi Kusama, the piano is designed with a yellow base adorned with black polka dots, embodying the concept of providing enjoyment not only to those who play or listen but also to those who see it.
This street piano is available for anyone to play for free and is often visited by professionals and competition winners.
The opportunity to listen to free live performances by professionals and contest winners has made it a trending tourist spot.

Known and loved as the “kingdom of dreams and magic”, this full-scale theme park is a short 15 min.
train ride from Tokyo Station.
The entire park is separated into 7 different themed areas.
It starts with the sprawling world of dreams and fairies at Fantasyland, the early-20th century American townscape at the World Bazaar, the world of excitement that awaits you at Adventureland, followed by a 19th century pioneer’s paradise at Westernland, a little world of tiny creatures at Critter Country, the home of Mickey and all of his Disney friends at Toontown, and a look into the future at Tomorrowland.

Take a 30-minute journey from downtown Tokyo to Yokohama.
Yokohama offers an outstanding atmosphere where modern skyscrapers merge with an exotic flair.
Yokohama, facing the Pacific and home to Yokohama Port, has long flourished as an international trade port connecting Japan with the world.
Its legacy is still strongly felt today, and the night view of historic Western-style buildings along the sea is especially romantic and popular among couples.
With numerous commercial facilities, it's also a great spot for shopping.

In about an hour of travel from Tokyo Station on the JR Yokosuka Line, you can reach the ancient city of Kamakura.
Like Kyoto and Nara, Kamakura was once a political center and is dotted with temples and shrines.
Blessed with both sea and mountains, it offers a harmonious landscape of nature and religious sites that vary with the seasons.
A visit to Kamakura is highly recommended to experience the breathtaking ambiance of Japan.

From Tokyo Station, a two-hour bus ride takes you to Lake Kawaguchi, where you can enjoy stunning views of Mount Fuji.
Along the lake, you can see cherry blossoms in spring, purple lavender in early summer, and vibrant autumn leaves in fall.
The Lake Kawaguchi area is rich in tourist spots, including Fuji-Q Highland, one of Eastern Japan's top amusement parks for thrill-seekers, museums with unique art, and the Fuji Mountain Panoramic Ropeway offering views of Lake Kawaguchi and Mount Fuji.

Just a 75-minute ride on the Odakyu Romance Car from Shinjuku Station, Hakone is located in the southwestern part of Kanagawa Prefecture.
It has long thrived as a post town and continues to prosper as a health resort and popular tourist destination.
Famous for its pristine scenery like the Owakudani valley and Lake Ashinoko, as well as it's hot springs, Hakone is perfect for those looking to relax.

Just an hour away from Tokyo Station on the Hokuriku Shinkansen, Karuizawa sits at an altitude of approximately 900 to 1,000 meters atop mountains in Nagano Prefecture.
As one of Japan's leading highland resorts, Karuizawa offers numerous tourist and shopping spots, and a variety of gourmet gems.
If you're tired of Japan's hot summer, consider visiting Karuizawa, a well-known summer retreat from the heat.