21 BEST THINGS TO DO IN TOKYO

QUICK GUIDE

Tokyo at a Glance

Best for: City life, food, temples, nightlife, quirky culture and day trips
How long: Four to five days for a first visit, or seven to eight days for a slower stay with more exploring.
Main airports: Haneda (HND) and Narita (NRT)
Best areas to explore: Shibuya, Shinjuku, Harajuku, Asakusa, Ueno and Akihabara
Best for nightlife: Golden Gai and Omoide Yokocho in Shinjuku
Best views: Tokyo Skytree, Shibuya Sky or Tokyo Tower around sunset
Best for culture: Senso-ji, Meiji Jingu and Nezu Shrine
Best day trip: Mount Fuji and Lake Kawaguchiko
Getting around: Metro and JR trains with a rechargeable IC card
Currency: Japanese Yen (JPY)

Tokyo is enormous, so I grouped everything by area. Pick one or two neighborhoods per day and you will spend a lot more time exploring and a lot less time underground on the metro. Spots marked FREE cost nothing to visit.

If this is your first trip, you do not need to squeeze all 21 experiences into one visit. The city is much more fun when you leave room for wandering, wrong turns and the occasional two-hour queue for pancakes.

For a first visit, these are the Tokyo attractions I would prioritize: Shibuya Crossing at night, Meiji Jingu, Takeshita Dori, Senso-ji, teamLab Planets and at least one evening in Golden Gai or Omoide Yokocho, plus a day trip toward Mount Fuji if you have the time.

The two billboard stops are optional ten-minute additions to your Shibuya and Shinjuku visits. Prioritize the bigger experiences first, then fit these in while you are nearby.

	Thing to do	Best for	Area	Time needed
1	Cross Shibuya Crossing	City buzz & photos	Shibuya	30–60 min
2	Spot Shibuya’s 3D billboard	Quick photo stop	Shibuya	10 min
3	Walk through Yoyogi Park	Green space & festivals	Harajuku	1–2 hours
4	Visit Meiji Jingu	Culture & forest walk	Harajuku	1–1.5 hours
5	Visit an animal café	Something quirky	Harajuku	1 hour
6	Shop & snack on Takeshita Dori	Kawaii culture & sweets	Harajuku	1–2 hours
7	Eat in Omoide Yokocho	Yakitori & atmosphere	Shinjuku	1–2 hours
8	Bar hop in Golden Gai	Nightlife	Shinjuku	An evening
9	Find the Shinjuku 3D cat	Quick photo stop	Shinjuku	10 min
10	Play in a game center	Rainy days & fun	Shinjuku / Akihabara	1 hour
11	Explore Akihabara	Anime, manga & otaku culture	Akihabara	4 hours
12	Go up Tokyo Skytree	City views	Sumida	1–1.5 hours
13	Visit Senso-ji	History & temples	Asakusa	1.5 hours
14	Browse Ameyoko Market	Bargains & street food	Ueno	1 hour
15	Stroll Ueno Park	Museums & cherry blossoms	Ueno	1–2 hours
16	Walk through Nezu Shrine’s torii	Quiet culture	Nezu	45–60 min
17	Experience teamLab Planets	Immersive art	Toyosu	2–3 hours
18	Ride the Shinkansen	Bucket-list train ride	Tokyo Station	Travel day
19	Walk in Aokigahara Forest	Nature	Mount Fuji area	1–2 hours
20	See Mount Fuji	Iconic views	Lake Kawaguchiko	Full day
21	Eat your way through Tokyo	Food lovers	Everywhere	Every day

HOW MANY DAYS

How Many Days Do You Need in Tokyo?

For a first visit, four or five days is a useful starting point for exploring several of Tokyo’s main neighbourhoods without spending every day rushing between them. With three days, I would concentrate on Shibuya and Harajuku, Shinjuku, and Asakusa with the Skytree area. You will leave plenty unseen, but you can still have a wonderful first visit.

We spent eight days in Tokyo, and I would happily give it that much time again. Seven or eight days leaves more room for shopping, museums, food stops and slower afternoons, with the option of an excursion beyond the city. My 3-Week Japan Itinerary shows how our Tokyo stay fits into the wider route through central Japan, Kyoto and Osaka.

PLAN YOUR DAYS

Tokyo by Area: How to Plan Your Days

Tokyo is huge, so the easiest way to plan is by neighborhood. Most of the places on this list sit close to a stop on the JR Yamanote line, the loop train that circles the city center. If you group your days by area, you spend your time exploring instead of riding trains back and forth.

We stayed in Shinjuku at Onsen Ryokan Yuen Shinjuku, and I would book Shinjuku again. It is a big train hub, Golden Gai and Omoide Yokocho are a short walk away, and Shibuya and Harajuku are only a few stops south. Coming back to a hot spring bath after a full day of walking was the best part of every evening.

Yuen is a little removed from the main station bustle. The hotel lists an approximately eight-minute walk from Shinjuku-sanchome Station’s C7 exit and about sixteen minutes from Shinjuku Station’s east exit, so allow for that walk when planning arrivals with luggage or a stroller.

My Favorite Tokyo Day Combinations

These are the combinations that worked best for us, or that I would do this way if I went back. Each one keeps you in one part of the city.

Shrine, fashion and the crossing (Harajuku & Shibuya). Start early at Meiji Jingu while it is calm, walk through Yoyogi Park, then dive into Takeshita Dori for crepes and cotton candy. End the day at Shibuya Crossing after dark, when the screens are lit up.

Old Tokyo in one day (Nezu, Ueno & Asakusa). Begin at Nezu Shrine and its tunnel of torii gates, then walk to Ueno Park and down into Ameyoko market for street food. In the late afternoon, take the train to Asakusa and see Senso-ji as the lanterns come on.

Shinjuku by night. Find the giant 3D cat billboard, then head to Omoide Yokocho for dinner before continuing to Golden Gai. Check the opening hours of any restaurant or bar you particularly want to visit: Omoide Yokocho’s restaurants follow their own schedules, while later evening generally suits a Golden Gai bar-hopping plan. There is no single opening time for both areas.

Anime and a view (Akihabara & Skytree). Give Akihabara a full morning, because I needed at least four hours there. Then head to Tokyo Skytree for the observation decks and finish at Senso-ji, which is close by.

Art and the bay (teamLab & Ginza). Book an early slot at teamLab Planets, since it gets busy and you will be barefoot in water. Afterwards, ride over to Ginza for shopping or just to look around one of the most expensive neighborhoods in the world.

SHIBUYA

Things to Do in Shibuya

Shibuya is the Tokyo you picture before you go: giant screens, crowds of people and shops stacked on top of each other. It is one of the city’s biggest shopping and nightlife areas, and the heart of Tokyo’s youth culture. Right outside the station stands the statue of Hachiko, the loyal Akita dog who waited at Shibuya Station for his owner every day for almost ten years after his owner died in 1925.

It is busy at any hour, but it never feels chaotic in a stressful way. Everybody moves in the same rhythm, and the area gets even better after dark, when every building lights up.

1. Cross Shibuya Crossing · FREE

Location: Shibuya Station, Hachiko exit
Time: 30–60 min
Price: Free
Best for: City buzz and photos
Combine with: the 3D billboard (#2) and dinner in Shibuya.

Shibuya Crossing is one of Tokyo’s most recognisable sights. When traffic stops, people stream across from several directions beneath enormous screens and illuminated buildings. It is worth experiencing at street level before finding somewhere above the crossing to watch how the movement changes with each set of lights.

We went at night, when all the screens were lit up, and ended up crossing it 30 to 40 times because it was simply so much fun. Coming back during the day felt different again, like organized chaos where nobody bumps into anybody. Seeing it both by day and after dark is worth it.

💡 Car’s Tip: For an elevated view, consider SHIBUYA SKY and check SHIBUYA SKY’s official booking page for available entry times and current rooftop information.

2. Spot Shibuya’s 3D Billboard · FREE

Location: Around Shibuya Crossing
Time: 10 min
Price: Free
Best for: A quick photo stop
Combine with: Shibuya Crossing (#1). For the famous 3D cat, see Shinjuku (#9).

Shibuya’s Akita-dog 3D clock display has appeared on large screens around the station, including near the scramble crossing and Miyamasuzaka. When we were there, a giant Akita dog, the same breed as Shibuya’s famous Hachiko, peeked out of a clock frame above the street. Screen content changes, so treat it as a fun extra rather than a guaranteed show.

💡 Car’s Tip: Watch a full loop before filming. The best part of the animation usually comes at the end.

HARAJUKU

Things to Do in Harajuku

Harajuku is just one stop from Shibuya, and it is the center of Tokyo’s street fashion and kawaii culture. Since the 1980s and 90s, young people have come here to show off their outfits, from pastel and lolita styles to punk and vintage. Takeshita Dori is the heart of it all, packed with crepe stands, candy shops and tiny boutiques. I explain the whole style, from purikura to maid cafés, in my Kawaii Culture Guide.

What makes Harajuku special is the contrast. On one side of the station you have the craziest shopping street in Tokyo, and on the other side a quiet forest with Meiji Jingu and Yoyogi Park. You can easily spend a whole day here.

3. Walk Through Yoyogi Park · FREE

Location: Next to Harajuku Station
Time: 1–2 hours
Price: Free
Best for: Green space and people watching
Combine with: Meiji Jingu (#4) and Takeshita Dori (#6).

Yoyogi Park is one of the biggest parks in central Tokyo and the perfect break between Meiji Jingu and the madness of Takeshita Dori. The land was once used for housing during the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, and it opened as a public park in 1967. On weekends, you often see musicians, dancers and picnics everywhere.

It is an easy walk from Meiji Jingu, so it fits perfectly between the shrine and Takeshita Dori. In spring, it is also one of the popular cherry blossom spots in the city.

💡 Car’s Tip: Bring a snack from a convenience store and have a picnic on the grass. It is one of the cheapest and nicest breaks you can take in Tokyo.

4. Visit Meiji Jingu · FREE

Location: Harajuku, 10 min walk to the shrine
Time: 1–1.5 hours
Price: Free
Best for: Culture and a forest walk
Combine with: Yoyogi Park (#3) and Takeshita Dori (#6).

Meiji Jingu is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, and it was completed in 1920. You walk through a huge torii gate and then along wide gravel paths through a forest, and the noise of the city just disappears. It is one of the most peaceful places in the city, and hard to believe you are only a few minutes from Takeshita Dori.

At the shrine, we did the donation ritual: throw a coin, bow twice, clap twice, make a wish and bow once more. You can also draw an omikuji containing a poem by Emperor Meiji or Empress Shoken, with guidance rather than a conventional good-or-bad fortune prediction. On the way in, look out for the wall of decorated sake barrels, called kazaridaru, which are offered to the shrine every year. It started pouring while we were there and we got completely soaked, but it still felt special.

💡 Car’s Tip: Go early in the morning, when the paths are quiet, and pack an umbrella in April. Rain comes in fast. The entrance is right by Harajuku Station, but allow at least another ten minutes to walk to the main shrine buildings.

5. Visit an Animal Café

Location: Harajuku
Time: 1 hour
Price: Varies, often a minimum 60-minute visit
Best for: Something quirky
Combine with: Takeshita Dori (#6).

We visited HARRY, a hedgehog café in Harajuku, because we were curious about an experience that felt unfamiliar to us. The first group of hedgehogs was fast asleep, and one from the second group bit me. It became a memorable story from the trip, although having an unusual experience is not the same as recommending every animal café to other visitors.

⚠️ Warning: Please choose carefully. Our visit is a personal account, not an assurance about animal welfare. Hedgehogs are nocturnal, and handling or waking them can be stressful. Visitor rules alone do not establish good welfare; if you have concerns about a café, skip it.

💡 Car’s Tip: Check the rules, prices and visit options for the specific branch. HARRY’s reservation conditions specify a minimum 60-minute booking; walk-in options may differ.

6. Shop and Snack on Takeshita Dori · FREE

Location: Harajuku Station, Takeshita exit
Time: 1–2 hours
Price: Free (snacks and shopping extra)
Best for: Kawaii culture and sweets
Combine with: Meiji Jingu (#4) and Shibuya Crossing (#1) at night.

Takeshita Dori is a compact shopping street packed with crepe stands, candy shops, fashion boutiques and accessories. It is one of the easiest places to experience Harajuku’s playful side, whether you want to browse colourful clothes, try an enormous sweet or simply watch the crowds move between the shops.

I went all in. I tried on a one-size kawaii skirt and broke the zipper, fell in love with Chicago vintage store (way over my budget), and we made big-eye purikura photos in a photo booth. The famous rainbow cotton candy was huge, and Noah demolished an expensive one in about two minutes. We also had a crepe from Santa Monica Crepes, which is a must.

💡 Car’s Tip: Go on a weekday for a calmer visit. An early walk can be quieter, but shops and snack stands have their own opening times, so check your must-visit places before planning a shopping morning.

SHINJUKU

Things to Do in Shinjuku

Shinjuku is one of Tokyo’s major transport, shopping and entertainment hubs. Around the west side of the station, you will find office towers and hotels, while the east side leads towards department stores, Kabukicho and Golden Gai’s small bars. The station has numerous exits, so check which one suits your destination before following the nearest sign outside.

Shinjuku was our base, and it is the area I got to know best. By day it feels like a business district, but at night the small alleys light up and it turns into my favorite side of Tokyo. Because so many train lines stop here, it is also one of the easiest places to stay.

7. Eat in Omoide Yokocho

Location: West exit of Shinjuku Station
Time: 1–2 hours
Price: Skewers from a few hundred yen each
Best for: Yakitori and atmosphere
Combine with: Golden Gai (#8) and the 3D cat (#9).

Omoide Yokocho, also nicknamed Memory Lane, is a cluster of narrow lanes near Shinjuku Station, lined with small restaurants and counters around smoky grills. Its roots go back to the 1946 post-war years, but the reason to visit today is the atmosphere: lanterns overhead, food cooking close by and diners sitting shoulder to shoulder. Today there are about 60 restaurants squeezed into the lanes.

I loved its run-down charm. The smoke from the grills, the paper lanterns and the people squeezed shoulder to shoulder make it feel like a scene from an old movie. It is the perfect place for yakitori and a cold drink before heading to Golden Gai. For its full story and where to eat, see my Omoide Yokocho Guide.

💡 Car’s Tip: Many places only have a few seats, so if one is full, just walk on to the next. Some places charge a small seat fee, which is normal here.

8. Bar Hop in Golden Gai

Location: East Shinjuku, near Kabukicho
Time: An evening
Price: Cover charge around ¥500–1,000 per bar, plus drinks
Best for: Nightlife
Combine with: Omoide Yokocho (#7) for dinner first.

Golden Gai is a small area of six narrow alleys packed with 200+ intimate bars, many with only a handful of seats. Each doorway can lead to a different atmosphere, which makes choosing somewhere part of the experience. My Golden Gai Guide covers its history, cover charges and what to know before stepping inside.

Golden Gai is somewhere I would plan to explore later in the evening, checking individual bars rather than expecting everything to open at the same time. We ended up in a tiny whisky bar with a great bartender, and it became one of the cosiest nights of the trip. Some bars charge a cover fee, some are members-only and others welcome visitors. Read the signs, confirm any charge and ask before entering or taking photographs.

💡 Car’s Tip: Watch your head on the shortcut under the low electricity cables, and keep some cash on you. Not every bar takes cards.

9. Find the Shinjuku 3D Cat · FREE

Location: Cross Shinjuku Vision, opposite the east exit of Shinjuku Station
Time: 10 min
Price: Free
Best for: A quick photo stop
Combine with: Omoide Yokocho (#7) and Golden Gai (#8).

The giant 3D cat that looks like it is climbing out of the building went viral all over the world. I really wanted to see it, and it took us an hour to find it. Once you see it pop out of the corner of the building, though, it is so worth it.

The cat does not appear all the time, because it plays in between ads. Stand across the square near the east exit of the station, be patient and keep your camera ready.

💡 Car’s Tip: Look it up on Google Maps as “Cross Shinjuku Vision” before you go, so you do not spend an hour searching like we did.

10. Play in a Game Center

Location: All over Shinjuku and Akihabara
Time: 1 hour
Price: From ¥100 per game
Best for: Rainy days and fun
Combine with: Akihabara (#11), which is full of arcades too.

Japanese game centers are on another level. We went into Taito Station, a five-floor arcade filled with claw machines, rhythm games, racing games and photo booths, and my sister Cara got completely addicted. The claw machines feel a bit rigged, and my attempt to win a can of Pringles was a total failure.

It is still a really fun way to spend an hour, especially when it rains, which it did a lot during our trip. Taito Station has branches all over Tokyo, so you will probably walk past one without even looking.

💡 Car’s Tip: Set a budget before you start. Those ¥100 coins disappear faster than you think.

11. Take a Break in Shinjuku Gyoen

Location: Shinjuku, near Shinjuku-gyoemmae and Sendagaya stations
Time: 1–2 hours
Price: ¥500 per adult; check official information for seasonal arrangements
Best for: Gardens, a quieter walk and seasonal flowers
Combine with: Shinjuku’s shopping streets, followed by dinner in Omoide Yokocho.

If you need a break from Shinjuku’s busy streets, Shinjuku Gyoen offers a quieter side of the neighbourhood. Its spacious lawns, ponds and different garden styles make it somewhere to slow down and enjoy a walk between sightseeing stops. It is also a popular place for cherry blossoms in spring, although what you see depends on when you visit.

Give yourself time to explore rather than squeezing it in as a quick photo stop before dinner. The garden charges admission and has set opening hours and closure days, so check Shinjuku Gyoen’s official visitor information when planning your visit.

AKIHABARA

Things to Do in Akihabara

Akihabara is Tokyo’s Electric Town and the capital of anime, manga and gaming. The streets are lined with giant anime billboards, multi-story stores full of figures and collectibles, arcades and electronics shops. Maid café promoters in full costume hand out flyers on almost every corner.

Even if you are not into anime at all, wandering around Akihabara is one of the most fascinating parts of the city. It is loud, colorful and completely its own world, and it is a great place to spend a rainy day indoors.

12. Explore Akihabara · FREE

Location: Akihabara Station (JR Yamanote line)
Time: At least 4 hours
Price: Free (shopping, arcades and cafés extra)
Best for: Anime, manga and otaku culture
Combine with: a game center (#10) and, if you still have energy, Tokyo Skytree (#12).

Akihabara is known as Denki-gai, or Electric Town. After the Second World War, it was a black market for radio parts and electronics, and over the years it grew into the center of Japan’s otaku culture. Today, the streets are covered in giant anime billboards, and the buildings are stacked with manga, figures, games and collectibles.

We visited M’s Akihabara, also written as MS Akihabara, and Cospa, which sells anime and cosplay merchandise. We also saw maid cafés on almost every corner. Akihabara is a fun place to learn the difference between anime (animated shows and films) and manga (the comic books).

⚠️ Warning: M’s is an adult store, so skip it if you are with kids. As adults, though, we found it one of the most hilarious stops of the whole trip.

💡 Car’s Tip: Plan at least four hours here. I thought I would see it in an hour or two, and I could easily have stayed longer.

ASAKUSA & SKYTREE

Asakusa & Tokyo Skytree: Temples and City Views

Asakusa is where you feel old Tokyo the most. It grew up around Senso-ji, the city’s oldest temple, and it still has the atmosphere of the old downtown, with traditional shops, street food stalls and rickshaws waiting for passengers. It is the best area to see a more traditional side of Tokyo.

Just across the Sumida River, Tokyo Skytree towers over everything. The contrast between a temple founded in the 7th century and the tallest tower in the world is what makes this area so fun, and the two are close enough to combine in one afternoon.

13. Go Up Tokyo Skytree

Location: Oshiage, Sumida
Time: 1–1.5 hours
Price: From ¥2,100 (combo from ¥3,100)
Best for: City views
Combine with: Senso-ji (#13), a short train ride or a 20-minute walk away.

Tokyo Skytree is 634 meters tall, making it the tallest tower in the world. It has two observation decks: the Tembo Deck at 350 meters and the Tembo Galleria at 450 meters, the higher of Skytree’s two observation decks. The name was chosen by a public vote in 2008, and the elevator up travels at 600 meters per minute, so your ears really feel it.

The day we went, it was cloudy, so we could not see Mount Fuji. The view over the endless city was still impressive, and it really shows you how huge Tokyo is.

💡 Car’s Tip: Compare the available decks, entry options and date-specific prices using Tokyo Skytree’s ticket information before booking.

14. See Tokyo from Above at SHIBUYA SKY

Location: Shibuya Scramble Square, above Shibuya Station
Time: 1–1.5 hours
Price: Varies by ticket and entry time; check the official booking page
Best for: Skyline views, photography and sunset
Combine with: Shibuya Crossing and an afternoon exploring Shibuya.

Shibuya Crossing is impressive from street level, but SHIBUYA SKY gives you a completely different perspective on the city. This observation deck above Shibuya Scramble Square is known for its open-air rooftop, where Tokyo’s buildings stretch towards the horizon. It is an easy addition to a day exploring Shibuya, especially if you want to see the neighbourhood from above as well as from its busiest streets.

Sunset is a popular time to visit, so book ahead if you have a particular time in mind. Outdoor access depends on the weather, and a clear view is never guaranteed. Check SHIBUYA SKY’s official booking page for available tickets and rooftop access information. If you are also considering Tokyo Skytree, choose the experience that best suits your route and budget—you do not need to visit every observation deck.

Which Tokyo Observation Deck Should You Choose?

You do not need to visit every observation deck to appreciate Tokyo’s skyline. We went up Tokyo Skytree, and seeing the city stretch into the distance made its scale much easier to understand. SHIBUYA SKY and Tokyo Tower offer different settings, so choose the one that fits your route and the experience you want.

15. Visit Senso-ji Temple · FREE

Location: Asakusa Station
Time: 1.5 hours
Price: Free
Best for: History and temples
Combine with: Tokyo Skytree (#12) or, on another day, Ueno (#14 and #15).

Senso-ji was founded in 645, which makes it the oldest temple in Tokyo, and it is dedicated to Kannon, the goddess of mercy. You enter through the Kaminarimon, or Thunder Gate, with its giant red lantern weighing around 700 kilograms. With around 30 million visitors a year, it is one of the most visited religious sites in the world.

Behind the gate, Nakamise Street runs for more than 200 meters to the temple. Shops have been selling snacks and souvenirs here since the 17th century. Then you walk through the Hozomon Gate and see the five-story pagoda and the big incense burner, where people waft the smoke over themselves for good health.

💡 Car’s Tip: Come early for a quieter visit, or return in the evening for the illuminated grounds. The main hall closes at 5 PM; it opens at 6 AM from April to September and 6:30 AM from October to March. Nakamise shops have their own hours.

UENO & NEZU

Things to Do in Ueno & Nezu

Ueno is one of Tokyo’s big train hubs and the gateway to the northeast of the city. It is best known for Ueno Park, home to some of Japan’s most important museums, and for Ameyoko, a lively market street that has been selling food and bargains since just after the war.

A short walk away, Nezu feels like a different city. It is a quiet, old residential neighborhood with small streets, wooden houses and one of Tokyo’s oldest shrines. Together, Ueno and Nezu are where you get the best mix of old Tokyo, street food and culture, and you can easily walk between them.

16. Browse Ameyoko Market · FREE

Location: Between Ueno and Okachimachi stations
Time: 1 hour
Price: Free (food and shopping extra)
Best for: Bargains and street food
Combine with: Ueno Park (#15) and Nezu Shrine (#16).

Ameyoko is a lively shopping area between Ueno and Okachimachi stations, with 400+ shops and stalls selling food, clothing, cosmetics and everyday goods. Parts of it run alongside and beneath the railway tracks, giving the streets a busy, slightly makeshift atmosphere. It developed as a trading area after the war and remains somewhere to browse without needing a strict shopping list.

We snacked on takoyaki and yakitori and walked past the small Marishiten Tokudaiji temple, which sits right above the shops. Unlike most of Japan, bargaining is part of the fun here. We also ended up buying an extra suitcase, because by then we had shopped way too much.

💡 Car’s Tip: Come hungry. Ameyoko is one of the best places in Tokyo for cheap street food.

17. Stroll Through Ueno Park · FREE

Location: Next to Ueno Station
Time: 1–2 hours
Price: Free (museums extra)
Best for: Museums and cherry blossoms
Combine with: Ameyoko (#14) and Nezu Shrine (#16).

Ueno Park opened in 1873, which makes it one of the first public parks in Japan. It is home to several big museums, including the Tokyo National Museum, as well as a zoo, temples and a pond. In spring, it is one of the most popular cherry blossom spots in the city.

We visited in April, but the cherry blossoms we had hoped to see were already gone. What stayed with me was how comfortable and relaxed the park felt. I noticed people leaving designer bags on café chairs while they went inside, which surprised me, although I would still keep my own belongings close rather than take that as a reason to leave valuables unattended.

💡 Car’s Tip: Late March to early April is a useful starting point for planning, but timing varies by year and tree variety. Peak bloom can be brief, and rain or wind can shorten it, so check the latest forecast.

18. Walk Through Nezu Shrine’s Torii Gates · FREE

Location: Nezu, a 10-minute walk from Nezu Station
Time: 45–60 min
Price: Free (azalea garden ¥500–1,000 in April)
Best for: Quiet culture
Combine with: Ueno Park (#15) and Ameyoko (#14).

Nezu Shrine’s present buildings date from the early eighteenth century, and its grounds offer a quieter stop away from Tokyo’s busiest sightseeing streets. A path of red torii gates leads towards Otome Inari Shrine within the precincts. For me, walking through those gates was the highlight, with plenty of reason to slow down and look around the wider grounds too.

The current buildings date back to 1705 and survived both the Great Kanto Earthquake and the Second World War. The highlight for me was the tunnel of bright red torii gates, called senbon torii, which leads to the small Otome Inari shrine.

It feels like a mini version of Fushimi Inari in Kyoto, but much quieter. In April, the azalea hill bursts into color during the Bunkyo Azalea Festival, with around 3,000 azaleas of 100 different varieties.

💡 Car’s Tip: If you are not going to Kyoto, this is the place to get those red torii gate photos without the crowds. The azalea garden charged ¥500–1,000 during the 2026 festival, depending on flowering conditions, so check the next festival’s details before you go.

TOYOSU

Things to Do in Toyosu

Toyosu is a man-made island on Tokyo Bay, built on reclaimed land. Since 2018, it has been home to Toyosu Market, the huge fish market that replaced the famous Tsukiji market. It feels very modern and spacious compared to the rest of the city, with wide streets and views over the water.

For most visitors, the reason to come here is teamLab Planets, one of the city’s most popular attractions. It is a bit out of the way, so I would plan it as a morning on its own and then head to Ginza afterwards.

19. Experience teamLab Planets

Location: Toyosu, a short walk from Shin-Toyosu Station
Time: 2–3 hours
Price: From ¥3,800 (dynamic pricing)
Best for: Immersive art
Combine with: Ginza for shopping or dinner, an easy ride away.

teamLab Planets is a digital art museum where you walk barefoot through rooms of light, mirrors and water. In some rooms, you walk through knee-deep water while koi fish made of light swim around your legs. One room is filled with giant soft bean bags, and another is full of hanging lights that go on forever.

I did not expect it to hit me so hard. One room actually made me emotional, and afterwards I could not even walk straight. It is one of the most unique things we did in Tokyo.

teamLab Planets expanded in January 2025, adding areas including Athletics Forest and Catching and Collecting Forest. The rooms described above are the ones I experienced; use teamLab Planets’ current exhibition guide to see what is included when planning your own visit.

💡 Car’s Tip: Book a timed ticket ahead and wear clothes suitable for the water areas. Free rental shorts are available. Strollers must be left in the designated storage area; check the current guidance for children and visitors with access needs before booking.

⚠️ Warning: Avoid short skirts and dresses. Some of the floors are mirrors, and you will be walking through water.

TSUKIJI

Things to Do Around Tsukiji

20. Explore Tsukiji Outer Market

Tsukiji Outer Market is a good place to build a morning around food. Its narrow streets are lined with shops and restaurants selling everything from seafood and sushi to Japanese omelettes, dried ingredients and kitchen tools. Come hungry, browse before deciding what to eat and leave time for a proper meal rather than rushing through for photographs.

The wholesale market moved to Toyosu, but Tsukiji Outer Market remains in its original neighbourhood, so do not confuse the two when planning your route. Individual businesses have different opening hours and closure days; check the official Tsukiji Outer Market guide before setting out.

FOOD

What to Eat in Tokyo

Tokyo is one of the best food cities in the world, and it has more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other city. Eating is one of the highlights of any visit, and you do not need a fancy reservation to eat well. Some of the best meals are at tiny ramen counters, smoky izakayas and even the convenience stores.

21. Eat Your Way Through Tokyo

Location: Everywhere
Time: Every day
Price: From a few hundred yen at a convenience store
Best for: Food lovers

Food was one of the biggest pleasures of our Tokyo stay, and you do not need to book an expensive restaurant to make eating a memorable part of the trip. Leave room for ramen counters, izakayas, department-store food halls and convenience-store snacks between your sightseeing plans. Some meals are worth arranging ahead, but others are best discovered when you are hungry and exploring a neighbourhood.

Tonkatsu, a crispy breaded pork cutlet, is my number one. Our dinner at Tonkatsu Yamasaki (とんかつ 山さき), near Akebonobashi Station in Shinjuku, was one of the best meals of the trip. Ramen quickly became my go-to meal, and we also loved udon, a yakiniku dinner with wagyu, and conveyor-belt sushi, where I over-ordered the fatty tuna (toro) way too many times.

Find it: Tonkatsu Yamasaki, Komatsu Building 1F, 6-10 Sumiyoshicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo.

For something sweet, we waited two hours in the rain for soufflé pancakes, and they were worth every minute. We also loved the pancakes at Flippers. My daily ritual was a frozen smoothie from the 7-Eleven machine, and honestly, the convenience stores in Japan are a food stop in themselves.

💡 Car’s Tip: Check the last-order time and reservation arrangements if there is a restaurant you particularly want to visit. Tokyo has plenty of late-night dining, but individual restaurants keep different hours, and a small counter can fill quickly. If you are travelling with a pram as we were, check the available space too; some of our favourite places were tiny.

For all the dishes we tried, from takoyaki and tempura to shabu-shabu and soba, see my guide on What to Eat in Japan.

DAY TRIPS

Day Trips and Train Rides from Tokyo

After a few days of exploring Tokyo, getting out of the city is a great reset. Mount Fuji is an easy day trip from Tokyo, and the bullet train opens up the rest of Japan. I am keeping these short here, because I cover them in more detail in my other guides.

Ride the Shinkansen

Location: Tokyo Station (Hokuriku Shinkansen to Nagano)
Time: A travel day
Price: Depends on the route
Best for: A bucket-list train ride

Riding the Shinkansen, Japan’s bullet train, is an experience in itself. We took the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo to Karuizawa, and the trains are fast, spotless and leave exactly on time, so be on the platform a few minutes early. I share the rest of that trip in my Nakasendo Trail & Nagano Guide.

Tickets, rail passes and routes depend on your plans for the rest of Japan, so I explain all of that in my Japan Travel Guide.

💡 Car’s Tip: Grab an ekiben, a boxed lunch sold at the station, and eat it on the train like the locals do. Departure stations depend on your route.

Walk in Aokigahara Forest

Location: Near Lake Saiko, Mount Fuji area
Time: 1–2 hours
Price: Free
Best for: Nature

Aokigahara grew on the lava field left behind by Mount Fuji’s Jogan eruption in 864. That same lava flow filled a large lake, and Lake Saiko and Lake Shojiko are what remains of it today. Walking under the moss-covered trees on twisted lava rock feels like stepping into another world.

The one-to-two-hour estimate is for walking in the forest, not travel from Tokyo. Allow additional time to reach the trail and return.

⚠️ Warning: The forest has a sad reputation and is also known as ‘Suicide Forest’, so please be respectful, stay on the marked trails and do not leave anything behind. I share how we combined it with our day around Mount Fuji in my Mount Fuji Day Trip Guide.

See Mount Fuji

Location: Lake Kawaguchiko, about 2 hours from Shinjuku
Time: Full day
Price: Depends on how you travel
Best for: Iconic views

Seeing Mount Fuji with your own eyes is a highlight of any trip to Japan. We did this as astop on our roadtrip with our Japanese friend Nomus. The mountain is famously shy, so you need a bit of luck with the clouds.

You can do this day trip by bus, train or tour from Tokyo and I explain the best routes, viewpoints and timing in my Mount Fuji Day Trip Guide.

💡 Car’s Tip: Check the live cameras or weather forecast the night before and go on the clearest day of your stay. Mornings are usually your best chance. Allow roughly two hours each way from Shinjuku, depending on the service and traffic, plus travel to individual viewpoints.

TOKYO AT NIGHT

Things to Do in Tokyo at Night

Tokyo really comes alive after dark, and some of my favorite memories are from the evenings. These are the things to do in Tokyo at night that I would not skip:

• Shibuya Crossing (#1): cross it after dark when all the screens are lit up.
• Omoide Yokocho (#7): yakitori and smoky grills in a tiny alley.
• Golden Gai (#8): bar hopping from around 8 PM.
• Tokyo Skytree (#12): go up just before sunset and watch the city light up.
• Senso-ji (#13): the illuminated temple grounds are beautiful at night and much quieter.

TOKYO WHEN IT RAINS

Things to Do in Tokyo When It Rains

We had plenty of rain during our Tokyo stay, including a soaking at Meiji Jingu and a long pancake queue that would have been considerably more comfortable in sunshine. Fortunately, there is plenty to do indoors. Arcades, shops, museums and food halls can turn a wet afternoon into a good part of the trip, especially if you keep your plans within one neighbourhood.

Arcades and Shopping in Akihabara or Shinjuku

We spent hours browsing shops and playing games, so these would be my easiest alternatives when the weather turns. Akihabara works well for manga, anime merchandise, electronics and collectibles, while Shinjuku combines arcades with department stores and places to eat. Set a budget before entering a claw-machine arcade; we learned how quickly those small amounts add up.

teamLab and Museums

teamLab Planets was one of our favourite experiences, and much of the visit takes place indoors. However, it needs a suitable timed ticket, so do not assume you can arrive whenever the rain starts. Check availability before changing your plans.

For a different indoor experience, consider Tokyo National Museum in Ueno or teamLab Borderless at Azabudai Hills. These are additional suggestions rather than places I am claiming we visited. Choose according to your interests and check opening days before making the journey.

Department-Store Food Halls

A department-store food hall, often called a depachika, is another option for a rainy afternoon. Browse prepared meals, sweets and beautifully packaged food, but check where you can eat your purchases rather than assuming there will be seating. Combine it with nearby shops or a café instead of spending the day travelling between distant indoor attractions.

TIPS

Tips for Visiting Tokyo

These are the things I wish I had known before our trip, or that made our days much easier.

• Download Google Translate. Many menus and signs are only in Japanese, and the camera function saved us more times than I can count.
• Check restaurant hours. Look up the closing time, last orders and reservation policy for any restaurant you do not want to miss. Leave some flexibility for queues, and have another nearby option rather than assuming every restaurant in a busy neighbourhood serves food until late.
• Pack an umbrella. It rained a lot during our week in April, and we got soaked at Meiji Jingu.
• Know the onsen rules. At our hotel, we washed before entering the communal bath and bathed without swimwear in separate men’s and women’s areas. Tattoo policies differ between venues, and covering a tattoo does not automatically guarantee admission. Check the rules of the bath you plan to use. I explain more in my Japan Dos and Don’ts.
• Travel light, or bring a small stroller. Many restaurants and shops are tiny, and our pram was a struggle in some places. Taking the train with a compact stroller is much easier.
• Read up on the basics first. For money, SIM cards, transport cards and getting around Japan, see my Japan Travel Guide.

What to Book in Advance in Tokyo

Book the experiences you would be disappointed to miss, then arrange the smaller stops around them. For this list, that means checking timed tickets for teamLab Planets and any observation deck you particularly want to visit. If your plans depend on a sunset entry time, look at availability before deciding which day to spend in that neighbourhood.

A particular restaurant may also need a reservation, especially if it has a small counter or you are travelling as a group. Other places welcome walk-ins, so check the individual restaurant rather than assuming every meal needs booking. Opening times, cancellation conditions and ticket-release schedules differ between attractions and businesses.

If Tokyo Disneyland or Tokyo DisneySea is part of your trip, give it a dedicated day and check the official Tokyo Disney Resort ticket information before arranging the rest of your schedule. The resort is in Urayasu, Chiba, outside central Tokyo, so allow for the journey as well as the park visit.

TIPS

Keep Planning Your Japan Trip

Tokyo’s transport network includes JR trains, metro lines and private railways, so the best journey is not always the one operated by a company you recognise. Check the complete route, including transfers, the station exit and the walk to your destination. A rechargeable IC card can simplify many local journeys, but it does not replace every ticket or supplement. Check your last connection before an evening out, and use my Getting Around Japan Guide for the practical details of cards, trains, buses and intercity travel.

Some of our most memorable Tokyo moments happened between the main attractions: browsing unfamiliar shops, trying another convenience-store snack or spending far too long in an arcade. My Weird Things in Japan Guide explores more of those everyday discoveries and the things that can catch visitors off guard.

Tokyo was the beginning of our journey, followed by the Shinkansen to Karuizawa and a road trip through central Japan before Kyoto and Osaka. My 3-Week Japan Itinerary explains the route, how to divide your time and where the travel days need extra breathing room. It follows our original trip with an additional Kyoto day and a final journey back to Tokyo.

VLOGS

Watch My Tokyo Travel Vlogs

Planning beyond Tokyo? My 3-Week Japan Itinerary connects the city with our countryside route, Kyoto and Osaka. For a closer look at Shinjuku’s restaurant alleys, tiny bars or a mountain-view excursion, explore the guides below.

KEEP EXPLORING

More Japan Guides

Watch the rest of my Tokyo series on my YouTube channel, from a rainy day in Shibuya to Tokyo’s tiniest hidden alleyway bars. Until then, browse my Japan Travel Guide.