Tokyo is a city where centuries-old temples can be found next to futuristic skyscrapers, quiet parks lead to shopping streets, and every neighborhood seems to have its own personality. I was lucky enough to spend 8 nights in the capital of Japan. Could it have been more? Easily! The city is big, really big. There are a lot of fun things to do in Tokyo, areas to explore, foods and restaurants to try, parks to discover… and the list goes on, and on. I’ve just seen a small part of all there is, but I’m happy to share some of my favorite things to do in Tokyo.
Looking for fun things to do in Tokyo? These 15 tips are a start
Visit Senso-ji Temple
Senso-ji is Tokyo’s oldest and most famous Buddhist temple, located in the historic Asakusa district. Walk through the impressive Kaminarimon Gate, browse traditional snacks and souvenirs along Nakamise Street, and enjoy the atmosphere of one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Make sure to walk around the Asakusa neighborhood as well. I’d recommend going early morning if you can, to avoid crowds.
Explore Golden Gai
Golden Gai is one of Tokyo’s nightlife areas, in the heart of Shinjuku. Its narrow alleys are lined with tiny bars, each with its own unique theme and character, making it the perfect place for a memorable evening out. You might end up in a bar that just fits 12 people, where anyone sitting next to you could become a new friend. Explore, say hi, have a drink and enjoy.
If you want to join a group, exploring some of the bars, join a bar hopping tour in Tokyo!
Visit Gotokuji, the Lucky Cat Temple
Gotokuji Temple is said to be the birthplace of the famous maneki-neko, or lucky waving cat. Thousands of white cat figurines decorate the temple grounds. It might not be as “central” as some other parts of Tokyo, but for me it made it even more fun to go. Walking around the quieter streets of this area and just seeing where I would end up after, made for a fun morning plan.
Wander through Meiji Jingu and Yoyogi Park
Step into a forest in the middle of the city and visit the Meiji Jingu Shrine. It’s surrounded by beautiful trees and walking paths. Learn more about Shinto Rituals while visiting the Meiji Jingu Shrine with a guide. Right next to it, you’ll find Yoyogi Park. It is one of Tokyo’s largest green spaces and a great place for a picnic, a coffee break, or simply escaping the busy streets for a bit.
Discover Akihabara
Akihabara is the perfect place to go for any anime, manga, gaming, and electronics lover. Walk into multi-story gaming stores, themed cafés, collectible shops, and colorful arcades that perfectly show this side of Tokyo and Japan’s culture. After checking out some of the (for me sometimes overwhelming) stores, sit next to people in suits eating ramen for lunch.
Want to make sure you get all the right info and visit the most interesting spots? Join a guided tour through Akihabara.
Visit a vinyl listening bar
Tokyo has an incredible vinyl listening culture. Carefully selected records are played through high-end sound systems in intimate settings. Small bars in big buildings. Good music, a lovely glass of whatever you prefer. One of the ones I went to was Record Bar Analog. You get a little coin that allows you to pick a vinyl and give it to the DJ for them to play.
Go vintage shopping in Shimokitazawa
Vintage lover? Make sure to head over to the neighborhood Shimokitazawa. It’s known for its relaxed atmosphere and endless vintage stores. Go to shops like New York Joe Exchange, Flamingo, Chicago, Haight & Ashbury, and Stick Out and stop at one of the area’s many cafés or record stores.
Bike around the river
The hostel I was staying at for a few nights, had a bike rental. So as a true Dutch person, of course I had to rent a bike an explore the streets of Tokyo this way. Along the river it was pretty chill to go around, and we just went to some random streets and didn’t exactly knew where we were going. It was a sunny morning, and to me a perfect way the end my trip in Japan.
If you’re not comfortable biking alone, I would recommend booking a bike tour with guide in Tokyo! This way you will get all the info, follow a great route and have a fun activity to do in Tokyo!
Dance at DJ Bar Bridge
If you’re looking for a fun night out without the crowds of Tokyo’s biggest clubs, DJ Bar Bridge is a good choice. Expect quality DJs, great music, and a welcoming atmosphere that attracts both locals and visitors. I just missed one of my favorite DJs playing here, but still wanted to check out the venue and was happy I did!
Have a picnic around Tokyo Tower
Tokyo Tower is one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks and looks especially beautiful in the late afternoon and evening. Pick up snacks from a nearby convenience store and enjoy a relaxed picnic in Shiba Park. You won’t be the only one. Picnics are a big thing in Japan, and it’s just so lovely to see everyone taking their time to hang out outside.
Visit the National Art Center
In the end I didn’t visit many museums in Tokyo, but the one I did end up going to was The National Art Center. Both inside and out it was very impressive. It hosts rotating exhibitions, meaning there’s always something new to discover with every visit.
Play games at a Japanese arcade
A must do (at least for me) was going to a Japanese arcade. They are an essential part of Tokyo’s entertainment scene and are fun even if you’re not a serious gamer. They have rhythm games, racing simulators, claw machines, and classic arcade games. Options to go to are for example GiGO, Taito Station, or Round1. You’ll find them in many parts of Tokyo, usually in tall buildings.
Shop at Don Quijote
Looking for some souvenirs to bring home, snacks to try, skincare, or actually almost anything you can think of? Go to Don Quijote. It is one of Japan’s most famous discount stores and is packed with everything. Many locations are open 24 hours, making it the perfect place for a late-night shopping adventure. We ended up one night, at 3am. A fun and overstimulating experience. But a good one!
Visit the Pokémon Center Shibuya
I grew up watching Pokémon, so a visit to the Pokémon Center in Shibuya was one of the things I wanted to do in Tokyo for sure. Because where else can you do this? It’s fun for anyone curious about Japanese pop culture. Browse merchandise and pick up unique souvenirs you won’t find elsewhere. I went home with some cute stickers and some Pokémon cards for my brothers.
Grab coffee at Little Nap Coffee Stand
Located just next to Yoyogi Park, Little Nap Coffee Stand is one of Tokyo’s specialty coffee shops. It’s the perfect place to grab a flat white or iced coffee before heading into the park for a relaxing morning walk. A great way to start the day in Tokyo. But honestly, you’ll find cute cafes everywhere.
Visit teamLab Planets
teamLab Planets is one of Tokyo’s most immersive art experiences, combining digital projections, water, mirrors, and interactive installations. It’s unlike any traditional museum and a fun thing to do in Tokyo. Needing to take off your shoes to walk through water and throughout the whole experience was quite fun. If you only have a few days in the city, maybe skip it, depending on your interests. But if you have a bit more time, check it out.
Make sure you get tickets for teamLab Planets in advance! It most likely sells out, so don’t wait too long!
If you are looking for (more) fun things to do in Tokyo, I am sure they will come your way while exploring and walking around the city. There are thousands of things to do. The things I listed are some of the things I got to do during my 8 days there. If one day (hopefully) I get to return to Tokyo, I will easily come up with more to see and do.
My tip: if you are staying for a longer time, spread out your accommodations so you don’t spend too much time in public transport going to the places you want to visit. Because yes, the city is big. And sometimes you might end up taking a long time to go where you want to go.
Enjoy. It’s impressive. And it wasn’t as overwhelming as I thought it would be.
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