30 Best Things to Do in Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo is a city full of cool and unusual things to do. You might spend a lifetime there and still not discover it all, so you should arrive with a plan and choose the best things to do in Tokyo.
Here’s a list of ideas of what to do in Tokyo for first-time visitors and of course, returning Tokyo fans can also add these to their itinerary. I visited Japan a few times already, so this post is a compilation of my recommendations from all my visits.
If you’re wondering about accommodation in Japan and looking for cool hotels, check out my other post on where to stay in Tokyo.
How to Get to Tokyo?
There are many airlines that fly to Tokyo, but my personal advice would be to use an Asian airline. Asian airlines are much better than American or European carriers.
Best Things to Do in Tokyo for First-Timers
1. Visit Sensō-ji
Founded in 645 AD, Sensō-ji colorful temple in Asakusa is Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple. It’s also one of, if not, the most visited spiritual locations in the world with over 30 million visitors a year. Visit the temple and wander the surrounding historical area to get a better feel for why this ancient temple symbolizes rebirth and peace.
The temple grounds are always open, but the temple itself is open 6:00 to 17:00 (from 6:30 from October to March).
Senso-ji Temple is a place full of Omikuji: the fortune-telling paper strips. You can find your fortune strip there for a small donation. Pick up the wooden box provided and shake it until a bamboo stick falls out of it. Japanese characters will be engraved on your stick and you’ll have to find the matching characters on the wooden drawers next to you.
If you get a good fortune, you can keep the paper. If you get a bad fortune, leave it behind at the temple grounds so the Gods can take care of it for you. I only got a bad omikuji.
While you’re there, grab a mochi from some of the neighboring stalls. It’s also a good place to buy some Japanese souvenirs.
2. Stroll Around Harajku
From goths in black to colorful kawaii (culture of “cuteness” and vulnerability in Japan) fashion, the quirky Harajuku neighborhood in Shibuya pulses with the life of Tokyo’s youth. Small boutique and vintage shops share streets with high-end luxury brands, making this lively neighborhood a popular destination for both domestic and international tourists.
Takeshita Street is a very busy pedestrian shopping street, full of colorful cotton candy, adorable stores, and crepes. Harajuku is known for crepes.
If you have small feet, you will be tempted the get some pairs of shoes. They’re absolutely adorable and cost about $10-15, and even though I’m not a big shopper I grabbed three pairs. Everyone on Instagram keeps asking me where did I get my shoes from!
Don’t miss a store called Kiddy Land. If you’re a fan of any Japanese character, chances are you can find it there. If you aren’t, still pop in and see some cute and other weird items.
If you have time, pop into Tokyu Plaza – a shopping complex at the intersection of Omotesando and Harajuku. The entrance is beautifully architected with a mirror-covered escalator and there is a rooftop terrace on the 6th floor offering a great view of the surrounding area.
3. Cross Shibuya Crossing
Shibuya Crossing is the busiest street crossing in Japan and likely the world.
The intersection connects a district with two of the busiest railway stations in the world. When all four lights turn red at once, dive into the chaos. If you want to see it all from above, pop into Starbucks on the 1st floor – it has the best view!
4. Sleep in a Capsule Hotel
Maybe you’re looking for an inexpensive place to crash for the night. Or maybe you want to experience what it’s like to wake up in a CAT Scan machine. Either way, capsule or ‘pod’ hotels have you covered. They’re scattered throughout Tokyo and offer the bare necessities when it comes to accommodation.
Most have a common room, shared bathrooms, and ‘pod’ bedrooms stacked two high with ladder access. Some pods are only as big as a single bed but provide outlets, wifi, and a locker to store your personal items.
A ‘room’ runs about $30-50 USD/night on average, and you’ll find everyone from backpackers to businessmen booking these little guys. Avoid these if you’re claustrophobic. If you’re not sure, booking a capsule is a great way to find out and a must-do in Japan.
My personal recommendations for capsule hotels would be Book and Bed (sleep among books), and The Millennials (very modern spot with co-working space and adjustable beds).
5. Visit Akihabara Electric Town
If Times Square and Best Buy had a baby who loved anime, that baby would be Akihabara Electric Town. Bright and colorful neon signs mark the entrances to countless electronic and gadget shops where you can pick up everything from a single fuse to a brand-new camera. Yodobashi Camera takes up a large chunk of real estate here and boasts 9 (9!) floors of technological goodies.
Visit Akihabara Electric Town and embrace your inner otaku: “A young person who is obsessed with computers or particular aspects of popular culture to the detriment of their social skills”.
6. Get Amazed by Japanese Toilets
Western countries are light years behind the Japanese in the toilet game. All the buttons features for your butt can overwhelm you at first. Plus, different models mean different ways to flush, a pretty important step in the process.
We’ll let you mess around with them when you get there. After spraying water everywhere a time or two, you’ll start to recognize which buttons perform which functions. You’ll wonder how you’re going to survive without them when you get home.
7. Buy Something From A Vending Machine
Japan also comes out on top when it comes to vending machines. Both in sheer quantity (there are more vending machines per capita in Japan than anywhere else in the world) and variety of goods sold. You can get collectible items, useless gimmicks, food, or anything you want from them.
As a traveler, this is especially exciting and useful. You can experience the novelty of buying canned bread or fishing bait instead of a Coke, and you can buy new underwear. Or some weird outfits for your cat…
8. Relax at an Onsen
Unlike past generations, you no longer have to journey far from the city to rest and relax at one of Japan’s onsen, or natural hot springs. Drilling into Tokyo’s volcanic crust provided Tokyoites with their own access to the springs. Inns and spas sprang up around some of them, while city officials left others as simple public baths. There are options for all budgets located throughout and around the city.
Tip for tattooed travelers: There’s a slim chance you’d be taken for a mobster. But onsen managers may ask you to cover your tattoos or even deny access due to past problems with the yakuza.