Trying to decide what to do in Tokyo is enough to cause a serious case of information overload. To help you choose, we’ve created this high-level guide so you can make the most of your time in the city.
Tokyo Tower: Blue Planet Studio / Shutterstock.com
Tokyo is loaded with fantastic attractions ranging from ultra-traditional to hypermodern. On this page, we list the main things to do in each category and we link out to our pages where you can get all the details. We keep it simple and brief so hopefully we won’t add to your information overload!
Things To Do In Tokyo List:
Check out a Traditional Buddhist Temple or Shinto Shrine
Start your time in Tokyo by going back to basics: the spiritual roots of the Japanese people. Check out our guide to Tokyo’s Best Shrines and Temples. Chris Rowthorn Tours has tours of the temples and shrines in the atmospheric Yanaka and Ueno districts. Many guided tours to Tokyo include other temples and shrines – these GetYourGuide activities include Senso-ji Temple, for example, and the incredible Meiji-jingu Shrine is part of these activites offered by Klook.
See a Sumo Match
You can’t come all the way to Japan and not see sumo. If a match is on while you’re in town, you gotta see it. Check our How to Buy Tickets for a Tokyo Sumo Match, or see what sumo activities are available to book in advance. These include attending morning practice sessions and tournament entry.
Tour a World-Class Museum
Tokyo has a collection of fantastic museums covering all aspects of Japanese culture, art and history. Get a good sampling with our Tokyo 1-Day Art Lover’s Itinerary. See our recommended Tokyo museums and Tokyo art galleries. And, for cutting edge digital art, check out Teamlab Borderless. Be sure to look at GetYourGuide’s list of Tokyo museum tickets and tours, which you can compare to Klook’s list of museum activities.
Stroll Through a Japanese Garden
Hidden around the city are some fantastic pockets of green. Check them out with our Tokyo Nature and Garden Lover’s Itinerary. You may also be interested in a Tokyo garden and park tour, in a beautiful location such as Ueno Park or around Imperial Palace.
Eat Some of the Best Food of Your Life
Tokyo has more Michelin stars than any other city on earth. With a little effort you can eat some of the best meals of your life. Check out our Tokyo Restaurants page. And, if you’re adventurous and want something really authentic, check out our Eat Like a Local section. There are lots of Tokyo food tours you can book through GetYourGuide as well as guided restaurant and bar hopping via Klook.
Enter the World of Miyazaki at the Ghibli Musuem
If you or your kids love the magical films of Hayao Miyazaki, then you should make the trip out to the wonderful Ghibli Museum. You can also check prices and secure advance Ghibli Museum tickets online at Klook and Get Your Guide.
Spend a Day at Tokyo Disneyland or DisneySea
You might be surprised to discover that Tokyo Disneyland or DisneySea are only about 25 minutes from Tokyo Station by easy train. Check out our Tokyo Disneyland guide and our Tokyo DisneySea guide. Handily, easy-to-book day passes for both venues are available in advance from GetYourGuide and Klook, some of which include hotel pickup and transportation.
Shop for the Perfect Gift or Souvenir
Tokyo is the best shopping city on earth, full stop. Whether it’s Japanese or imported, you’ll find it here. Check out our Tokyo Shopping guide. A guided Tokyo shopping tour is a fun way to see a different side of the city, or you could drill down to a specific area like Ameyoko Shopping Street.
Escape the Tourists in a Hip Local District
Tokyo is crawling with tourists. If you’ve had enough, head to a place more popular with the locals like Shimokitazawa (Tokyo’s Brooklyn) or Jimbocho (the bookstore district). GetYourGuide offers tours for a number of different Tokyo neighborhoods, or you can look for specific districts like Shinbashi, Akihabara, and Harajuku via Klook.
Check Out the View from the Tokyo Skytree
If you need a bit of perspective on it all, take the elevators up the Tokyo Skytree for some truly eye-popping views. Check out our Tokyo Skytree guide. Advance entry tickets for Tokyo Skytree are available from Klook and GetYourGuide, as well as tours which include the stunning view from the observation deck.
Take a Daytrip or Overnight Trip Out of the City
Within easy distance of Tokyo you’ll find attractions like Mt Fuji, Nikko, Kamakura, and Kyoto (that’s right: you can even do it as a day trip). Check out our Best Day Trips from Tokyo guide, or see which guided day trips are currently available from GetYourGuide or Klook. Excursions usually include pickup and transportation. Multi-day trips are also available.
Take a Deep Dive into Japanese Pop Culture
If you love anime, robots, kawaii things and whatever else is popular in Japan right now, you’ll love Tokyo. Why not grab a seat at Shinjuku’s Samurai Show, the successor to the now closed Robot Restaurant? Or, if you love Hello Kitty (you know who you are), then you can’t miss Sanrio Puroland. Entry tickets can be booked in advance at either GetYourGuide or Klook, to avoid queuing up on the day.
Check out a Baseball Game
Baseball in Japan is just like baseball back home, except it’s totally different. Check out a game to see what we mean. It’s easy to get tickets – just read our Baseball in Tokyo guide.
Keep the Kids Happy
We know what it’s like to travel with kids. We give you all the information you need to keep everyone happy. Just check out our Tokyo 1-Day Itinerary with Children. GetYourGuide has a big list of Tokyo’s family friendly activities while Klook offers tickets for Legoland Tokyo, the Making of Harry Potter studio tour, KidZania, and Sunshine Aquarium.
Suggested Itineraries
If you need some ideas about how to put it all together, check out our Tokyo Itineraries page. And, if you need some help planning your trip, we’d be happy to help you plan things with Japan Travel Consulting.
Tokyo Vacation Checklist
- For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Tokyo guide
- Check Tokyo accommodation availability and pricing on Booking.com and Agoda.com - often you can book with no upfront payment and free cancellation
- Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Tokyo
- You can buy shinkansen (bullet train) tickets online from Klook - popular routes include Tokyo to Kyoto, Tokyo to Osaka and Tokyo to Hiroshima
- You can buy an eSim to activate in Japan or buy a Japan SIM card online for collection on arrival at Tokyo Narita or Haneda airports. Or rent an unlimited data pocket wifi router
- See my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
- Compare airline flight prices and timings for the best Japan flight deals. Check my guides to arriving at Narita Airport and at Haneda Airport.
- If you're visiting more than one city, you might save money with a Japan Rail Pass – see if it's worth it for you
- A prepaid Welcome Suica card makes travelling around Tokyo much easier - here's how
- World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world
- Do you want help planning your trip? Chris Rowthorn and his team of Japan experts at Japan Travel Consulting can help
