12 Nov 2021 Travel Inspirations

22 Fun Things to do in Tokyo

As far as unique cities go, Tokyo is right up there at the top of the list. It’s a giant metropolis full of buzz, vibrancy and lights – a place where you can enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience. But what experiences should you prioritise during your visit? Here, we’ve listed 22 fun things to do in Tokyo.

1) Visit Asakusa and the ancient temple

Sensō-Ji is an ancient temple in the popular neighbourhood of Asakusa, and somewhere that should be one of your first experiences during your visit to Tokyo.

2) Robot restaurants 🤖

That’s right; Tokyo has high-tech machine madness with flashy lights and all at Robot Restaurant. This themed restaurant and bar offers everything from great food to a zany robot show.

3) Weekend’s farmer’s markets

Europe isn’t the only place famed for its farmer’s markets. Every weekend in Tokyo, sellers descend to the United Nations University to sell fresh fruit, vegetables and just about everything else, including miso from Nagano and ponzu from Okinawa.

4) Spend some time in Harajuku 🚶‍♀️

The fashionable Harajuku is a great place to see lots of colours, offbeat styles and high-end fashion brands. Harajuku is where you’ll find all the cool people.

5) Watch sumo practice

Spend some time watching Japan’s national sport at one of the many sumo tables located around Tokyo. Catch morning practices and see how the sumo wrestlers do their thing.

6) Cosplay go-karting 🏎️

Drive a tiny go-kart on the streets of Tokyo while dressed as one of your favourite Mario characters. There are plenty of tours offering a two-hour drive around the city.

7) Escape to Meiji Jingu

Located nearby Harajuku, Meiji Jingu is a place to go to escape the hustle and bustle. Enjoy lush greenery and tranquil surroundings where you can catch some serious chill.

8) Lose yourself at Akihabara 🕹️

Known as Tokyo’s electric town, Akihabara is where you can indulge in all things computer games, anime, comics and just about anything else quirky and fun.

9) Mori Building Digital Art Museum

Soak up some culture in Tokyo at the Mori Building Digital Art Museum, which is the first of its kind. There are unique interactive art experiences meshed in with the latest high technology.

10) Indulge at Tokyo DisneySea 🎢

Who needs Disneyland in Florida or Paris when you’ve got Tokyo DisneySea to go wild? It’s unlike any of the other Disney resorts with its nautical theme park inspired by real places and ocean legend.

11) Go back to the olden days at Yanaka Ginza Shitamachi

Yanaka Ginza Shitamachi offers insight into days gone by with picturesque spots where you can snap a few pics and enjoy the old way of life in Tokyo for an hour or two.

12) Watch live music at the Ruby Room 🎵

Get a first-hand glimpse of the Tokyo indie scene at the Ruby Room, where live bands play a bit of everything from R&B to rock and house music. There’s also a weekly open mic night every Tuesday.

13) The Shibuya Crossing

There’s nothing quite like the Shibuya Crossing, which is the busiest crossing in the world. It’s a must-visit if you’re in the city, and it’s arguably the most iconic landmark in Tokyo.

14) Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden 🌳

Find more peace at Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden with its cherry blossoms and tranquil ponds. There’s a combination of Japanese, French and English gardens to discover.

15) Enjoy late-night takoyaki at Tempu

You can’t visit Japan without trying some takoyaki, and Tempu is the place to get it. After a night out of karaoke, head here to enjoy tender pieces of octopus drenched in gooey, piping hot batter.

16) Party in Shibuya 🕺

Shibuya nightlife is unrivalled, thanks to its spots with world-class cocktails 30 floors high, underground DJ bars and plenty of clubs and music venues where you can party until the early hours of the morning.

17) Eat Wagyu Beef

What can you say about Wagyu beef, other than stating its deliciousness? Gourmands will delight in the many restaurants around the city serving up juicy cuts of some of the best beef around.

18) Take in the views at Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building 🏢

Tokyo has loads of spots where you can soak up the skyline views of the city. But the best place to enjoy sweeping sights might just be at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, where you can see skyscrapers and highways lit up in the darkness.

19) See more views from the Tokyo Skytree

Take in even more great sights at the Tokyo Skytree, which is the world’s tallest tower. It’s 634 metres high and offers 360-degree views of the city. On clear days, you might even be able to see Mount Fuji.

20) Nerd out at Daikanyama Tsutaya Books 📚

If you’re a book lover, then get yourself down to Daikanyama Tsutaya. This cool book store is expansive and has a great variety of Westend literature sitting nicely alongside obscure Japanese works for you to indulge in.

21) Spend some time at Imperial Palace

The main residence of the Emperor of Japan, the Imperial Palace is a park-like area located in the Chiyoda district. There are museums, administrative offices and members of the imperial family living there, with the total area consisting of 1.15 square kilometres including the gardens. The inner grounds are only open to the public on January 2nd and February 23rd, though you can enjoy guided tours outside of the buildings throughout the rest of the year.

22) The Tokyo Tower 🗼

Located in the Shiba-Koen district of Minato, The Tokyo Tower is another famous landmark in the city. Its structure was inspired by Paris’s Eiffel Tower, and it’s well worth a snap or two for the ‘gram. Or you can climb it for even more great views of the city.

The best things to do in Tokyo

There’s so much to experience in Tokyo that 22 fun things to see and do probably won’t quite do the city justice. But it’s a good starting point to explore one of the best locations in the world. So if you ever find yourself in Tokyo, see the very best of this city and create memories that’ll last a lifetime.