Planning a trip to Tokyo? These are 19 things to do in Japan’s capital city of Tokyo – from iconic sights to hidden gems!
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Intro
Tokyo is the beautiful capital city of Japan, full of delicious food, rich culture, and incredible history. Despite its advanced technology and modernization, Tokyo retains its traditions with historic temples and shrines found throughout this bustling metropolis. There’s so many things you can see and do in Tokyo but I’ve gathered 19 of the best ones.
Tokyo Map
The above map shows all the points of interest mentioned in this Tokyo post.
HOW TO USE THE ABOVE TOKYO ATTRACTIONS MAP:
| Action | Description |
|---|---|
| Click a Colored Point of Interest | Shows additional information and details of the selected Point of Interest |
| Click the Four-cornered Square at the Top Right | Opens the map in a Larger Map view in your personal Google Maps account |
| On Larger Map view, click the STAR ☆ under “Tokyo Attractions“ | Adds the Map to your personal Google Maps account to access anytime on Computer* or on Phone App** |
| * On Computer: In your Google Maps, Click “Saved” on left bar → Click “Maps” → Click “Tokyo Attractions“ | ** On Phone App: In your Google Maps app, Click “You” on bottom bar → Scroll to bottom → Click “Maps” → Click “Tokyo Attractions“ |
19 Things to Do in Tokyo
Traditional Temples & Shrines
1. Meiji Shrine
The Meiji Shrine is a Shinto shrine and is one of Japan’s most popular shrines. A large wooden torii gate marks the entrance to the shrine grounds, transporting you out of the Tokyo’s busiest districts and into a tranquil forest. All the shrine buildings within the main complex are beautiful structures of traditional Japanese architecture. You can also partake in several Shinto activities within the complex! Learn more about these in Shinto Shrine Customs: How to Pray at Japanese Shrines.
Meiji Shrine • photos by Jeanie A
2. Imperial Palace
The Imperial Palace is home to Japan’s imperial family, where large walls and a wide moat surrounds the residence. Within the walls, the palace grounds is park-like where the Imperial Palace East Gardens are open to the public year-round to roam around in.
However, the inner grounds of the Imperial Palace, where the imperial family resides, are not open to the public. It is possible to book a guided tour of the inner grounds, but you’re not allowed to enter any of the buildings.
3. Sensoji Temple
The Sensoji Temple is Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple, built in the year 645. The temple grounds have a couple gates you’ll need to pass through to get to the main temple. Each is large, beautiful red and of traditional Japanese architecture. There’s also a street lined with tons of shops, called Nakamise, to buy souvenirs and small food stalls to grab some snacks.
Beautiful Sensoji Temple • photos by Jeanie A
4. Hie Shrine
The Hie Shrine is a Tokyo hidden gem where not many tourists know of it quite yet. The shrine is located atop a tree-filled hill in the middle of Akasaka and Nagatacho business districts. It’s a very peaceful and uncrowded shrine.
Towards the shrine’s back entrance, there all tall red-and-white flags that lead to an amazing downward staircase engulfed in a tunnel of 90 iconic red torii gates. The look is similar to the famous Fushimi Inari Shrine torii gates in Kyoto that people flock to, however you can admire Hie Shrine’s torii gates here in Tokyo without the crowds.
Hie Shrine • photos by Jeanie A
Amazing Views
5. Shibuya Sky
Shibuya Sky is on the rooftop of the Shibuya Scramble Square building. It offers amazing 360° panoramic views of Tokyo! From up here, you can easily see Shinjuku high rises to the north, Tokyo Tower to the East, and since on a clear day, Mt. Fuji to the West!
Shibuya Sky observation deck is 755 feet (230 meters) high, towering over all the nearby buildings. The deck perimeter also has floor-to-ceiling windows to maximize your view wherever you look.
Additionally, there are 3 indoor floors you can roam around in. It has digital art displays, landmark pointers, café and bar, and the gift shop where you can purchase your Sky Edge photo.
Tickets
When you purchase your Shibuya Sky Tickets (here), you will have to specify a date and time entry of your visit. Once you enter, you can spend as much time as you’d like here.
Amazing views from atop of Shibuya Sky • photos by Jeanie A
6. Tokyo Tower
The Tokyo Tower is Tokyo’s famous red-and-white tower and is Japan’s second tallest structure at 1,092 feet (332.9 meters). It was built in 1958 and contains two observation decks where you can admire Tokyo’s beautiful scenery. On a clear day you can also see Mt. Fuji from here.
Tickets
There are two decks you can purchase tickets for. The first level is the Main Deck which is located about halfway up the tower at 492 feet (150 meters) high. The second level is the Top Deck at the top of the tower at 820 feet (250 meters) high. If you purchase the Top Deck ticket it also includes being able to visit the Main Deck.
Tokyo Tower and views • photos by Jeanie A
7. Rainbow Bridge Observation Deck
From the Rainbow Bridge observation deck, you can get an incredible view of the Rainbow Bridge with the Tokyo skyline. The bridge crosses the Tokyo Bay and connects mainland Tokyo to the Odaiba islet. Going at night will also give you some awesome panoramic views of the city night skyline and the lit up bridge mirroring the still waters of the Tokyo Bay. However, the bridge only lights up in rainbow colors in December, and white for the rest of the year.
Shopping & Culture
8. Kabukichō
Kabukichō is known as Tokyo’s red light district, with its bright lights and beaming nightlife. One of the entrances to Kabukichō has a large arch with bright red Japanese characters saying “Kabukichō”, it’s hard to miss. Down through the arch is an amazingly neon-lit signed street, completely different from Piss Alley. There are places to eat, a Don Quijote store, cafés, love hotels, and host/hostess clubs.
Be sure to check out the Don Quijote store here. Don Quijote has a gigantic selection of goods and items, and is open 24 hours. You can find a selection of Kit Kat here, and is also a great place to buy some souvenirs. Down the street from the Don Quijote store is the Giant Godzilla head peeking above the Toho Cinema. It’s also possible to get a closer look by getting on the roof terrace of the Toho building. Additionally at every hour, Godzilla will put on a show and come to life with audible roars in the street!
The vibrant streets and alleys of Kabukichō • photos by Jeanie A
9. Hachikō the Dog Statue
If you’re familiar with the story of Hachikō, stop by the statue and pay your respects to this loyal companion. If you’re not, read on and still plan to make a stop at this cultural symbol :).
The story of Hachikō is of a man and his extremely loyal dog named Hachikō. Every day, the man would head to work via the Shibuya Station, and his dog Hachikō would come by the station every day when his owner returned from work. Then one day while at work, the owner had a terrible accident and sadly passed away. Unbeknownst to Hachikō, he waited for his owner to return just like any other day, but his owner sadly never returned. Regardless, Hachikō came by and loyally waited at the station every day for 9 years until he passed away.
In honor of his loyalty and fidelity, a statue of Hachikō was made and placed at one of the 5 Shibuya Station exits.
10. Shibuya Scramble Crossing
The world-famous Shibuya Scramble Crossing is considered to be the busiest crosswalk in the world! The crosswalk goes in all directions and buildings adorned with huge billboard screens showing advertisements and commercials surround it. It is estimated that about 1,000 to 2,500 people scramble the intersection every couple minutes.
At night, all the billboard screens and bright lights light up the crossing giving it a Times Square-like vibe! You can be in the action and cross the crosswalk, or you can crosswalk/people-watch from several of the nearby vantage points. The most popular viewing spot is at the QFRONT building’s Starbucks, where you can go to the second floor of Starbucks to view the crosswalk.
Experiencing Shibuya Scramble Crossing during the Day and at Night • photos by Jeanie A
**Note: I know I’m posing in these pictures, but if you want to take pictures here,
be QUICK or go off to the SIDE a bit so that you don’t become a human roadblock for busy cross-walkers**
11. Harajuku Streets
Harajuku district has the famous Takeshita Dori street, a hub of youth cosplay culture. There’s also a collection of narrow side streets filled with fashion boutiques and trendy stores, such as Supreme, Huf, and Aape. Harajuku also has Omotesando street, which has more high-end brand stores and cafés and restaurants. This street caters more to the older and wealthier crowd.
In Harajuku, you will also find various unique animal cafés where you can interact with the animals they feature. There’s a Dog Café, Hedgehog Café, and Micro Pig Café to name a few. Before planning to attend one, research on the café (if you’re able to) and see how the establishment treats the animals. Please try not to support businesses that do not provide the animals decent living areas and space.
12. Ginza District
Ginza’s popular shopping street Chuo-dori, meaning Central street, contains luxurious high-end brands such as Gucci, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton to name a few. This street also has the Uniqlo’s flagship store which is also the largest Uniqlo in the world! It is a shopping hub with a whopping 12 floors to satisfy all your Uniqlo fashion needs, and there’s a café on the top floor too.
13. Akihabara District
Akihabara District’s Chuo-dori Avenue has an otaku anime and gaming sub-culture. There are tons of shops catered to this sub-culture, as well as tons of unique cafes.
Here, tons of buildings are decorated with huge anime posters of characters, literally spewing otaku anime sub-culture. Akihabara district also contains arcades, electronics stores, video game and trading card shops. There were plenty of anime stores with countless anime merchandise, such as collectibles, figurines, trinkets, and memorabilia.
Chuo-dori Avenue also has side alleyways with more interesting things to see. You can find several Maid Cafe where the waitresses are dressed in French maid costumes and cater to you for a unique experience.
14. TeamLab Planets Tokyo DMM
TeamLab Planets Tokyo DMM is an amazing interactive modern art exhibit with various installations you can feel truly immersed in. If you have time and enjoy immersive digital art, I highly recommend adding teamLab Planets to your 3 day trip to Tokyo. Expect to spend 2 to 3 hours here.
For more information and tips for visiting teamLab Planets Tokyo, then check out my teamLab Planets Tokyo post.
Tickets
You can purchase teamLab Planets tickets online here (or use the form below).
Mesmerizing exhibits of teamLab Planets • photos by Jeanie A
15. DiverCity Tokyo Plaza & Gundam Base Store
The Diver City Tokyo Plaza is a mall that is home to the The Gundam Base Tokyo, a gundam store. If you’re a fan of the Mobile Suit Gundam anime series, then you’ll enjoy this place! There are a ton of Gundam models on display here for seemingly every Gundam series that has ever been created. You can also purchase Gundam models to build later.
Unicorn Gundam Statue
Right outside of the Diver City Tokyo Plaza is a full-scale Gundam from the Unicorn Gundam anime series. It stands at about 65 feet (19.7 meters) tall, and its colored armored plates are more visible at night. At certain times of the day (11am, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm), catch the gundam transform into its Unicorn and Destroyer modes.
Odaiba District’s Gundam Base Store and Unicorn Gundam Statue • photos by Jeanie A
Food & Drink
16. Tsukiji Outer Market
Tsukiji Market was a wholesale fish market where local restaurants and food stall owners would come early morning and buy their fish ingredients wholesale. However, this wholesale market actually moved to another location in Toyosu, but the surrounding side streets and alleyways filled with endless food stalls and eateries remains at this location.
If you get here around lunchtime, it may be a bit overwhelming since there will be tons of people. However, even if there are long lines for a food stall, the line will go fairly quick. Take some time and explore the outer market and grab anything that looks delicious!
Delicious food finds at Tsukiji Market • photos by Jeanie A
17. Omoide Yokocho (Piss Alley)
Omoide Yokocho actually means Memory Alley, however it is commonly known as Piss Alley. Piss Alley is made up of two parallel alleys full of food stalls, yakitori (skewered grilled meat) shacks and izakaya.
The izakaya and food stalls are extremely narrow and small where there’s only room to sit several people at a bar-top. So if you stop at any of the places, expect to be in a cramped space. The atmosphere of Piss Alley is very different from the rest of Tokyo. It’s like a snippet of Tokyo’s past, with narrow lantern-lit streets and traditional-designed buildings and stalls.
Piss Alley was once a drinking quarter back in the 1940s, and named Piss Alley due to the men relieving themselves wherever they could in the alley. This is not the situation today but the name stuck lol.
18. Golden Gai
Within Kabukichō, there is an area called Golden Gai, meaning Golden Block. It is another collection of narrow alleyways lined with over 200 bars, pubs, and eateries. Contrary to Kabukichō but similar to Piss Alley, Golden Gai’s atmosphere is also that of a past era. It has lantern-lit alleys and cramped bars and izakaya, where each features its own unique atmosphere and vibes. Most bars here also don’t open until 8 pm so don’t plan to come here too early!
When walking through the alleys, be mindful and respectful to bars that have signs saying something along the lines of “Regulars Only” or “No Tourists”. Leave those places alone for the locals to enjoy without the stress of foreigners in their space. Most bars will also require a cover charge to enter, although it isn’t too much. Regardless, there are still plenty of free-of-charge tourist-friendly pubs you can enter, with signs advertising as such.
19. Roppongi District
Visit Roppongi district to grab a drink or bite to eat. During the day, Roppongi is a business district, but at night, it comes alive with its many bars and nightclubs. If you want to experience Japanese nightlife in Tokyo’s most popular nightlife districts, visit one of the many clubs or bars and grab a drink! Additionally, Roppongi also has upscale shopping malls and stores, and tons of dining options. We opted to eat at a yakiniku (Japanese BBQ) restaurant and it was delicious!!
Where to Stay in Tokyo
Tokyo comprises of 23 wards and each contains their own districts. If you’re visiting Tokyo for the first time, then you’re likely going to visit some or all of central Tokyo’s 6 main wards and their districts. Check them all out at Where to Stay in Tokyo for First-Time Visitors.
We stayed at the Shinjuku Prince Hotel which was extremely convenient as it was a short walk to Shinjuku Station, and an endless array of eating options with Piss Alley, Kabukichō and Golden Gai within walking distance. Being near the central train station made getting to all the areas and sights incredibly easy.
Book the same stay by clicking here or add your dates and click “Search” for availability in the widget below:
Final Words
Tokyo is a city with endless things to do. You’ll find traditional temples and shrines, to more modern attractions. Regardless of what you choose to do though, Tokyo will definitely be a place you return to to see what other amazing things it has to offer.
Been to Tokyo before? I’d love to hear what you thought.
Drop your tips or favorite spots in the comments!
(japanese “thank you!”)
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