26 Fun Things to Do in Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo is one of those cities that sweeps you off your feet from the moment you arrive. It’s a place where tradition meets the modern in a magical way. From centuries-old temples to bustling districts that never sleep, Tokyo offers something fascinating around every corner.

After spending time exploring Japan’s capital, I’ve rounded up the best things to do in Tokyo, from must-see attractions like Tokyo Skytree and Meiji Shrine to unforgettable experiences like a kimono tea ceremony and street go-karting through Shibuya.

Whether its your first trip or your fifth, here are some of the most fun things to do in Tokyo, Japan.

Zojo-ji, a traditional Japanese temple with ornate wooden architecture, in the foreground with a bright clear sky overhead, and the iconic red Tokyo Tower visible in the background.

Post Contents

Best Things to Do in Tokyo

1. Tokyo Skytree

Tokyo Skytree in Tokyo, Japan soars into a cloudy sky beside a modern skyscraper. Below, "Tokyo Solamachi" signage is visible with trees framing the urban scene.

Aerial view of Tokyo, Japan from Tokyo Skytree, showing the densely populated city with a winding river cutting through it. Overcast skies create a muted, gray tone over the landscape.

Tokyo Skytree is an iconic tower that gives you great views of the city (and Mt. Fuji if the weather is right). This is the tallest tower in the world and the third tallest structure in the world at 2,080 feet tall. The top observation deck puts you a soaring 1,480 feet above the city.

Skytree is one of the most popular Tokyo attractions, so you can expect it to be crowded; I recommend getting there early in the day (even right as it opened was pretty crowded for us).

You should also check the weather before you purchase a ticket, if you have some flexibility in your plans. On a clear day, you have the best chance of seeing Mt. Fuji. If it’s rainy or overcast, you might not be able to see much and you might want to try for a different day. That said, we did visit on an overcast day, and we still had some good views and enjoyed it.

Book your Tokyo Skytree tickets here.

2. Kimono Tea Ceremony

Paige, Kevin, and four friends in traditional Japanese clothing sit on tatami mats during a tea ceremony, smiling and holding tea bowls at a Kimono Tea Ceremony in Tokyo, Japan.

My favorite experience in Tokyo was the Kimono Tea Ceremony where we got to dress in beautiful kimono and experience a traditional tea ceremony.

We got to choose our kimono, obi, and hair ornament. It was a whole process getting tied and cinched in and getting our hair done, but it was so much fun!

During the tea ceremony, we learned about the rituals behind the preparation and serving of tea while we ate some Japanese sweets, whisked the matcha ourselves, and sipped our hot tea.

Book your kimono tea ceremony in Tokyo here.

3. Shimbashi Hidden Gem Food Tour with Arigato Travel

Kevin and Paige sits in a cozy restaurant with dim lighting on the Shimbashi Hidden Gem Food Tour with Arigato Travel in Tokyo, Japan. Wine glasses and dishes with food are on the wooden table in front of them.

If you’re a foodie, you won’t want to miss this Shimbashi Hidden Gem Food Tour with Arigato Travel. This is a great way to get a taste of local Tokyo because Shimbashi is a business district with not many tourists, but tons of bars and rustic izakaya where the salarymen go after work.

The tour gives you a great look Tokyo’s after-work dining culture. Our tour guide was Sandra, and she was great! She took us to 5 hidden gems to dine on Wagyu, ramen, sake, and a sweet treat.

We learned a lot about work culture (and the origin of all those all-you-can-drink bars) and tried so many different dishes that we wouldn’t have known to try on our own.

You can read my full review of the food tour here.

Book your Shimbashi Hidden Gem Food Tour here.

Duration: 3 hours

4.8 (2,620 reviews)

4. Monkey Kart Go-Karts in the Street

Kevin and Paige in colorful costumes sit in Monkey Kart Go-Karts on a city street in Tokyo, Japan. Paige playfully pinches Kevin's cheek. Skyscrapers and traffic are visible.

If you like playing Mario Kart, then you’re going to love doing this Monkey Kart go-kart experience in the streets of Tokyo. You’ve probably seen the videos of people dressed up in character costumes riding these things, and it’s as fun as it looks.

You get to pick out your own costume or fun accessories for your ride. And then you’re off racing through the streets of Tokyo. It’s an interesting way to see the city, but it’s not like a tour; mostly, it’s a fun driving experience. There are even a couple spots where you can really get up to speed.

Monkey Kart has tours in Shinagawa, which is the one we did that goes through Shibuya Crossing and around Tokyo Tower, as well as in Asakusa and Shibuya. Then there are also a ton of other companies that do go-kart tours. So you have a lot to choose from.

Note: This experience requires an International Driving Permit, which you can get pretty easily at a AAA office before your trip.

Book your Monkey Kart go-karting experience here.

5. Samurai Experience at the Samurai Ninja Museum

Paige and Kevin stand side-by-side in a traditional Japanese-style room, dressed in black martial arts uniforms and holding katana swords upright, during the Samurai Experience at the Samurai Ninja Museum in Tokyo, Japan. The setting features textured wooden walls, a pebbled floor, and a decorative roof beam above a large window.

Kevin and Paige pose playfully in front of a backdrop of a traditional Japanese building, dressed in replica samurai armor and helmets for a Samurai Experience at the Samurai Ninja Museum in Tokyo, Japan. Each holds a foam katana pointed forward in a dramatic stance—one wearing black armor, the other red.

The Samurai Experience at the Samurai Ninja Museum in Tokyo is always a huge hit. You get to swing around a katana (not a real one, but it’s weighted so it feels more authentic than a toy), wear a traditional Hakama, and learn traditional movements with the sword.

Learning how to use the katana like a samurai is the main draw here. But this is also a museum, so you get a short history tour of the Samurai Ninja Museum, get to throw plastic ninja stars, and dress up in samurai costumes for pictures. (If you only want the museum, dress-up photo opp, and ninja star experience, they do offer a basic ticket without the samurai experience.)

The nerds in our group loved this experience, and it was their favorite thing we did in Tokyo.

Book your samurai experience in Tokyo here.

6. Sensō-ji Temple

Hozo-mon Gate (also called the Nio-mon Gate) with the Five-Storied Pagoda in the background at Sensō-ji Temple in Tokyo, Japan, both Japanese temple architecture with ornate red and gold pagoda roofs against a cloudy sky.

Sensō-ji Temple is a Buddhist temple dedicated to Kannon, the bodhisattva of compassion, and it’s the oldest temple in Tokyo. It’s a must-see as far as temples go!

You can visit the main Kannondo Hall to make an offering and read your fortune. There are a bunch of beautiful gates and structures to see here, like the Five-Storied Pagoda, the Denboin and it’s Garden, and the Hozo-mon Gate. You can also walk along the Nakamise Shopping Street to find some souvenirs.

This is one of the most famous temples in Tokyo, so you can expect it to be pretty crowded in the middle of the day.

7. Meiji Shrine

People visit Meiji Shrine in Tokyo, Japan, a traditional Japanese shrine with a dark wooden roof under a clear blue sky. A large, lush tree shades the courtyard.

Meiji Shrine (Meiji Jingu) is a Shinto shrine that is dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shōken set inside a beautiful 170 acre forest.

You can visit the main shrine and make an offering. I also recommend visiting the Inner Garden, which has a small entry fee, to see their beautiful Irish Garden in the spring, the tranquil pond, and Kiyomasa’s Well.

The Meiji Jingu Museum was closed when we visited, but it’s a great place to learn about the Meiji era and the legacy of Emperor Meiji. It also has an entry fee, but you can get discounted entry tickets by using The Tokyo Pass.

8. Tokyo National Museum

Two large, detailed paintings, depicting intricate Asian landscapes with buildings and figures, hang in a gallery on white walls at Tokyo National Museum in Tokyo, Japan.

The Tokyo National Museum is an art and history museum that’s the oldest national museum and the largest art museum in Japan.

The museum is made up of several different buildings with a treasure gallery, a Japanese art gallery, an Asian art gallery, a Japanese archaeology gallery, a garden, and a special exhibits gallery.

There’s so much to see, and you could spend a whole day here if you’re a huge museum buff. If you don’t want an all-day affair, I recommend at least making it to The Gallery of Horyuji Treasures to see some national treasures, as well as the Honkan Japanese Gallery.

Get your tickets to the Tokyo National Museum here.

Or you can get discounted tickets to the Tokyo National Museum using The Tokyo Pass.

9. Ueno Zoo

A panda sits contentedly in a zoo enclosure surrounded by bamboo and greenery, eating bamboo shoots at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan. A mural of dense forest covers the backdrop.

A Japanese black bear walks among rocks and greenery in a zoo enclosure while a person watches from behind a fence above, under a cloudy sky at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan.

Ueno Zoo is huge, covering 35 acres with more than 2,600 animals from over 500 different species. The zoo split into two sections connected by a long bridge, so there’s a good bit of walking involved in order to see it all.

The main reason I wanted to visit Ueno Zoo is because they have a bunch of bears! They have Polar Bears, Hokkaido Brown Bears, Sun Bears, Japanese Black Bears, and Panda Bears.

The pandas are very popular, and you can expect a long line to see them. There are two separate lines to see the pandas, one for the female and one for the male. Both lines can be 1+ hours long.

Besides the bears, Ueno Zoo has tigers, gorillas, bison, hippos, giraffes, seals, penguins, and more. If there’s an animal you want to see, they probably have it.

You can get discounted tickets to Ueno Zoo using The Tokyo Pass.

10. Imperial Palace East National Gardens and the Edo Castle Ruins

Fujimi-yagura Turret at the Imperial Palace East National Gardens and Edo Castle Ruins in Tokyo, Japan, a historic Japanese-style building with ornate, tiered roofs nestled among lush green trees. A path leads to a closed gate

The Imperial Palace East Gardens are the former site of Edo Castle from 1457 to 1873 when it was consumed by a fire.

You can visit the current Imperial Palace, where the emperor resides, on the western part of the grounds, but tours are limited so it can be difficult to get tickets. Sticking to the free East Gardens and the castle ruins is a good alternative.

The Gardens make a lovely park with orchards, rose gardens, and more. You can take the hill up to the Fujimi-tamon Defense House where you can see into the grounds of the Imperial Palace.

One of the best remaining pieces of Edo Castle is the Fujimi-yagura Turret, which dates from 1659. There are also ruins of old gates, guardhouses, and defense houses.

All that’s left of Edo Castle’s keep is the base. This foundation was re-built in 1658, but they never completed rebuilding the keep. You can walk to the top of the base to look out over the gardens.

11. Shibuya Crossing

Shibuya Scramble in Tokyo, Japan in the evening, a bustling city intersection crowded with people crossing in various directions, surrounded by tall buildings and bright digital billboards.

Shibuya Crossing is the world’s busiest pedestrian crossing. During its busiest time, there can be between 1,000-2,500 people crossing the intersection every two minutes.

Pedestrians cross from all directions, so it’s also nicknamed Shibuya Scramble.

The best time to go to see the crowds in action is in the evening, around dusk. We came here once in the morning, and even with morning rush hour the Crossing was relatively uncrowded. Then we came back through around 5 p.m. and it was packed.

12. Tokyo Tower

Tokyo Tower in Tokyo, Japan illuminated in orange at night, surrounded by skyscrapers. People sit on a grassy area in the foreground

View of Tokyo, Japan from Tokyo Tower's Top Deck at night, with countless skyscrapers illuminated by bright lights.

Tokyo Tower is another iconic observation tower for great views of the city. This orange-and-white radio tower is like Japan’s Eiffel Tower: it’s shaped similarly, you can go up to the top, and they light it up at night.

You can visit either during the day or at night, but I recommend visiting at night because they have a nice projection show inside the observation deck at night. Plus, if you’ve done Tokyo Skytree during the day, then visiting Tokyo Tower at night will feel more like a different experience.

The Main Deck reaches 490 feet (150 meters) and has two levels of observation decks. This is the standard ticket option, and most people will probably be happy enough with just this level.

The Top Deck is an upgraded ticket, and it reaches 819 feet (249.6 meters). This is a smaller observation deck with a mirrored, Instagrammable design. You also get some multi-media displays while you wait for the next elevator, a photo card (you get to keep the small version, or you can purchase a large version), and a welcome drink (it’s just a swallow of wine or tea).

I like the Top Deck because I love a view, and the higher the better, especially at night. But it is more than twice the price for a Top Deck ticket, and they’re doing a lot that isn’t really adding any value. So I fully think most people will be happy with just the Main Deck ticket.

Get your Tokyo Tower tickets here.

Or you can get discounted tickets to Tokyo Tower using The Tokyo Pass.

13. Tsukiji Outer Market

A vibrant fish market stall at the Tsukiji Outer Market in Tokyo, Japan, with illuminated fresh seafood on display. A vendor is visible behind the counter, surrounded by price tags and signs.

Tsukiji Outer Market is a historic market that’s the most famous foodie area of Japan. You can find local merchants selling fresh fish, seafood, vegetables, produce, and more. There are also a lot of restaurants and street food stalls.

You can explore on your own or take a food tour to get a more local perspective. I recommend this Classic Tsukiji Breakfast Tour with Arigato Travel, which is a 3 hour tour full of tastings and breakfast at a local restaurant.

Book your Classic Tsukiji Breakfast Tour here.

14. Day Trip to Mt. Fuji

A red pagoda stands prominently in the foreground, framed by pine trees. Mount Fuji rises majestically in the background, under a cloud-filled sky.

Mt. Fuji is Japan’s most iconic landmark, and a day trip to Mt. Fuji from Tokyo is incredibly popular.

Because the mountain is notoriously elusive, planning a day trip to see it isn’t always that straight forward. Clouds can often obscure the snowy mountain top, and sometimes you can’t even see the base of the mountain.

So set out with those expectations in mind, and pick a tour that has other sights along the way so your day doesn’t feel like a waste. Some of the best viewing spots for Mt. Fuji are great sightseeing stops in their own right, like Chureito Pagoda at the Arakura Sengen Shrine and Oishi Park.

Guided day tours reach Mt. Fuji by bullet train, by bus, or by private car. You can even take a multi-day guided climbing tour of the mountain. This Fujinomiya Famous Food Tour is a great option for foodies to explore the delicious town at the base of the mountain.

Top Mt. Fuji Day Tours

15. Day Trip to Mashiko

Kevin in a patterned cap and floral shirt shapes pottery on a wheel in a cozy studio at Daisei Gama in Mashiko, Japan.

Paige and Kevin in traditional Japanese robes toasts with glasses of sake in a warmly lit traditional Japanese room at Tonoike Sake Brewery in Mashiko, Japan.

Mashiko is a town located in Tochigi Prefecture that’s known for its pottery. They have spring and autumn pottery festivals that are extremely popular, but for the rest of the year, it’s a quiet town that’s off the radar of most travelers.

We did a Mashiko day trip with Arigato Travel that let us tour pottery studios and shop for locally-made ceramics, visit the home of world-renowned potter Soji Hamada, learn about the climbing kilns that are popular in this area, and even see an original indigo dyeing studio that’s still in use.

Beyond pottery, Mashiko has the award-winning Tonoike Sake Brewery where you can do a brewery tour and a sake tasting (and Tonoike-san is literally the sweetest person ever!). Tochigi Prefecture is also Japan’s #1 strawberry-producing area, so if you visit between November and June, you can pick fresh strawberries in Mashiko.

Our custom Mashiko day trip was put together by my friends at Arigato Travel through their “Tailored Travel” service. You can visit Mashiko on your own by renting a car or taking the train. There’s also this private guided tour by car that you can book.

Want to take the same tour we took? Reach out to Arigato Travel for a tailored itinerary and mention that you were referred by Paige Minds The Gap!

16. Sake Tasting at Tachinomi Kuri

Tachinomi Kuri is an authentic standing sake bar in Shimbashi, tucked away inside the Shimbashi Ekimae Building.

Shimbashi is a classic after-work drinking and dining district, and tachinomi (standing bars) are a staple for post-work drinks.

Tachinomi Kuri is an intimate space with carefully selected varieties of sake that are ever-changing. I recommend getting the Omakase Set that includes three varieties to taste. They provide tasting notes and flavor descriptions in English to help you figure out which sake you like best.

17. Maidreamin Maid Cafe in Akihabara

Paige with a maid at Maidreamin Maid Cafe in Akihabara in Tokyo, Japan. They form a heart with their hands. Paige wears a maroon shirt and panda bear ears, the other a maid outfit, and they stand in front of a colorful heart backdrop.

A cute Omurice Rice dish with Tomato Chili Sauce and a bear drawing in ketchup on the omelet and a bowtie design on the white plate from Maidreamin Maid Cafe in Akihabara in Tokyo, Japan.

Maid cafes are a big part of otaku culture (those who are passionate about anime and manga). While they typically appeal to men, a lot of women like them as well for the cute factor.

At a maid cafe, your staff are adorable girls in French maid-inspired costumes who welcome you in for a friendly and lighthearted meal. Everything is very kawaii. The maids sing and dance, they draw pictures on your food, the food itself is cute, and you can get pictures with the maids.

We chose Maidreamin at their main location in Akihabara because it’s a popular chain and because a lot of their food is shaped like bears (and that was my main criteria). We went all out, opting for the combo that included a meal, an animal parfait, a drink, a souvenir photo, and a headband gift.

18. Akihabara

A bustling city street in Tokyo's Akihabara district with vibrant billboards, trees lining the sidewalk, and pedestrians crossing under a clear blue sky.

Akihabara is known for its electronics stores and specialty shops for all things anime, manga, trading cards, figurines, and video games. So it’s basically like Nerd Mecca.

Stores like GiGO, Azone Akihabara, Akihabara Kotobukiya, and namco are huge multi-level stores where you can geek out to your heart’s content.

19. Asakusa Shrine

Tourists and visitors gather in front of Asakusa Shrine in Tokyo, Japan, a traditional Japanese shrine with a tiled roof and wooden beams adorned with sacred rope and paper ornaments. Several people are dressed in colorful yukata, while others casually explore or take photos. The shrine is surrounded by banners, signage, and adjacent wooden structures, under a cloudy sky.

Asakusa Shrine is a Shinto shrine that honors the men who founded Sensō-ji Temple; it’s a quieter shrine that’s hidden away behind Sensō-ji Temple.

While the crowds descend upon Sensō-ji, a lot of people overlook Asakusa Shrine. But it has some of the oldest shrine buildings in Tokyo and is definitely worth a visit.

20. Harajuku

Bustling entrance to Harajuku's Takeshita Street in Tokyo, Japan, with a colorful arch and unicorn decoration. People walk under a sunny, clear blue sky.

Harajuku is an area known for its quirky fashion, so it’s a great place for doing some shopping in Tokyo.

Stop by Takeshita Street, a pedestrian shopping street where you can find shops selling everything from colorful kawaii cute clothes and accessories to edgy grunge and goth fashion.

21. Zōjō-ji

Zojo-ji, a traditional Japanese temple with a gabled roof, sits in front of modern skyscrapers and lush greenery under a clear blue sky in Tokyo, Japan.

Zōjō-ji Buddhist temple dates back to 1393 and its main gate is the oldest wooden building in Tokyo, dating from 1622.

It’s free to visit the temple complex, from the Sangedatsumon main gate to the Daibonsho big bell to the Daiden main hall. If you would like to visit their Treasure Exhibition Room, that requires an additional fee.

22. Karaoke

Dimly lit karaoke room with blue neon lighting in Shinjuku in Tokyo, Japan. Two screens display a show with several people on a set. Tables and seating are visible, creating an intimate atmosphere.

It’s not hard to find a karaoke lounge in Tokyo, and Shinjuku is an especially popular place for karaoke since it’s the entertainment district.

Most karaoke lounges will let you rent a private room by the hour, and many include the price of an alcoholic drink. A popular chain like Karaoke Big Echo Shinjuku will have a good English song selection.

23. Pokémon Center Tokyo

A large model of Rayquaza with a Pikachu riding on its back, displayed in the Pokémon Center Skytree Town store with blue LED lights and Pokéballs, in Tokyo, Japan.

There are 4 Pokémon centers in Tokyo, so if you’re into Pokémon you’re going to have a lot of shopping to do.

Each store will have plushies and standard merch, but some shops will have things that others don’t. They also each have their own commemorative coin press machines where you can get a different coin at each store.

Pokémon Center Tokyo DX has an attached Pokémon Cafe; there’s also Pokémon Center Shibuya, Pokémon Center Skytree Town, and Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo, the largest Pokémon Center in Japan. Plus, you also have the Tokyo Station Pokémon Store that’s not large enough to be classed as a center.

24. Gopanda Yaki

Three small panda-shaped taiyaki treats, one red, one black, and one orange, from Gopanda Yaki in Tokyo, Japan. The pastries rest on an open palm against a light background.

Gopanda Yaki at Gotanda Tokyu Square is an adorable sweets shop that sells taiyaki in the shape of panda bears.

Their pandas come in their standard dough as well as colored dough, which they change the filling flavors of seasonally. They offer a box with 10 different filling flavors, and I recommend trying them all!

We had plain (no filling), chocolate, custard, red bean paste, and camembert cheese all in the standard dough. In the colored dough, we had strawberry in a pink, vanilla in a black, macadamia nut in an orange, Nishio matcha in a green, and kinako (roasted soybean) flakes in a yellow.

25. Taiyaki from Naruto Taiyaki Honpo Shinbashi Station Store

A hand holds a warm, fish-shaped taiyaki wrapped in paper, with a shop sign blurred in the background, from Naruto Taiyaki Honpo Shinbashi Station Store on the Shimbashi Hidden Gem Food Tour with Arigato Travel in Tokyo, Japan.

Taiyaki is a traditional Japanese fish-shaped pastry that’s traditionally filled with a sweet red bean paste, but flavors like custard, chocolate, and matcha have also become common.

Naruto Taiyaki Honpo Shinbashi Station Store is one of the best places to get taiyaki in Shinbashi. They make them fast and crispy, and they’re filled to the brim with your choice filling.

26. Tokyo Photoshoot with Flytographer

A couple walks arm-in-arm across a bustling Tokyo, Japan city street at night. They are smiling, surrounded by bright neon signs and a lively crowd.

Explore Tokyo with a fun and talented photographer, learn local tips, and capture priceless memories with photogenic backdrops. It’s a win all around!

With Flytographer, you can hire an amazing local photographer for a fun vacation photoshoot. Get wall-worthy photos that allow you to relive your trip as the perfect souvenir.

You can use my link here for $25 off your first Flytographer photoshoot.

Book your Tokyo Flytographer photoshoot here, and get $25 off your first photoshoot.

Tokyo Things to Do Map

Ready to explore all that Tokyo has to offer? Use the map below to plan out your trip around the city!

I hope you have an amazing time with all these fun things to do in Tokyo, Japan!

A laptop displays a detailed travel itinerary for Tokyo with activities and notes. Next to it, a tablet shows a cover reading "Japan: 11 Incredible Days, Tokyo & Kyoto Travel Itinerary."

Ultimate Japan 11 Day Itinerary: Tokyo & Kyoto

Your Japan vacation — planned for you.

Don’t spend any more time stressing about planning your perfect vacation to Tokyo and Kyoto. Get this done-for-you, fully planned itinerary!

Learn more here

Save on Tokyo’s Top Attractions

Want to save big on Tokyo’s top attractions? With The Tokyo Pass you can save on entry to 50 popular attractions.

Visit bucket list attractions and discover the best Tokyo museums, gardens, and experiences. With this pass, you’ll have everything you need right on your phone, saving you both time and money.

Get your Tokyo Pass here.

Top Tokyo Tours

Where to Stay in Tokyo

Where We Stayed (Shinjuku): La’gent Hotel Shinjuku Kabukicho
Where We Stayed (Minato City): Shiba Park Hotel
Top Hotel: The Tokyo Station Hotel
Great Value: Hotel Villa Fontaine Grand Haneda Airport
Unique Stay: The Millennials Shibuya (capsule hotel)

More Japan Travel Tips

Plan the best Japan trip ever with the help of these posts:

Ready to visit Tokyo, Japan? Plan your trip with these tips.

Book your flight: Find the cheapest flights using Skyscanner, my favorite flight search engine.
Find accommodation: You can find top hotels in Tokyo using Booking.com
Pack for your vacation: Make sure you’ve packed everything you need by checking out my packing list resources.

Cheers!

Paige

What are your favorite things to do in Tokyo? Let me know in the comments!