Posted: 11/23/2019 | November 23rd, 2019

Tokyo is an incredible, enormous city home to over 10 million people. It’s the capital of Japan and home to a large variety of fun, historic, and quirky attractions. From the world’s largest tuna auction and the Imperial palace to robot restaurants and vampire cafés, Tokyo really does have something for everyone.

Whether you’re here for a short stopover or living here as an expat, you’ll be able to find plenty of ways to pass the time and get a feel for the organized chaos that is Tokyo. To help you make the most out of your trip, here are the best things to see and do in Tokyo:

1. check out the Fish Market

The Tsukiji Fish Market was one of the most famous staples of the city. In 2018, the market moved to Toyosu and is now twice the size of the original Tsukiji market. In fact, the new market is the largest fish market in the entire world. While you’ll need a visitor’s pass to enter (you can get one on arrival) the pass is complimentary (which indicates you’ll have a lot more money to spend on sushi!)

There are over 600 vendors here selling fresh fish as well as fresh fruits and vegetables. Gorge on sushi and marvel at the chaotic atmosphere of the world’s largest tuna market. The tuna auction here powers much of the world’s sushi supply, and it is genuinely a sight to be seen. You can also see a model of the largest tuna ever sold at Tsujiki — which weighed 500kg (1,100lbs!).

In addition to the new market, the old outer market at Tsukiji still has plenty of restaurants and shops. You can still head there to eat and look around, though all the action is now at Toyosu. Be sure to arrive early to beat the crowds (especially on Saturdays).

Tsukiji Fish Market: 5 Chome-2-1 Tsukiji, Chuo, +81 3-3542-1111. Admission is free. Toyosu Fish Market: 6 Chome-6-2 Toyosu, Koto, +81 3-3520-8205. open Monday-Saturday from 5am-5pm, though a lot of shops don’t open until 7am. Admission is free.

2. explore by the Imperial Palace

The Imperial palace is the official home of the Emperor of Japan. It’s a excellent spot to learn about Japan’s history and culture. formerly Edo Castle, the palace was built in the 15th century, and some of the walls and moats from that time are still in use to this day. When the Emperor moved from Kyoto to Tokyo in 1869, he took Edo for his new palace and renamed it the Imperial Palace.

You can’t go inside (or even get incredibly close), however, the building itself is both regal and tranquil and a terrific place to kick back or snap some photos. The palace is surrounded by stunning grounds and a park, and there’s a moat around the enormous stone walls. Admission to the grounds is free.

3. Experience a Tea Ceremony

No check out to Japan is complete without experiencing a standard tea ceremony. Tea was brought to Japan in the 9th century by a Buddhist monk and by the 12th century, the ceremony began to take shape. While these ceremonies are normally long (not to mention expensive), there are plenty of budget-friendly options for any individual seeking to experience one without breaking the bank. here are a few budget-friednly tea ceremonies in Tokyo worth checking out:

Kyoto-kan (500 JPY per person, Yanmar Tokyo building 1F 2-1-1)

Nadeshiko (2,700-4,400 JPY per person, 2-7-24-2F Asakusa)

The way of Tea (5,500 JPY per person, Coredo Muromachi 3 3F)

4. kick back in Ueno Park

Ueno Park is a kicking back and stunning spot to kick back for a few hours (or an entire day if you’re not in a rush). It’s a tranquil spot to photograph the lots of cherry trees that line the park (which blossom in April and are a substantial vacationer draw) or to have a picnic on a sunny summer afternoon.

There are also a few crucial things to see in the park as well. here are a few sights in the park you must make time to visit:

Tokyo national museum – well established in 1872, this museum is located in the north end of the park and houses one of the world’s largest collections of art and artifacts from Asia, particularly Japan. 13-9 Uenokoen, Taito, +81 3-3822-1111, tnm.jp. open daily 9:30am-5pm (8pm on a lot of Fridays). Admission is 620 JPY.

Tosho-gu Shrine – This is a 17th-century Shinto shrine with sensational gold doors and ornate carvings. 9-88 Uenokoen, Taito, +81 3-3822-3455, uenotoshogu.com/en. open daily 9am-5:30pm. Admission is free, though to go additionally into the shrine, you’ll have to pay 500 JPY.

National museum of Western Art – opened in 1959, this is one of the only art galleries in the country to focus on Western art. The collection is comprised of 5,000 pieces, dating from the Renaissance all the way to the 20th century. There are works by Van Gogh, Monet, Renoir, and Picasso as well as sculptures dating back to the 14th century.7-7 Uenokoen, +81 3-3828-5131 , nmwa.go.jp. open Tuesday-Sunday 9:30am-5:30pm (8pm on Fridays). Admission is 500 JPY for adults, 250 for college students, and complimentary for seniors and any individual under 18.

5. eat at the Robot Restaurant

This restaurant, literally called Robot Restaurant, is an absolute sensory overload. it has lasers, robots, monsters, music, dancing and much, much more! Sure, it may be a bit of a vacationer trap (aka it’s not cheap), but it is an epic dining experience unlike anything you’ve ever seen. It’s absolutely worth the price if you want to do something completely out of the common — and something decidedly Japanese.

1 Chome-7-1 Kabukicho, +81 3-3200-5500, shinjuku-robot.com/pc. There are three performances a day on weekdays starting at 4:45pm, with afternoon matinees on weekends.

6. Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum

This small museum used to be the official residence of the prince and Princess Asaka. built in 1933, the building itself was influenced by the art deco movement in Paris. The prince had studied in Paris and wanted to bring the art deco style to Japan, for this reason the building’s style and decorations. In 1983, the residence transitioned into a museum and is now home to a rotating series of modern art exhibitions. See their web site for information on what exhibits are available.

5-21-9 Shirokanedai, +81 3-3443-0201, teien-art-museum.ne.jp/en. open daily 10am-6pm. Admission is 200 JPY, with discounts available for students, children, and seniors.

7. stroll Along the Meguro River

The Meguro River weaves nearly five miles through the city and makes for a spectacular stroll. There’s a path with a bit of green space that follows the water, so plenty of locals walk or exercise there. In the spring, you’ll be able to see a lot of cherry blossoms as you walk along the banks of the river as well.

While the walk is great at any time of year, late March to early April is when the cherry blossoms will be in bloom. While there will be a lot of people then (cherry blossom checking out is a national pastime) you’ll be rewarded with some stunning scenery in the heart of the metropolis.

8. check out Asakusa

If you want to check out some of Tokyo’s historic and culturally-significant religious sites, be sure to spend some time wandering around Asakusa. two places that I’d suggest you check out are:

Senso-ji – This is Tokyo’s a lot of popular (and arguably a lot of famous) temple. It’s beautifully painted and sits in a picturesque spot near a pagoda and the Kaminari Gate. There’s a substantial statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, inside the main hall. It’s busy during the day so goal to check out in the evening to beat the crowds. 2 Chome-3-1 Asakusa, Taito, +81 3-3842-0181, senso-ji.jp. The grounds are open 24/7, though the temple itself is open daily 6am-5pm. Admission is free.

Asakusa Shrine – This is a Shinto shrine located near Senso-ji. It’s much a lot more serene and less busy than Senso-ji as well. It was built during the Edo period and miraculously survived the air raids of world war II. 2 Chome-3-1 Asakusa, Taito, +81 3-3844-1575, asakusajinja.jp. open daily 9am-4:30pm. Admission is free.

9. have dinner with Ninjas

For another special dining experience, head to Ninja Akasaka. It’s a novelty ninja-themed restaurant created like an Edo-era building. The waitstaff are clothed in stereotypical all-black garb and trained in all sorts of basic tricks, sleight of hand, and illusions. You’ll buy off old scrolls while being entertained by the skillful tricks of your server. The food isn’t anything special it’s incredibly fun and the atmosphere is unique.

Tokyu Plaza Akasaka, +81 3-5157-3936, ninjaakasaka.com. open daily 5pm-10:30pm (9:45pm on Sundays)

10. drink in golden Gai

If you are trying to find something interesting to do at night, this alley of backstreet bars is a amazing spot to start at. There isn’t much going on here during the day, but come sundown, these zigzag hallways and closet-sized beer rooms are filled with interesting people and low-cost drinks. There are 6 alleys connected by narrow passageways only large enough for 1 or 2 people, making it a rather special place to start your night out on the town. It’s located in Shinjuku.

11. check out the national Art Center

Opened in 2007, this museum and gallery doesn’t actually have a permanent collection but rather houses a never-ending series of momentary exhibitions, from impressionism to modern art (the Monet exhibition that was held here in 2007 was the most checked out exhibition in svet). There are upwars ofr 60+ exhibitons annually so check their web site to see what is currently being shown.

7 Chome-22-2 Roppongi, +81 3-5777-8600, nact.jp. open Wednesday-Monday 10am-5:30pm. Admission varies by exhibit.

12. eat below the Girders

Not far from Ginza is the Yurakucho neighborhood. below the elevated train tracks at Yurakucho station is a 700m-long stretch of restaurants and bars. There are white wine bars, beer pubs, and casual restaurants filled with businessmen. If you want to get a sense of local city life, this isa good neighborhood to explore after the workday is over.

13. Superhero Go-Karting

If you’re a video game fan (or just want to do something different), check out street Kart. This is a real-life Mario Bros. go-kart company that lets you dress up and race around the city. As long as you have an international driving permit (which you can get if you have a valid driver’s license), you can take part, racing around the city dressed up as Mario, Yoshi, or even Spiderman.

4-12-9 Sotokanda, +81 80-8899-8899, maricar.com/en/akihabara.html. open daily 10am-10pm. The course will take 1-2 hours and costs 9,000 JPY per person. There are multiple locations around the city.

14. check out a Sento

A sento is a standard (and communal) Japanese public bathhouse. In the past, private baths were rare as accommodations in Japan are notoriously small. While private baths are much a lot more commo today, sentos remaining crucial cultural hubs. The Japanese are not shy in sentos so you need to be comfortable with nudity! They are usually separated by gender. A budget-friendly sento will cost you just under 1,000 JPY. just keep in mind that lots of have policies against tattoos.

15. check out a Quirky Café

Tokyo has all sorts of odd and terrific cafés. Monster cafés, cat cafés, pet dog cafés, owl cafés, vampire cafés, and much more! If you can think of it, there is probably a café for it somewhere in the city. If you’re trying to find something unusual to do (or just want a place to kick back after exploring) then take a look and see what odd and quirky cafés are near you (they’re all around the city so you never have to go far to find one!).

Here are some ideas to help you get started:

Kawaii Monster Café

Vampire Café

Christon Café (Christian-themed café)

Dog Heart (dog café)

Cat Café Calico

16. See Shibuya Crossing

This is normally considered to be the busiest (and a lot of famous) intersection in the world. This nearby metro station transports 2.4 million people per day and it’s estimated that upwards of 2,500 cross it at a time during rush hour. At night, the interaction is buzzing. futuristic bright lights line the streets, with billboards playing videos and ads. It has a sci-fi feel to it (it kind of reminds me of Times Square on steroids).

While you’re here, make sure to check out the statue between Shibuya station and the intersection. It’s a tribute to Hachiko, a devoted pet dog who waited for its master each day for 9 years, not knowing his owner had passed away. The pet dog is something of a national icon in Japan, and the story was made popular by the film Hachi: A Dog’s Tale.

17. stroll around Shimokitazawa

Brimming with vintage shops, this Bohemian neighborhood is typically compared to new York’s east Village. It’s a terrific example of the quieter side of Tokyo and uses some a lot more kicking back streets to wander and window shop. Whether you’re seeking to shop or just want to take in the scene, this is a amazing neighborhood to explore for a couple of hours.

18. gaze at Mt. Fuji from Hakone

If you want to take a day trip (or a multi-day trip) from the city, consider going to Hakone. It’s located just over an hour from Tokyo and is one of the best places to get away from the city, kick back for a few days, and take in the view of mount Fuji. There are many guesthouses in the area, lots of with their own private onsen (natural hot springs), making it a terrific place to choose a romantic vacation or if you just want to pamper yourself.

If you have the Japan Rail Pass you can get here for free.

19. Hang with the Harajuku Girls

Harajuku is an electric and quirky part of town known for its fashion, vintage stores, and cosplay shops. As you wander, you’ll typically see “Harajuku girls” walking around town in special clothing and colorful hairstyles (imagine a 1990s Gwen Stefani video come to life). In addition to all of the avant-garde fashion, there are also tons of trendy restaurants in the area as well. and there is also a monthly Harajuku fashion walk which highlights the costumed cos-players of the city as they parade a