Tokyo, the capital of Japan, has so much to offer its visitors. You can enjoy the best nightlife, unique dining experiences and creative museums.
Although chances are you've seen photos of Shibuya Crossing - it's pretty iconic, there are so many other fun things to do in Tokyo!
If it's your first time in Japan, also check out my tips for travelling to Japan, the best time to travel to Japan - super useful information! I'd also recommend checking out my ultimate Tokyo travel guide and my Japan travel guide to give you an idea of the lay of the land.
Here are the best things to do in Tokyo (that aren't Shibuya Crossing)!
Visit the Robot Restaurant
The Robot Restaurant puts on a show like no other.
Although you can pay extra for a meal, the real attraction at Robot Restaurant in Toyoko is the cabaret-style show the place puts on, which includes dancing, singing, robots and so much more you'll only find in Japan.
Make sure you take your time sitting down and get your camera ready for all the Instagram-worthy photos. For more on my visit here, check out the Robot Restaurant tour in Toyko.
Go bar-hopping in Golden Gai
If you're looking for things to do in Tokyo at night, check out Golden Gai. This area has hundreds of small bars grouped together in six small alleys.
You'll feel like you've stepped back in time to the 1950s as you stroll through the area.
Takeshita Street
Explore the Harajuku district
Another must-see, Harajuku is the perfect place to people-watch and soak up the young, modern Japanese culture.
Get your nails done at Jill and the Lovers and take a stroll down Takeshita Street. Pop into one of the many vintage shops or sit down in one of the restaurants or cafés.
Meiji-jingu, one of Japan's most famous shrines, and Yoyogi Park, Tokyo's largest park, are both in the district.
Akihabara district
The Akihabara district is a great place to explore in Tokyo for fans of electronics and manga.
Not only is the area home to some of the most popular electronics shops, but it's also a playground for manga fans. Visitors can find figurines, plush toys, books and cosplay outfits dealing with anime and video games in this district.
When planning your visit to the Akihabara district, you'll need a comfortable place to stay. Perhaps, you might consider some of the 4-star hotels in Tokyo at tokyo-hotels-stay.com. This website provides an extensive selection of great accommodations in the city, allowing you to rest well after a day of exploring.
If you are still looking for more options, Look hotels in Tokyo at tophotels.com might be another platform worth visiting. This site offers a wide array of hotels in Tokyo, adaptable to any travel needs or budget.
For visitors seeking a unique blend of comfort and convenience, the Hyatt Regency Tokyo Hotel might be just perfect. Situated in the heart of the city, this hotel offers top-notch services and is in close proximity to the Akihabara district, providing you with easy accessibility to its vibrant attractions.
Ghibli Museum
A favourite thing to do in Tokyo is to visit the Ghibli Museum. This museum showcases Studio Ghibli's anime.
Director Hayao Miyazaki is known as Japan's Walt Disney.
Visitors can learn more about the animation process and admire Miyazaki's work.
The museum has many rooms and exhibitions including short films, inspirational rooms, interactive rooms and even a room with the larger-than-life Cat Bus from 'My Neighbour Totoro'.
The ultimate Japanese culinary experience
Kaiseki meal
If you're a foodie looking for things to do in Tokyo over lunch or dinner, try to find a place that serves a kaiseki meal.
Kaiseki is a dining experience that includes a traditional multi-course tasting meal of seasonal (and beautiful) ingredients.
The meal can include everything from an aperitif, second course, seasonal sashimi, soup, grilled fish, rice dish, pickled vegetables, grilled vegetables and fruit or cakes.
Automatic ramen vending machine
You can't go to Japan without trying ramen!
There are lots of different ramen shops in the city - you'll have to try a few and report back on your favourite. But the coolest part in my opinion?
Many ramen shops have vending machines, but not vending machines in the American sense....
These machines allow you to personalise the dishes! In the end, instead of food coming out, a ticket is scattered around. The ticket can then be taken to the kitchen where the food will be prepared.
You can also check out local food to try in Japan, which goes beyond other dishes not to be missed during your stay in Japan.
Visit Memory Lane
Memory Lane, or Omoide Yokocho, is a small lane lined with restaurants and food stalls.
It was once known as Piss Alley from its post-WW2 roots when toilets were non-existent. Don't worry - it's just a name these days and it's much cleaner.
Today, visitors can eat in one of the small restaurants that can only accommodate half a dozen customers.
Dive into a Culinary Adventure
Japan invites you to immerse yourself in its culinary culture, and there's no better way to explore the diverse cuisine than embarking on a Food Exploration around Tokyo. This gastronomic journey is not just about trying new flavors, but also a pathway to understanding the richness of Japanese culture and tradition. Plus, sampling food on these tours also gives you the added bonus of learning to navigate Tokyo's bustling street food scene.
Bonus: cosplay karting
Love cosplay and go-karting? Why not do both! One of the most unique things to do in Tokyo is Cosplay Go-Karting.
Dress up as your favourite character and race through the streets of Tokyo in a go-kart. Tours can last an hour or two and take you through the streets of Tokyo and past some of the main attractions.
Have you ever been to Tokyo? What are your suggestions for things to do in Tokyo? I'd love to know in the comments below!
