Things to Do in Tokyo: The Ultimate Guide

• Shibuya Crossing and Center Gai

  Cross with the crowd, then dive into the buzzing lanes of shops, arcades and casual eateries just beyond.

• Akihabara arcades

  Multistory game centers packed with claw machines, rhythm games and retro cabinets that reward the curious.

• teamLab digital art

  Walk through responsive light and mirror rooms that turn art into an experience you move inside of.

• Harajuku street fashion

  Browse bold boutiques and grab a towering crepe along and around Takeshita Street.

• Karaoke in Shinjuku

  Book a private room and sing with friends, a quintessential Tokyo night out for all ages.

• Nakano Broadway

  A warren of shops for anime, vintage toys, watches and collectibles that thrills any hobbyist.

• Sumo at Ryogoku

  During tournament periods you can watch professional sumo in the famous arena, an unforgettable spectacle.

• Kappabashi kitchen street

  Shop for Japanese knives, ceramics and the famous plastic food replicas among restaurant supply stores.

• Baseball at the dome

  Catch a lively professional game with cheering sections, snacks and a distinctly local atmosphere.

• Ride the Yamanote loop

  Circle the city by train and hop off at any station exit to discover a new neighborhood on a whim.

• Meiji Shrine forest walk

  Stroll the gravel path beneath towering torii gates through a tranquil urban forest.

• Senso-ji and Nakamise

  Explore Tokyo's oldest temple grounds and the traditional shopping street leading to it.

• Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

  Ride up to the free observation decks in Shinjuku for a wide city panorama.

• Imperial Palace East Gardens

  Wander former castle grounds with stone ramparts, lawns and seasonal blooms.

• Yanaka old town

  Amble past wooden houses, temples and cat filled lanes in a preserved neighborhood.

• Tsukiji Outer Market browsing

  Soak up the sights and smells of the stalls even if you only window shop.

• Ameyoko market

  Walk the crowded bargain lanes beneath the tracks near Ueno for street food and energy.

• Sumida River walk

  Follow the riverside path for classic views of the Skytree and passing boats.

• Shinjuku and Shibuya window watching

  Take in the free spectacle of neon, screens and crowds after dark.

• Nezu Shrine grounds

  Visit a historic shrine known for its tunnel of red gates and azalea covered hillside.

• Ueno Zoo

  A large, historic zoo in Ueno Park that families have loved for generations.

• National Museum of Nature and Science

  Dinosaurs, a giant whale model and hands on exhibits keep young minds busy in Ueno.

• Ghibli Museum

  A storybook museum of animation magic; reserve dated tickets well in advance.

• Odaiba waterfront

  Malls, bay views and open promenades give kids room to roam by the water.

• Tokyo Skytree

  An exciting elevator ride to sweeping views, with an aquarium in the complex below.

• Inokashira Park

  Swan boats on the pond and shady paths make a relaxed outing near Kichijoji.

• Ueno Park open spaces

  Wide paths, a pond and street performers give families flexible, low cost time outdoors.

• Kidzania style role play centers

  Interactive play cities let children try grown up jobs in a fun, structured setting.

• Yoyogi Park

  A huge green lawn beside Harajuku, perfect for picnics, cycling paths and running around.

• Arcade claw machines

  Bright, easy game centers offer quick wins and prizes that delight younger visitors.

• Golden Gai bar hopping

  Squeeze into tiny, characterful bars packed along the atmospheric alleys of Shinjuku.

• Omoide Yokocho

  Grill smoke and lantern light fill this narrow lane of yakitori counters near Shinjuku Station.

• Ginza galleries and dining

  Browse polished boutiques and art spaces, then settle into an upscale meal.

• Sake and izakaya crawl

  Sample regional sake and small plates while hopping between neighborhood taverns.

• Roppongi art triangle

  Pair major contemporary art museums with skyline views and evening cocktails.

• Kagurazaka backstreets

  Discover a refined district of cobbled lanes, hidden restaurants and geisha history.

• Jazz clubs

  Tokyo has a devoted jazz scene, from intimate basements to storied listening bars.

• Sushi counter dining

  Sit at the counter and let a skilled chef guide you course by course.

• Onsen and sento bathing

  Unwind in a traditional public bath, a deeply local way to end a long day.

• Shimokitazawa vintage and cafes

  Poke through secondhand shops, record stores and coffee bars in a bohemian district.

• Shibuya Sky at sunset

  Share an open air rooftop as the city lights flicker on beneath you.

• Sumida River cruise

  Drift past illuminated bridges and the Skytree on an evening boat.

• Rikugien garden stroll

  Wander a classic landscape garden, especially lovely during seasonal evening light ups.

• Odaiba bay and Rainbow Bridge

  Walk the waterfront hand in hand with the glowing bridge across the bay.

• Tokyo Tower at night

  Admire the tower's warm glow, then find a nearby terrace for a nightcap.

• Nakameguro canal walk

  Follow the tree lined canal to cozy cafes and wine bars, magical in cherry blossom season.

• Hie Shrine quiet visit

  Climb the peaceful tunnel of red gates away from the crowds for a reflective moment together.

• Kagurazaka dinner

  Choose a hidden restaurant down a lantern lit lane for an intimate evening.

• Rooftop garden at a department store

  Escape to a calm sky garden above the shopping bustle for a private pause.

• Yebisu and Daikanyama

  Combine a stylish plaza, bookshops and relaxed dining in an elegant, low key district.

• Shinjuku neon streets

  Wander the dense, glowing blocks around Kabukicho and the station's east side.

• Shibuya Crossing after dark

  The scramble is at its most cinematic when the screens light the rain slicked street.

• Golden Gai

  Tuck into a tiny bar in this warren of alleys for a uniquely Tokyo night.

• Observation deck city views

  Ride up a tower or skyscraper to watch the metropolis spread out in light.

• Omoide Yokocho yakitori

  Eat grilled skewers elbow to elbow in a smoky, lantern lit alley.

• Odaiba illuminations

  Enjoy the bay, the bridge and seasonal lights along the waterfront.

• Late night ramen

  Slurp a bowl at a counter shop, a comforting ritual after a long evening out.

• Akihabara neon and arcades

  The electric town glows brightest at night, with arcades open late.

• River cruise views

  See bridges and towers reflected on the water from an evening boat.

• Live music and jazz bars

  Find an intimate venue for late sets in Shibuya, Shinjuku or beyond.

• teamLab digital art

  Immersive indoor light rooms are perfect when the weather turns; book a timed ticket.

• Tokyo National Museum

  Trace centuries of Japanese art and history under one roof in Ueno.

• Sumida Aquarium

  A modern aquarium at the base of the Skytree, ideal for a rainy afternoon.

• Department store depachika

  Explore lavish basement food halls packed with sweets, bento and samples.

• Nakano Broadway

  Browse floors of hobby and collectible shops entirely indoors.

• Ginza shopping and galleries

  Move between polished stores and art spaces without stepping outside for long.

• Miraikan science museum

  Interactive exhibits on robotics and the future make a great indoor outing in Odaiba.

• Indoor onsen complexes

  Soak, steam and relax at a bathhouse while the rain falls outside.

• Covered shopping arcades

  Duck into roofed shopping streets for browsing, snacks and shelter.

• Coffee shops and kissaten

  Settle into a classic cafe with a book and watch the rain go by.

Tokyo is best understood one district at a time. Each of these areas has a distinct character worth at least half a day of unhurried wandering.

See our full Best Hotels in Tokyo guide for the best areas, and plan smoothly with our Tokyo travel tips.