Best Things to Do in Tokyo: 49 Ideas for Every Kind of Trip

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Researched guide · Checked on Nov 11, 2026

Tokyo is huge, and it can be hard to know where to start. This is our list of the best things to do, grouped by what you enjoy, with links to our detailed guides and to tickets you should book ahead.

Classic sights

• Senso-ji and Nakamise in Asakusa: Tokyo’s oldest temple and its lantern-lined shopping street.
• The Shibuya Scramble Crossing: The famous crossing, Hachiko and the shopping streets around it.
• Meiji Jingu and Harajuku: A forest shrine next to Takeshita Street and Omotesando.
• Shinjuku Gyoen and Omoide Yokocho: A huge garden by day, tiny food alleys by night.
• Ueno Park and Akihabara: Museums and Ameyoko market, then anime and games.
• Ginza and Tokyo Station: Department stores, gardens and the red-brick station.

Views from above

• Tokyo Skytree: Japan’s tallest tower. Mt. Fuji on clear days.
• SHIBUYA SKY: Open-air rooftop above the Scramble Crossing. Best at sunset.
• Free night views: The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building and other free decks.

Art and experiences

• teamLab Planets and Borderless: Immersive digital art. Book a time slot.
• Ghibli Museum: Advance tickets only, sold on the 10th of each month.
• Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea: Two parks, one date and one park per ticket.
• Sumo: Tournaments at Ryogoku Kokugikan and morning practice.
• Kabuki: Watch one act at Kabukiza in Ginza.
• Onsen and sento: How to use a Japanese bath.
• Hot springs in Tokyo: city spas and Okutama.
• Parks and gardens: Edo gardens and picnic parks.
• Cycling: See the city by bike share or on a tour.
• Museums: Japanese art, Tokyo history and digital art.
• Baseball: a night game at Tokyo Dome or Jingu Stadium.

Food

• Ramen: Types, ticket machines and manners.
• Sushi: From conveyor belts to omakase.
• Izakaya: Japanese pubs: ordering, drinks and manners.
• Tsukiji Outer Market and Toyosu: Street food and the tuna auction.
• Depachika: Department store food halls.
• Convenience stores: Cheap, good food at any hour.
• Vegetarian and halal food: Where and how to eat with dietary needs.
• Souvenirs and shopping: What to buy and where.

Neighborhoods to explore

• Roppongi and Azabudai: Art museums and city views.
• Shimokitazawa and Kichijoji: Vintage shops and Inokashira Park.
• Ikebukuro: Sunshine City and anime shops.
• Odaiba: Rainbow Bridge views and the waterfront.
• Ebisu and Nakameguro: Food alleys and the Meguro River.
• Yanaka: Old Tokyo streets next to Ueno.
• Ryogoku: Sumo and Edo history.
• Kagurazaka: Cobbled alleys and French cafés.
• Kamata and Haneda: Winged gyoza near the airport.

Seasons

• Cherry blossoms: Late March to early April.
• Autumn leaves: Usually mid-November to early December.
• Winter illuminations: Lights, Christmas and New Year.
• Weather by month: When to go and what to pack.
• Events by month: Festivals, fireworks and sumo dates.

Day trips

• Hakone: Hot springs, lake cruises and the classic loop.
• Mt. Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi: Fuji views and Chureito Pagoda.
• Kamakura: The Great Buddha and the sea.
• Nikko: Toshogu Shrine and Kegon Falls.
• Yokohama: Chinatown and the waterfront.
• Kawagoe: Little Edo.
• Enoshima: An island shrine near the sea.

Plan and book

Put these together with a day-by-day plan for 1, 2, 3, 5 or 7 days, see what to do at night and when it rains, choose a base in Where to stay, and book stays, tickets and tours in one place on our Book page.

Interested in Japanese art and history? See our Tokyo National Museum guide.

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