Things to do
The 12 things to do in Tokyo
Tokyo’s scale means even a week leaves entire neighborhoods unexplored. These 12 things consistently top the list for travelers experiencing the city for the first time — a balance of iconic, contemporary, food-led, and the kind of moments you can’t have anywhere else.
Sunrise (or sunset) at Shibuya Crossing
Stand inside the world’s busiest pedestrian intersection. Around 2,500 people cross every light cycle at peak times.
- Why do it
- It’s the visual shorthand for Tokyo. The Shibuya Sky observatory above gives you the bird’s-eye view back down.
- How long
- 30-60 minutes; Shibuya Sky needs 1.5 hours
- What it costs
- Free at street level; Shibuya Sky ¥3,500 ($24)
- When to go
- Evening rush (5-7pm) is most photogenic; weekday early mornings are calm.
Tsukiji Outer Market for breakfast
The wholesale fish market moved to Toyosu in 2018, but the outer market remains the soul of Tokyo’s food culture — sushi for breakfast, tamagoyaki on sticks, fresh uni.
- Why do it
- Best concentrated street-food experience in Tokyo. Workshops, sushi counters, and walking-around eating.
- How long
- 2-3 hours
- What it costs
- ¥2,000-5,000 ($14-34) depending on what you eat
- When to go
- 7-10am on weekdays. Closed Sunday and some Wednesdays.
Meiji Shrine in Yoyogi Park
Shinto shrine in 175 acres of forested park — a 10-minute walk from Harajuku Station.
- Why do it
- The contrast between deeply still forest and central Tokyo’s energy is what makes it work. Time it for early morning before tour buses arrive.
- How long
- 1.5-2 hours
- What it costs
- Free
- When to go
- 8-10am for stillness; weekend mornings sometimes have traditional Shinto wedding processions.
Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa
Tokyo’s oldest temple. Walk the Nakamise shopping street up to the temple gate; the temple itself is just one part of the larger Asakusa neighborhood.
- Why do it
- The most photogenic temple in Tokyo and a glimpse of pre-war Edo. The five-story pagoda lit up at night is striking.
- How long
- 2-3 hours including Nakamise wandering
- What it costs
- Free
- When to go
- Pre-9am for crowd-free photos. Evening (after 6pm) is quieter with the temple lit up.
Sushi at a real counter
Sit at a sushi counter where the chef makes pieces in front of you, one at a time. Avoid conveyor-belt chains for at least one meal.
- Why do it
- Tokyo has the highest density of world-class sushi anywhere. Mid-range counter omakase (chef’s choice) is genuinely affordable for what you get.
- How long
- 1-1.5 hours
- What it costs
- Lunch omakase ¥5,000-12,000 ($35-85); dinner ¥15,000-40,000 ($100-275)
- When to go
- Lunch counters at Tsukiji or Sushizanmai are the gateway. For dinner, book Sukiyabashi Honten (Toyosu) or Sushi Saito (extremely competitive).
Tea ceremony or kaiseki dinner
Tea ceremony at Hama-rikyu garden’s teahouse, or kaiseki multi-course traditional dinner at a ryotei.
- Why do it
- Slowing down to one of the oldest formal aesthetic experiences in Japan is a genuine contrast to Tokyo’s pace.
- How long
- Tea: 45 min; Kaiseki: 2-3 hours
- What it costs
- Tea ceremony ¥800-2,000 ($6-14); kaiseki ¥15,000-50,000 ($100-340)
- When to go
- Hama-rikyu’s teahouse is open daily 9am-4:30pm. Kaiseki requires advance booking.
TeamLab Borderless or Planets
Digital art installations that have become Tokyo’s most photographed contemporary cultural experience.
- Why do it
- Genuinely unlike any other immersive experience — not gimmick, art. Plan around the Toyosu (Planets) or new Azabudai Hills (Borderless) location.
- How long
- 2-3 hours
- What it costs
- ¥3,800-4,500 ($26-31)
- When to go
- Book days ahead. Weekday afternoons are calmest.
Ramen at a counter you’d never find without help
Tokyo’s ramen scene is hyper-specialized — tonkotsu, shio, shoyu, miso, tsukemen all have entire shops devoted to one regional style.
- Why do it
- Even at famous shops, lunch ramen is ¥1,000-1,500 ($7-10). The line at Ichiran or the bowls at Ginza Kagari or Tsuta (Michelin-starred) are genuine experiences.
- How long
- 30-45 min including queue
- What it costs
- ¥900-1,800 ($6-12)
- When to go
- Late lunch (2-3pm) or late night (after 9pm) avoids the worst lines.
Day trip to Kamakura or Hakone
Coastal temple town (Kamakura) or hot-spring mountain area with Mt. Fuji views (Hakone).
- Why do it
- Tokyo’s intensity benefits from a counterpoint day. Both are 60-90 min by train.
- How long
- Full day
- What it costs
- ¥3,000-7,000 ($20-48) train + entries
- When to go
- Weekday. See our day-trips-from-tokyo guide for full breakdown.
Shinjuku at night (Omoide Yokocho + Golden Gai)
Omoide Yokocho is a yakitori alley behind Shinjuku station; Golden Gai is six narrow lanes of tiny bars (5-15 seats each) tucked behind Kabukicho.
- Why do it
- The pre-war Tokyo atmosphere that survives in the chaos of modern Shinjuku. Drinking culture at its most intimate.
- How long
- 2-3 hours
- What it costs
- Dinner + drinks ¥4,000-8,000 ($27-55)
- When to go
- After 7pm. Friday/Saturday are crushing — Tuesday-Thursday are perfect.
Robot Restaurant alternatives (immersive show)
The original Robot Restaurant closed in 2020; alternatives include Samurai Restaurant (Shinjuku) and lighter immersive shows.
- Why do it
- Pure spectacle entertainment unique to Tokyo. Even cynical travelers come out smiling.
- How long
- 1.5-2 hours
- What it costs
- ¥8,000-9,500 ($55-65)
- When to go
- Pre-book online for cheapest prices.
Cherry blossom (sakura) viewing — if your timing aligns
Late March to early April. Shinjuku Gyoen, Ueno Park, Meguro River, and Chidorigafuchi (Imperial Palace moat) are the four iconic spots.
- Why do it
- There’s no equivalent in any other city. The two-week window is a national focus and shapes daily life.
- How long
- 2-4 hours per spot
- What it costs
- Free at most spots; Shinjuku Gyoen ¥500 ($3.50)
- When to go
- Last week of March is usually peak. Check official forecasts (sakura zensen) for exact timing.