26 Cool Things to Do in Tokyo, Japan (2024)

Tokyo is a city like no other. Sure, you can visit museums and temples and eat at one of the thousands of delicious restaurants, but you can also do things you can’t do anywhere else.

We’ve had some of our craziest experiences in this giant metropolis and spend our time feeling bewildered, enchanted, and 100% safe.

Here are our favourite unique, weird, and just downright cool things to do in Tokyo. We’ve spent more than a month in Japan’s capital over the years and never get bored.

At the end of the post, you’ll find a map of all these fun Tokyo activities plus tips for exploring the city including where to stay and how to get around. 

Contents

• Video: What to Do in Tokyo
• Fun Things to Do in Tokyo, Japan
• Traditional Things to Do in Tokyo
• Foodie Things to Do in Tokyo
• Things to Do in Tokyo at Night
• Our Tokyo Bucket List for Next Time
• Tokyo Activities Map
• Where to Stay in Tokyo
• Getting Around Tokyo
• More Japan Posts
• Summary

Video: What to Do in Tokyo

Discover the best things to do in Tokyo in this short video. 

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Fun Things to Do in Tokyo, Japan

1) Cosplay Go-Karting

Dressing up as your favourite character and driving a go-kart around the Tokyo streets has to be the coolest thing you can do in Tokyo.

Yes, you drive a tiny go-kart on the real streets of Tokyo amongst cars, buses, and trucks!

Go-karting was a dream come true for Simon, but as I hadn’t driven in years, I spent the first half of the tour terrified and the second half having so much fun!

It’s a surreal experience as you drive past skyscrapers and tiny shrines, busy crossings and quiet residential neighbourhoods, all while people stare, wave, and take your photo.

The go-karts are easy to operate, but you need an international driving permit, so make sure you get one before leaving your home country. This is essential and many people miss out by not bringing one.

I recommend choosing a start time just before sunset so you can experience the city in the golden hour as well as the neon lights after dark.

Note: This used to be called Maricar and you could dress up as Mario characters, but Nintendo shut that down. It’s now a similar experience called Monkey Kart where you can choose from a range of costumes.  

Details: This one-hour Go-Kart Tour with Monkey Kart costs $121 including costume rental and photos. It takes you to iconic Tokyo places like the Skytree and the geeky neighbourhood Akihabara. Check availability here.

Alternatively, there’s a 1.5 hour Go-Kart Tour to Shibuya Crossing, Harajuku and Tokyo Tower.

2) Tokyo DisneySea

It might seem a waste to spend a day of your Tokyo trip at Disney, but DisneySea is unlike any of the other Disney parks in the world (and is our favourite).

The nautical theme park features eight ports inspired by real places and ocean legends including American Waterfront, Mediterranean Harbor (which looks just like Italy), Arabian Coast, and the unique Mysterious Island complete with erupting volcano.

Attractions are more adult-orientated than at neighbouring park Tokyo Disneyland and you can even see a Broadway show and have a cocktail in a 1920s lounge aboard a cruise liner.

It’s such a fun day out! Read about our favourite DisneySea rides including a recommended itinerary for adults and tips for avoiding the crowds.

Tokyo Disneyland is the more classic Disney park with the fairytale castle and much-loved rides like Space and Splash Mountains. If you have the time, spend a day at each. 

Although Tokyo Disney is easily doable as a day trip from the city, our new favourite way to experience it is to spend a few nights at the luxurious Hotel MiraCosta, right inside DisneySea. It’s expensive and hard to book, but you can’t beat the location and harbour views!

Details: Tokyo DisneySea ticket prices vary depending on the date. One-day tickets cost from 7900 yen ($55) and must be booked online. The Tokyo Disney website doesn’t work well for international cards, so we use authorised agent Klook instead (just show the QR code to enter). Buy your Tokyo Disney e-ticket on Klook here.

3) Robot Restaurant (Temporarily Closed)

Update: Robot Restaurant is currently closed. It was due to reopen in May 2023 but it was delayed with no new opening date announced. I’ll keep this post updated. In the meantime, the new Samurai Restaurant opened in Shinjuku in 2023 and offers a similar over-the-top experience (over 18s only due to the location not content).

The Robot Restaurant is not a restaurant and there aren’t many robots, but this show is one of the weirdest things to do in Tokyo.

The energetic, wild performance features robots, dragons, ninjas, blue-haired dancers, creepy clowns, guitarists on swings, drums, a whole lot of neon lights, and really loud music.

Is it for you? Read Simon’s entertaining Robot Restaurant review to find out.

4) TeamLab Planets Digital Art Show (or the New TeamLab Borderless)

The digital art show TeamLab Planets is one of the most Instagrammable things to do in Tokyo. But this unusual interactive museum is well worth visiting even if you aren’t planning to take the perfect photo.

TeamLab exhibitions are unlike anything we’ve experienced before. Their immersive displays use lights, projections, and sounds in creative ways and dissolve the boundaries between the viewer and the art.

It’s colourful, surreal, and surprising.

See our TeamLab Planets review for everything you need to know (including what to wear and how wet you’ll get).

There are now two TeamLab shows in Tokyo:

TeamLab Borderless in Odaiba closed in 2022 but reopened in a new permanent location (Azabudai Hills) in February 2024. We loved the original exhibition and this new version (with two new exhibits) looks even more impressive.

TeamLab Planets is just as incredible (if smaller) and features two gardens. Our favourite rooms are the koi pond, where you walk through water amongst colourful digital fish, and the orchid garden, where thousands of real flowers float above you.

There’s also a vegan ramen shop onsite where you can dine surrounded by digital art. It’s our favourite ramen in Tokyo, so don’t miss it.

TeamLab Planets is one of the most unique things to do in Tokyo so I highly recommend visiting (or check out TeamLab Borderless).

Details: Entrance costs from 3800 yen ($26) and it’s important to book in advance (ideally 1-2 months to get your preferred time slot) as it often sells out. Buy TeamLab Planets tickets here.

TeamLab Planets is open from 9 am – 10 pm most days (with occasional closing days). It gets very busy so avoid weekends and public holidays and book the first slot if you can.

TeamLab Planets is located a 10-minute walk from Toyosu Station. From Shinkuku Station take the Shinjuku Line to Ichigaya Station then switch to the Yurakucho Line to Toyosu. Allow about 45 minutes for the trip.

The new TeamLab Borderless is in Azabudai Hills. You can buy discounted tickets on Klook or purchase direct from TeamLab.

5) Ghibli Museum

If you’re a Studio Ghibli fan, don’t miss the whimsical Ghibli Museum.

Most of the exhibits and short animations are in Japanese, but it’s still cool to see props and drawings from classic films like Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro.

When we visited there was a special exhibition on the food that the characters in the films eat. The attention to detail in every second of the films is astounding.

Details: It’s essential to book tickets in advance—you can find the details on the Ghibli Museum website. Tickets cost 1000 yen ($7).

We booked ours online through Lawson—tickets go on sale at 10am JST on the 10th of each month for the following month and sell out quickly. So, if you are visiting Tokyo in November, you must book on 10 October.

The museum is open from 10am – 6pm. It’s closed on most Tuesdays and occasional random weeks.

It’s a 15-minute walk from Mitaka Station and a little longer from Kitoji Station through a pleasant park. Don’t forget your passport and printed tickets (Lawson convenience stores have self-service printers with an English option).

6) Wander Harajuku

Harajuku is Tokyo’s youth neighbourhood with Takeshita Street at its heart. It’s one of the most vibrant and fun places in Tokyo. 

It gets super crowded on weekends, but it’s worth wandering around to see the cosplay kids, browse the quirky fashion stores, and eat from one of the popular crepe stands—crepe stuffed with a slice of cheesecake, anyone?

Nearby you can also visit the elegant shopping street Omotesando, the Meiji shrine within Yoyogi Park, and the Ota Museum (see below).

We also like shopping for high-quality souvenir stickers at B-Side and getting cute coffees at Reissue (see below).

Details: Take the train to Harajuku Station and follow the crowds. Or to explore with a local guide, take this Shibuya and Harajuku Hidden Gems private tour.

7) See Harry Potter Sets on the Warner Bros. Studio Tour

The Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo – The Making of Harry Potter opened in 2023 and is a must for Harry Potter fans (unless you’ve visited the similar studio in London).

The self-guided studio tour features sets, costumes, and props from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts movies.

There are plenty of photo ops and immersive experiences like riding a broomstick and drinking butterbeer. The attention to detail and enormous amount of work that went into making the films is so impressive.

The experience is even more fun if you buy Hogwarts robes in the shop before your visit, as we did.

It’s a vast attraction, so allow at least four hours.

Details: Adult tickets cost 6300 yen ($44) and must be booked online (2-3 months in advance for a morning start time). You can buy on the Studio Tour website or from Klook (I found they had different times available).

It’s usually open from 9am to 7pm, and it’s best to start no later than 2pm (some people spend all day here).

The Studio is a short walk from Toshimaen Station, which is 20 minutes from Shinjuku Station on the Oedo Line.

8) Explore the Cool Neighbourhood of Shimokitazawa

Shimokitazawa is one of our favourite neighbourhoods in Tokyo. This trendy area is popular with young Japanese for its vintage clothes and record stores, funky cafes (with good vegan options), and bars with live music.

While it’s lively on weekends, it’s on a smaller scale than Shibuya and Shinjuku and is a fun place to wander and people-watch (we even saw someone walking a ferret!).

Don’t miss Reload, a cool new complex with restaurants, shops, and an art exhibition. Simon loves the Ogawa Coffee Laboratory, where you learn how to brew the perfect cup.

I recommend combining shopping and eating in Shimokitazawa with a Totoro cream puff from Shiro-Hige’s and the Gotokuji Temple (see below).

Details: Shimokitazawa Station is a 3-minute train ride from Shibuya Station on the Keio Inokashira Line or 7 minutes from Shinjuku on the Odakyu Line.

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Traditional Things to Do in Tokyo

9) Sensoji Temple

Sensoji is a Buddhist temple in Asakusa, one of Tokyo’s most traditional neighbourhoods where you can still find old wooden shops amongst the concrete. It’s one of the most beautiful things to see in Tokyo. 

The vibrant red temple gets crowded, but you can escape by wandering off through the gardens to one of the quieter shrines.

In the main area, make sure to get your fortune told and cover yourself in incense for good luck.

Nearby head up to the 8th floor of the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Centre opposite Asakusa Station for free views of the Tokyo Skytree (the world’s tallest tower) and the Nakamise shopping street leading to Sensoji.

Details: Take the Ginza subway line to Asakusa. Entrance is free and the temple grounds are always open.

10) Ota Memorial Museum of Art

The Ota Memorial Museum in Harajuku is a small gallery with changing exhibits of beautiful ukiyo-e, Japanese woodblock prints.

We were lucky enough to see the 36 Views of Mount Fuji by Hokusai including the famous Great Wave off Kanagawa.

Details: 800 – 1200 yen ($6-8) entrance fee depending on the current exhibition. It’s open from 10.30am – 5.30pm. Closed on Mondays and for certain holidays (check the calendar on their website). Take the train to Harajuku Station.

11) Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

This beautiful park is at its best when the cherry blossoms are blooming or the autumn leaves have turned red, but even in late summer, we enjoy strolling past the ponds, pagodas, and teahouse.

There are Japanese, French, and English gardens.

It’s a wonderful oasis from the busy city and having a picnic on the large lawns here is one of our favourite things to do in Shinjuku, especially under the cherry blossoms. They have late blooming blossoms if you miss the main early April season.

Shinjuku Gyoen is also one of the best places in the area for a morning run (worth the entrance fee), but you have to stick to the outside loop.

Details: Entrance to Shinjuku Gyoen is 500 yen ($3.50). Tap in with your IC transport card to avoid the ticket queues. Open 9 am – 4pm. Closed on Mondays.

The Shinjuku Gate entrance is a 10-minute walk from the New South Exit of Shinjuku Station.

12) Watch Sumo

Japan’s national sport is steeped in tradition and sumo matches still include rituals that date back to its origins as part of the Shinto religion.

Sumo wrestling tournaments take place in Tokyo in January, May and September, each lasting for 15 days. If you are visiting at this time, try to get a ticket.

During the rest of the year you can attend a practice session at a sumo stable, which was one of our most memorable Tokyo activities.

At sumo training sessions you are much closer to the action, but you must stay absolutely quiet while sitting on the floor as you watch (for 1-2 hours).

It is a fascinating and intimate experience seeing these immensely powerful sumotori stretch and spar just a few metres away on the dirt dohyo (ring) that looks like it hasn’t changed in a century.

I recommend the novel The Street of a Thousand Blossoms for an insight into sumo culture. 

Details: We did this Sumo Morning Practice Viewing Tour. We met our guide at 7.30am at JR Ryogoku Station. He explained what to expect and then we walked 10 minutes to the stable, where we watched the training from 8am – 9.30am (timings vary).

13) Gotokuji Lucky Cat Temple

In shops and cafes in Japan, you’ll often see figurines of the maneki-neko or beckoning cat, which is believed to bring good luck.

Gotokuji Temple is known as the birthplace of the maneki-neko and is well worth a visit, especially for cat lovers.

Located in a pleasant residential neighbourhood in Setagaya, the temple is a peaceful place to wander and see the thousands of maneki-neko statues.

There’s a temple shop where you can buy your own cat, but most sizes had sold out on our visit, and there was a limit of one per person. We got a teeny tiny one for 500 yen.

Details: Gotokuji is open from 6am – 5pm (the shop opens at 8am). Entrance is free. It’s a 10-minute walk from Gotokuji Station, which is 4 minutes by train from Shimokitazawa or 16 minutes from Shinjuku. Look out for the cat train on the Setagaya line.

14) Quiet Temples and Vegan Food in Jiyugaoka

The crowds in Tokyo can get a bit much, so we were pleasantly surprised to discover Jōshinji, a peaceful temple in the woods just a short walk from the bustling centre of Jiyugaoka.

This neighbourhood isn’t often visited by foreigners, but it’s popular with locals for its stylish shops, dessert cafes, and European ambience. We were there for lunch at Saido, one of the best vegan restaurants in Tokyo (advance bookings essential).

Combined with Jōshinji and Jiyūgaoka Kumano-Jinja, it was a fun afternoon in a quieter part of Tokyo.

Details: Jiyugaoka Station is a 10-minute train ride from Shibuya. It’s a 10-minute walk to Jōshinji from the station.

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Foodie Things to Do in Tokyo

Tokyo is foodie heaven with some of the best eating in the world from cheap eats to fine dining.

Even vegetarians are well-catered for, as long as you know where to look—see our picks for the best vegetarian restaurants in Tokyo.

15) Splurge on a Kaiseki Meal

Kaiseki is a traditional Japanese multi-course tasting meal using seasonal, beautifully presented ingredients.

Enjoying one of these exquisite meals in a private tatami mat room is a memorable experience.

They are expensive, so it’s best to go for lunch, which is much cheaper than dinner. Savor Japan has a list of kaiseki restaurants to try. 

Vegetarians don’t have to miss out—shojin ryori or fucha ryori is the Zen Buddhist vegan equivalent of kaiseki.

We had a wonderful 12-course meal at Bon, a beautiful and tranquil space with miniature gardens, fountains, and private tatami mat rooms with sliding paper doors. Our vegetarian Tokyo guide has more details.

16) Sakurai Japanese Tea Experience

Sakurai Tea Experience is a must do in Tokyo for green tea lovers. It’s much more than a cafe—it’s a whole experience, a modern take on traditional tea making, and a serene escape from the city.

The stylish, minimalist space seats just eight people at the counter, where you watch the tea masters at work, brewing each drink with meticulous care.

You can choose just one tea, but I highly recommend going for the full Tea Course experience.

You start with exquisite gyokuro (grown in the shade) brewed in three ways, move on to hojicha (straight from the roasting pan), and finish with umami-rich matcha. Each is accompanied by a sweet or savoury snack.

I loved it here so much I didn’t want to leave (even after 90 minutes). On our next visit, I want to return to sample their tea cocktails.

Details: Sakurai Tea Experience is on the 5th floor of the Spiral shopping mall. It’s a 15-minute walk from Shibuya Station or one minute from Omotesando Station. It’s open from 11am – 8pm (11pm on weekdays when it turns into a bar).

Booking is essential (ideally a month in advance if you have a specific time in mind) and is easily done on Tablecheck. The Tea Course costs 5500 yen ($38).

17) Order Ramen from a Vending Machine

Don’t worry, you won’t be eating instant ramen! At many ramen restaurants in Tokyo you order your meal and pay at the vending machine by the entrance, then take a seat at the counter and hand your ticket over to the chef.

There are thousands of ramen joints in Tokyo. As vegetarians we love T’s Tantan, an entirely vegan ramen restaurant in Tokyo Station (sadly no vending machine). The Afuri chain has vegan ramen and you order from a vending machine.

18) Eat at a Department Store Food Basement

For an intriguing introduction to Japanese food, head downstairs in one of the city’s massive department stores like Takashimaya or Isetan.

The food basements are full of culinary delights from sake to sushi including pickled vegetables, odd-flavoured kit kats, dozens of varieties of rice crackers, beautiful bento boxes, and hundred-dollar melons.

Most of the time we had no idea what we were looking at, but if you’re not vegetarian, these are great places to pick up a picnic lunch.

19) 3D Latte Art at Cafe Reissue

For the ultimate kawaii (cute) drink in Tokyo, head to Cafe Reissue, where they take latte art to the next level with 3D art sculpted from milky foam.

Choose from coffee or chocolate (hot or cold), and select your design from the menu or show them a photo of your own (perhaps your pet).

The baristas are seriously impressive, and we loved our Totoro and cat creations. While they aren’t the best-tasting drinks you can get in the city, they are the most fun.

Details: Cafe Reissue is a 10-minute walk from Harajuku Station. It’s open from 10am – 7pm and closed on Mondays.

It’s popular, so go on a weekday and expect to put your name down and return later (there’s lots to see in the area).

A hot 3D latte art drink is 1500 yen ($10) and is cash only. Switch to almond milk for an extra 100 yen.

20) Try a Totoro Cream Puff

For one of the cutest desserts in Tokyo, head to Shiro-Hige’s Cream Puff Factory for a Totoro-shaped pastry.

Based on the beloved character from the Studio Ghibli film, My Neighbour Totoro, these puffs are stuffed with cream in seasonal flavours, such as strawberry or chestnut. The classic chocolate was our fave.

There are two branches and we went to the one near Shimokitazawa (see above for more about this bohemian neighbourhood).

It’s always busy (and they sell out), so go at opening on a weekday, head into the shop on the ground floor for takeout, and skip the long queue for the cafe upstairs.

We walked around the corner to the Bonus Track shopping area, where there are benches to enjoy your treat.

Details: Shiro-Hige’s Cream Puff Factory in Daita is located in Toro Coffee & Bakery, a 10-minute walk from Shimokitazawa Station. It’s open from 10.30am – 7pm and closed on Tuesdays.

A cream puff costs around 600 yen (cash only).

The other branch is in Kichijoji (takeout only), a 20-minute walk from the Ghibli Museum.

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Things to Do in Tokyo at Night

21) Memory Lane

Memory Lane (Omoide Yokocho) is also known as Piss Alley from its post-WW2 roots when toilet facilities were non-existent.

Public toilets are now available, but you’ll still feel like you’ve stepped back in time as you wander the narrow alleyways full of tiny yakitori restaurants seating just a handful of people at the counter.

Another nickname for the street is Izakaya Alley because it’s known for these small bars serving drinks and snacks.

With its red lanterns and smoke from the grills, it’s an atmospheric place to wander.

Most of the menus are in Japanese, but you can always point to the skewers you want.

As we don’t eat meat, we ate at the less atmospheric but tasty CoCo’s Ichibanya Curry House instead, which has a vegetarian curry. 

I love Memory Lane so much that it’s one of the reasons why I think Shinjuku is the best area to stay in Tokyo. 

See my guide to the best things to do in Shinjuku for more ideas in this area.

Details: Businesses set their own opening hours, but it’s best visited from 5pm to midnight. Located on the western side of Shinjuku Station (look for Omoide Yokocho on Google Maps).

22) Golden Gai

Golden Gai is another network of narrow lanes in Shinjuku, this time with tiny bars rather than restaurants.

Many have cover charges and don’t allow foreigners, but you’ll see signs in English for the more welcoming ones.

Details: From 7 or 8 pm until early morning (at 8 pm on a Friday it was pretty quiet). 10-minute walk from the East Exit of Shinjuku Station.

23) Shibuya Crossing

One of Tokyo’s most iconic sights is the busy pedestrian crossing outside Shibuya Station known as Shibuya Scramble Crossing or Shibuya Crossing.

You can delve into the crowd yourself or get a view from above at the busy Starbucks or the quieter (but more distant) 11th floor of the Hikari Building. Next time I also want to try viewing it from the rooftop bar, Mag’s Park Rooftop (drink purchase required).

While you can also visit during the day, the crossing is most dramatic at night when it’s neon-lit from the signs above.

Details: Find it just outside Shibuya Station.

24) Shibuya Sky Observatory

Shibuya Sky has the best view of Tokyo. At 228 metres, it’s the tallest skyscraper in Shibuya and towers above Shibuya Scramble Square.

What makes it unique is that the top floor is open-air with 360º views of the city including the Shibuya Crossing, Yoyogi Park, Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Stadium, and even Mt Fuji if it’s clear. You can really appreciate the scale of the huge city.

While you can also enjoy the view during the day, I love Tokyo’s skyline at night.

Sunset is the perfect time for both day and night views, but you’ll need to book weeks in advance (tickets are available four weeks before) to secure the most coveted (and crowded) time-slot—one hour before sunset.

While the Sky Gallery floor isn’t open-air, we still enjoyed the views there and it was much quieter than the roof. There’s a bar with comfy seating too. We spent nearly two hours going back and forth between the two floors, watching the city change in different lighting.

Details: Shibuya Sky costs 2200 yen ($14) for adults if you book online—buy your ticket on Klook here. You can also book via the Shibuya Sky website, but you’ll have to create an account with Webket.

Open 10am – 10.30pm.

It’s located next to Shibuya Station—follow the signposts in Shibuya Scramble Square building to the elevators and go up to the 14th floor where you show your ticket and wait for another elevator up.

25) Rent a Private Karaoke Booth

One of the most iconic experiences in Japan is singing karaoke. There’s no need to embarrass yourself in front of a crowd as it’s very common in Japan to rent a private karaoke booth.

Booths come in all sizes, so this is an option whether you are with a partner or a group of friends.

Just choose your favourite songs from the tablet and sing along with the cheesy videos.

Details: There are karaoke places all over the city. We went to the Shinjuku Station branch of the affordable karaoke chain, Karaoke no Tetsujin. Even on a Saturday night it only cost us 400 yen ($3) per person for 30 minutes including an alcoholic drink. It’s cheaper during the week.

26) Watch a Kabuki Theatre Performance

On our must do in Tokyo list for next time is to see a performance of Kabuki, a Japanese dance and drama with elaborate makeup and costumes.

The best place to see it is Kabuki-za Theatre in Ginza. Check their website for the upcoming schedule.

Performances take place during the day and evening and can last hours. As that’s too much for most foreigners, you can buy a cheaper single-act ticket.

You used to have to queue at the venue for these, but they are now only available online from 12pm the day before the performance.

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Our Tokyo Bucket List for Next Time

Although we’ve spent many weeks in Tokyo over four trips, we still haven’t had time for all of the unique things to do in Tokyo. On our wish list for our next visit are:

• Take a Kintsugi Workshop to learn the art of repairing pottery with gold.
• Explore the bohemian neighbourhoods of Koenji and Nakameguro.
• Visit the Mori Art Museum and see the view from the Observation Deck at night.
• Make a day trip to the temples and beaches of Kamakura.
• Take a Taiko drumming class.
• Eat at the Ninja Restaurant with magic tricks and fun surprises.
• Play at the Natsuge Museum retro arcade.

New Tokyo Attractions in 2024

We’re very excited about these new things to see in Tokyo!

• Fantasy Springs at DisneySea – A huge expansion including Frozen, Tangled, and Peter Pan rides opened on 6 June 2024. This will be extremely popular. Our DisneySea guide has details.
• Immersive Fort Tokyo – This interactive theme park with puzzles to solve opened in spring 2024 in Odaiba. It looks interesting but reviews are mixed so far and it seems you’ll get more out of it if you can speak Japanese.

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Tokyo Activities Map

Our map shows all the best things to do in Tokyo mentioned in this post.

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Where to Stay in Tokyo

I think Shinjuku is the best place to stay in Tokyo for first timers for its excellent access to transport, good food, and many of the attractions above. 

Our favourite hotel is Hotel Century Southern Tower, which is only two minutes from Shinjuku Station.

Our Panoramic King room was much larger than the usual tiny Japanese hotel room and had incredible views of Shinjuku Gyoen and the city. Check availability here.

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Getting Around Tokyo

Staying Connected

Buy an Airalo digital eSIM before you arrive for affordable data (and no need to swap out your current SIM). Having access to Google Maps makes it so much easier to get around.

From the Airport

The Narita Express train is the easiest way to get from Narita Airport to Shinjuku, Shibuya and Tokyo stations. It’s comfortable, direct, and you reserve a seat. It takes about an hour to Tokyo Station and nearly 1.5 hours to Shinjuku.

From the closer Haneda Airport you have to take commuter trains and will need to change at least once, so we prefer a taxi. We booked this Haneda Airport pickup on Klook, which made arrival easy (it took 45 minutes to Shinjuku).

Getting Around

An IC transport card such as Suica or Pasmo (they work the same) is the easiest way to travel on trains and metros in Tokyo (and other local routes in Japan)—just tap in and out of stations.

You can also use it for lockers, vending machines, and even in many shops.

Physical cards were in short supply (due to a chip shortage) but since September 2024, they are on sale again.

Or, even easier, add Suica to Apple Wallet on your phone or watch. Visa doesn’t work as a payment method so use Apple Pay, Mastercard, or American Express to top up. Unfortunately, this doesn’t work for Android phones bought outside Japan.

Use Google Maps for transit routes around Tokyo and Navitime to check train times elsewhere in Japan.

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More Japan Posts

Our Tokyo Travel Guides

• 18 Best Things to Do in Shinjuku, Tokyo
• Why Shinjuku is the Best Area to Stay in Tokyo
• TeamLab Planets Review: Is It Worth It?
• 18 Best Vegetarian Restaurants in Tokyo
• Robot Restaurant: The Most Insane Show in Tokyo
• 14 Best Tokyo DisneySea Rides for Adults
• 14 Best Tokyo Disneyland Rides for Adults

Other Japan Posts

• Planning a Trip to Japan: Dos and Don’ts
• 56 Best Things to Do in Japan for an Unforgettable Trip
• Two Weeks in Japan: A Detailed Itinerary
• Is a Japan Rail Pass Worth it?

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Summary

On our first trip to Japan, Tokyo just didn’t compare to the beauty and tradition of Kyoto, but on more recent visits we’ve come to appreciate it for all the fun things to do, diverse neighbourhoods, and fantastic food. We always return here when we visit Japan and never run out of things to do.

I hope this post has helped you decide what to do in Tokyo for a fun trip. Let me know if you have any questions in the comments below. 

What are your favourite things to do in Tokyo?

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