Things to Do in Tokyo, Japan
Where Ancient Tradition Meets Electrifying Modernity
- Average daily budget
- $80–$150/day
- Currency
- Japanese Yen (¥)
- Language
- Japanese
- Best for
- Food, Pop Culture, History, Technology
About Tokyo
Tokyo is unlike any city on Earth — a megacity of 14 million people that somehow feels orderly, safe, and endlessly surprising. From serene Shinto shrines tucked between skyscrapers to the sensory overload of Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo is a place where you can spend weeks and still feel like you've barely scratched the surface. World-class sushi, anime districts, robot restaurants, cherry blossom parks, and impeccably courteous locals make Tokyo a destination that captivates first-time visitors and keeps them coming back year after year.
Top Attractions in Tokyo
Shibuya Crossing
The world's busiest intersection is a phenomenon unto itself. Up to 3,000 people cross simultaneously when the lights change, creating a perfectly choreographed human river. Watch from the Starbucks or Mag's Park for the best overhead view.
Senso-ji Temple, Asakusa
Tokyo's oldest and most visited temple dates to 645 AD. Approach through the iconic Kaminarimon Gate and Nakamise shopping street lined with traditional crafts and street food.
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
One of Japan's most important gardens offers 58 hectares of manicured beauty combining French, English, and traditional Japanese garden styles. The best spot in Tokyo for cherry blossoms in late March.
Tsukiji Outer Market
The world's former largest fish market still draws food lovers for incredible sushi breakfasts, fresh seafood on skewers, and the vibrant energy of a working market. Arrive early for the best selection.
Akihabara Electric Town
The global epicenter of anime, manga, video games, and electronics. Multi-story arcades, maid cafés, retro game shops, and the latest tech gadgets line every street.
teamLab Borderless / Planets
These immersive digital art museums are uniquely Tokyo experiences. Rooms filled with kaleidoscopic projections, mirrored infinity spaces, and interactive light installations make for unforgettable photos.
Meiji Jingu Shrine
Dedicated to Emperor Meiji, this forested Shinto shrine offers a tranquil escape in the middle of the city. The surrounding Yoyogi Park is popular for weekend picnics and cosplay meetups.
Best Neighborhoods in Tokyo
Shinjuku
Home to the world's busiest train station, a massive red-light district, incredible ramen shops, and some of Tokyo's best izakayas (Japanese pubs) concentrated in the Golden Gai alley.
Harajuku
Famous worldwide for avant-garde street fashion on Takeshita Street and upscale boutiques along Omotesandō, Tokyo's answer to the Champs-Élysées.
Yanaka
Tokyo's best-preserved old neighborhood gives a rare glimpse of pre-WWII shitamachi (downtown) life, with narrow lanes, temple graveyards, and artisan shops.
Shimokitazawa
The city's hipster heart, packed with vintage clothing stores, indie music venues, theater cafés, and craft beer bars popular with Tokyo's creative class.
What to Eat in Tokyo
- Tsukiji sushi breakfast
- Ichiran ramen (solo booths)
- Yakitori in Yurakucho under the tracks
- Tamagoyaki (egg sushi at Tsukiji)
- Wagyu beef shabu-shabu
- Matcha everything — ice cream, mochi, lattes
Best Time to Visit Tokyo
March to May for cherry blossoms and comfortable temperatures, and October to November for autumn foliage and clear skies. Summers are hot and humid with typhoon risk; winters are cold but manageable with far fewer crowds.
Getting to and Around Tokyo
Narita (NRT) is 60 km east of the city: the Narita Express reaches Tokyo Station in about an hour for around ¥3,070, the Keisei Skyliner reaches Ueno in 41 minutes for about ¥2,570, and the Airport Limousine bus drops at major hotels for roughly ¥3,600. Haneda (HND) is far closer, 20–30 minutes to Shinagawa or Hamamatsucho by the Keikyu line or the monorail for under ¥700, so choose it when fares are similar. In town, load a Suica or Pasmo card (or add one to Apple Wallet) and tap through the JR Yamanote loop, the Tokyo Metro and Toei subways and the buses without thinking about fare zones; most rides cost ¥180–¥320. Trains stop around midnight and restart at 5am, and a taxi from Shibuya to Shinjuku after the last train runs ¥2,000–¥3,000. Google Maps gives exact platform and car numbers, which matters in stations the size of Shinjuku, which has more than 200 exits. Budget on 15,000–20,000 steps a day.
Where to Stay in Tokyo
Shinjuku is the most practical base for a first visit: every line passes through, the west side has business hotels at ¥12,000–¥20,000 a night, and Golden Gai and Omoide Yokocho are on foot. Shibuya suits nightlife and shopping with rooms at ¥15,000–¥30,000 and direct trains to Harajuku and Meiji Jingu. Asakusa, beside Senso-ji, is the budget and traditional choice, with ryokan-style inns and hostels from ¥4,000 a bed to ¥12,000 a room and a straight Ginza-line ride to Shibuya. Ginza and Marunouchi around Tokyo Station are best for shinkansen day trips and luxury hotels above ¥40,000. Shimokitazawa and Yanaka offer guesthouses and apartments at ¥8,000–¥15,000 for a quieter, more local week. Rooms are small at every price, so check the square metres before booking, and book early for late March cherry-blossom season and Golden Week (late April to early May).
3 Days in Tokyo: A Sample Itinerary
Every stop below is one of the places named in this guide. Use it as a starting point, or let the planner build a version around your dates, pace and budget.
Day 1: Tsukiji, Asakusa and Akihabara
Morning: Tsukiji Outer Market
A sushi breakfast at the Tsukiji Outer Market around 8am, with tamagoyaki from the stalls, then the Ginza line to Asakusa for Senso-ji Temple, the Kaminarimon Gate and the craft stalls of Nakamise street.
Afternoon: Akihabara Electric Town
Akihabara Electric Town for retro game shops and multi-storey arcades, then a pre-booked late-afternoon slot at teamLab Planets in Toyosu.
Evening: Senso-ji Temple, Asakusa
Yakitori under the railway arches in Yurakucho, where salarymen crowd the smoky stalls from 6pm.
Day 2: Meiji Jingu, Harajuku, Shibuya and Shinjuku
Morning: Meiji Jingu Shrine
Meiji Jingu Shrine at sunrise opening, when the forest path is silent, then Yoyogi Park and the crowds of Takeshita Street in Harajuku and the boutiques of Omotesandō.
Afternoon: Shibuya Crossing
Watch Shibuya Crossing from Mag's Park or the Starbucks window, then ride up Shibuya Sky for the 360-degree view; lunch is Ichiran ramen in a solo booth.
Evening: Shinjuku
Shinjuku: the free 45th-floor observatory at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building at dusk, then an izakaya crawl through the Golden Gai alleys.
Day 3: Gardens, old Tokyo and Shimokitazawa
Morning: Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden at its 9am opening (¥500), the best hour of the day in the Japanese garden section.
Afternoon: Yanaka
Yanaka for the pre-war shitamachi lanes, Yanaka Ginza shopping street, the temple cemetery and matcha ice cream from a corner shop.
Evening: Shimokitazawa
Shimokitazawa for vintage shops and craft-beer bars, then a wagyu shabu-shabu dinner to finish.
Plan this trip — get a personalized day-by-day Tokyo itinerary with drive times, restaurant picks and a packing list.
Tokyo Travel Tips
- Get a Suica or Pasmo card — it works on all trains, subways, and even convenience stores
- Cash is still king in many restaurants and small shops — keep yen on hand
- Download Google Translate's camera feature for reading Japanese menus and signs
- Convenience stores (7-Eleven, FamilyMart) sell surprisingly excellent food — don't skip them
- Tipping is not practiced in Japan and can even cause offence — never tip
Tokyo FAQ
When is the best time to visit Tokyo?
March to May for cherry blossoms and comfortable temperatures, and October to November for autumn foliage and clear skies. Summers are hot and humid with typhoon risk; winters are cold but manageable with far fewer crowds.
How much does a day in Tokyo cost?
Plan on an average daily budget of $80–$150/day in Tokyo. The local currency is the Japanese Yen (¥).
How do I get around Tokyo?
Get a Suica or Pasmo card — it works on all trains, subways, and even convenience stores.
What should I know about safety and etiquette in Tokyo?
Tipping is not practiced in Japan and can even cause offence — never tip.
What are the top things to do in Tokyo?
Top attractions in Tokyo include Shibuya Crossing, Senso-ji Temple, Asakusa, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Tsukiji Outer Market and Akihabara Electric Town. Tokyo is best for food, pop culture, history and technology.
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