The Ultimate Tokyo Travel Guide: The Best Things to Do in Tokyo

Japan is such an amazing country to visit, and there’s nothing that compares to the bustling streets, stunning temples and shrines, incredible food, and unique culture of this vibrant city. This Tokyo Travel Guide has the ultimate list of the best things to do & see in Tokyo.

In this guide, you’ll find recommendations on the best activities in Tokyo, restaurants and bars, the best time to visit, how to get around, a few basic Japanese phrases, and more.

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15 Best Things To Do In Tokyo

1. Sensō-ji Temple

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Sensō-ji is Tokyo’s oldest and most famous temple, and it’s an absolute must see despite the crowds. You’ll first enter through the Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate) before getting to the main hall, five story pagoda, and Asakusa Shrine. It’s also free to visit!

2. Shibuya Scramble Crossing

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This famous intersection in Shibuya can see up to 3,000 people crossing at one time during peak hours! It’s been featured in countless movies & TV shows and is a great way to experience the hectic bustle of Tokyo first hand. If you want to avoid the crazy crowds, the Starbucks across the street offers a direct view of the crossing, but you’ll need to buy a drink to access the viewing area.

3. Meiji Jingu Shrine

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Built in 1920, this Shinto shrine honors Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, who helped modernize Japan during the late 1800s. It was destroyed during WWII but was later rebuilt. It’s one of Tokyo’s most famous shrines, marked by a massive torii gate at the entrance. Meiji Jingu Shrine is also free to visit!

4. Wagyu and Sake Tasting

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If you’re a foodie, a wagyu and sake tasting is an absolute must do experience. Japan is famous for its Wagyu, celebrated for its marbled texture and melt-in-your-mouth tenderness. It’s also known for sake, its traditional rice wine. A Wagyu and Sake Tasting provides a multicourse meal showcasing various cuts of Wagyu prepared in different ways, paired with craft sake designed to complement the beef. You’ll also learn about the histories and differences that make each special! 

5. Shinjuku

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Shinjuku is one of Tokyo’s busiest and most exciting neighborhoods. While it’s great to see the bustling neighborhood during the day, at night, the neon signs light up, and the narrow alleyways of Omoide Yokocho and Golden Gai buzz with izakayas and bars. If you’re apprehensive about finding good spots to visit, a Shinjuku Bar Hopping tour is a great way to experience a taste of nightlife with a local.

6. Imperial Palace Gardens

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Built on the former site of Edo Castle, the Imperial Palace became home to Japan’s emperor when the capital moved from Kyoto to Tokyo in 1868. Much of the original castle was lost to fire and bombing, but parts of the walls, moats, and gardens remain. It’s still the official residence of the emperor so tourists can’t go inside, but you can walk through the beautiful East Gardens.

7. Nakamise Market

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Located within the grounds of Senso-ji Temple, Nakamise Street dates back to the 17th century. The busy street is lined with stalls offering everything from souvenirs to candied strawberries, so be sure to stop by for a snack! 

8. Ginza

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Back in the Edo period, Ginza was literally a silver mint district (gin = silver). Today, it’s known for high-end fashion, art galleries, and some of Tokyo’s fanciest restaurants. It’s a great place to do some shopping, and you’ll definitely want to make sure to visit stores like Muji for everything from clothes to skincare!

9. Takeshita Street

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This tiny Harajuku street exploded in popularity during the 1990s and early 2000s thanks to Japanese youth subcultures like fashion, punk, and kawaii. Today, it’s still a vibrant mix of quirky boutiques, trendy vintage shops, and social media famous snacks like giant rainbow cotton candy and crepes. It’s busy, loud, and a little chaotic, but fun to stroll through while visiting Harajuku.

10. Akihabara Electric Town

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Akihabara started as a hub for black market electronics after WWII. By the 1950s, it was the place to buy radios and tech. Fast forward to the 90s and 2000s where it transformed into the go-to spot for anime, manga, and otaku culture. Today, it’s a mix of gaming arcades, tech stores, and collectibles, so if you’re an anime fan, this is the spot to visit!

11. Skyline City Views

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Many tourists head to Tokyo Skytree or Shibuya Sky for panoramic views of the city, but there’s actually a free option as well. While Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building houses Tokyo’s city hall, it also has two free observation decks for panoramic views of the city.

12. Teamlabs (Planets/Borderless)

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Tokyo features two teamLab museums: teamLab Planets and teamLab Borderless. Planets is an immersive experience where you walk barefoot through water and interactive spaces filled with mirrors, lights, and floating flowers. Borderless is a “museum without a map,” where digital artworks move freely across rooms, blending art and technology. Tickets often sell out, so you’ll want to book around one month in advance!

13. Experience an Izakaya

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Izakayas are a huge part of Japanese food and nightlife culture. An izakaya is basically Japan’s version of a cozy pub, kind of between a bar and a small-plates restaurant. The name comes from “i” (to stay) and “sakaya” (sake shop), meaning a place where you hang out and drink. They also usually have shareable plates like karaage (fried chicken), yakitori (grilled skewers), sashimi, gyoza, and more. A guided tour with a local is a great way to experience izakaya culture!

14. Tokyo Disneyland

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If you have an extra day in your schedule, Disneyland Tokyo is a great day trip for those who are young at heart or who are traveling with kids! There’s a few rides that are unique to the Tokyo location, such as the Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast, or the Happy Ride with Baymax. The food is specialized too and the animatronics and technology are also pretty impressive to see. 

15. Hie Shrine

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A lot of people know the red torii gates that Kyoto is famous for, but did you know you can find them in Tokyo too? Hie Shrine is a hidden gem in Tokyo tucked away in the Akasaka district. Dating back to the 15th century, this Shinto shrine is dedicated to Ōyamakui-no-kami, the guardian of Tokyo, and is best known for its striking staircase lined with bright red torii gates. It’s a great place to visit if you want a quiet moment amid the Tokyo hustle.

Best Time to Visit Tokyo

The best times to visit Tokyo are during spring (March to May) and autumn (October to early December) as both seasons offer stunning scenery and comfortable weather.

Spring: Late March to early April is peak cherry blossom (sakura) season and the weather is mild. The city is covered in beautiful flowers, and it’s absolutely gorgeous. However, it is also extremely crowded during sakura season as hundreds of thousands of tourists and photographers aim to see the iconic blossoms. 

Autumn: Mid-November to early December brings brilliant fall foliage, and the weather is cooler than spring. It can be pretty busy during autumn due to the fall foliage and cool weather, so you’ll still want to book accommodations and activities in advance.

Winter: December to February is quieter, and it’s great for lower crowd temple visits and cozy experiences like hot springs. Winter also offers the best chance to see unobstructed views of Mt. Fuji from Tokyo as there is typically less haze. We got lucky and were able to see Mt. Fuji from our hotel every day during our trip! During December, Tokyo also is decorated with its famous illuminations for the holiday season.

Summer: June to August is super hot, humid, and often rainy, so I wouldn’t recommend visiting during this time. But there are a few famous festivals during this time which can be fun to experience.

How Many Days to Spend in Tokyo

Tokyo is absolutely massive, and you could easily spend weeks trying to see it all. But if you’re like most visitors and only have a limited amount of time, I would say try to plan for at least 3-4 days in Tokyo in order to see the main sights. 

Is Tokyo Safe for Tourists?

Tokyo is considered to be very safe, and Japan consistently ranks as one of the safest countries in the world due its low crime rate. In fact, it’s not unusual for lost wallets, phones, or bags to be returned to lost and found with everything intact!

However, as with any major city, you’ll want to take the usual precautions when traveling. Avoid poorly lit areas, keep an eye on your belongings, and don’t accept drinks from strangers.

What to Wear in Tokyo

What you wear in Tokyo really depends on the season, but overall I would aim for comfortable, modest clothing that works well for walking and sightseeing.

In spring (March to May), the weather is cool to warm, so light layers like cardigans, long pants and skirts, and comfortable sneakers are ideal. A light rain jacket or umbrella is also useful in April. 

Summer (June to August) is hot, humid, and can be rainy, so breathable fabrics like cotton or linen, loose tops, midi dresses, and wide-leg pants are great. While sandals are okay, choose supportive ones for lots of walking. 

In autumn (September to November), the air is crisp and dry, perfect for layered outfits like light sweaters, scarves, jeans, or maxi skirts. 

Winter (December to February) can be chilly with the chance of snow, so pack a warm coat, thermal layers, gloves, and a hat. Thick socks and weatherproof shoes will keep you warm while exploring. 

No matter the season, make sure to bring comfortable walking shoes and modest options for temple visits (covering shoulders and knees)!

Do You Need to Know Japanese to Visit Japan?

English is spoken in many of the major tourist spots and hotels, signage on public transport will usually be multilingual, and many restaurants have English menus or menus with pictures. However, English is less common in many smaller restaurants and shops and some restaurants will even have signs that indicate only Japanese is spoken. While you can definitely get by with Google Translate in most of Tokyo, making an effort to learn a few key phrases in Japanese is definitely appreciated by the locals and will improve your overall experience. Below are a few phrases to learn before heading to Japan!

Looking for more Japan recommendations? Check out some of our other posts from the blog!

The Ultimate Kyoto Travel Guide: Best Things to Do in Kyoto