TOKYO
Sensoji Temple in Asakusa
TOKYO
Japan’s bustling capital is home to over 9 million people and is a veritable hub of culture, dining, shopping and entertainment. As such, there are an endless array of things to do in Tokyo. History and culture buffs will love wandering the many temples, shrines, museums and traditional districts. Foodies will have access to some of the best restaurants in the world. Outdoorsy types may be surprised to learn that Tokyo is in fact a great walking and biking city; many suburbs are connected by landscaped greenways and spectacular parks and gardens abound. And you can take it all in from one of the great city views around town—you might even glimpse Mount Fuji.
Whether it’s the neon lights of Shinjuku, the traditional backstreets of Asakusa or the ultra-hip Shimokitazawa, Tokyo has a vibe for everyone. Simply wander off the beaten track to discover what else this amazing city has to offer. In the meantime, here are a few of our favourite things to do in Tokyo.
POPULAR POSTS
All Rise for Kikuya’s Standing Tempura in Ebisu
A standing restaurant is the epitome of Japanese efficiency. No seats means more...
Lose yourself in the Digital Landscapes of TeamLab Borderless
Not sure if you’ve heard, but the whole Tokyo city lights and neon...
Indie Cinema in Tokyo: Human Trust, Shibuya
Tokyo Cinema Scene
For...
Tokyo’s Secret Wilderness: Exploring Todoroki Valley
Todoroki Valley is one of Tokyo’s best-kept secrets. Had your fill of busy...
Ranshu: Best Boiled Dumplings in Tokyo?
There are many places to enjoy drinking in greater Tokyo; whether you’re rubbing shoulders with...
Gloriously Decadent Sukiyaki at Ningyocho Imahan
If you want a meal that’s guaranteed to...
Digging Through Don Don Down on Wednesday
Shopping for second-hand clothing in Tokyo isn’t quite the cost-saving measure it is...
Where to get an afternoon drink in Harajuku, Tokyo
OK, so you’re on vacation and you’ve been sightseeing or shopping all day....
Kappabashi and its Many Tasteless Treats
A short walk from the temples and tourist attractions of Asakusa, sits a...
For Fabulous Shoyu Ramen, Head to Junteuchi Daruma
Whether it’s tonkotsu, salt, or miso, you’ll find all kinds of ramen in...
Meiji Shrine: Serenity Amid The Urban Sprawl
Meiji Jingu, one of Japan’s most important Shinto shrines, can be found deep...
Meat-ya Asagaya: Tokyo’s Best Spaghetti House
Do one thing, and do it well. Many restaurants in Japan subscribe to...
Magurodake Bono Shirakawa’s Tuna Donburi Keeps Lunch Sweet and Simple
Roppongi isn’t all swanky clubs and expensive restaurants. As with most areas in...
The Artizon Museum: Experiencing Creativity in Tokyo
If you find yourself near Tokyo Station with time to spare, consider checking...
Where to Take the Best Photos of the Shibuya Crossing
Ah, the Shibuya Crossing. A visit to Tokyo simply wouldn’t be complete without...
A Tuna Extravaganza at Maguro Mart in Nakano
Tuna lovers visiting Tokyo should consider a meal at Maguro Mart. As the...
Studio Ghibli, Live Music, and Cursed Swan Boats: A Day at Inokashira Park
Looking for some family-friendly activities in Tokyo? Add Inokashira Park (Inokashira-koen) to your...
Where To Get Japanese Breakfast in Tokyo Without Breaking The Bank
Are you a budget conscious traveller? If so, you’re probably not staying in...
Gachapon Capsule Toys: Cheap Souvenirs and a Bit of Fun
If you’re looking for a cheap souvenir that comes with a bit of...
Pizza Toast and Kombucha at Café Benisica
Yurakucho's long standing Café Benisica launched the Japanese pizza toast craze
Many wouldn’t immediately associate Japan...
Kichijoji Tour: Hammocks, Shopping and Parks
Kichijoji is a favorite destination for both tourists and Tokyo residents. With a...
Starting Up and Breaking Down: Tokyo to Okinawa Day 1
Follow our road trip from Tokyo to Okinawa; fourteen days, multiple forms of...
A Brooklyn Brunch that’s Beyonce approved, right in Harajuku
One day I was on my way to Harry’s Sandwich Co., and I...
Views and Booze at The Peak Lounge and Bar at Park Hyatt
If you only have a limited time in Tokyo, you’ll no doubt be...
A Cultural Heritage Park in Tokyo – Rikugien Garden of Waka poetry
Beautiful Parks in Tokyo
Many...
Motsuyaki Ban, Tokyo’s original Lemon Sour Bar
We head to the birthplace of the Lemon Sour, ‘Motsuyaki Ban’
The Lemon Sour, a staple...
Tokyo’s Secret “Power Spot”: Meiji Jingu Inner Garden
I look on as a group of five groundskeepers silently go about their...
Healthy Vegan Lunches at Brown Rice Canteen in Omotesando
Vegan-friendly meals used to be difficult to find...
Don’t Miss Tokyo’s Dreamiest Cherry Blossom Spot: Meguro River
Tiny and sweet, cherry blossoms are a sure-fire symbol of spring, and in...
Three Instagrammable Tokyo Photo Spots You Can’t Miss
Photography is a hobby of mine, a long running interest that I’ve had...
What To Eat While Watching Sumo: Kokugikan Yakitori
Japan is a nation steeped in tradition. There is a profound reverence for...
Urban Oasis: Aoyama Flower Market Teahouse
Interior of Tokyo cafe 'Aoyama Flower Market Teahouse'
The...
Retro cocktails, hip coffee, and Michelin Italian food: An evening in Yoyogi Uehara
On the outskirts of Shibuya-ku, Yoyogi Uehara has a reputation for being a...
How to Ride the Bullet Train in Japan
Riding the bullet train (also known as Shinkansen) is easily the most convenient...
A Curry To Remember At Joto Curry Shibuya Honten
Shibuya can feel more like a nightlife and shopping area than a culinary...
Where to Catch Tokyo’s Food Trucks: Lunch at the International Forum
I'd committed the cardinal sin of time-strapped travellers everywhere: I'd slept in. And...
A Circuit Through Shimokitazawa
Shimokitazawa, known as Shimokita by locals, is one of the primary centers of...
An American Style Cafe; Good Town Bakehouse in Yoyogi Uehara
“The Japanese people just do everything so authentically. They copy every last detail...
Where to Buy English Books in Tokyo
You’re in Tokyo and fancy a read but you don’t know where to...
Stupendous Wood-Fired Pizza at da ISA in Nakameguro
Japanese pizza is notoriously ‘weird’—as many disgruntled expats might like to complain. Putting...
TeamLab Planets Digital Art Phenomenon Tokyo
Digital art installations and infinity rooms are all the rage in contemporary art....
Zōjōji Temple, underneath Tokyo Tower, is full of great local history!
If you’re only going to visit a few religious sites in Tokyo, put...
JK For A Day: Embracing Your Inner Teen In Tokyo
Living in Japan, I can’t help but look around at all the cute...
Tokyo Zoos: A Guide to Tokyo’s Wild Side
Amidst the towering skyscrapers of downtown Tokyo and the low grey concrete of...
The Best Narita Airport Sushi Bar: Standing Sushi Bar in Terminal 3
Narita International Airport is one of Japan’s major air gateways, serving millions of travellers each...
Nakameguro Tour – A Taste of Trendiness
If you’re looking to get a taste of cozy bistros and trendy cafés,...
Art Deco in Tokyo’s Ex-Imperial Forest: The Teien Art Museum and Institute for Nature Study
Fan of Art Deco? Nature lover? Want to tread in the footsteps of...
Shopping locally made artisanal products at Akihabara’s 2k540
Are you on the hunt for Japanese souvenirs that are high quality and...
Exploring Shinjuku – Walking the Big Two Part 3
If Shibuya is the current center of development, commerce, and shopping, Shinjuku is...
Hearty Tsukemen in Akihabara: Menya Musashi Bujin
These days, ramen is a household name. But have you ever heard of...
Tokyo Farmer’s Market at UNU
The Tokyo Farmer’s Market at UNU runs every...
Visiting Hidaka (Japan’s Secret Korea) and Hiking the Mt. Hiwada, Mt. Takasashi, and Mt. Monomi Trail
It was time to get my hike on. A whirlwind of days in...
Harajuku Art Scene: Ukiyo-e Ota Memorial Museum of Art
Looking for a dash of culture at a Tokyo museum? Skip the Harajuku...
Gearing Up at the Final Fantasy XIV-Themed Eorzea Cafe in Akihabara
Calling all adventurers! The realm of Eorzea is in dire need of your...
Yes, Cold Noodles Are Cool: Sanpotei Tokyo Lab’s Hiyashi Tantanmen
Summer in Tokyo is deadly. We’re not even joking: hundreds of people in...
Ariso Sushi: A Great Pre-Flight Meal at Haneda Airport
Airport food doesn’t have a good reputation. Thankfully, Haneda Airport’s culinary offerings defy...
Vegan Food with a Side o’ Wonder at Saido Vegan Restaurant Jiyugaoka
Historically, vegetarians and vegans have had a tricky time dining out in Japan....
Kabuki Single Act Tickets at Kabukiza Theatre, Tokyo
Heading to Tokyo and looking for something traditional to do? The Single Act...
Where to get an afternoon drink in Omotesando
So, I totally get it. You’re on vacation and you’ve been sightseeing or...
Pre-war nostalgia at Asakusa Okonomiyaki restaurant ‘Sometaro’
The Tokyo neighbourhood of Asakusa is a major...
Get Your Fill at Tokyo’s All-You-Can-Eat Restaurants
If you arrive in Tokyo with a big appetite, you should have every...
Stroll through Architectural History at Tokyo’s Open-Air Folk House Museum
In its sunken hearth, the fire crackles enticingly. Its guardian, an elderly woman...
All You Can Eat Candy at Tokyo’s Dagashi Bars
When visitors think of old school Japan, they no doubt picture kimono-clad geisha...
International Food in Tokyo: Injera, Poutine, and Pasta
Travelers visiting Tokyo are spoiled for options when it comes to Japanese food....
Sawanoi Sake Brewery: Taste and Tour Close to Tokyo
Sake can be easily found in every restaurant and convenience store in Japan,...
Standing Yakiniku Restaurant Jiromaru: a great place for A5 Wagyu Beef
Whenever I have visitors in town, I love taking them to a stand-up...
Higashibaba: An Exceptional Guest House on Mt. Mitake
If you’re looking for a mountain getaway not far from Tokyo, the venerable...
Grab an exquisite lunch at Hayama Ramen, Shinjuku
Hayama Ramen, Shinjuku. Some of the best ramen in Tokyo.
Radio Taiso At Nezu Shrine And An Early Morning Walk
“Ohayōgozaimasu!” says the man stretching beside his portable radio. Its tinny sound reminds...
Japanese Craft Beer By The River: Hitachino Brewing Lab, Akihabara
Akihabara can be a frenetic place; whirring arcades, hordes of tax free shoppers,...
Tokyo Sake Bar in Ebisu: Frozen Sake Bar Buri
Head west of Ebisu Station into the backstreets...
Tokyo’s Favourite Day Hike: Mount Takao (Takaosan)
Offering scenic hiking trails, a popular monkey park, and ancient shrines, it's no...
Tobusakana—A Local Seafood Izakaya in Shimokitazawa
Shimokitazawa is known for vintage fashion, soup curry, and cafes. The unceasing renovation...
Backpacking Through Japan – An Overview
In the spring of 2019, my fiancée and I spent three weeks backpacking...
Tokyo’s Fabled 100 Yen Stores: Our Top Picks
For cash-strapped travellers, Tokyo’s 100 yen stores are a godsend. One hundred yen...
Hot Pies, Cold Drinks: A Taste of Australia at Punk Doily
Biting into my classic steak pie, I relished a flavour profile I hadn’t...
Tokyo, Books, and You: Curl up in these Three Green Study Spaces
There’s something about plants that makes studying so much easier to bear. It...
Nagi Shokudo is Where to Go for Affordable, Delicious Vegan Food in Shibuya
Vegans have a tough time of it in Tokyo—at least, that’s how it...
The Best Tantanmen in Tokyo: Bazoku
Japan, 1977. The economy was booming, black-and-white television was a distant memory and baseball legend...
Refined Kaiseki and Stunning Gardens at Tofuya Ukai
We follow our hostess through the twisting and turning hallways of the converted...
Enter a Magical Wonderland at the Shibuya Disney Store
For Disney fans, a visit to Japan is a no brainer. There’s Tokyo...
Buckle up for Tokyo Mario Kart Tours
Tokyo Mario Kart Tours!? These Nintendo-esque go-kart street tours have to be one...
Hana wa Saku in Nakano Serves A Mean Bowl of Udon
One of our favourite areas in the metropolis to hang out and eat...
Cook your own dinner at Sakura Tei Okonomiyaki
The artistic interior of Harajuku Okonomiyaki purveyors 'Sakura Tei'.
What’s Up with These Japanese Fish Flags? Koinobori and Children’s Day
Once spring hits, they’re nearly everywhere. Visitors to Japan will find long strands...
Onden’s Japanese Curry Rice—a Taste of Home in the Heart of Harajuku
To the average Tokyoite, Harajuku evokes youth culture and fashion. It’s where you...
Skating the Art Rink at Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse: Fun Winter Activities in Tokyo
Toddlers giggle, adults fall flat on their back, and a select few swoop...
Yes, Book and Beer Cafes Exist: Here are Two of Tokyo’s Best
After a long, hard week, who doesn’t love to kick back and relax?...
Healthy Vegan Dining at Restaurant 8ablish, Omotesando
Omotesando on the weekend is a bustling place. The wide streets and footpaths...
Meeting the King Kaiju: A Closer Look at Shinjuku’s Godzilla Head
It's difficult to miss the screeching, smoke-spewing, 40-foot Godzilla head in Shinjuku. In...
River Walks: A Tour of Tokyo’s Waterways – Part 1
From the jam-packed transit system to the teeming walkways around hubs like Shibuya...
Ikebukuro Tour: Sunshine City and Beyond
Of all the major transit and shopping hubs in Tokyo, Ikebukuro seems to...
Hinatomaru: A Sushi Bar Making A Case for Tuna Head Sushi
Asakusa is not the first place most people think of when it comes...
Best Yakitori in Nakameguro: Kushiwakamaru. The Stick Factory.
When people ask me what to eat in Tokyo, a hundred places immediately...
Akihabara to Ueno Part 1 – An Akihabara Trek
The districts of Akihabara and Ueno sit next to one another and offer...
Toyosu Market Sushi Restaurant: Iso Sushi
Iso Sushi (or Isozushi) restaurant was a Tsukiji...
Finding New York Style Pizza at The Pizza in Hiroo
One of the first things I tell people who visit Tokyo is that...
Delicious French Fusion in Nakameguro
Outside the Nakameguro French Restaurant, La Gueule de Bois
We visit...
A Magical Guide to Tokyo DisneySea
For Disney fans, the happiest place in Japan isn’t Tokyo Disneyland, but next...
Sangenjaya Tour – Burgers, Cafes and a Stop in the Park
Tokyo is filled with trendy neighborhoods. Some of them, like Ginza, are more...
