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.

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Outside of Old Tsukiji Market

Tsukiji Market Trek – A Tour Through Old Tokyo Part 2

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A Mystical Sea of Clouds in Tokyo’s Historic Chinzanso Garden

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Vegan Food with a Side o’ Wonder at Saido Vegan Restaurant Jiyugaoka

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The Best Tantanmen in Tokyo: Bazoku

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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...

Rare and Extreme Japanese Beers on Tap at Beer Boy

Beer lovers have plenty to be happy about in Japan. From cheap cans...

First Avenue: Characters, Ramen and Sweets

Tokyo Station is way more than just a place to change trains! Within...
Concrete steps at 21_21 Design Sight

21_21 Design Sight: Tokyo’s Modernist Masterpiece

21_21 Design Sight is a modernist gallery in Tokyo featuring exhibitions on the themes of ecology, sustainability and design.

The Stages of Tokyo: A Guide to Traditional Tokyo Theater

Most theater fans both in Japan and abroad have heard of kabuki. The...

Buckle up for Tokyo Mario Kart Tours

Tokyo Mario Kart Tours!? These Nintendo-esque go-kart street tours have to be one...

Japanese Craft Beer By The River: Hitachino Brewing Lab, Akihabara

Akihabara can be a frenetic place; whirring arcades, hordes of tax free shoppers,...

Gomaya Kuki – World’s Richest Black Sesame Ice Cream?

If you have a sweet tooth and you’re visiting Japan, green tea-flavoured desserts...

Marquis Maeda’s Tokyo Legacy: A Tale of Two Homes

In Tokyo's peaceful Komaba district, the Japanese and European former homes of Marquis Maeda quietly await visitors.

Akihabara to Ueno Part 2: An Ueno Tour

Unlike Akihabara, which comprises the first part of this tour, Ueno offers a...

Where to get an afternoon drink in Omotesando

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What To Eat While Watching Sumo: Kokugikan Yakitori

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Pre-war nostalgia at Asakusa Okonomiyaki restaurant ‘Sometaro’

The Tokyo neighbourhood of Asakusa is a major...
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Crossing the Rainbow Bridge and Diving Into an Odaiba Tour

The artificial island of Odaiba is one of the primary leisure centers in...

Commune 2nd, Omotesando’s Food Truck Park Paradise

Tokyo food trucks at Commune 2nd, Omotesando. Commune 2nd...

Unleash your inner child at the Poop Museum Tokyo

From the outside, the Unko Museum Tokyo looks like a colourful knick-knack shop...

Ferries and Cruises: A Tour of Tokyo Waterways – Part 2

Walking isn’t the only way to tour Tokyo’s extensive system of waterways. While...

Shibuya’s Underbelly: A Walk Through Love Hotel Hill and Dogenzaka

Shibuya may have the reputation of being a teen shopping mecca with a...

Interview With Architect Kengo Kuma on the New National Stadium’s Design

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The Oldest Things to See in Tokyo: Ultimate Guide

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Standing Yakiniku Restaurant Jiromaru: a great place for A5 Wagyu Beef

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Camera Shopping in Tokyo: Top Spots for Great Deals

Tokyo rightly deserves its reputation as a world-class shopping destination, especially when it...
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Cook your own dinner at Sakura Tei Okonomiyaki

The artistic interior of Harajuku Okonomiyaki purveyors 'Sakura Tei'.

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...

Rockabillies, Dogs in Turtlenecks and Soothing Nature at Yoyogi Park

Whenever someone visits Tokyo, I’m quick to recommend slotting Yoyogi Park into their...

Catch your own meal at Zauo Fishing Restaurant Tokyo

Japan is synonymous with sushi. Every day, thousands of fisherman take to the...

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...

Mt. Mitake: A One-Day Itinerary for Nature and Serenity

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Refined Kaiseki and Stunning Gardens at Tofuya Ukai

We follow our hostess through the twisting and turning hallways of the converted...

Exploring Local Nightlife at a Japanese Yokocho

For an authentic, down-to-earth Japanese dining experience, head straight for the nearest yokocho,...

Jindaiji Temple: A Spiritual Day Trip From Tokyo

Follow the Keio line to Chofu in West Tokyo where you'll find a...

Sangenjaya Tour – Burgers, Cafes and a Stop in the Park

Tokyo is filled with trendy neighborhoods. Some of them, like Ginza, are more...

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...
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Stupendous Wood-Fired Pizza at da ISA in Nakameguro

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Tobusakana—A Local Seafood Izakaya in Shimokitazawa

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Visiting The World’s Tallest Tower: Tokyo Skytree

Since its opening in 2012, Tokyo Skytree has become a beloved fixture on...

Best Yakitori in Nakameguro: Kushiwakamaru. The Stick Factory.

When people ask me what to eat in Tokyo, a hundred places immediately...

Healthy Vegan Dining at Restaurant 8ablish, Omotesando

Omotesando on the weekend is a bustling place. The wide streets and footpaths...

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...

Where to get an afternoon drink in Harajuku, Tokyo

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Kabuki Single Act Tickets at Kabukiza Theatre, Tokyo

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Japanese Edible Candy Art: Amezaiku at Ameshin

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Trams Through the Blossoms: Discovering Tokyo on the Arakawa Line

Roses line this Tokyo tram line At its peak,...
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Soup Curry Ganesha—A Salaryman Favorite in Shinbashi

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Grab an exquisite lunch at Hayama Ramen, Shinjuku

Hayama Ramen, Shinjuku. Some of the best ramen in Tokyo.

Pizza Toast and Kombucha at Café Benisica

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How to Ride the Bullet Train in Japan

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The Char-Grilled Chicken Wonderland: Ukai Toriyama

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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...

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?...
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Urban Oasis: Aoyama Flower Market Teahouse

Interior of Tokyo cafe 'Aoyama Flower Market Teahouse' The...

The Artizon Museum: Experiencing Creativity in Tokyo

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Meat-ya Asagaya: Tokyo’s Best Spaghetti House

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Finding Good Fortune on an Ebisu Tour

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This tranquil waterwheel is in Hidaka's Kinchaku field. The red spider lily festival is held in the area.

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Exploring Shinjuku – Walking the Big Two Part 3

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Gallivanting around Ginza – A Tour Through Old Tokyo Part 1

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Finding New York Style Pizza at The Pizza in Hiroo

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Enter a Magical Wonderland at the Shibuya Disney Store

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Superb Slurps at street pasta company

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Hana wa Saku in Nakano Serves A Mean Bowl of Udon

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Ariso Sushi: A Great Pre-Flight Meal at Haneda Airport

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A Curry To Remember At Joto Curry Shibuya Honten

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Late Night Eats at Ebisu Yokocho

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5-star Luxury in a Historic Oasis: Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo

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Roppongi Tour: Soaring Heights and Night Life

Full of bustling shoppers and businesspeople by day and partygoers by night, Roppongi...

Sightseeing in Shibuya – Walking the Big Two Part 1

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Kyu Asakura House: Wood in a Concrete Jungle

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A Visit To The Oldest Eel Restaurant in Tokyo: Izuei Honten

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Spicy, Soupy, Sublime: That’s Soup Curry at Yellow Company

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Tokyo’s Secret Wilderness: Exploring Todoroki Valley

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Vegan Food in Tokyo: A Complete Guide

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A Circuit Through Shimokitazawa

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Exploring The Tokyo Sewerage Museum “Rainbow”

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Harajuku LUSH: Eye Candy and Exclusive Products

For a nation that adores bathing and kawaii things so much, it’s no...

Electronic Stores in Tokyo: Bic Camera and Beyond

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Healthy Fast Food at Onigiri Asakusa Yadoroku

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Could ‘American’ Be The Biggest Sandwich In Tokyo?

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Tokyo’s Secret “Power Spot”: Meiji Jingu Inner Garden

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Nagi Shokudo is Where to Go for Affordable, Delicious Vegan Food in Shibuya

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Tokyo’s Fabled 100 Yen Stores: Our Top Picks

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Exploring Tokyo’s Biggest Cave: Nippara Limestone Caves

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Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea: Tips & Hacks for First Timers

One look at the Tokyo Disneyland or DisneySea map will show just how...
Ueno Park

Ueno Park: One of the Best Places to see Cherry Blossoms in Tokyo

Come springtime in Japan, there’s one thing on everybody’s mind: cherry blossoms. People...

A Tuna Extravaganza at Maguro Mart in Nakano

Tuna lovers visiting Tokyo should consider a meal at Maguro Mart. As the...

Somei Yoshino: The Ageing King of Cherry Blossoms

Known as the 'king of cherry trees', the Somei Yoshino variety have delighted...

Japanese Cosmetics: Our Favorites to Shop for in Japan

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Togoshi Ginza Shopping Street: Tokyo’s Hidden Gem

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Higanbana Flower Viewing at Kinchakuda in Saitama

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Radio Taiso At Nezu Shrine And An Early Morning Walk

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Lose yourself in the Digital Landscapes of TeamLab Borderless

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Indie Cinema in Tokyo: Human Trust, Shibuya

Tokyo Cinema Scene For...

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