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
Spicy, Soupy, Sublime: That’s Soup Curry at Yellow Company
Eat out in Japan often enough and you’ll notice a certain dearth of...
Toyosu Market Sushi Restaurant: Iso Sushi
Iso Sushi (or Isozushi) restaurant was a Tsukiji...
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...
Soup Curry in Tokyo: Where and Why You Should Eat It
If you like soup and if you love...
Where to Buy English Books in Tokyo
You’re in Tokyo and fancy a read but you don’t know where to...
The restaurant that inspired Quentin Tarantino: Gonpachi Nishi Azabu
Cinephiles coming to Tokyo could definitely put together a movie-based pilgrimage trip. Movie-themed...
Mizumoto Park: Tokyo’s Biggest and Best Place to See Irises
The northeastern reaches of Tokyo are home to the oft-overlooked Katsushika Ward, bordered...
5-star Luxury in a Historic Oasis: Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo
When it comes to accommodation in Tokyo, it’s important to find a place...
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...
Tips for Visiting Tokyo Disneyland
Whether you’re looking for a fun day trip while you’re in Tokyo or...
Tokyo Farmer’s Market at UNU
The Tokyo Farmer’s Market at UNU runs every...
Gluten-Free in Tokyo: Everything You Need to Know
Visiting new places with an allergy can be hard. However, knowing what you...
Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea: Tips & Hacks for First Timers
One look at the Tokyo Disneyland or DisneySea map will show just how...
Why Yanaka ‘Cat Town’ Is THE Place For Cat Lovers in Tokyo
If you’re coming to Tokyo and worry you’ll...
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...
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...
Kungyokudo Incense: Modernity Meets Tradition in Tokyo
While shopping in Japan, there is a huge range of souvenirs to choose...
Kabuki Single Act Tickets at Kabukiza Theatre, Tokyo
Heading to Tokyo and looking for something traditional to do? The Single Act...
Tokyo’s Fabled 100 Yen Stores: Our Top Picks
For cash-strapped travellers, Tokyo’s 100 yen stores are a godsend. One hundred yen...
Could ‘American’ Be The Biggest Sandwich In Tokyo?
Ginza, Tokyo. An upscale neighbourhood all about high-end shopping and dining. As such, many cuisines...
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...
Yanaka Beer Hall: Craft Beer In A Traditional Setting
With its bustling Ginza shopping street, veteran shopkeepers,...
Explore Tokyo’s Underground Temple in the Ryu-Q Kan Sewer Tour
For most, the words “Tokyo sewer tour” don’t inspire much excitement. It’s an...
A Magical Guide to Tokyo DisneySea
For Disney fans, the happiest place in Japan isn’t Tokyo Disneyland, but next...
Kurogi’s Killer Kinako Kakigori – A Shaved Ice Dessert to Die For
Kinako, or roasted soybean flour, might be a difficult sell if you’ve never...
Strolling Through Yesteryear: Exploring Yanaka Ginza
After an early morning photo shoot at Nezu...
Where to get an afternoon drink in Omotesando
So, I totally get it. You’re on vacation and you’ve been sightseeing or...
Gallivanting around Ginza – A Tour Through Old Tokyo Part 1
Many people come to Tokyo for the bright lights of Shibuya and Shinjuku....
Nakameguro Tour – A Taste of Trendiness
If you’re looking to get a taste of cozy bistros and trendy cafés,...
A Mystical Sea of Clouds in Tokyo’s Historic Chinzanso Garden
If you venture out of the cities, you’ll find that Japan is a...
Iwasa Sushi, Toyosu Market
Though Tsukiji Market has closed and is settling into its new location at...
Healthy Vegan Dining at Restaurant 8ablish, Omotesando
Omotesando on the weekend is a bustling place. The wide streets and footpaths...
Hinatomaru: A Sushi Bar Making A Case for Tuna Head Sushi
Asakusa is not the first place most people think of when it comes...
Classic Burgers at Golden Brown, Nakameguro
Tokyo is home to plenty of burger joints;...
Japanese Craft Beer By The River: Hitachino Brewing Lab, Akihabara
Akihabara can be a frenetic place; whirring arcades, hordes of tax free shoppers,...
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...
Sightseeing in Shibuya – Walking the Big Two Part 1
Shibuya and Shinjuku are the two biggest urban centers in Tokyo and two...
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...
Togoshi Ginza Shopping Street: Tokyo’s Hidden Gem
Yearning to see a more “local” side of Tokyo, but still want 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...
Ponipirika Soup Curry Is A Perfect Late Lunch in Shimokitazawa
Besides seafood, Hokkaido’s best export must be soup curry. This is exactly as...
What To Eat While Watching Sumo: Kokugikan Yakitori
Japan is a nation steeped in tradition. There is a profound reverence for...
Where to get an afternoon drink in Harajuku, Tokyo
OK, so you’re on vacation and you’ve been sightseeing or shopping all day....
Serenity and Samurai at the Bamboo Temple: Hokokuji
A tranquil haven linked to an ancient, ruling samurai clan, Hokokuji Temple is...
Tokyo Tower and a Tour through Surrounding Areas
Jutting out of the city center, you’d be mistaken for thinking that the...
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.
Tokyo Day Trip: Koedo, Kawagoe’s Breath of Edo
We hear music in the distance. Drums beat and flutes whistle a traditional...
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.
Sangenjaya Tour – Burgers, Cafes and a Stop in the Park
Tokyo is filled with trendy neighborhoods. Some of them, like Ginza, are more...
The Best Tantanmen in Tokyo: Bazoku
Japan, 1977. The economy was booming, black-and-white television was a distant memory and baseball legend...
Hearty Tsukemen in Akihabara: Menya Musashi Bujin
These days, ramen is a household name. But have you ever heard of...
Kichijoji Tour: Hammocks, Shopping and Parks
Kichijoji is a favorite destination for both tourists and Tokyo residents. With a...
Shibuya’s Underbelly: A Walk Through Love Hotel Hill and Dogenzaka
Shibuya may have the reputation of being a teen shopping mecca with a...
Soup Curry Ganesha—A Salaryman Favorite in Shinbashi
It’s an open secret for Tokyo diners—you’ll find all the great restaurants where...
All Day Breakfast in Tokyo at Tractor, Nakameguro
Laid back, tattooed staff, grungy design, avocado on toast and cold drip coffee....
Aoyama Trek: A Nature and Architecture Walk
Tokyo is a sprawling metropolis with countless landscapes to explore. Besides the main...
Best Yakitori in Nakameguro: Kushiwakamaru. The Stick Factory.
When people ask me what to eat in Tokyo, a hundred places immediately...
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...
Natural History Comes To Life at Tokyo’s National Museum of Nature and Science
Natural history and science come to life at the National Museum of Nature and Science in Tokyo's Ueno Park!
Hana wa Saku in Nakano Serves A Mean Bowl of Udon
One of our favourite areas in the metropolis to hang out and eat...
Kyu Asakura House: Wood in a Concrete Jungle
Kyu Asakura House is an unlikely residential building with a beautiful strolling garden, nestled in the concrete heart of Shibuya.
Lose yourself in the Digital Landscapes of TeamLab Borderless
Not sure if you’ve heard, but the whole Tokyo city lights and neon...
A Visit To The Oldest Eel Restaurant in Tokyo: Izuei Honten
Unagi is a bit of a thing in Japan. Loved for centuries with...
Finding New York Style Pizza at The Pizza in Hiroo
One of the first things I tell people who visit Tokyo is that...
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...
Pre-war nostalgia at Asakusa Okonomiyaki restaurant ‘Sometaro’
The Tokyo neighbourhood of Asakusa is a major...
Gachapon Capsule Toys: Cheap Souvenirs and a Bit of Fun
If you’re looking for a cheap souvenir that comes with a bit of...
River Walks: A Tour of Tokyo’s Waterways – Part 1
From the jam-packed transit system to the teeming walkways around hubs like Shibuya...
All Rise for Kikuya’s Standing Tempura in Ebisu
A standing restaurant is the epitome of Japanese efficiency. No seats means more...
First Avenue: Characters, Ramen and Sweets
Tokyo Station is way more than just a place to change trains! Within...
Umi No Hi Festival A Different Way to Experience Tokyo in the Summer
The Umi No Hi festival is celebrated by decorating the beach of Odaiba...
Camera Shopping in Tokyo: Top Spots for Great Deals
Tokyo rightly deserves its reputation as a world-class shopping destination, especially when it...
Japanese Cosmetics: Our Favorites to Shop for in Japan
While Korean cosmetics have taken the spotlight in recent years, many Japanese makeup...
JK For A Day: Embracing Your Inner Teen In Tokyo
Living in Japan, I can’t help but look around at all the cute...
Tips for Catching the Train or Bus in Tokyo
Using public transport in Tokyo can feel overwhelming, it’s the largest city in...
A Day Trip To Shibamata: Tokyo’s Magical Retro Hood
Spend a few days exploring Tokyo and you’ll start to get a sense...
TeamLab Planets Digital Art Phenomenon Tokyo
Digital art installations and infinity rooms are all the rage in contemporary art....
Rare and Extreme Japanese Beers on Tap at Beer Boy
Beer lovers have plenty to be happy about in Japan. From cheap cans...
The Retro Post-War Izakaya of Hoppy Dori, Asakusa
Asakusa found prosperity in the Edo era. A veritable playground for rice dealers,...
Buckle up for Tokyo Mario Kart Tours
Tokyo Mario Kart Tours!? These Nintendo-esque go-kart street tours have to be one...
Serenity A Stone’s Throw Away At Tokyo’s Kiyosumi Gardens
There's no shortage of beautiful parks and green spaces in Tokyo. So, to...
Torimero yakitori: A cheap chain restaurant with many locations in Tokyo
Living in Tokyo you take some things for granted. Two of these things...
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...
Late Night Eats at Ebisu Yokocho
By day, the neighbourhood of Ebisu hums with shoppers, museum-goers and the lunchtime...
Gomaya Kuki – World’s Richest Black Sesame Ice Cream?
If you have a sweet tooth and you’re visiting Japan, green tea-flavoured desserts...
Harajuku Art Scene: Ukiyo-e Ota Memorial Museum of Art
Looking for a dash of culture at a Tokyo museum? Skip the Harajuku...
Backpacking Through Japan – An Overview
In the spring of 2019, my fiancée and I spent three weeks backpacking...
Radio Taiso At Nezu Shrine And An Early Morning Walk
“Ohayōgozaimasu!” says the man stretching beside his portable radio. Its tinny sound reminds...
Exploring Tokyo’s Biggest Cave: Nippara Limestone Caves
At the western edge of Tokyo prefecture, around 2 hours from the city...
Meiji Shrine: Serenity Amid The Urban Sprawl
Meiji Jingu, one of Japan’s most important Shinto shrines, can be found deep...
Digging Through Don Don Down on Wednesday
Shopping for second-hand clothing in Tokyo isn’t quite the cost-saving measure it is...
Somei Yoshino: The Ageing King of Cherry Blossoms
Known as the 'king of cherry trees', the Somei Yoshino variety have delighted...
Unlimited Fun at Kabukicho’s Okinawa Paradise
If you’re after a rowdy night with Tokyo locals, look no further than...
The Artizon Museum: Experiencing Creativity in Tokyo
If you find yourself near Tokyo Station with time to spare, consider checking...
Hanami in Inokashira Park: A How To Guide
It would be a shame to be in Japan during cherry blossom season...
Three Instagrammable Tokyo Photo Spots You Can’t Miss
Photography is a hobby of mine, a long running interest that I’ve had...
Touring Harajuku – Walking the Big Two Part 2
Between Shibuya and Shinjuku is the sprawling greenery of Yoyogi Park that dominates...
Vegan Food in Tokyo: A Complete Guide
Travelling while vegan can be difficult; worrying about whether you’re going to be...
Tokyo’s Plum Blossom Season: Where and why you should go
While much ado is made about Japan's cherry blossom season, winter-weary travellers should...
Unleash your inner child at the Poop Museum Tokyo
From the outside, the Unko Museum Tokyo looks like a colourful knick-knack shop...