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

Camera Shopping in Tokyo: Top Spots for Great Deals

Tokyo rightly deserves its reputation as a world-class shopping destination, especially when it...

Tokyo Tower and a Tour through Surrounding Areas

Jutting out of the city center, you’d be mistaken for thinking that the...

Meiji Shrine: Serenity Amid The Urban Sprawl

Meiji Jingu, one of Japan’s most important Shinto shrines, can be found deep...
Inokashira Park in Kichijoji

Kichijoji Tour: Hammocks, Shopping and Parks

Kichijoji is a favorite destination for both tourists and Tokyo residents. With a...

Roppongi Tour: Soaring Heights and Night Life

Full of bustling shoppers and businesspeople by day and partygoers by night, Roppongi...
gotokuji-lucky-cat-shrine-setagaya-1

Gotokuji, Tokyo’s Lucky Cat Temple

You may not known their name, but no doubt you’ve seen those white...

Finding New York Style Pizza at The Pizza in Hiroo

One of the first things I tell people who visit Tokyo is that...

A Magical Guide to Tokyo DisneySea

For Disney fans, the happiest place in Japan isn’t Tokyo Disneyland, but next...

River Walks: A Tour of Tokyo’s Waterways – Part 1

From the jam-packed transit system to the teeming walkways around hubs like Shibuya...

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!

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...

Tokyo Station Bars: Top-shelf Drinking In The Urban Hub

Like most Tokyo neighborhoods, the area surrounding Tokyo Station has a thriving nightlife...
Beef in raw egg

Gloriously Decadent Sukiyaki at Ningyocho Imahan

If you want a meal that’s guaranteed to...

Enter a Magical Wonderland at the Shibuya Disney Store

For Disney fans, a visit to Japan is a no brainer. There’s Tokyo...

A Brooklyn Brunch that’s Beyonce approved, right in Harajuku

One day I was on my way to Harry’s Sandwich Co., and I...

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...

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...
tokyo tram line arakawa

Trams Through the Blossoms: Discovering Tokyo on the Arakawa Line

Roses line this Tokyo tram line At its peak,...

A Taste of Home: Tokyo’s International Grocery Stores

It happens to the best of us. You’ve planned your trip, you’re all...

Electronic Stores in Tokyo: Bic Camera and Beyond

The neon-lit corridors of Tokyo’s electronic stores can be just as daunting as...

Soothing Summer Wind Chimes from Shinohara Furin

Shopping in Tokyo? Head to Shinohara Furin Honpo for some traditional glass wind...

Ancient Art and Tranquil Gardens at Nezu Museum

The Japanese aesthetic is the sum of many parts, each wonderful in their...
adding an egg to your pasta

Superb Slurps at street pasta company

There’s no shortage of great noodle places in...

Late Night Eats at Ebisu Yokocho

By day, the neighbourhood of Ebisu hums with shoppers, museum-goers and the lunchtime...

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

Eat out in Japan often enough and you’ll notice a certain dearth of...

Tokyo Station: The Best Spots For Chills and Views

I love Tokyo Station. This is the epicenter of transportation for not just...

A Tuna Extravaganza at Maguro Mart in Nakano

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

Buckle up for Tokyo Mario Kart Tours

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

Tokyo Craft Beer at Far Yeast Brewing in Shibuya

Note: the Shibuya location moved to Gotanda to...

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...

Rare and Extreme Japanese Beers on Tap at Beer Boy

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

Japanese Cosmetics: Our Favorites to Shop for in Japan

While Korean cosmetics have taken the spotlight in recent years, many Japanese makeup...

Healthy Vegan Dining at Restaurant 8ablish, Omotesando

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

Tokyo Farmer’s Market at UNU

The Tokyo Farmer’s Market at UNU runs every...
okonomiyaki

Cook your own dinner at Sakura Tei Okonomiyaki

The artistic interior of Harajuku Okonomiyaki purveyors 'Sakura Tei'.
Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum

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...
The main street in Akihabara

Akihabara to Ueno Part 1 – An Akihabara Trek

The districts of Akihabara and Ueno sit next to one another and offer...
tokyo-burger-golden-brown-best-nakameguro-higashiyama-header

Classic Burgers at Golden Brown, Nakameguro

Tokyo is home to plenty of burger joints;...

Why Yanaka ‘Cat Town’ Is THE Place For Cat Lovers in Tokyo

If you’re coming to Tokyo and worry you’ll...

How to Ride the Bullet Train in Japan

Riding the bullet train (also known as Shinkansen) is easily the most convenient...

All Day Breakfast in Tokyo at Tractor, Nakameguro

Laid back, tattooed staff, grungy design, avocado on toast and cold drip coffee....

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...
Kinako kakigori at Kurogi

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...
Rainbow Bridge in Odaiba

Crossing the Rainbow Bridge and Diving Into an Odaiba Tour

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

Phenomenal Ramen in the Suburbs: Shibasakitei in Umegaoka

With literally thousands of ramen restaurants in Central Tokyo and across the Greater...

Tokyo Day Trip: Koedo, Kawagoe’s Breath of Edo

We hear music in the distance. Drums beat and flutes whistle a traditional...

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

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

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...

Hanami in Inokashira Park: A How To Guide

It would be a shame to be in Japan during cherry blossom season...
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.

Three Instagrammable Tokyo Photo Spots You Can’t Miss

Photography is a hobby of mine, a long running interest that I’ve had...

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

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

All Rise for Kikuya’s Standing Tempura in Ebisu

A standing restaurant is the epitome of Japanese efficiency. No seats means more...

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

When it comes to accommodation in Tokyo, it’s important to find a place...

Japanese Edible Candy Art: Amezaiku at Ameshin

Amezaiku is an ancient art requiring intense concentration and skill. Specifically, amezaiku is...

Pre-war nostalgia at Asakusa Okonomiyaki restaurant ‘Sometaro’

The Tokyo neighbourhood of Asakusa is a major...

Torimero yakitori: A cheap chain restaurant with many locations in Tokyo

Living in Tokyo you take some things for granted. Two of these things...

Ponipirika Soup Curry Is A Perfect Late Lunch in Shimokitazawa

Besides seafood, Hokkaido’s best export must be soup curry. This is exactly as...
Outside of Old Tsukiji Market

Tsukiji Market Trek – A Tour Through Old Tokyo Part 2

After leaving Ginza on your way south, the luxury of early 20th century...

Refined Kaiseki and Stunning Gardens at Tofuya Ukai

We follow our hostess through the twisting and turning hallways of the converted...
A22 - Header

Digging Through Don Don Down on Wednesday

Shopping for second-hand clothing in Tokyo isn’t quite the cost-saving measure it is...

Exploring the Tarō Okamoto Memorial Museum

If you’re a fan of avant-garde artwork, you’ve probably heard of Tarō Okamoto....

The Stages of Tokyo: A Guide to Traditional Tokyo Theater

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

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...

Sightseeing in Shibuya – Walking the Big Two Part 1

Shibuya and Shinjuku are the two biggest urban centers in Tokyo and two...

Grab an exquisite lunch at Hayama Ramen, Shinjuku

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

Tokyo’s Favourite Day Hike: Mount Takao (Takaosan)

Offering scenic hiking trails, a popular monkey park, and ancient shrines, it's no...
ranshu-best-dumplings-tokyo

Ranshu: Best Boiled Dumplings in Tokyo?

There are many places to enjoy drinking in greater Tokyo; whether you’re rubbing shoulders with...

Top Tokyo Instagram Spots: Mukojima-Hyakkaen Garden’s Japanese Clover Tunnel

It’s like stepping into a fairy tale. In fact, passing into Mukojima-Hyakkaen’s Japanese...

Gallivanting around Ginza – A Tour Through Old Tokyo Part 1

Many people come to Tokyo for the bright lights of Shibuya and Shinjuku....

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.

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...

Kabuki Single Act Tickets at Kabukiza Theatre, Tokyo

Heading to Tokyo and looking for something traditional to do? The Single Act...
Close-up of da ISA pizza

Stupendous Wood-Fired Pizza at da ISA in Nakameguro

Japanese pizza is notoriously ‘weird’—as many disgruntled expats might like to complain. Putting...

Sampling, Shopping and Snacking at Tokyu Food Show

Food lovers, prepare yourselves for one of the most dangerous foodie activities in...

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...
Close-up of unagi at Kawatoyo

A Perfect Layover Lunch near Narita Airport: Grilled Unagi Rice Bowls at Kawatoyo

Have a layover at Narita Airport with several hours to spare? A day...
A20 - Header

Backpacking Through Japan – An Overview

In the spring of 2019, my fiancée and I spent three weeks backpacking...

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

When the excitement of Tokyo has gotten to be too much, head to...

Toyosu Market Sushi Restaurant: Iso Sushi

Iso Sushi (or Isozushi) restaurant was a Tsukiji...

Exploring Cosplay Shops in Tokyo. Destination: Akihabara.

Many a Tokyo guidebook will suggest a visit to the neighbourhood of Akihabara....

Where to get an afternoon drink in Omotesando

So, I totally get it. You’re on vacation and you’ve been sightseeing or...

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...

Late Night Fortune Telling At Sensoji Temple

Founded in 645, Senso-ji is the oldest temple...
Hana wa Saku's signature dish

Hana wa Saku in Nakano Serves A Mean Bowl of Udon

One of our favourite areas in the metropolis to hang out and eat...

Experience Old-fashioned Tokyo on a Walking Tour Of Yanaka

On any given day, you can count on the main tourist areas of...
japanese lifestyle, art galleries, borderless

Lose yourself in the Digital Landscapes of TeamLab Borderless

Not sure if you’ve heard, but the whole Tokyo city lights and neon...

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?...
Two slices

Pizza Slice—A Taste of New York in Tokyo

Japanese pizza has a reputation for being a little strange. Where else would...
tokyo french restaurant nakameguro higashiyama la gueule de bois fusion cuisine

Delicious French Fusion in Nakameguro

Outside the Nakameguro French Restaurant, La Gueule de Bois We visit...

Chill Out in Tokyo’s Hammock Cafes: Mahika Mano & Cafe Stay Happy

In all my years on this earth, I’ve never met a single person...

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...
TeamLab Planets Tokyo

TeamLab Planets Digital Art Phenomenon Tokyo

Digital art installations and infinity rooms are all the rage in contemporary art....

Tips for Catching the Train or Bus in Tokyo

Using public transport in Tokyo can feel overwhelming, it’s the largest city in...

Experience Summer Fireflies in Tokyo at Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo

At night, the winding paths of Tokyo’s Chinzanso Garden are bathed in a...

Tokyo Zoos: A Guide to Tokyo’s Wild Side

Amidst the towering skyscrapers of downtown Tokyo and the low grey concrete of...
kappabashi dori

Kappabashi and its Many Tasteless Treats

A short walk from the temples and tourist attractions of Asakusa, sits a...

Set Sail on a Cherry Blossom River Cruise in Tokyo

Springtime in Japan means one thing, and one thing only: cherry blossoms. The...

Freshly Fried Seafood At The New Toyosu Market

Tokyo’s world famous Tsukiji Market has now officially...
motsuyaki ban yutenji lemon sour bar

Motsuyaki Ban, Tokyo’s original Lemon Sour Bar

We head to the birthplace of the Lemon Sour, ‘Motsuyaki Ban’  The Lemon Sour, a staple...

RECENT POSTS

MUST READ

POPULAR AREAS IN TOKYO

AKIHABARA

ASAKUSA