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

Soup Curry in Tokyo: Where and Why You Should Eat It

If you like soup and if you love...

Healthy Vegan Lunches at Brown Rice Canteen in Omotesando

Vegan-friendly meals used to be difficult to find...
Shinjuku

Exploring Shinjuku – Walking the Big Two Part 3

If Shibuya is the current center of development, commerce, and shopping, Shinjuku is...

Best Yakitori in Nakameguro: Kushiwakamaru. The Stick Factory.

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

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

Like most Tokyo neighborhoods, the area surrounding Tokyo Station has a thriving nightlife...

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...

Tokyo’s Secret Wilderness: Exploring Todoroki Valley

Todoroki Valley is one of Tokyo’s best-kept secrets. Had your fill of busy...

Moominvalley Saitama: It’s Moominsummer Madness!

Hidden in the hills of Hanno and only 40 minutes from Tokyo, Moominvalley awaits. It's time for Moominsummer madness!

Kungyokudo Incense: Modernity Meets Tradition in Tokyo

While shopping in Japan, there is a huge range of souvenirs to choose...

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?...
Chicken vegetable soup curry at Ganesha

Soup Curry Ganesha—A Salaryman Favorite in Shinbashi

It’s an open secret for Tokyo diners—you’ll find all the great restaurants where...

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

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

Top 3 Torii Gate Tunnel Photo Spots in…Tokyo!

Loving those red torii gate tunnel images from Kyoto, but just can’t get...

Healthy Fast Food at Onigiri Asakusa Yadoroku

The idea of healthy fast food may seem...

Tokyo’s Fabled 100 Yen Stores: Our Top Picks

For cash-strapped travellers, Tokyo’s 100 yen stores are a godsend. One hundred yen...

Finding Good Fortune on an Ebisu Tour

The area of Ebisu, close to the din of Shibuya, is the perfect...

Visiting The World’s Tallest Tower: Tokyo Skytree

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

International Food in Tokyo: Injera, Poutine, and Pasta

Travelers visiting Tokyo are spoiled for options when it comes to Japanese food....

Exploring The Tokyo Sewerage Museum “Rainbow”

If you’re a fan of all things public works, the Tokyo Sewerage Museum...
tokyo-burger-golden-brown-best-nakameguro-higashiyama-header

Classic Burgers at Golden Brown, Nakameguro

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

Soothing Summer Wind Chimes from Shinohara Furin

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

Gluten-Free in Tokyo: Everything You Need to Know

Visiting new places with an allergy can be hard. However, knowing what you...

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...

Tokyo Sake Bar in Ebisu: Frozen Sake Bar Buri

Head west of Ebisu Station into the backstreets...

Prime Chicken and Flaming Charcoal at Ganchan Roppongi

Yakitori has to be one of my favourite meals in Japan. It’s an...

Gachapon Capsule Toys: Cheap Souvenirs and a Bit of Fun

If you’re looking for a cheap souvenir that comes with a bit of...

A Taste of Home: Tokyo’s International Grocery Stores

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

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

I look on as a group of five groundskeepers silently go about their...
Half and half ochazuke

Dashi Chazuke En: Comfort Food Before A Flight at Narita

Narita International Airport has dozens of eating options, from ramen and sushi to...

Healthy Vegan Dining at Restaurant 8ablish, Omotesando

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

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

We hear music in the distance. Drums beat and flutes whistle a traditional...
tokyo-cinema-movie-theater-shibuya-indie-independant-human-trust-header

Indie Cinema in Tokyo: Human Trust, Shibuya

Tokyo Cinema Scene For...
Tsutaya Bookshop Tokyo

Where to Buy English Books in Tokyo

You’re in Tokyo and fancy a read but you don’t know where to...

A Tokyo Ryokan Where You Can Bathe Under City Lights: Cyashitsu Ryokan

Tokyo's duality is one of its many charms; that intersection of ancient history,...

Exploring Tokyo’s Biggest Cave: Nippara Limestone Caves

At the western edge of Tokyo prefecture, around 2 hours from the city...

Electronic Stores in Tokyo: Bic Camera and Beyond

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

Exploring the Tarō Okamoto Memorial Museum

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

Three Instagrammable Tokyo Photo Spots You Can’t Miss

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

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

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

The restaurant that inspired Quentin Tarantino: Gonpachi Nishi Azabu

Cinephiles coming to Tokyo could definitely put together a movie-based pilgrimage trip. Movie-themed...

Harajuku Art Scene: Ukiyo-e Ota Memorial Museum of Art

Looking for a dash of culture at a Tokyo museum? Skip the Harajuku...

Akihabara to Ueno Part 2: An Ueno Tour

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

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...
american-sandwich-tokyo-ginza

Could ‘American’ Be The Biggest Sandwich In Tokyo?

Ginza, Tokyo. An upscale neighbourhood all about high-end shopping and dining. As such, many cuisines...

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...

Meat-ya Asagaya: Tokyo’s Best Spaghetti House

Do one thing, and do it well. Many restaurants in Japan subscribe to...

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

Architect Kengo Kuma Weaves Nature Into New National...

Rare and Extreme Japanese Beers on Tap at Beer Boy

Beer lovers have plenty to be happy about in Japan. From cheap cans...
The New National Stadium Tokyo

Aoyama Trek: A Nature and Architecture Walk

Tokyo is a sprawling metropolis with countless landscapes to explore. Besides the main...

Kabuki Single Act Tickets at Kabukiza Theatre, Tokyo

Heading to Tokyo and looking for something traditional to do? The Single Act...

Late Night Eats at Ebisu Yokocho

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

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...

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

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

Experience Summer Fireflies in Tokyo at Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo

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

Where to get an afternoon drink in Harajuku, Tokyo

OK, so you’re on vacation and you’ve been sightseeing or shopping all day....

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...

The Artizon Museum: Experiencing Creativity in Tokyo

If you find yourself near Tokyo Station with time to spare, consider checking...

World’s Biggest Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Nakameguro

Whether you’re a coffee lover, architecture buff or just want to see what...

The Stages of Tokyo: A Guide to Traditional Tokyo Theater

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

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

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

Pre-war nostalgia at Asakusa Okonomiyaki restaurant ‘Sometaro’

The Tokyo neighbourhood of Asakusa is a major...
Mixed sashimi platter at Tobusakana

Tobusakana—A Local Seafood Izakaya in Shimokitazawa

Shimokitazawa is known for vintage fashion, soup curry, and cafes. The unceasing renovation...
Asakusa Temple

Ambling Asakusa Tour: A Tour of Old Tokyo Part 3

After a leisurely boat ride along the Sumida River, you will arrive in...
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...

Shopping locally made artisanal products at Akihabara’s 2k540

Are you on the hunt for Japanese souvenirs that are high quality and...

Sakura Jingu Shrine: Pretty in Pink Cherry Blossoms and Ribbons

There are plenty of places to see cherry...

Kooriya Peace in Kichijoji Serves Gorgeous Shaved Ice Creations Almost Too Beautiful to Eat

Tokyo has no shortage of great shaved ice (kakigori), but even with all...

Gallivanting around Ginza – A Tour Through Old Tokyo Part 1

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

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...

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...

An Intimate Guide to Kabukicho

Get ready to explore Shinjuku's neon heart with our ultimate guide to Kabukicho....

Experience Old-fashioned Tokyo on a Walking Tour Of Yanaka

On any given day, you can count on the main tourist areas of...
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.

Commune 2nd, Omotesando’s Food Truck Park Paradise

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

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...

A Charming Expedition to Tokyo’s Ancient Egyptian Museum

The Ancient Egyptian Museum is a small corner space on the eighth floor...
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...

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....

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

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

Somei Yoshino: The Ageing King of Cherry Blossoms

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

Da Yo Ne is A Great Little Tea Rice Bar in Roppongi

Few dishes are more comforting on a cold, rainy day than the humble...
Cafe in Aoyama

Urban Oasis: Aoyama Flower Market Teahouse

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

Halloween Hijinx at Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea

Halloween is one of the spookiest events on the calendar; a time for...
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...

Iwasa Sushi, Toyosu Market

Though Tsukiji Market has closed and is settling into its new location at...

How to Ride the Bullet Train in Japan

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

Sightseeing in Shibuya – Walking the Big Two Part 1

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

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...
A20 - Header

Backpacking Through Japan – An Overview

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

Camera Shopping in Tokyo: Top Spots for Great Deals

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

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...

Exploring Local Nightlife at a Japanese Yokocho

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

Where to Take the Best Photos of the Shibuya Crossing

Ah, the Shibuya Crossing. A visit to Tokyo simply wouldn’t be complete without...

All Day Breakfast in Tokyo at Tractor, Nakameguro

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

A $500 Sandwich At Nakameguro’s Wagyu Mafia

In Tokyo, you can totally get by eating on a dime. But when...
This tranquil waterwheel is in Hidaka's Kinchaku field. The red spider lily festival is held in the area.

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...

RECENT POSTS

MUST READ

POPULAR AREAS IN TOKYO

AKIHABARA

ASAKUSA