CityBuddy
English
Things to Do in Tokyo, Japan
When to visit
Plan your perfect trip to Tokyo, Japan
Get a complete travel plan built just for you in under 30 seconds, with daily routes, local food tips, budget estimates and more.
Are any of these especially important to you?
Select all that apply
Plan language: EnglishMost popular attractions in Tokyo, Japan
Top activities in Tokyo, Japan feature a visit to Tokyo Tower to enjoy panoramic city views from its 150-meter observation deck. Discover Senso-ji Temple, the oldest Buddhist temple in Tokyo, along with its lively Nakamise shopping street. Relax at Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, a 58.3-acre haven combining traditional Japanese, English, and French garden styles.
1. Tokyo Tower
Experience panoramic city views from a classic Tokyo landmark. Take the elevator up to two observation decks to see the skyline, Tokyo Bay, and Mount Fuji on clear days.
Quick facts: Glowing brilliantly against the Tokyo skyline, the tower shines with over 176 lamps, offering an unforgettable night view. Visitors can go up to two observation decks, where endless cityscapes provide perfect scenes for daytime sightseeing and romantic nights.
Highlights: In winter, thousands of tiny LED lights twinkle on the metal lattice, resembling snow glimmering under city lights, turning the tower into a glowing beacon against Tokyo's night sky. Below the main observation deck, a small aquarium displays over 50 fish species, creating a cool underwater retreat amid the city's buzz.
2. Senso-ji Temple
Visit Tokyo's oldest temple for a glimpse of Edo-era culture and vibrant street stalls. Walk beneath the giant red lantern, inhale incense, and explore Nakamise's snacks and souvenirs.
Quick facts: The air fills with incense scent as visitors pass through the giant red lantern welcoming all with its vibrant glow. Crowds often gather to try their luck with omikuji, small paper slips that predict the future, adding anticipation to the peaceful temple grounds.
Highlights: Visitors toss coins into a giant incense burner before the main hall, catching fragrant smoke said to bring health and fortune. The smoke often billows thick and sweet. The temple's large red lantern, nearly 700 kilograms and 3.9 meters wide, has been lovingly rebuilt multiple times since the 7th century using traditional methods that preserve ancient craftsmanship.
3. Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Discover a central Tokyo oasis featuring iconic cherry blossoms and autumn foliage. Stroll across wide lawns, manicured Japanese gardens, and a tranquil teahouse.
Quick facts: Entering feels like walking through three distinct garden styles: traditional Japanese, formal French, and English landscape. Vibrant cherry blossoms cover the grounds in spring, attracting photographers and picnickers enjoying serene views.
Highlights: A quirky tradition involves cherry blossom trees blooming in three waves thanks to over 1,000 varieties planted in the gardens, allowing visitors to enjoy sakura for almost half the year. Visitors often pause near the old French Formal Garden fountain, where water sounds mix with floral scents from over 20,000 plants, creating a serene and magical atmosphere.
Have you heard of free walking tours?
After traveling to 30+ countries, there's one thing I wish someone had told me from day one, and it completely changed how I experience new cities.
Free walking tours. Yes, actually free. No credit card needed. No catch.
Local guide, 2-3 hours
Major sights, hidden gems, local stories
100% tip-based
Guides earn only tips, so they give their absolute best
You tip what feels right
At the end, just tip whatever you feel is right
I've done these in dozens of cities and they've been the highlight of almost every trip. If you're visiting Tokyo, Japan, do this on your first day. You'll thank me later.
4. Meiji Shrine
Find peace in a Shinto sanctuary located in the heart of Tokyo. Walk under large torii gates, through a cedar tree cathedral, and watch traditional shrine rituals.
Quick facts: Stepping into the serene forest around the shrine feels like entering a natural sanctuary in a busy city, filled with fresh pine scents. Visitors often see traditional Shinto weddings, offering a rare glimpse into Japan's cultural rituals and elegant ceremonies.
Highlights: Walking through a 70-year-old forest planted by 100,000 volunteers, you pass sake barrels and giant wooden barrels of French wine, symbolizing a cultural exchange honoring the imperial couple. People write wishes on small wooden plaques called ema and hang them on racks, hoping their messages reach the deities enshrined there.
5. Tsukiji Outer Market
Taste Tokyo’s seafood culture at a lively market full of flavor. Wander alleyways lined with stalls, enjoy fresh sushi counters, and witness spirited auction action.
Quick facts: Spices, fresh seafood, and vibrant produce create an energetic atmosphere where food lovers can sample authentic Japanese flavors. Vendors calling out deals add to the sensory overload, making every visit a unique adventure for locals and travelers.
Highlights: Early risers can witness live tuna auctions where massive fish weighing up to 200 kilograms are sliced precisely before their eyes. The air is filled with salty sea breeze, sizzling grills, and vendors shouting deals on fresh wasabi and hand-cut sashimi, creating a unique electrifying atmosphere.
6. Tokyo Skytree
Enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of Tokyo from two observation decks. Floor-to-ceiling windows, a glass-floor section, and vibrant shops and eateries await below.
Quick facts: Soaring to Japan's tallest structure height, the observation decks offer breathtaking panoramic views across the Kanto region. Visitors marvel at the tower's innovative seismic proofing technology that blends ancient architectural techniques with modern engineering for ultimate earthquake resistance.
Highlights: Standing at 634 meters, the tower's design is inspired by a traditional Japanese sword called 'Mune-tsukuri,' giving it a sleek, tapered shape lit by 180 LED lights at night. Visitors try counting the 8,000 small stars embedded in the observation deck's glass floor, creating a sparkling sensation underfoot like the night sky.
7. Ueno Park and Zoo
Visit a historic park with a lively zoo and seasonal cherry blossoms. Walk tree-lined paths, see giant pandas, explore museums, and enjoy snack stalls near Shinobazu Pond.
Quick facts: Cherry blossoms paint the park in soft pink and white each spring, creating a breathtaking scene drawing crowds for hanami celebrations. The zoo houses Japan's only giant pandas, a hotspot for wildlife enthusiasts eager to see these rare and charming creatures.
Highlights: The park is home to over 1,000 cherry trees bursting into vibrant pink blossoms every spring, creating a breathtaking canopy where locals gather for hanami picnics. The zoo houses famous giant pandas Shin Shin and Ri Ri, whose playful antics attract thousands daily, especially at feeding time when they munch bamboo with charm.
8. Imperial Palace
Explore centuries of Japanese history behind towering stone walls and manicured gardens. Walk along the moats, cross Nijubashi Bridge, and roam peaceful East Gardens.
Quick facts: Serene moats and stone walls create a fortress feeling that transports visitors back to the samurai era. Seasonal gardens burst with color, offering peaceful spots to soak in rich history and natural beauty in the bustling city heart.
Highlights: Imagine walking through grounds where thousands of cherry blossom petals softly fall, creating pink carpets in spring, especially near the famous Nijubashi Bridge. Twice a year the inner gardens open to the public, revealing secret trails and ancient stone walls from the Edo period, making visitors feel like they've stepped back in time.
9. Shibuya Crossing
Experience Tokyo’s iconic organized chaos at the famous Shibuya Crossing. Watch hundreds crossing from every direction, neon signs glowing, and crowds moving rhythmically.
Quick facts: Picture a wave of people moving in perfect sync from all directions: energy pulses through the intersection, creating a mesmerizing human sea. Neon billboards flash vibrant colors overhead, blending with chatter and footsteps, making it one of the busiest pedestrian crossings with thousands crossing every signal change.
Highlights: At every light change, over 3,000 people sprint diagonally in perfect chaos from five directions, creating a mesmerizing urban dance lasting less than two minutes. Around the crossing, giant digital screens beam vibrant ads and quirky mascots, making the scene feel like a real-life video game level packed with neon energy and countless footsteps.
10. Odaiba
Explore a futuristic Tokyo waterfront with skyline views, shopping, and quirky attractions. Walk along the bayside, ride the Ferris wheel, photograph the Gundam, and relax at seaside cafés.
Quick facts: Vibrant neon lights and futuristic buildings create a lively atmosphere where visitors enjoy stunning waterfront views and unique shopping. Technology and entertainment fans find a playground of interactive museums, theme parks, and exhibitions sparking creativity and wonder.
Highlights: At night, a giant Gundam statue transforms with flashing lights and moving parts, a futuristic spectacle 18 meters tall that mesmerizes waterfront viewers. The area also features teamLab Borderless digital art museum where thousands of LED lights form immersive environments reacting to touch and movement, making visitors feel inside a living painting.
11. Nakamise Street
Discover a lively century-old shopping street leading to Senso-ji temple, filled with traditional snacks and souvenirs. Enjoy walkable stalls, photo-ready lanterns, and local treats everywhere.
Quick facts: A lively shopping lane funnels crowds toward a towering temple gate, lined with roughly 90 tiny stalls selling snacks, crafts, and colorful souvenirs. Expect the crack of freshly grilled senbei, the powdery sweetness of ningyo-yaki, and vendors calling out offers in a friendly chorus.
Highlights: A narrow corridor of red-paper lanterns frames the walk, vendors press small cake-shaped ningyo-yaki into iron molds that hiss and steam, sending warm, sweet aromas into the air. Several family-run stalls keep recipes and ledgers passed down nine generations and hand you hot samples for about ¥200 to taste the tradition immediately.
12. Sumida Aquarium
Visit a futuristic aquarium next to Tokyo Skytree for calm, close-up marine encounters. Walk through glowing jellyfish domes, watch playful penguins, and peer into a huge open tank.
Quick facts: A compact, modern aquarium stacks exhibits across multiple levels, letting you watch penguins glide beneath decks and jellyfish drift in lit tanks. Many displays showcase over 350 species in close-up windows, blending minimalist design with hands-on educational touch tanks.
Highlights: Under soft LED lighting, the jellyfish gallery becomes a silent, color-shifting ballet, with translucent bells pulsing like lanterns and tentacles tracing delicate patterns. Keepers perform calming dim-light rituals before evening viewings, the air smelling faintly of sea salt while tanks glow and penguins bob within meters of the glass.
Where to Stay in Tokyo, Japan
Selected by City Buddy based on guest reviews and proximity to top attractions
Search all hotels in Tokyo, JapanPowered by agoda
Traditional Sweet Dishes
Mochi
Mochi is pounded glutinous rice made into chewy cakes for New Year celebrations, and traditional mochitsuki gatherings turn the pounding into a lively community ritual.
Dorayaki
Dorayaki sandwiches sweet red bean paste between two fluffy pancakes, and folklore says its name comes from a stray gong left by a samurai, 'dora' meaning gong.
Taiyaki
Taiyaki is a fish-shaped cake modeled on the auspicious sea bream, originally filled with red bean paste and now stuffed with everything from custard to savory fillings.
Traditional Savory Dishes
Sushi
Edo-style sushi was designed to be eaten quickly by Tokyo workers, using vinegared rice and fresh, local fish to create a portable, elegant bite.
Tempura
Introduced in the 16th century by Portuguese cooks, tempura became a Tokyo specialty known for its whisper-light batter fried at high heat to lock in a delicate crisp.
Ramen
Ramen shops in Tokyo adapted Chinese noodles into many regional broths, and each shop often treats its recipe like a secret family tradition.
Traditional Beverages
Sake
Tokyo breweries helped refine sake into a drink with wine-like complexity, and tasting notes can range from floral to umami-rich depending on rice polishing and yeast.
Green Tea
Sencha is steamed right after plucking to preserve its vivid green color and grassy aroma, and Tokyo's tea culture elevated tea into a moment of calm in busy city life.
Shochu
Shochu is a distilled spirit distinct from sake, and in Tokyo you can explore varieties made from barley, sweet potato, or rice that each offer a different flavor profile.
Frequently Asked Questions about Tokyo, Japan
What is the ideal time to travel to Tokyo, Japan?
Is Tokyo, Japan costly for travelers?
What is the best way to get around Tokyo, Japan?
Can you drink the tap water in Tokyo, Japan?
How many tourists visit Tokyo, Japan yearly?
Get a PDF with the most popular attractions sent to your email
Get a PDF with all attractions, ratings, and tips. Perfect for offline use.
Most popular day trips
Nikko
Famous for its UNESCO World Heritage shrines and natural beauty.
Hakone
Known for hot springs, views of Mount Fuji, and scenic lakes.
Kamakura
Historic city with temples, shrines, and a giant Buddha statue.
Yokohama
Modern port city with a Chinatown and beautiful waterfront.
Mount Takao
Popular hiking spot near Tokyo with great nature and views.
Getting there
Train stations
Shinkansen, JR Lines, Metro Lines
JR Lines, Metro Lines
JR Lines, Metro Lines
Use the Narita Express or Limousine Bus from Narita Airport; take Keikyu Line or Tokyo Monorail from Haneda Airport for easy city access.
Find flights to Tokyo, Japan
Click to get eSim for Tokyo, Japan
The easiest and most affordable way to get mobile internet wherever you travel.
Useful information for Tokyo, Japan
Overview for Tokyo, Japan
Most popular itineraries for Tokyo, Japan
Browse trip plans created by other travelers
3-Day Tokyo Spring for Relaxed Culture and Budget Travelers
Enjoy a comfortable-paced spring visit to Tokyo focusing on cultural landmarks, cozy spots, and budget-friendly local experiences.
6-Day Relaxed Spring Discovery in Tokyo
A comfortable-paced 6-day spring itinerary exploring Tokyo's landmarks, scenic spots, local shops, and cozy cafes with leisure time and a free walking tour.
3-Day Tokyo Spring Leisure and Foodie Experience
A relaxed 3-day spring trip in Tokyo for a leisurely sightseeing traveler with a strong interest in food markets, local cuisine, and comfortable experiences.
5-Day Tokyo Spring Exploration for Relaxed Culture & Food Lovers
A laid-back 5-day spring itinerary through Tokyo covering key historic sites, scenic walks, cultural experiences, and food markets with leisurely pacing and local charm.
11-Day Tokyo Spring Journey for Culture and Food Enthusiasts
Explore Tokyo's rich culture, history, and culinary delights through museums, historical sites, food tours, and traditional experiences during the vibrant spring season.
30-Day Tokyo for Offbeat Explorers and Budget Backpackers
Discover Tokyo's hidden gems, local favorites, and authentic experiences over 30 spring days. Skip the tourist crowds and immerse in springtime vibes with free tours, street food, secret spots, and vibrant local life.
8-Day Summer Tokyo Adventure for Tween and Teen Explorers with Art, Play and Water Fun Staying in Jingu Gaien
Enjoy a fun and family-friendly 8-day Tokyo trip based entirely in the vibrant Jingu Gaien area, combining kid-friendly attractions, hidden gems, parks, and local eateries for an authentic and relaxed urban adventure.
7-Day Tokyo Summer Explorer for Families and Budget Backpackers
Experience the authentic charms of Tokyo through offbeat neighborhoods, kid-friendly parks, street food adventures, and local cultural gems, all while staying budget-conscious and cool during summer.
4-Day Tokyo Spring Experience
Discover Tokyo's vibrant culture, serene gardens, iconic landmarks, and culinary delights in this engaging spring journey.
Comments (7)
Never had food like Tokyo, ramen and izakaya nights were unforgettable, but expect long lines and big crowds.
Shibuya area felt overwhelmed by tourists, packed and loud. Loved other neighborhoods though, more authentic vibes elsewhere.
Early morning at Tsukiji outer market = fresh sushi and lively stalls, but go very early if you hate crowds and wait times.
City felt super safe and annoyingly efficient, trains on time, but hotels and meals are pricey. 4-6 days was a good amount.
Buy a Suica or Pasmo at the airport, top it up and tap everywhere. Saves time vs single tickets, and many shops take it.