What to Book in Advance in Tokyo

A per-attraction verdict for Tokyo: what must be booked in advance and how far ahead, when tickets are released, the quietest time to visit and what it costs. Sorted by how early you need to act.

Verdicts checked 2026-09-29 · 36 verified verdicts

Book these in advance

Ghibli Museum
Book 4 weeks ahead
Book in advance, it sells out
The Ghibli Museum requires a date and time specific advance reservation and regularly sells out.
How far ahead:
Reserve weeks ahead, often sells out in peak season
Ticket release:
Tickets go on sale on the official site on the 10th of the month, three months in advance
Timed entry:
Yes
Quietest time:
Weekday late afternoon
Typical price:
JPY 1000
Skip-the-line tickets Official site
teamLab Planets TOKYO
Book 7 days ahead
Book in advance, it sells out
Extremely popular timed-entry immersive art museum that regularly sells out, book well ahead.
How far ahead:
1-2 weeks ahead, often sells out for the day
Ticket release:
Official tickets released online on the teamLab site with timed entry
Timed entry:
Yes
Quietest time:
Weekday opening hours
Typical price:
JPY 3200-4000
Skip-the-line tickets Official site
teamLab Borderless Museum
Book 7 days ahead
Book in advance, it sells out
teamLab museums require timed entry reservations and regularly sell out, so book well ahead.
How far ahead:
1-2 weeks ahead; timed slots sell out for weekends
Timed entry:
Yes
Quietest time:
Weekday mornings
Skip-the-line tickets Official site
Shibuya Sky
Book 3 days ahead
Booking ahead is recommended
Popular observation deck with timed entry slots that sell out at sunset, so book ahead.
How far ahead:
A few days ahead, same day possible
Ticket release:
Sold on the official site, released rolling
Timed entry:
Yes
Quietest time:
Early morning just after opening
Typical price:
JPY 2000
Skip-the-line tickets Official site
Sumida Aquarium
Book a day ahead
Booking ahead is recommended
Advance timed tickets avoid long queues at this popular Skytree-area aquarium.
How far ahead:
1 day in advance, or same day online
Ticket release:
Tickets sold on the official website
Timed entry:
Yes
Quietest time:
Weekday mornings
Typical price:
JPY 2500
Skip-the-line tickets Official site
Kabuki Theatre
Book a day ahead
Booking ahead is recommended
Popular Kabuki performances need advance seat purchase, though single-act tickets sell same day.
How far ahead:
A few days ahead, same-day tickets possible
Timed entry:
Yes
Quietest time:
Weekday matinees
Typical price:
JPY 4000-20000
Skip-the-line tickets Official site
Miraikan Museum
Book a day ahead
Booking ahead is recommended
Popular science museum can have long entry queues, so an advance ticket saves time.
How far ahead:
A few days to a week ahead, especially weekends
Quietest time:
Weekday mornings just after opening
Typical price:
JPY 630
Skip-the-line tickets Official site
Tokyo Skytree
Book same day
Booking ahead is recommended
Tickets are timed and can sell out for popular sunset slots in high season, so advance booking is wise.
How far ahead:
Same day online booking, especially for sunset slots
Timed entry:
Yes
Quietest time:
Weekday mornings before 11:00
Typical price:
JPY 2100-3100
Skip-the-line tickets Official site
Edo-Tokyo Museum
Book a day ahead
Booking ahead is recommended
Popular history museum with steady queues, advance tickets avoid waiting.
Not verified yet, check the official site before you go
How far ahead:
A day or two ahead in high season
Quietest time:
Weekday mornings
Typical price:
JPY 600
Check availability Official site
Mori Art Museum rooftop
Book 3 days ahead
Booking ahead is recommended
The Mori Art Museum rooftop sells timed entry tickets and can be busy at sunset, so book ahead.
Not verified yet, check the official site before you go
How far ahead:
A few days ahead, especially for sunset time slots
Timed entry:
Yes
Quietest time:
Weekday mornings
Skip-the-line tickets Official site

Walk in, no need to pre-book

Tokyo Tower
Walk in OK
Walk-in tickets are fine
Paid observation deck where buying on the day at the ticket counter is normally fine, though queues can build in the evening.
Not verified yet, check the official site before you go
Quietest time:
Mid-morning on weekdays
Typical price:
JPY 1200
Official site
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Walk in OK
Walk-in tickets are fine
A paid public garden with walk-in entry tickets sold at the gate, no advance booking normally needed.
Quietest time:
Early morning on weekdays
Typical price:
JPY 500
Official site
Ueno Park and Zoo
Walk in OK
Walk-in tickets are fine
The park is free to enter while the zoo charges admission bought at the gate on the day.
Quietest time:
Weekday mornings
Typical price:
JPY 600
Official site
Tokyo National Museum
Walk in OK
Walk-in tickets are fine
General admission is easy to buy at the door, though special exhibitions benefit from advance booking.
Quietest time:
Weekday mornings
Typical price:
JPY 1000
Official site
Roppongi Hills
Walk in OK
Walk-in tickets are fine
Complex itself is free to enter; the Mori Tower observatory benefits from advance tickets.
Not verified yet, check the official site before you go
Quietest time:
Weekday mornings
Typical price:
JPY 2000-2500
Official site
Sumida Hokusai Museum
Walk in OK
Walk-in tickets are fine
A popular but manageable museum where same day tickets at the counter are normally fine.
Quietest time:
Weekday late afternoon
Typical price:
JPY 400
Official site
Discover Kiyosumi Teien garden
Walk in OK
Walk-in tickets are fine
A traditional stroll garden with a small entrance fee bought on arrival.
Quietest time:
Weekday morning
Typical price:
JPY 150
Official site
Hakone Open Air Museum
Walk in OK
Walk-in tickets are fine
A large popular museum where walking up on the day is normally fine outside extreme peaks.
Quietest time:
Weekday morning
Typical price:
JPY 1600
Official site
Hakone Ropeway
Walk in OK
Walk-in tickets are fine
You can buy a ropeway ticket at the station on the day, though queues can build on weekends.
Not verified yet, check the official site before you go
Quietest time:
Early morning right after opening
Official site
Polà Museum of Art
Walk in OK
Walk-in tickets are fine
A medium-sized museum where buying admission on the day is normally fine.
Not verified yet, check the official site before you go
Quietest time:
Weekday mornings
Official site
Koishikawa Korakuen Garden
Walk in OK
Walk-in tickets are fine
A garden with a paid entry ticket you can easily buy at the gate on the day.
Quietest time:
Weekday mornings
Official site
Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum
Walk in OK
Walk-in tickets are fine
A moderately sized museum where buying admission on arrival is normally fine.
Not verified yet, check the official site before you go
Quietest time:
Weekday mornings
Official site
Hamarikyu Gardens
Walk in OK
Walk-in tickets are fine
City garden with an entry fee, but queues are short and same-day entry is fine.
Quietest time:
Weekday mornings
Typical price:
JPY 300
Official site

Free, no ticket needed

Senso-ji Temple
Free entry
Free, no ticket needed
A public Buddhist temple grounds are free to enter and walk around, with no admission charge.
Quietest time:
Early morning before 9:00
Typical price:
Free
Meiji Shrine
Free entry
Free, no ticket needed
A Shinto shrine in a public park with no admission charge for visitors.
Quietest time:
Early weekday mornings
Typical price:
Free
Tsukiji Outer Market
Free entry
Free, no ticket needed
A public market area with no admission charge, though food stalls can have queues.
Quietest time:
Late morning after 11:00
Typical price:
Free
Imperial Palace
Free entry
Free, no ticket needed
The palace grounds and East Gardens are free to walk through with no admission ticket required.
Quietest time:
Early weekday mornings
Typical price:
Free
Shibuya Crossing
Free entry
Free, no ticket needed
It is a public street intersection with no admission charge, so you simply walk there.
Quietest time:
Early morning, weekdays
Typical price:
Free
Odaiba
Free entry
Free, no ticket needed
It is an open waterfront district and park with no admission charge at the entrance.
Quietest time:
Weekday mornings
Typical price:
Free
Nakamise Street
Free entry
Free, no ticket needed
It is an open shopping street with no gate or admission charge to walk the stalls.
Quietest time:
Early morning
Typical price:
Free
Nezu Shrine
Free entry
Free, no ticket needed
The shrine grounds are open to the public with no admission fee to wander the grounds.
Quietest time:
Weekday mornings
Typical price:
Free
Omotesando Street
Free entry
Free, no ticket needed
It is a public shopping avenue with no admission charge to stroll the street.
Quietest time:
Weekday mornings
Typical price:
Free
Sumida Park
Free entry
Free, no ticket needed
Public riverside park open 24 hours with no admission charge.
Quietest time:
Early mornings
Typical price:
Free
Kichijoji and Inokashira Park
Free entry
Free, no ticket needed
Public park and neighbourhood open 24 hours with no admission charge.
Quietest time:
Early weekday mornings
Typical price:
Free
Yanaka Ginza Shopping Street
Free entry
Free, no ticket needed
Open-air shopping street with no admission charge, just walk through.
Quietest time:
Early weekday mornings
Typical price:
Free
Cat Street
Free entry
Free, no ticket needed
Open pedestrian street with no admission charge, open 24 hours.
Quietest time:
Early mornings
Typical price:
Free
Oedo Antiques Market
Free entry
Free, no ticket needed
It is an outdoor flea market with free entry and no advance ticket needed.
Quietest time:
Late afternoon before closing
Typical price:
Free
Yanaka Cemetery and Historic District
Free entry
Free, no ticket needed
It is a public cemetery and historic district open 24 hours with no admission charge.
Quietest time:
Weekday mornings
Typical price:
Free
Daikanyama T-Site
Free entry
Free, no ticket needed
It is a shopping and bookstore complex where entry is free and you browse at your leisure.
Quietest time:
Weekday mornings
Typical price:
Free
Zojoji Temple
Free entry
Free, no ticket needed
The temple grounds are free to enter, with no admission ticket required.
Quietest time:
Weekday early morning
Typical price:
Free
Omoide Yokocho (Memory Lane)
Free entry
Free, no ticket needed
A public alleyway lined with eateries; you just walk in with no admission ticket.
Quietest time:
Late morning
Typical price:
Free
Akihabara Electric Town
Free entry
Free, no ticket needed
A shopping district and neighbourhood; you simply walk around with no admission charge.
Quietest time:
Weekday mornings
Typical price:
Free
Yoyogi Park
Free entry
Free, no ticket needed
Public park open 24 hours with no admission charge, just walk in.
Quietest time:
Weekday early mornings
Typical price:
Free

Booking questions about Tokyo

What should I book in advance in Tokyo?

Book these first: Ghibli Museum (Reserve weeks ahead, often sells out in peak season), teamLab Planets TOKYO (1-2 weeks ahead, often sells out for the day), teamLab Borderless Museum (1-2 weeks ahead; timed slots sell out for weekends), Shibuya Sky (A few days ahead, same day possible), Sumida Aquarium (1 day in advance, or same day online). Everything else can be bought on the day or is free.

Do I need to book Ghibli Museum in advance?

Yes. The Ghibli Museum requires a date and time specific advance reservation and regularly sells out. How far ahead: Reserve weeks ahead, often sells out in peak season.

Do I need to book teamLab Planets TOKYO in advance?

Yes. Extremely popular timed-entry immersive art museum that regularly sells out, book well ahead. How far ahead: 1-2 weeks ahead, often sells out for the day.

Do I need to book teamLab Borderless Museum in advance?

Yes. teamLab museums require timed entry reservations and regularly sell out, so book well ahead. How far ahead: 1-2 weeks ahead; timed slots sell out for weekends.

Do I need to book Shibuya Sky in advance?

It is recommended. Popular observation deck with timed entry slots that sell out at sunset, so book ahead. How far ahead: A few days ahead, same day possible.

Do I need to book Sumida Aquarium in advance?

It is recommended. Advance timed tickets avoid long queues at this popular Skytree-area aquarium. How far ahead: 1 day in advance, or same day online.

Do I need to book Kabuki Theatre in advance?

It is recommended. Popular Kabuki performances need advance seat purchase, though single-act tickets sell same day. How far ahead: A few days ahead, same-day tickets possible.

Do I need to book Miraikan Museum in advance?

It is recommended. Popular science museum can have long entry queues, so an advance ticket saves time. How far ahead: A few days to a week ahead, especially weekends.

Do I need to book Tokyo Skytree in advance?

It is recommended. Tickets are timed and can sell out for popular sunset slots in high season, so advance booking is wise. How far ahead: Same day online booking, especially for sunset slots.

Verdicts are compiled from official ticketing policies and visitor demand and are checked periodically. Always confirm on the official site before you travel.

All attractions in Tokyo →