Whether it’s stopping by world-famous art exhibitions, watching a sumo wrestling match or partaking in an evening of karaoke, there’s so much to do to keep visitors occupied in Tokyo. Despite its reputation as a bustling metropolis (its inner-city population tops 13 million), it’s easier than you may think to find little spots of serenity, with peaceful shrines hidden among sprawling parks, and inviting onsen hot springs that provide a restorative hour or two.
Don’t forget to look behind the city’s gleaming façade of skyscrapers for a glimpse of its slower-paced cultural core. It’s also surprisingly easy to explore the city without spending a penny. Here are some of the best things you can do on a visit to Tokyo.
All our recommendations below have been hand selected and tested by our destination expert to help you discover the best things to do in Tokyo. Find out more below, or for more inspiration, see our guides to the city’s best hotels, restaurants, shopping, and bars and nightlife.
Find things to do by type:
Best for sightseeing
Tokyo Skytree
Admire the sprawling cityscape from above
One of Tokyo’s landmarks that is impossible to miss is Tokyo Skytree, which looms over the skyline. It’s the world’s tallest free-standing broadcast tower, at more than 2,000ft tall, and has become a major tourist attraction since opening in 2012. Explore the shops, restaurants and cherry tree-lined plazas at the tower’s base before taking high-tech lifts to the two viewing platforms.
Insider tip: Same-day tickets are possible, but it’s best to arrive early or reserve in advance. If you want an alternative view of the tower, check into the Kengo Kuma designed hotel ONE@TOKYO and ask for a room that looks out onto it.
Website: tokyo-skytree.jp
Nearest station: Tokyo Skytree station
Price: £
Himiko and Hotaluna river cruises
Sail on a boat that resembles a spaceship
The Himiko and Hotaluna waterbuses would not look out of place in a sci-fi film, due to their curved glass windows, futuristic lighting and the way they glide across the water. Both take guests along the Sumida River towards Tokyo Bay, with sights ranging from cherry blossoms to the Tokyo Skytree. One of the best routes is the 55-minute ride from Asakusa (home to the city’s oldest temple, Senso-ji) to Odaiba Seaside Park.
Insider tip: If the weather is good, opt for Hotaluna over Himiko, as it has an outdoor roof deck.
Website: suijobus.co.jp
Nearest station: Asakusa station
Price: £
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
Soak up free views across the city
Skip the more expensive ways to take in the view, from upmarket hotels, restaurants and other attractions, and instead head to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building offices where there is no entry charge. Here, at the 45th floor apexes of its iconic twin towers, made by architect Kenzo Tange in 1991, visitors can soak up the all-round panorama of Tokyo, from more than 200m above the ground.
Insider tip: Both the North Tower and the South Tower have free public observation decks.
Website: english.metro.tokyo.lg.jp
Nearest station: Shinjuku station
Price: Free
Best for families
Sumo wrestling
Sit ring side to watch the famous sport
Embrace Japan’s national sport and coincide your visit to Tokyo with one of three annual sumo tournaments, in January, May and September, each lasting 15 days. Tournaments take place at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in the Ryogoku district. Approximately 11,000 spectators gather around a central ring where wrestlers toss salt, stamp feet and lunge at opponents.
Insider tip: You don’t have to stay all day: the most exciting time to watch is normally between 3pm and 6.30pm, which is when the top-rated wrestlers fight. And when it’s over? Head to one of countless nearby restaurants for chanko nabe – a healthy stew eaten by sumo wrestlers.
Website: sumo.or.jp
Nearest station: Ryogoku station
Price: ££
Uta Hiroba karaoke
Participate in one of Japan’s most popular activities
No visit to Tokyo is complete without indulging in one celebrated national pastime: karaoke. Fortunately, many karaoke venues consist of floors of endless private rooms which can be rented by the hour – complete with large screens, some percussion and a telephone to make food and drinks orders. One such spot is the Dogenzaka branch of Uta Hiroba in Shibuya.
Insider tip: Karaoke is not just for adults: it’s a fun place to take children during the day (those under 16 are allowed until 5.30pm), and there’s likely to be a medley of songs in the system they know.
Website: utahiro.com
Nearest station: Shibuya station
Price: £
Ueno Park
Enjoy lotus ponds, gardens and people watching
The expansive, green Ueno Park is a great one-stop shop for several attractions. Its highlights include Shinobazu Pond, with its carpet of lotuses, and Bentendo, an octagonal temple set on an island. For those happy to pay entrance fees, there’s also a zoo and a string of museums (including Tokyo National Museum, the oldest in Japan).
Insider tip: Springtime flower appreciation is also a major event – thousands descend on the park to enjoy a picnic under the blooming cherry trees.
Website: gotokyo.org
Nearest station: Ueno station
Price: Free
Best for culture
Niwa no Yu
Bathe in hot springs
It may not be set in a traditional wooden ryokan with mountain views – but Niwa no Yu, a sprawling urban complex in Nerima, north west of Tokyo’s centre, is a popular option for inner-city hot spring onsen bathing. It’s home to an expansive range of restorative facilities, including a selection of steaming baths (gender segregated) set around seasonal Japanese gardens. There’s also a circular pool flowing around a giant crystal (yes really), complete with aqua massages; a bedrock bath area, where visitors can lie on a range of different heated rocks; and several saunas.
Insider tip: There is etiquette to follow when enjoying onsen, including not wearing shoes, showering before entering the baths and not dunking your hair in the water. There’s a list of rules on the website.
Website: seibu-leisure.co.jp/niwanoyu
Nearest station: Toshimaen station
Price: ££
Senso-ji
Explore temples and markets and in an old geisha district
Senso-ji, the city’s oldest Buddhist temple, is one of the most atmospheric places to explore Tokyo’s past. It’s located in the former geisha district, Asakusa, and its entrance is marked by the dramatic red lantern Thunder God Gate. A colourful market selling Japanese crafts and sweets paves the way to its spiralling pagodas and altars where incense is burned and prayers are said.
Insider tip: It’s worth wandering around the surrounding Asakusa neighbourhood, exploring its winding lanes and old kimono stores. Kappabashi Dori, a street lined with kitchenware stores, is a highlight.
Website: senso-ji.jp
Nearest station: Asakusa station
Price: Free
Meiji Jingu
Discover a serene forest shrine in the heart of the city
In typical Tokyo style, one of the city’s most peaceful forest shrines is just a stone’s throw from the 21st-century Harajuku crowds. A wide path lined with thick, green forests leads to the serene and spacious confines of Meiji Jingu, a perfectly proportioned classic Shinto shrine that is devoted to the spirit of the late Emperor Meiji and his wife. While there, look out for silent wedding processions led by the billowing white kimono of a Shinto bride.
Insider tip: Wear comfortable shoes if possible and avoid taking prams, as the path is long and gravelly.
Website: meijijingu.or.jp
Nearest station: Harajuku station
Price: Free
Harajuku
See rainbow-bright outfits in the street-fashion district
A trip to Tokyo just isn’t the same without seeing some eccentric street fashion, which is almost always guaranteed in the district of Harajuku, and in particular on the colourful pedestrianised Takeshita Dori. Here, crowds of rainbow-bright teenagers can be seen in an array of trend-triggering fashions as they peruse the street’s colourful stores selling vintage clothing, kitsch accessories and – a local speciality – sugar high-inducing strawberry waffles.
Insider tip: Venture off Takeshita Dori and wind through the back streets, where you’ll find slightly more understated and unique clothes shops and boutiques.
Website: gotokyo.org
Nearest station: Harajuku station
Price: Free
Toyosu market
Experience Tokyo’s famous fish market
Before its closure in 2018, Tokyo’s old fish market Tsukiji was one of the city’s most iconic attractions, with jetlagged visitors more than happy to rise at ungodly pre-sunrise hours to wander among the surreal rows of seafood and watch the famous tuna auction, before eating a deliciously fresh sushi breakfast.
Now the whole operation is based on a man-made island in Tokyo Bay, in a location that is nearly twice the size and completely different in atmosphere – modern, bright and spacious. It might be shinier and newer than its original iteration, but it still offers an insight into the colourful machinations of the city’s fish industry – and a taste of some of the world’s freshest sushi.
Insider tip: Plan your day in advance. While the market is open between 5am and 5pm, it’s closed on Sundays and some Wednesdays.
Website: toyosu-market.or.jp
Nearest station: Shijomae station
Price: Free
Yanaka
Go back in time to a traditional neighbourhood
Swap the modern for the traditional and head to the atmospheric eastern Yanaka neighbourhood. Relatively untouched by wartime bombing or earthquakes, it contrasts dramatically with most of Tokyo. Spend an afternoon exploring its quiet lanes lined with wooden houses, old-fashioned sweet stalls, temples, its famous cemetery and a new generation of young craftsmen setting up shop.
Insider tip: Stop by Sonomitsu, a tiny shoe-making atelier, Scai the Bathhouse, one of Tokyo’s best independent art galleries located in a former bathhouse, Yanaka Beer Hall, and Kabaya Coffee just around the corner.
Website: gotokyo.org
Nearest station: Nippori station
Price: Free
Best for art
Nezu Museum
Discover pre-modern Asian arts in a serene space
On a quiet street not far from the retail bustle of Omotesando is the unexpectedly serene Nezu Museum. Designed by famous architect Kengo Kuma (who was also behind the Japan National Stadium, used for the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics), the space is a minimal haven with walls of bamboo, pebble walkways and huge panes of glass. It showcases exhibitions curated from its 7,000-strong collection of pre-modern Asian arts, including calligraphy, textiles, paintings and tea ceremony tools.
Insider tip: Whatever you do, don’t miss the gardens. Take your time exploring the lush, green and beautifully maintained expanse of trees, moss-covered statues, ponds and teahouses. There is also a small modernist café in the garden, serving sandwiches, cakes and green tea lattes.
Website: nezu-muse.or.jp
Nearest station: Omotesando station
Price: £
21_21 Design Sight
Spark your creative side at a design exhibition
Design lovers should make a beeline for 21_21 Design Sight, the brainchild of designer Issey Miyake. The abstract concrete building, designed by Tadao Ando, is located behind the Tokyo MidTown shopping complex. It hosts a string of innovative shows every year, often curated by top creative talents, such as product designer Naoto Fukasawa (past themes range from rice to motion science).
Insider tip: Roppongi is emerging as something of an art hub – combine a visit with a trip to other galleries in the area (Mori Art Museum, National Art Center and Suntory Museum of Art among them).
Website: 2121designsight.jp
Nearest station: Roppongi station
Price: £
teamLab Borderless: Mori Digital Art Museum
Marvel at the dazzling art installations
Hanging crystal lights, glowing bubbles and moving geometric light sculptures are among the digital exhibitions visitors can see at Tokyo’s latest permanent venue for art collective, teamLab. Its home is Azabudai Hills, a swishy new urban complex in central Tokyo, where the “borderless” world of teamLab shifts into focus underground. Explore countless artworks before a serene recharge – with a digitally flowering cup of (real) tea in EN Teahouse, complete with gentle scattered virtual petals.
Insider tip: Download the teamLab app in advance for a deeper interaction with the different pieces of artwork while visiting.
Website: teamlab.art
Nearest station: Kamiyacho station
Price: ££
How we choose
Every attraction and activity in this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of budgets and styles, from world-class museums to family-friendly theme parks – to best suit every type of traveller. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest openings and provide up to date recommendations.