- Sing your heart out at karaoke, and don’t worry about stage fright—private rooms are the norm.
- Discover Tokyo’s diverse dining options, from casual izakaya to Michelin-starred fine dining.
- Visit a baseball match to see how Tokyo interprets America’s favourite pastime.
According to some estimates, the Tokyo metropolitan area is over 5,000 sq. miles. This is a lot of space compared to the five boroughs that make up New York City. It’s obvious that there is a lot to cover.
In order to help you get the most out of your visit, I have compiled a list of fifteen unmissable activities that will give a sense of what this sprawl is like. TokyoCulture and style are unique to.
Here are the 15 best things to do in Tokyo according to locals.
Fuji sunset. Fuji sunset.
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Japan’s iconic peak is visible in Tokyo, despite being two prefectures to the north. The solitary volcano cone is visible in the west on a low-humidity, clear day. It becomes a stark silhouette as the sun sets behind it. Some of the high rises around town provide a great vantage point. The observatory is free and located on the Tokyo Metropolitan Government BuildingThe swish lounge is my favorite. Aman TokyoYou can enjoy live koto with a Bollinger champagne and appreciate Fuji-san.
Have an izakaya night.
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IzakayaThey are casual restaurants that focus on food and drinks. The venues range from old, beer-soaked pubs with sake crates as seats to modern, sleek gastropubs that serve elevated tapas, curated wines and have a raucous, chummy atmosphere. There are izakaya all over Tokyo, but my favorite ones are in Ginza. Uokin HontenShinjuku is a popular destination for cheap and plentiful seafood. Nihonshu Genka SakeguraShimokitazawa is a sake specialist offering over 50 different bottles. ShirubeeA venerable restaurant serving savory oden.
Thrift store in Shimokitazawa.
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Shimokitazawa in western Tokyo is a grungy, counter-culture district known for its boho shops and live music. This part of town has largely resisted development and retained the narrow alleyways of the postwar city. Even if your style is not the most fashionable, a stroll through these narrow streets and seeing what Tokyoites purchase in their constant quest for expression will immerse you in Japan’s culture. These are my recommendations Flash Disc Ranch For LPs Soma Vintage sneakers are a great way to add some vintage style to your wardrobe. RAGTAG for designer labels.
Visit some shrines or temples.
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Tokyo’s temples and shrines are vital to its cultural life. The green spaces are a welcome respite from the concrete jungle. Shibuya’s Meiji Jingu Asakusa’s Senso-ji Both are located in the heart of the city, and both are popular temples and shrines. Gotokuji In the western suburbs, it is well-worth a visit. It claims to have been the origin of Japan’s maneki-neko You’ll see beckoning cats all over the grounds. They are also carved into a pagoda from the 17th century.
Dine in a Michelin starred restaurant
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Tokyo is the Michelin king, with 251 Michelin stars spread across 194 different restaurants. Naturally, this includes many sushi and kaiseki restaurants like Harutaka You can also find out more about the following: RyuGinThe city also has a wide variety of contemporary French cuisine, including long-time favorites such as L’Effervescence You can also find out more about the following: Quintessence. Many of these establishments have been ranked for more than 10 years, but I like some of the more recent additions. SézanneThis year, the crowned with its third star. MAZA boundary-breaking fusion of Peruvian traditions and Japanese ingredients.
Shinjuku gyoen offers a place to take a nap.
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Shinjuku Gyoen (also known as the Tokyo City Park) is a large park that’s run by Tokyo. It has a lot of grass, which you can lie on. Like Central Park in New York, locals bring a picnic blanket and spread out on the soft grass to read, play games, or just relax. You can bring in your own food, non-alcoholic drinks and alcohol-free beverages. I recommend a sarnie with lots of veggies from a nearby shop & sandwich. After the picnic, a kip is in order.
Sing out your heart.
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Tokyo’s cityscape is dominated by karaoke bars. It’s not surprising, as they are absolutely fantastic! It’s not like the American open-mic bars, which can be a source of anxiety. Instead, you will find floors upon floors of private spaces where only friends are allowed to hear your drunken renditions “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Costumes and hand percussion instruments are available at many places. Nearly every station has a karaoke room. Try resort-themed karaoke. Karaoke Pasela Shibuya has a variety of themed rooms with city views.
Discover the cocktail culture of Tokyo.
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In Yokohama, in the 19th century, foreign-run hotels on the waterfront began to serve a largely international clientele. Japanese bartenders have been praised as being among the best in the world, drawing on local produce and spirits to create original drinks. On the more luxurious end, there are elegant Zen getaways like Gen YamamotoYou can also enjoy seasonal craft cocktail flights with omakase. The small bars in Shinjuku’s Golden Gai are more rowdy, with their obscure themes and eccentric bartenders.
Wander around the Shitamachi.
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Shitamachi The term “old town” is hard to describe, but it’s something similar. Tokyo’s old town is not a singular district, but a collection of narrow streets with two-story houses and shops that are devoid of gardens and other buffer zones. Residents of the crowded slums still manage to live comfortably. shitamachi Create beauty by decorating the curbs. Use flowerpots, small ornaments and other items to create a beautiful atmosphere. The shitamachi Yanaka, Ningyocho and other neighborhoods in the area are ideal for experiencing this retro vibe.
Try monjayaki in Tsukishima.
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You shouldn’t judge by the cover of a book. I have described monja’s liquid mixture of cabbage, flour, and dashi as looking like vomit. I promise it is actually very tasty. Scooping it up with the small metal spatula, provided with the dish, tickles my childish desire for food play. Tsukishima Island in east Tokyo is where you can try this unique dish. About 80 specialty restaurants are clustered along one lantern-lit avenue. Venerable Moheji There are four stores, so it is easy to find their signature mentaiko or mochi.
Take a bath in a public bathroom.
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Japan has a strong bathing culture. Before many houses had indoor plumbing people would go to the public bathroom or sento. The neighborhood shops are experiencing a renaissance. Grannies and grandfathers still visit them as a place of socialization, but more young people are drawn to the retro style. Try a retro-styled restaurant for a taste of the past. Takenoyu. If you want something more refined, consider recently renovated KomaeyuCraft beer and Tacos have been added to the experience.
Discover a museum that is offbeat.
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Tokyo is a city that has a lot to offer art lovers, from the grandiose of the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum to the contemporary splendor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum. Tokyo National Museum The old Ueno Park facilities have been replaced by the new sleeker ones teamLab digital art spaces. There are also really niche museums, where curators have pursued their passions. Small Worlds Miniature MuseumThe icky but fascinating ‘Icky But Fascinating’ exhibit recreates entire real-world neighbourhoods and the Kansai airport in minute detail, with moving parts. Meguro Parasitological Museum. Tokyo is home to museums dedicated exclusively to kites and other items, such as tattoos, dolls in love, printing technology, luggage or children’s toys. Even if you only learn about obsession, there’s still something to be learned.
A ballgame is a great way to spend an evening.
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The enthusiastic fans at Japanese baseball games make it a cultural experience you won’t want to miss. The die-hard fans learn songs, dances and cheers that are specific to each player in order to keep up the energy. Their antics can be as entertaining as the game itself. The greater Tokyo area is home to five teams, so there’s almost always a game on—and you might even see the next Shohei Ohtani.
Take a tour of a sake brewery.
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Sake is a Japanese staple drink made from rice, water and koji mould. It’s not only the nation drink but it also plays a major role in Japanese cuisine. Touring a brewery will teach you how to make a wide variety of brews from three simple ingredients. Although Tokyo isn’t a known area for sake production, there are breweries in the city. Toshimaya You can also find out more about the following: Ozawa The western suburbs is home to a number of restaurants that offer tours and tasters upon reservation.
Enjoy your afternoon tea while enjoying a beautiful view.
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Tokyo is a hotbed of afternoon tea, where diners spend nearly 90 billion Japanese yen a year to eat scones or petit-fours. Hotels go to great lengths to grab a piece of this market by offering seasonal menus in lounges with stunning views. Some of my favourite venues are Janu TokyoThe outdoor garden terrace at, with Tokyo Tower dominating the scene. Mandarin Oriental TokyoI love, for its classic elegance and the endless scones.
