You could spend a month in Tokyo and barely even scratch the surface of what this world-famous city has going on. So how on Earth do you figure out what to do when you only have a few days? Lucky for you, I found 17 fun things to do in Tokyo that you can fit into your travel schedule whether you have 3 days or 3 months.
The majority of my trip to Tokyo (and honestly, most of my travels in general) revolved around wandering. I didn’t really arrive with a to-do list, so what I’ve created for you is more of a t0-wander list. So if you’re like me, a fellow wanderer, then I think you will find this the perfect list to satisfy your wandering, tasting, observing, and people-watching needs.
I’ve also included two great places to stay – one boutique-style accommodation and one upscale apartment-style accommodation which I hope you will check out. Enjoy!
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17 FUN Things To Do in Tokyo
1. Experience Shibuya Crossing at rush hour
2,500 people. That’s how many people cross Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo AT ONE TIME! It’s the busiest pedestrian crosswalk in the world and it’s one of those things that you need to SEE to believe! I put this as #1 on my list of fun things to do in Tokyo because of how unique of an experience it is.
I recommend visiting at rush hour (around 6 pm) so that you will see the most amount of people at one time. Alternatively, you could go a little later once the sun goes down so can see Shibuya lit up at night. We went a few different times just to see the different atmospheres!
I’d also recommend heading up to the 2nd floor of Starbucks, as it overlooks the entirety of Shibuya Crossing and gives a great bird’s eye perspective. Take a timelapse video and be WOWed by how many people are zooming across this crosswalk at once!
2. Briefly check out Golden Gai then head to Ebisu Yokocho!
I heard that Golden Gai for drinks was a can’t-miss-stop on the Tokyo bucket list, but honestly, I wasn’t feeling it. Don’t get me wrong, it’s definitely a super cool area with a network of several narrow and dimly lit alleyways housing dozens and dozens of tiny bars stacked on top of each other. Each establishment is just big enough to host about 5-10 patrons at a time with no standing room, that’s how tiny! It’s totally my style, and it’s a stark contrast from the mile-high skyscrapers and ultra-modern everything that is the rest of Tokyo.
What wasn’t appealing to me, however, was that each little bar we passed was seemingly filled with only tourists (and mainly white) with signs displaying price lists and drink options in English, clearly making efforts to attract overseas tourists. I am not knocking that, as it could be a really cool way to meet other travelers, but it felt like a tourist trap and I was seeking a more authentic experience. And perhaps I could be totally wrong, as I heard from so many people how awesome this area was, but I was looking for a place where 20-30-something Japanese locals hang and this did not seem to be the place.
After we strolled around the alleyways of Golden Gai, we headed to Ebisu Yokocho for drinks and snacks.
If you’re looking to hang where the local 20-30 something Japanese hang – THIS IS THE SPOT! This is where all the young Japanese come to drink, smoke, and share some tasty fried snacks with friends. (If you are sensitive to cigarette smoke, you might have a tough time here, just a warning!)
This lively, back-alley style area is packed with Izakayas. They are so packed that you could be sitting next right next to people who are actually patrons of a different Izakaya! Similar to Golden Gai, there are only a few stools per establishment so you will share a very intimate experience with those around you.
It was so busy when we arrived that we had to hunt for seats and finally found a few stools where we could sit down and enjoy the bustling atmosphere. We ordered a few beers and a nice couple sitting next to us recommended a few Kushikatsu items to try.
Enjoying some drinks and snacks at Ebisu Yokocho was easily one of my favorite nights in Tokyo. If you’re looking for a fun, casual, and authentic dining/social experience in the bustling city capital, this is definitely the place to go! You can still check Golden Gai out, not saying to totally forego it, but I’m glad we put more of an emphasis on Ebisu Yokocho as we enjoyed the atmosphere much more.
3. Feel the sensory overload in Akihabara
Famous for its electronics, anime, and towering video game stores, Akihabara is a district that is so undoubtedly TOKYO. This gaming epicenter is the epitome of what Tokyo is to me – crazy tall buildings, blinding lights, droves of people, and arcades and anime at every turn. There’s no way this couldn’t make the list of fun things to do in Tokyo.
If you’ve never experienced sensory overload before, you will certainly experience it here!
While wandering the neon-lit streets of Akihabara, make sure to stop into one of the many arcades you are sure to pass by. We stopped in this SEGA arcade and had too much fun trying to win some prizes. Let’s just say, these games are a lot harder than they look and we left very empty-handed (haha!)
Although there were several games where you could try to win Pokemon plush toys, the majority of the games were filled with anime action figures/dolls as seen above. I know nothing about anime, but I noticed that many of the characters were scantily clad female characters. I do however know a little bit about the sexual culture in Japan after doing some reading, research, and watching a few documentaries (“Love and Sex in Japan” is an interesting documentary to check out) so it wasn’t necessarily surprising to me.
Another fun activity is to visit an anime video store and take a peek around to see what it’s all about! Anime is a distinct style of animation originating in Japan. It’s part of the culture in Japan so it’s definitely something you need to check out.
4. Try futuristic sushi at Genki Sushi
If you’re a sushi lover then this is an experience you simply can’t miss!
At Genki Sushi, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped straight into the future – very Jetsons. You sit down at the counter and order your sushi from a touch screen device linked to your seat number.
Peruse the **dozens** of pages of sushi roll and nigiri options and make your selections. Once you’ve made your final selections you click “order” and you wait patiently for your order to arrive.
But your sushi won’t arrive in the hands of a waiter, it will arrive on a conveyer belt which will stop directly in front of you – talk about service!!! Not only is the sushi delicious, but the experience itself is super fun and one you can’t really get anywhere else.
5. Take in the pop culture and bold Harajuku fashion on Takeshita Street
Welcome to Takeshita Street in the heart of the Harajuku district! Harajuku is the birthplace of the world-famous street-style fashion which combines elements of punk, goth, cosplay, and rainbow-fairy-princess. (I made up the rainbow-fairy-princess part but it really does fit!) It’s a unique style, to say the least.
Takeshita street is lined with quirky boutiques filled with florescent colored clothing like tutus, dresses covered in unicorns, 10-inch platform heels, and more jaw-dropping fashion items that will make you say “WOW!” Strolling Takeshita Street is all about taking in the many fun, brightly-lit storefronts, admiring the fashion, and people watching. Drink it all in and just enjoy the hustle and bustle.
6. Stroll the kitschy Kabukichō red-light district of Shinjuku
I have another wandering list item for you! Similar to Takeshita Street in Harajuku, you’re going to want to visit Kabukichō in Shinjuku for the bustling, neon-lit energy of it all. Kabukichō is known as the entertainment and red-light district in Tokyo and is home to the famous “Robot Restaurant.”
We didn’t go inside, but it sure was fun to see it lit up in all it’s kitschy glory. This is such a fun place to come to see and feel the heartbeat of Tokyo’s nightlife. After exploring the streets you can check out Golden Gai (mentioned before!) which is just around the corner.
7. Eat Michelin Star ramen at Nakiryu
You basically can’t come to Tokyo and not try ramen. Although there are a million places in Tokyo to eat ramen, why not take advantage of the fact that there are several Michelin Star ramen shops within Tokyo city limits! One of these Michelin Star ramen shops is Nakiryu.
Nakiryu is a tiny ramen shop located in Toshima that can accommodate about 10 guests at a time. We heard that it gets packed quickly and to expect to wait up to an hour for the chance to try their award-winning ramen. And wait, we did. We arrived about 45 minutes before their opening time of 11:30 and there were already about 30 people qued up! We waited about 1.5 hours in total before we had a seat inside. (This is the longest amount of time I have ever waited to get into a restaurant, but we’re talkin’ Michelin stars here…)
So now that you’re probably thinking “WOW, a 1.5-hour wait?!” you must be wondering if it is worth it. Well, my friends, I made a terrible mistake. I ordered the wrong ramen. Like a dummy, I didn’t think that the first ramen on the list was THE ramen I needed to order, so I chose one that I thought was the best. Well, I was wrong and I ended up with a very good, but not knock-your-socks-off type bowl of ramen like I was expecting.
My partner, however, ordered the first ramen on the list and his bowl was OUT OF THIS WORLD. My broth (as pictured above) was very transparent and lacked the fatty goodness that you want in your ramen. My partner’s broth was this deep orangy-red color, full of fatty goodness and it truly was incredible. That being said, I left very disappointedly, mainly in myself for ordering the wrong ramen after waiting 1.5 hours 😭. Learn from my mistakes, order THE FIRST RAMEN ON THE MENU LIST. Don’t be a #RamenRookie.
Despite my disappointing bowl of ramen, the experience of it all was really fun, as you order straight from a machine and then the ramen chefs cook in an open kitchen right in front of you like pictured above. It was fun to watch them work and it’s an experience I would recommend to anyone.
8. Sample local flavors at Tsukiji Outer Fish Market
The entirety of my trip to Japan was based on eating, so you can imagine my delight in the Tsukiji Outer Fish Market where you can sample everything from sashimi, sushi, and giant oysters to unagi and squid on a stick (all of which I ate). There seems to be a theme here, as we visited open-air food markets in both Kyoto and Osaka too!
You may have heard that this is the place where you can see the famous bluefin tunas up for sale, however, the wholesale part of this market has since closed. Before it’s closing in October 2018, The Tsukiji Inner Market was one of the largest wholesale food markets of any kind. Here they auctioned off 600 lb tunas that sold for up to a million dollars!!! This market had restricted access to visitors.
The wholesale market has relocated to another area of Tokyo, but the Tsukiji Outer Fish Market remains a major attraction for visitors to come and sample the local seafood flavors.
There are hundreds and hundreds of stalls to sample from and the atmosphere is buzzing with both domestic and overseas visitors alike.
Also, do yourself a favor and keep your eyes peeled for pottery shops scattered in between the food stalls. We found some gorgeous Japanese pottery at one of the local shops and ended up buying sake bottles and cups, teacups, plates, and more!
9. Visit the Kaleidoscope Mirrored Escalator of Tokyu Plaza & shop on Omotesando Street
Omotesando Street is a major commercial shopping tree-lined avenue home to hundreds of stores and shopping centers. One of those shopping centers is Tokyu Plaza which boasts a super cool mirrored escalator that looks more like an art installation than an entrance to a shopping center! This is both a quirky AND fun thing to do in Tokyo.
Omotesando Street is great for a stroll and for spotting some of Tokyo’s most fashionable people. I loved the attitude in each step of this fashionista pictured above and felt that it really captured the essence of this district of Tokyo! Spend some time stopping into some of the many shops and hopefully, you’ll find a few gems. I walked away with a new grey pea coat, a cute beige cardigan, and a charcoal sweater dress that I’m simply in love with! Although Tokyo can be pretty expensive, I found that some of the shops offered really affordable prices.
10. Eat pizza at SAVOY
Yes, you read that right. I am suggesting that you eat pizza in the land of sushi, ramen, and udon. You may think I’m crazy, but this was some of the best pizza I’ve EVER HAD! Dare I say that it transported me back to my days as a student in Rome?!
So although you will no doubt want to be eating as much sushi, ramen, udon, and other Japanese specialties as much as possible, if you have any respect for pizza you WILL add Savoy to your list of restaurants to try while in Tokyo.
Savoy has been featured on Netflix’s Ugly Delicious and has gained worldwide attention. There are a few locations, but we went to the SAVOY Tomato & Cheese location. Here you will find pizza magician extraordinaire yuki.motokura (pictured above doing his magic.) This location only has about 10 bar stools available, making it another intimate dining experience for visitors.
Savoy is known for their Neapolitan-style cooked in an over so hot that I swear Yuki was throwing those pizzas in for maybe a minute at a time. I have never seen that before!
We ordered the specialty pizza of the day, Pizza Funghi, which was topped with mozzarella, mushrooms, pancetta, and soft-boiled eggs. It was like a carbonara in pizza form and I was simply in HEAVEN.
11. Wander around Ginza & stop for a sake tasting
Ginza is an entertainment district of Tokyo that is definitely known for being on the ritzier side. Here you’ll pass Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci, and other high-end luxury stores while strolling Chuo Dori. This is the main 1 km-long street in Ginza that is closed to traffic for pedestrians on weekends.
Luxury shopping is definitely not my style, but this section of town is beautiful and bustling and is absolutely worth spending some time discovering.
As we strolled the many avenues of Ginza, we came across Ginza Kimijimaya, a cute sake shop with a sign offering sake tastings. We jumped at the opportunity, and this impromptu stop became a fond memory of the trip! Pictured above you will see the three glasses of sake we tasted with the matching bottles behind each glass. Let’s just say I left the sake shop a taddddd tipsy.
We ended up purchasing a few bottles for family members and packed them in our suitcase to take home!
12. Peruse DAIKANYAMA TSUTAYA BOOKS (T-SITE)
Known as one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world, DAIKANYAMA TSUTAYA BOOKS (T-SITE) is definitely a must-visit for all you book lovers out there. But beyond books, you’ll find movies, music, stationery, and a library/lounge.
Anjin Library & Lounge Salon is located on the second floor and is donned by rare collections of books and magazines from around the world. While perusing the shelves, you’ll find vintage magazines on display and unusual manuscripts encased in glass for readers to look at (but not touch). The lounge offers cocktails, coffee, and even a dining menu.
We ordered coffee and read our books while lounging on leather-bound sofas. It made for a lovely afternoon!
13. Splurge on a teppanyaki dinner if you can
Teppanyaki is a style of Japanese cuisine that uses a flat-surfaced iron griddle to cook on where chefs typically cook right in front of guests.
Teppanyaki is not to be confused with hibachi. This is not a show and they won’t be building a flaming volcano of onions or shooting shrimp into the mouths of guests. Instead, teppanyaki is a high-class dining experience. It’s is an opportunity to watch master chefs masterfully wield utensils and make precision cuts of top-grade wagyu beef.
The dining experience is multi-course, with each dish made with the finest ingredients, and each plate carefully crafted with precision. The high-quality ingredients combined with the top-level skills of the teppanyaki chefs make this a very expensive dining experience, usually $100-$150 per person.
The entire experience was so unique and the quality of the food so good that I can say without hesitation that it’s worth it! We had an incredible experience at Teppanyaki Ginmeisui GINZA, located on the 8th floor of GINZA GREEN. It’s swanky and stylish with a modern Japanese feel, and they’ll make you feel like royalty upon arrival (I certainly did!) If you can swing this into your travel budget, I would absolutely recommend it.
Ps. Make sure to call ahead – this is reservation only!
14. Taste craft cocktails at Mixology Salon
If you want a truly unique cocktail experience while in Tokyo, then you have to check out Mixology Salon. Located on the 13th floor of GINZA SIX (a huge department store in downtown Ginza) this hidden gem is known their Japanese take on cocktails, like their signature “teatails.” These cocktails are made with house-made tea-infused liquor and produce house specialties like The Green Tea Old Fashioned.
They even offer a “teatail” course where you can try several different cocktails featuring different types of tea-infused liquor. We opted for individual drinks but some patrons near us looked like they were trying the course and it looked awesome.
Even though this place isn’t exactly hidden, it definitely has a speak-easy feel to it. It was also fun watching the mixologists at work – you can tell that these craftsmen put their heart and soul into creating truly unique craft cocktails.
Ps. There’s probably only 10-15 seats available at a time, so be prepared to wait!
15. Wander Ameya Yokocho Market
Ameya Yokocho Market is a colorful open-air market selling everything from clothes, shoes, and cosmetics, to fresh fish, seafood, and dried food items. What I found so unique about this market is that there is no real organization or method to the setup. You will find a shop selling t-shirts right next to a dried fish stand and then a leather bag shop next to a fruit stand across the way. It kind of reminded me of a flea market in that way.
And if you’re looking for souvenirs, this is definitely the place to come! We saw cool Tokyo branded items (like pictured above), chopsticks, tea sets, and cute Japanese plush toys.
It’s worth mentioning how affordable this market is too – I could have bought everything, but I restrained myself 😜.
Besides all of the goods mentioned in this section, Ameya Yokocho Market also has a lively street food scene! There are tons of vendors selling plenty of street food favorites like takoyaki and skewers to green tea ice cream.
16. Go bargain hunting for souvenirs at Daiso
I think it comes from the rush of finding a bargain, but I have always loved discount, second-hand, and dollar stores. So when I heard about Daiso, a franchise of 100-yen shops, I made it a point to stop in and see what it was all about. (Think of it like Family Dollar in the USA but wayyyyyy cooler and way nicer stuff.)
Can I just tell you, I was in heaven! Not only was pretty much everything in the store 100 yen (which is less than 1 USD), they had so many unique items like sushi keychains and sushi kitchen towels, colorful socks with Japanese patterns, origami paper, panda sticky notes, and so many pretty Japanese sheet masks to choose from.
They also have a wide selection of Japanese snacks like seaweed wasabi soy sauce chips, shrimp crackers, black sesame paste filled-marshmallows, and an assortment of matcha candies and sweets. Perfect to take home to your family and friends!
17. Try traditional sushi at Itamae Sushi
Earlier I told you about a futuristic sushi dining experience, now let’s talk traditional sushi! We stumbled upon Itamae Sushi through a Google search when looking for sushi spots in Ginza near our hotel.
We knew we had found a gem upon walking into the place. It was small and quaint, and we seemed to be the only foreigners in the place. We sat at the counter and was able to watch the sushi master do his thing – it’s crazy how fast they craft those pieces of nigiri!
The sushi photographed above was only one of the several things we ordered…we went to town in this place!
Here is where I tried sea urchin for the first time and it was, well, interesting. It was super creamy which is not what I expected and as far as the taste, it reminded me of what low tide at the bay may taste like. It wasn’t for me, but people are in LOVE with it so I’d say definitely try it – you may be surprised. And if you don’t like it, it makes for a great experience.
Where to Stay in Tokyo
The Lively Azabujuban
For a boutique-style stay, best for short stays and solo travel
For the first two nights of our stay in Tokyo, we had the pleasure of staying at The Lively Azabujuban. The Lively is a relatively new boutique hotel that just opened in November 2019 and as the name suggests, is located in the Azabujuban neighborhood.
Azabujuban is a unique area that seems to mix the new with the old, home to both upscale boutiques and trendy cafes as well as traditional shops, many of which are over 100 years old. It’s a great centrally located neighborhood in Tokyo, with Roppongi Hills just a quick walk away.
We stayed in a Standard Double room which featured a double bed, city view, and a bunch of cute boutique-hotel style details that I love.
I’d describe the design as minimalistic chic, with functional design to maximize space – an element I appreciate in an urban hotel that is low on space. For example, the entertainment center opens to reveal a flat-screen tv and also folds out into a desk. Very space-saving and very practical.
The Lively Azabujuban also offers a beautiful common area for guests to mingle, work, drink, and play. In addition to cozy lounging areas and a branded pool table, there is a long co-working style seating area with a power supply perfect for remote working – or enjoying a beer! The Lively offers free beer to guests each evening. Me Likey.
The space is beautifully designed and really compliments the aesthetic of the guest rooms perfectly. It kind of reminds me of a study, where you’d go to smoke cigars and sip on scotch – but the young, hip, millennial version.
To make this place even cooler, there’s The Lively Bar located on the top floor of the hotel. From here you’ll get awesome views of the surrounding neighborhood and even a peek of the famous Tokyo Tower. The Lively Bar offers a lively atmosphere (go figure!) with the perfect mix of trendy cocktails, laidback lounge areas and upscale-hipster decor. I appreciated the display case of vintage albums, retro microphones and radios, and other music paraphernalia.
I’d say this is the perfect place for anyone looking for that boutique-style hotel with an element of socializing you rarely get from traditional hotels. And that’s the reason I said this is the perfect place for solo travelers. Between the hotel lounge and the top floor lounge, you’re bound to strike up a conversation with a fellow traveler and make a new friend.
Find them on Instagram: @thelivelyazabu
BOOK YOUR STAY WITH The Lively Azabujuban HERE!
Oakwood Premier Tokyo
For an upscale serviced apartment-style stay, best for longer stays
For the next three nights, we stayed at Oakwood Premier Tokyo, upscale serviced apartments located in the Tekko building of the Marunouchi business district. I’m so glad we had the opportunity to stay in this area of the city, as it had a completely different vibe than staying in Azabujuban. Azabujuban had a small-town neighborhood feel and Marunouchi had the big city skyscraper feel. I definitely was feeling all of the Lost In Translation vibes while staying at Oakwood Premier Tokyo (are you feeling it too from the photo above?!)
I found the location to be so convenient in so many ways. For one, major train stations are just a stone’s throw away, making the rest of the city extremely accessible. Then, just a quick 15-minute jaunt will take you to the coveted Ginza shopping district which as explained earlier, is home to so many upscale restaurants, bars, and shops. And lastly, the Airport Shuttle bus arrives and departs from the ground floor of the building, making it the most convenient airport commute I may have ever had!
But enough about the location and the convenience, let’s get into the stay and the experience at Oakwood Premier Tokyo!
I have stayed in serviced apartments while traveling in Panama City before, and I love the experience of it. I find this type of accommodation so great for longer stays and love the perks that come with it. Most notably, the living room and dining space, the fully functional kitchen, and the in-unit washer/dryer for laundry.
When we arrived at Oakwood Premier Tokyo, we were day 10 into our Japan trip and were pretty desperate for laundry service. The convenience of a washer/dryer unit right in the apartment was a godsend and prevented us from having to find and wait for the service (and also pay an arm and a leg for laundry service).
By this point into our trip, we were starting to get tired of the constant go go go, so it was so incredibly nice to have a separate living space and dining space to relax in as opposed to a typical hotel room. It was such a treat to slip on a luxurious robe and slippers, put on a refreshing sheet mask, grab a beverage from the stocked fridge and just sit back, relax and enjoy the beautiful 15th-floor city views. The fully functional kitchen definitely comes in handy when you don’t feel like going out for a meal and want to stay in and cook for a change!
Additionally, the bedroom itself was huge, with an insanely cozy bed and walk-in closet which I took full advantage of and unpacked my entire suitcase.
Now let’s talk about breakfast. Each morning Oakwood Premier hosts a continental breakfast in a beautiful dining room overlooking the Marunouchi business district. They serve everything from Western breakfast staples like cereal, fruit, pastries, eggs, and bacon, to traditional Japanese breakfast staples like grilled fish, miso soup, rice, and pickled vegetables.
Overall, I loved my stay with Oakwood Premier mainly for the awesome city views, great location, and conveniences you get with staying in an apartment-style hotel. Like I said, definitely recommended for longer stays or if you just want more space to rest and relax while exploring Japan’s most enticing city.
Find them on Instagram: @oakwoodpremierapan
BOOK YOUR STAY WITH Oakwood Premier Tokyo HERE
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary stay with The Lively and Oakwood Premier Tokyo in exchange for my opinions, but all opinions are my own. I only recommend places that I love!
Wander On,
Wanderluluu xx
