12 Things to Do in Tokyo, Japan: Bustling Neighborhoods & Historical Temples
Welcome to Tokyo, Japan’s electric capital. In this fast-paced and walkable itinerary, prepare to see Tokyo’s most notable districts and become familiar with their highly efficient metro system. Well-renowned for sushi, technical innovation, and historical temples, Tokyo is a city that will live up to your expectations. Enjoy this list of things to do in Tokyo during a 4-day stay.
After dreaming about a trip to Japan for 20 years, my wish came true last month, and I must say, it is absolutely everything that I was expecting. We stayed in the Ginza neighborhood and loved its central location. Apart from being within walking distance of the Tokyo train station, Ginza also has a plethora of restaurant options where you can wind down after a long evening.
Table of Contents
Day 1
(1) Imperial Gardens
Start your first day off in Tokyo by visiting the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace. These beautiful grounds surround a palace built in 1888. While the actual palace itself is not worth paying to enter, the manicured gardens make for a pleasant morning walk.
(2) Akihabara
Next, head to Akihabara, a vibrant neighborhood known for its references to pop culture and an upbeat atmosphere. It’s a shopping district branded as the center of modern Japanese culture, where it will be hard to miss all of the references to manga, anime, and electronics.
To get a deep look at the pulse of Akihabara, check out Super Potato, a retro video game store packed from floor to ceiling with merchandise, electronics, games, and more. While we were overwhelmed by the outside of most Akihabara storefronts, my partner did tons of research into gaming stores in Tokyo and found this one. The entrance is a tiny hole in the wall, but once you’re inside, the four floors of madness give you a great look into the gaming culture of the neighborhood.
(3) Owl Cafe Akiba
After spending most of the day on your feet, sit down at the Owl Café Akiba. Make reservations ahead of time to sip coffee and hang out with amazing pet owls. We went to the location in Ginza, but the Akiba one gets better reviews.
The important thing to note is that while it may be jarring to see owls indoors being used for entertainment, these animals were born in captivity and are legal as pets in Japan. Not to mention, they are incredibly well-loved by the staff who feed them and who are knowledgeable about their needs. After all, these owls are incredibly adorable.
(4) Teamlab Planets
Behold the coolest museum exhibit you will ever experience. Make sure to get your tickets ahead of time as it’s a spectacle that is sure to sell out quickly. Teamlab has various locations across Tokyo, but we had the honor of going to Teamlab Planets in the Toyosu neighborhood. It takes a little over an hour to wander through the incredibly immersive experiences, and while I certainly don’t want to spoil any rooms, take a look at the photo below of one of their most famous exhibits.
Day 2
On Day 2, let’s explore the famous upscale Ginza neighborhood. With places ranging from Bulgari to Muji, and everything in between, there is a store for everyone in Ginza. If you’re overwhelmed by all the stores to enter, here are three of our favorites:
· Pokémon Center Dx
There are 16 Pokémon Centers across Japan, but the Pokémon Center Dx in Ginza is highly regarded by fans as having a great selection of memorabilia and plushies. Even if you aren’t an enthusiast, it’s worth a visit. Not only was Pokémon invented in Japan, but locals will still go crazy over the fandom. Cards that are widely available in US stores such as Target are sold out by opening hour in Tokyo.
· Uniqlo Flagship
Uniqlo is now a global company, but it was founded right in Ginza, Tokyo. The flagship has multiple floors of essential casual clothing for men and women. The best part is that Uniqlo clothing in Japan is half the price as there aren’t any import fees!
· Itoya Stationery
A 12-floor stationary store! I must admit that ¼ of my suitcase returning home was filled with Itoya stationery. Paper and pen lovers will rejoice at all the options, and if you aren’t careful, you might spend hours in there.
(5) Tsukiji Outer Market
We highly recommend going to the Tsukiji Outer Market for lunch. This outdoor market has tons of narrow alleyways filled with individual food stalls. The seafood is fresh, the beer is cold, and the desserts and perfectly sweet. The market is known for the tuna auction that occurs around 4 in the morning although in recent years, there have been tighter restrictions around tourists watching this process. Go for the fresh seafood, and stay because you want to try everything.
(6) Andaz Rooftop Bar
I scoured the internet for hours trying to find a bar in Ginza with a confirmed view of the Tokyo Tower. While most gave wishy-washy answers, we finally settled on the Andaz Rooftop Bar, and boy were we excited. Andaz has an indoor dining area as well as a half-outdoor seating space, from which the Tokyo Tower is visible. On the exact night we went, the outdoor space was closed due to rain but the courteous waiter took us to see the tower regardless! It’s a great spot for a quick drink but is very pricey for dinner.
Day 3
(7) Shibuya City
On Day 3, take the metro over to the Shibuya ward, a commercial district that houses the Shibuya Scramble Crossing. This busy intersection is where an estimated 2,000 people cross every 2 minutes. Two railway stations are located in Shibuya, feeding into the hustle and bustle of the area.
(8) Street Go-Karting
For those looking for an exhilarating experience in Shibuya, take a go-kart tour! We had a great time zipping through the streets with Street Kart Shibuya, and we even crossed the famous intersection in our go-karts. The vehicles are easy to maneuver, even for those who are less comfortable driving, and the tour guides are knowledgeable so you won’t have trouble driving on the left.
All you need to participate is an International Driving Permit. If you live in the U.S., just go to your local AAA with $20, and they will give you a permit in less than 15 minutes. It’s a super easy process, but make sure you take all the necessary documentation listed here.
(9) Meiji Jingu Shrine
Next, it’s time to tone down the pop culture and up the historical antics. The Meiji Jingu Shrine has gorgeous gardens and grounds along with incredible architecture. Compared to other historical buildings, it was built more recently in 1920 to commemorate Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, considered to be Japan’s first modern emperor and empress.
(10) Head to a Local Sushi Bar
One night, after searching for restaurants we couldn’t find (each building having 12 floors with different restaurants makes it quite difficult), we stumbled upon a restaurant in the basement of a Ginza building. We spent about 5 minutes comparing the Japanese characters on the sign to the hit on Google Maps after searching for ‘sushi’. Behind the sliding door was one of the most authentic experiences we had in Japan. The restaurant was tiny, with only 3 tables, and filled with locals who all knew each other. The set menu provided us with a mouthwatering platter of sashimi, rolls, and beer. If you are looking for a truly authentic experience seeing where locals go to unwind after work, check out the Fukubezushi restaurant. The head chef and owner will treat you like his children.
Day 4
(11) Ghibli Museum
You’re probably very tired of hearing that you need to make advance reservations, but this one’s the last one, I promise! Tickets to the Ghibli Museum are in high demand and their reservation platform opens on the 10 of the month for the entire next month. For instance, to get a ticket in September, you have to log in on August 10th. While we lost this lottery and couldn’t get tickets, we’ve heard amazing things about the museum.
Dedicated to the late director Hayao Miyazaki, the museum showcases the work of the Ghibli animation studio. It’s more of an amusement park, with a maze-like flow and tons to experience. The museum is quite mysterious with no indoor photos or videos available. Clearly, there’s a lot to explore!
(12) Yanaka
Finally, head to Yanaka for a historic and old-timey feel. Yanaka is Tokyo’s most traditional district, spared from the WWII bombing in the 1940s. The narrow alleys house tiny restaurants, cute cafes, and independent shops. Don’t forget to visit the Yanaka Cemetery, where it is said that you can still feel the old Shitamachi atmosphere. The cemetery has traditional wooden planks, sotoba, placed at each gravestone with engraved names, dates of death, and prayers. After each anniversary, families will add a new sotoba to the site.
That’s all for Tokyo! We hope you enjoyed this bucket list of things to do in Japan’s innovative city. In this fast-paced itinerary, you can see Tokyo in 4 days, but of course, feel free to spend more time exploring the neighborhoods in this sprawling metropolis. Staying in Japan? Make sure to take the bullet train to Kyoto and read our guide on 3 Days in Japan’s Cultural Hub & Day Trip Guide.
Want to check out the rest of Asia? Check out our Asia destination guides.
Happy sampling!