28 Things to do in Tokyo – Split By Area

Tokyo is a must visit when exploring Japan. But as the most populous city in the world, the size of it can be a little overwhelming when it comes to figuring out what to do, where to go and where to stay. This list breaks down things to do in Tokyo by area, particularly for first-time visitors.

Things to do in Shinjuku

Shinjuku City is a bustling area within Tokyo filled with tall buildings decorated with neon and flashing lights promoting the many restaurants, shops and bars within them. 

Eat out at Omoide Yokocho

Omoide Yokocho is a narrow alleyway close to Shinjuku station. It’s a great place to go for food as it is filled with tiny homely restaurants. Most of the eateries only have a handful of seats, often lined up along the bar so you can watch your food being prepared for you. The most popular food along this street is yakitori and kushiyaki – which is chicken or meat skewers. There are also ramen and fish places here too.

Explore Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

If you are heading to the Meiji Jingu Shrine or on to Shibuya from Shinjuku, this garden is a great place to pass through on your way. The garden is peaceful and has several different areas including a traditional japanese garden, rose beds, ponds and blossom trees all set against the backdrop of Tokyo’s skyscrapers.

See the views from the Tokyo Metropolitan Building

The Tokyo Metropolitan Building offers a free observation deck with views across the city from 200 metres up. From there you can see the sprawling city that looks like it never ends. On a clear day, you might even be able to see Mount Fuji!

See the Giant 3D Cat

One of the many billboard screens in Shinjuku is home to a giant cat. The playful advert appears to be in 3D, looking like a huge cat is trapped inside the building. There are a few different versions of the animation playing on rotation with other adverts in between, so watch for a few minutes to see them all. The best view is across the road, near the entrance to the Shinjuku station. 

Try Baseball at the Oslo Batting Cage

Baseball is an extremely popular sport in Japan. If you’re from North America, this may not be so surprising, but coming from Europe, a batting cage was a novelty for us! The Oslo Batting Cage was right by our hotel and open until 1am so a great place to go in the evening as an alternative to bars and karaoke. 

Things to do in Shibuya

Shibuya City is just south of Shinjuku and has a similar vibe with colourful signs covering skyscrapers but with a few peaceful parks mixed in. Many of these activities could be done in the same day as a visit to Shinjuku, it’s easy to travel between the two.

Visit the Meiji Jingu Shrine

The Meiji Shrine is a huge shrine, surrounded by forests, you’ll soon forget you’re in the centre of Tokyo! At the entrances to the park, you’ll pass under huge Torrii gates and along a path lined with sake barrels. At the shrine, you can make an offering, purchase amulets or write your hopes on an ema. These are small wooden plaques that you’ll see at shinto temples all over Japan.

Explore Takeshita Street

Takeshita Street is not far from Meiji Shrine but has a very different vibe! The street is famous for waffle and crepe stalls, quirky fashion stores and animal cafes.

Wander around Yoyogi Park

Yoyogi park is an expansive, peaceful park just south of the Meiji Jingu Shrine. 

See the Shibuya Scramble Crossing

Shibuya is perhaps more famous for the Scramble Crossing. This is a pedestrian crossing at an intersection with a path going diagonally across. It’s not an uncommon site in Tokyo, but the Shibuya Crossing is said to be the busiest. It does feel like there are a lot of people that are crossing the road just to see the crossing – it’s an odd attraction! Nevertheless, if you want a good top down view, head up to Shibuya Sky. 

Things to do in Asakusa, Taito City & Nearby

Visit the Senso-ji Shrine

Senso-ji is one of Japan’s oldest and busiest buddhist temples.  I recommend going early in the morning if you want to avoid the crowds. Even if you do visit at a busy time, try to explore the gardens to the side too, we found them to be a little quieter when we were there but still have nice views of the temples.

Explore Nakamise Dori

Nakamise Dori is the street leading up to Senso-Ji temple so if you go to one, you’ll likely visit the other. The street is lined with little shops and market stalls selling souvenirs and Japanese snacks. Again this street can get super busy!

Grab food along Hoppy Street

A short walk from Senso-ji, you’ll find Hoppy Dori, a street filled with bars and restaurants. 

Visit the Tokyo National Museum

Tokyo National Museum isn’t quite in Asakusa but it’s not too far away. It’s close to Ueno station. The museum is mostly an art museum with some archaeological exhibits. There are a few interactive exhibits where you can make your own postcards with Japanese stamp designs. 

Watch the sunset from Tokyo Sky Tree

I highly recommend booking Tokyo Sky Tree in advance, especially if you want to time your visit for sunset. The Skytree is the tallest tower in Japan. From the top you’ll have 360 degree views across the sprawling city. Even from up there it’s hard to see the end of Tokyo, it just seems to go on forever! If you visit on a clear day, you might even be able to see Mount Fuji. Tokyo Skytree isn’t in Asakusa but its nearby, just a 20 minute walk from Senso-ji temple.

Watch Sumo Wrestling

If  you want to see some traditional Sumo wrestling, head to the Ryogoku Kokugikan Sumo Arena near Ryogoku station. Check in advance what time tournaments are on. There is a also a Sumo Museum on site where you can learn more about the history of the sport. 

Visit the Edo-Tokyo Museum (from 2026)

The Edo-Tokyo Museum was sadly closed for renovation when we visited Japan. It’s due to be open again in Spring 2026 but check their website for updates. The museum features artifacts from the Edo period in Japan which took place over 200 years from 1603 to 1868. If the museum is still closed for your visit and you’re keen to learn more about the period of history, visit the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architecture Museum or Osaka Castle. 

Things to do in Ginza and Minato City

Discover Teamlab Borderless

Teamlab Borderless is a digital art museum with interactive, immersive exhibits. It’s hard to describe exactly what this place is. Each room has a different display of lights, mirrors and projections. In some spaces you can touch the walls and watch as the scene changes around you. It’s a fun, creative space, great for children and adults! I’d highly recommend visiting at least one TeamLab whilst in Tokyo. Be sure to book in advance, it does get busy!

Visit Tokyo Tower

Tokyo Tower is yet another observation deck which you can go up to view miles around you. It was the tallest in Tokyo until the Skytree was built and surpassed it. When you’re visiting Tokyo, you definitely don’t need to go up multiple observation decks – pick whichever fits in best with the rest of your schedule, the views will be fairly similar in each. 

Explore Hamarikyu Gardens

Hamarikyu Gardens are traditional Japanese gardens set in a large park by Tokyo Bay. In spring, you should be able to catch the iconic plum and cherry blossoms in bloom here. In autumn, you’ll see an array of golden, orange and red fall foiliage.

Eat Fish at Tsukiji Outer Market

Tsukiji Market is a traditional fish market with around 100 years of history. The wholesale operation of the market has mostly moved as Tsukiji has become more popular with tourists. You’ll still find plenty of fish but it’s now more of a market of restaurants and food stalls, rather than fishmongers. It’s a great place to explore and try some different delicacies. 

Go shopping in Ginza

Ginza is known as a fairly upmarket shopping district in Tokyo. It’s not all designer brands though, high street Japanese brands like Uniqlo and Muji also have flagship stores in the area. If you’re a fan of stationery like me, I’d definitely recommend visiting Itoya – a huge arts and stationery store spanning twelve floors! 

Visit the Imperial Palace Gardens

Whilst the palace buildings aren’t open to the public, you can take a guided tour of the grounds. If you don’t fancy a tour, you can freely explore the Imperial Palace East Gardens.

Things to do in Koto City

Koto City is on the eastern edge of Tokyo, extending into Tokyo Bay. It’s known for hosting large events and conventions

Visit Museum of Emerging Science and Technology 

Tokyo’s Museum of Emerging Science and Technology is a futuristic museum filled with interactive displays and exhibits. It’s child-friendly with plenty of robots to play with. The museum explores technology in space exploration, energy and health.

Explore Teamlab Planets

TeamLab Planets is another immersive, digital art exhibition by TeamLab. It shares similarities with TeamLab Borderless but two of the main differences are that at Planets, you need to remove your shoes and walk through water for a stretch (so dress accordingly) and you follow the exhibit in one linear flow. Whereas at Borderless, you can roam from room to room freely in any order you discover them – which may mean you accidentally miss some but you can take your time more. If you love one and have plenty of time in your itinerary and budget, why not go to both! Like TeamLab Borderless, you should book in advance for TeamLab Planets.

See Rainbow Bridge

Rainbow Bridge is an iconic suspension bridge that connects Minato and Koto City. See the bridge at night to see the colourful light displays that gives the bridge its name.

Further out of Tokyo

Go back in time at Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architecture Museum

This was one of my favourite places in Tokyo. It takes around an hour to get there by bus but the journey is fairly straight forward – and worth the trip! This is an open air museum featuring historic buildings from across Japan that have been moved and rebuilt to be preserved in the park. The buildings range from farm buildings hundreds of years old to mid-century Japanese homes. There’s even a street of fully stocked 1920s stores and a public bathhouse. If you’re from the UK you might be familiar with the Beamish Museum in the North East or the Black Country Living Museum, this is similar but without actors in costume – it’s also much quieter, a huge surprise for Tokyo! When we were wandering around each building, there were often only a handful of other people in there. 

Visit the Ghibli Museum

If you a fan of Studio Ghibli films like Spirtied Away and Howl’s Moving Castle, you can immerse yourself in the animation at the Studio Ghibli Museum. The museum features exhibits taking you behind the scenes on how the movies are made and even screens some short films. You will need to book tickets in advance.

To reach the museum from Tokyo Station, take the Chuo Line to Kichijoji Station.

Take a Day Trip to Hakone

Hakone is a rural town sitting alongside Lake Ashi, near to Mount Fuji. It is famous for its onsens (traditional Japanese hot springs) and views of the mountain. You can get to Hakone in around 90 minutes by train from Tokyo so it is possible to visit in a day trip from Tokyo or you could stay overnight to spend some extra time soaking in the hot springs!

To get to Hakone from Tokyo: Take the Tokaido Line from Shingawa Station to Odawara. From there you can get a 20 minute bus to Hakone.