Top 10 Things You Must Do In Tokyo

Tokyo has tons of things to do, so how do you pick what to see if you’re only there for limited time? Here is a list of the things I think would be a shame to miss on a visit to the Japanese capital.

1. Visit Don Quijote

No trip to Tokyo - nay, Japan! - is complete without stepping foot into Don Quijote.

Don Quijote (or Donki for short) is an eclectic multi-level shop found in most of Japan’s major cities. The stores are jammed packed with anything and everything you could ever want. You name it, they have it. Food? Check. Socks? Yup. Designer brands? Uh huh. Makeup? Oh, yes. Vacuums? Of course.

For souvenirs or for decking out your own home / style, be sure to check out Donki. Even if you don’t buy anything (it’s difficult not to…), it’s fascinating enough to be a touristic attraction on its own.

Do not miss this!

Locations:
Multiple across Japan, including
1 Chome-16-5 Kabukicho, Shinjuku City (Shinjuku)
28-6 Udagawacho, Shibuya City (Shibuya)
1 Chome-22-5 Minamiikebukuro, Toshima City (Ikebukuro)

2. Shop & Eat in Harajuku, Along Takeshita-Dori

Harajuku is a feast for the eyes, mouth, and soul.

Bold, fun, stylish, bright, wild, marvellous - these are all words I’d especially use to describe Takeshita-dori, the famous street in Harajuku.

Seemingly endless stores and adorable eateries are jam-packed along the street, all with their own one-of-a-kind offerings. Within the span of an hour, you could eat your way through an adorable crêpe, while curating a bold & bright look from unique Japanese brands.lt

Some of my favourite stores include WEGO (unisex clothing store), Paris Kids (accessories), and 7 Sevens, among many others.

To read up on my favourite dessert spots in Tokyo (including Harajuku), click here! Some of the cute photos of food I’ve bought along Takeshita-dori are included below.

Be sure to give yourself at least an hour, and just explore. When you’ve had enough of the bright lights and flashy colours, you can easily head on over to Meiji Temple across the street for a dosage of culture. Score!

Location:
1 Chome-17 Jingumae, Shibuya City

The loveliest gelato ever! You can learn where to buy it here.

How amazing is this cotton candy balloon? Wow! Click here to find out where to get it.

3. Go to Karaoke

In my humble opinion, there are few night-time events that beat Japan Karaoke.

In Japan, karaoke is taken seriously, and it’s one of the most fun things you can do after hours. There’s no reason to feel embarrassed if you’re not the next Céline Dion or Mariah Carey - karaoke is seen as a social event anyone can enjoy.

Before the end of your trip, make sure to find one of the many karaoke spots in the city, and pop in for a night of prolonged singing and dining. You won’t regret it!

4. Go to an Onsen

Ok, so you’ve been exploring Tokyo. The hustling and bustling city, while fun, can be a lot to take in. You know what you need to do to relax? Go to an onsen!

There are many onsens (hot springs) all throughout Japan and Tokyo, each at varying price points. Deciding to go budget-friendly or boujee is easy with all the choice available.

Be aware some of the cheaper onsen options may be less accommodating to English speakers. The staff are usually quite lovely, but do note some of the signs may only be written in Japanese. As long as you’re willing to experiment and explore, you’ll still have an enjoyable and relaxing outing.

Onsens are an excellent thing to visit either alone or with friends. You will have to enter the baths naked, but the vast majority are single-gendered. When you’re alone, it’s quite liberating to be allowed to traipse around while nude. When you’re with friends, you tend to deepen your bond even more when you have philosophical chats au naturel.

Overall, I highly recommend making the visit to a hot spring a must when in Japan!

Location:
There are multiple onsens, but two I recommend are:
Odaiba Ōedo Onsen Monogatari (2 Chome-6-3 Aomi, Koto City) - Anime themed, but expensive
Tokyo Somei onsen SAKURA (5 Chome-4-24 Komagome, Toshima City) - Budget friendly, more traditional

Monkeys not included in Tokyo onsen packages!

5. Eat Fish from the Tsukiji Fish Market

Japan is renowned for the quality of its fish, and the dishes they create with said food.

Sushi, sashimi, katsuo no tataki, donburi, nanban-zuke… there isn’t a shortage of fishy flavours in which to indulge!

If you are keen on trying the freshest fish offered in all of Tokyo, make sure to take a trip to the Tsukiji fish market.

Hopefully you aren’t too squeamish - there are tons of live and dead fish and crustaceans in buckets all over the market hall. For a truly authentic and unique tourist experience, take a stroll through the market. Once you’re done, pop to any of the restaurants in the area and marvel at how fresh the food tastes!

If you wake up early enough, you might be lucky enough to watch the morning fish auctions. That is one thing that’s worth seeing!

Location:
5 Chome-2-1 Tsukiji, Chuo City

6. Visit a Peaceful Shrine Co-Existing within the Busy City

The brightly lit and tech-savvy Japanese capital can be overwhelming on occasion.

One of my favourite features of Tokyo are the peaceful shrines smattered throughout the metropolitan city. Within these spiritual places, you can find an oasis of tranquility and culture.

Such areas include Meiji-jingu (Meiji Shrine), Zojo-ji (Zoujou-ji Temple), and Asakusa’s Sensou-ji, amongst others.

In some of these shrines, there are even rentals for those who want to try wearing a traditional yukata or kimono.

Visit one of these places, and let your mind wander before stepping back into the city.

Read up on some of these shrines and other free attractions in Tokyo by clicking here!

Location (of shrines mentioned):
Zōjō-ji Temple = 4 Chome-7-35 Shibakoen, Minato City
Meiji-jingu = 1-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya City
Sensou-ji = 2 Chome-3-1 Asakusa, Taito City

Kaminarimon & Senso-ji Temple (in Asakusa)

7. Take a Japanese Cooking Class

Who doesn’t love Japanese cuisine?

When in Tokyo, take advantage of the city’s culinary offerings by going to a cooking class. There are classes available to learn how to make sushi, donburi, yakitori, among many other dishes.

Learn some handy tricks you can bring into your own household, and become more appreciative of the chefs who create some of your favourite Japanese dishes. Most of them are genuine masters!

I personally did the “Tsukiji Fish Market Visit with Sushi Making Experience” in Ginza and loved every moment of it. The best part? I got to eat everything I made! Yum 😋

8. Look at Anime & MangA Goods in Akihabara

Being a lover of all things anime and manga isn’t a requirement to enjoy Akihabara.

Although it does add a different depth (and a more expensive trip) to the area if you are a fan, non-fans can still be intrigued by the sheer amount of themed goods available, and marvel at the tech-heavy area.

Akiba (as it is colloquially known) is so stimulating to walk through, and is well worth a visit for any Tokyo traveler.

Location:
Akihabara (large area)

9. Explore Shinjuku at Night, then Grab a Drink in Piss Alley

Just outside the west gate of Shinjuku station lies Omoide Yokocho, also known as Piss Alley or Memory Lane.

This alley features many food stalls, restaurants, and bars that are open after hours. It’s the perfect place to visit after visiting lively Shinjuku at night.

While many areas of Tokyo may “go to bed” after the sun goes on, Shinjuku remains perpetually awake, and it well worth visiting on a night out. The bright lights will keep you awake, and you’re sure to have a good time anywhere you choose to go in this area of the city.

Make sure to visit not only during the day, but also at night. It’s worth it!

Location:
Shinjuku (large area)

10. Visit The Ikebukuro PokÉmon Centre

Pokémon fans must take a trip to the enormous Pokémon Centre in Ikebukuro.

The megastore has games, plushies, stationery, accessories, and other fun merchandise available for purchase.

The setup of the store is well worth seeing, and it’s a fun trip even if you don’t plan on buying anything (warning: it’s very tempting to pull out your wallet here!)

Limited edition plushies, such as the businessman Pikachu, are also available for purchase, and make great souvenirs!

Location:
Japan, 〒170-0013 Tokyo, Toshima City, Higashiikebukuro