What are the Best Things to Do in Tokyo?

Are you planning to visit Tokyo for the first time and wondering what attractions you must absolutely check out? From majestic palaces and shrines to vibrant shopping districts and iconic towers, Tokyo offers something for everyone visiting from around the world.

This article is intended to provide an accessible guide highlighting the best things to do in Tokyo for first-time visitors. Read on for more highlights about the key tourist sites, cultural attractions, food specialties, and neighborhoods with the most interesting character.

Explore the Highlights of Tokyo

Quite possibly the largest metropolis in the world, Tokyo is an eclectic city that’s home to everything from sublime gardens to spectacular engineering feats. Here are just a few of the top Tokyo attractions and sites you won’t want to miss during your stay:

Imperial Palace

The Imperial Palace is the residence of Japan’s Imperial Family, located in the Chiyoda Ward of central Tokyo. The palace grounds are open to the public and feature a beautiful garden and moat. The palace entrance provides access for a guided tour of its inner sections. It is also possible to book a tour of its East Garden alone, which is open year-round from 9 am – 4:30 pm.

Meiji Shrine

The Meiji Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. Located near Harajuku Station, its inner precinct is closed on Mondays, but other sections such as the East Garden are open daily. Entering through its large torii gates will take visitors on a journey through nature and culture. If visitors strike their luck, they might even spot a traditional Shinto wedding ceremony taking place around the shrine’s grounds.

Tokyo Tower

Tokyo Tower is an iconic landmark featured in countless movies and TV shows. For the best views in town, visitors can purchase an entry ticket and take an elevator up to the observation deck. There are also a variety of restaurants on-site for dining with a spectacular panorama.

Sensoji Temple

Located in the Asakusa district, Sensoji Temple is Tokyo’s oldest temple and belongs to the oldest Buddhist sect Japan’s known as Tendai. This popular tourist attraction features two large gates that guard its entrance, a tranquil five-story pagoda, and Nakamise shopping street with various souvenir stands.

Shibuya Crossing

The Shibuya Crossing in central Tokyo is one of the world’s busiest intersections – the perfect spot to witness high-tech Japan and snapping an iconic photo of neon lights, bustling streets and crossing people. Witnessing how locals commute and crossing the street during peak hour will give you a glimpse of Tokyo real life.

Shop “til You Drop in Tokyo’s Retail Hubs

Tokyo isn’t only about sightseeing – it’s also a great destination for shopping! Here are some of Tokyo’s top shopping spots worth exploring

Ginza

Ginza is at the forefront of high-end fashion; this chic district is home to several designer shops, department stores, cafes, and restaurants all housed in beautiful buildings. Its side streets are full of hidden stores offering unique items not found elsewhere in Japan and visitors can also experience traditional Japanese culture through Kabuki, which is staged at Ginza’s famous Kabuki-za theatre.

Harajuku

Harajuku is beloved by fashion lovers throughout Japan and it’s definitely worth exploring! This vibrant area is home to quirky fashion boutiques with unique styles, used clothes stores selling Japan-made high-end fashion brands, indie music stores, vintage shops, and also accessory designers crafting interesting pieces using traditional techniques.

Akihabara

For those interested in Japan’s otaku culture – otaku is a term for people with obsessive interests – then Akihabara should be at the top of their list. A few decades ago it was focused on electronics shops (to this day those are still plentiful), but now it has become synonymous with anime, manga, idol culture and gaming. With over 300 stores scattered across 49 city blocks it’s worth dedicating a few hours to explore this eclectic area.

Sample Tokyo’s Culinary Delights

Tokyo offers an incredible range of dining options for all sorts of budgets and palates. From large food complexes specialising in traditional dishes such as sushi, tempura and ramen to higher end restaurants serving innovative creations by renowned chefs – no matter what your budget or culinary preference is you won’t be disappointed with Tokyo’s gastronomic offerings.

Sushi

For raw fish fans, sushi is obviously a must-try while in Tokyo featuring some of the freshest fish in the world. Two options that are especially worth considering are specialist sushi restaurants offering omakase menus where various delicacies will be served throughout the meal, or exploring the kaitenzushi (conveyor belt sushi) restaurants where all dishes are pre-prepared and ordered from touch screens prior to arriving at your table.

Ramen

Ramen is incredibly popular all throughout Japan due to its low costs and ever increasing variety of flavours. Popular noodles come in many styles such as shoyu (soy sauce), shio (salt), miso (soy bean paste) and tonkotsu (pork bone). Many ramen restaurants offer customisable dishes so diners can choose their preferred noodle texture and soup thickness.

Tempura & Kushiage

Tempura refers to deep-fried vegetables or seafood whilst kushiage is a type of deep-fried skewer seasoned with a teriyaki glaze – both are especially delicious when paired with dipping sauces like tentsuyu (tempura sauce). Highly revered tempura specialty restaurants offer omakase menus featuring multiple tempura dishes for those seeking a thoroughly enjoyable experience.A great way to explore Japan’s food culture with an experienced guide at your side is certainly joining an exclusive food tours such as the Tokyo Bar Hopping Tour in Shibuya.. This tour takes you through some of Shibuya’s top bars where you can enjoy fantastic food plus learn about Tokyo’s unique food culture from local experts!

Get Off The Beaten Path and Explore Tokyo Like A Local

Tokyo is filled with charming neighborhoods, each with its own unique atmosphere and character – ideal for more intrepid travelers wanting to leave the beaten path for something less touristy. Here are just a few of Tokyo’s hidden gems that you should include to your itinerary:

Koenji & Sugamo

Koenji has been a hub for alternative culture for decades, becoming especially popular during the punk era – many music venues remain to this day giving visitors an insight into its past whilst Sugamo offers an interesting blend of traditional nostalgia coupled with fashionable boutiques and trinket shops. The two neighborhoods are linked together by Yamanote Line leading directly from Shinjuku Station lasting approximately 8 minutes each way.

Tsukishima

Close to Toyosu Market sits Tsukishima – home to some of the finest monjayaki restaurants in town located near Sumida River (visitors should note many restaurants here only accept cash). Apart from monja restaurants there are also cheese cake cafes, small craft beer bars, yakatabune – long houseboats on Sumida River – well worth a visit too!

Ueno & Asukusa

Ueno Park lends itself as one of Tokyo’s most picturesque areas. Offering temples amongst lush vegetation as well as museums from traditional Japanese artwork to modern art galleries plus snake centers there’s something here for everyone! Close by sits Asukusa housing several old Japanese candy stores plus edomae sushi restaurants utilizing saltwater fish caught off Japan’s shorelines by traditional fishing technique over 1000 years old – visitors should note cash payments only accepted here too!

Overall Tokyo offers something different than its stereotypical cityscape depicted on posters or travel gems around the world; it is strategically placed between traditional Japan seen in sites like Meiji Shrine or bike rides along Sumida River followed closely by modern neighbourhoods such as Akihabara or Shibuya crossing -all entailing unique experiences unique to Japan that we can hope travellers appreciate each way they come across by joining fun activities such as the Tokyo Bar Hopping Tour in Shibuya..