Tokyo is one of those cities that changes completely depending on who you ask. Ask a foodie and they'll point you to a ramen shop tucked under a train track. Ask a culture seeker and they'll send you to a centuries-old temple. That's what makes Tokyo things to do lists so much fun to put together, because there's something for every kind of traveler.
Below, we've rounded up the top 9 things to do in Tokyo, sorted by traveler type, with prices, best times to visit, and how to get there. Here's a quick overview before we get into the details:
Activity | Best for |
|---|---|
SHIBUYA SKY | City view lovers |
TOKYO SKYTREE | City view lovers |
Sushi making class | Foodies |
Shinjuku food tour | Foodies |
Ikebukuro shopping tour | Anime and gaming fans |
Pokemon Cafe | Anime and gaming fans |
Asakusa and Sensoji Temple tour | Culture seekers |
Asakusa Sumo Club show | Culture seekers |
Tokyo Disney Resort | Families |
🏙️ For city view lovers
1. SHIBUYA SKY
City views from Shibuya Sky
If you want to understand why people call Tokyo a concrete jungle in the best way, start here. Shibuya Sky is an open-air rooftop deck 230 meters above the city, with a front-row view over the famous Shibuya Scramble Crossing below. Watching thousands of people cross at once from that height is one of those only-in-Tokyo moments.
Try to book in advance since slots sell out fast, especially if you're trying to book a sunset slot time!
Price: From ¥2,700 (~$17 USD)
Best time to visit: Just before sunset for the day-to-night transition
How to get there: Walk from Shibuya Station's exits directly into Shibuya Scramble Square
2. TOKYO SKYTREE®
TOKYO SKYTREE® view
For a more classic skyline view, Tokyo Skytree is hard to beat. At 634 meters, it's one of the tallest structures in the world, and on a clear day you can spot Mount Fuji from the observation decks. It's a favorite for anyone chasing that must see in Tokyo, Japan photo moment.
The lower deck (Tembo Deck) costs around ¥2,200 (~$14 USD), while combo tickets that include the higher Tembo Galleria run closer to ¥3,400 (~$21 USD). If you want to visit with less crowds, try to go on weekday mornings!
Price: From ¥2,200 (~$14 USD)
Best time to visit: Weekday mornings for shorter lines
How to get there: Tokyo Skytree Station on the Tobu Skytree Line, or a 10-minute walk from Asakusa
🍣 For foodies
3. Sushi making class
sushi making class in tokyo
Eating your way through Tokyo is great, but making your own sushi is even better. This sushi making class in Tokyo is a hands-on, beginner-friendly session where a local chef walks you through rolling and shaping your own nigiri and maki. It's a fun way to check "cooking class" off your list of things to do in Tokyo, Japan with prices that won't break the budget.
Classes generally cost around ¥7,200 (~$45 USD) per person and run for about two hours. Morning sessions tend to have more availability if you're planning a packed day.
Price: From ¥7,200 (~$45 USD)
Best time to visit: Mid-morning, before lunch crowds pick up
How to get there: Most classes are held in central Tokyo, near Shinjuku or Shibuya; exact meeting point confirmed after booking
4. Shinjuku food tour
Yakiniku
If you'd rather eat than cook, the Shinjuku food tour takes you through a handful of local spots for wagyu beef, sushi, and other Shinjuku specialties, all in one half-day outing. A local guide handles the ordering and the small talk with shop owners, so you can just focus on eating.
Prices land around ¥21,700 (~$134 USD) per person, which covers tastings at multiple stops. It's one of the better ways to get a real feel for Tokyo attractions that locals actually love, rather than just the tourist-heavy spots.
Price: From ¥21,700 (~$134 USD)
Best time to visit: Lunchtime or early evening, when shops are freshest
How to get there: Meet near Shinjuku Station; exact meeting spot shared after booking
🎮 For anime and gaming fans
5. Ikebukuro shopping tour
Gachapon in Ikebukuro | Photo Credits: G N on Pexels
Ikebukuro is basically ground zero for anime and gaming culture in Tokyo, and this anime and game shopping tour is built for fans who want a guided route through the district's best shops. Your guide points out where to find rare figures, trading cards, and retro games you won't find back home.
The tour costs around ¥11,000 (~$68 USD) and typically runs a few hours. It's a great pick if anime and gaming is the whole reason Tokyo made your travel list in the first place.
Price: ¥11,000 (~$68 USD)
Best time to visit: Afternoon, when most shops are fully open and stocked
How to get there: Meet near Ikebukuro Police Station East Exit
6. Pokemon Cafe
Pokemon Cafe
The Pokemon Cafe is one of those spots that books out weeks in advance, and once you're inside, it's easy to see why. Every dish is styled after a Pokemon character, from Pikachu-shaped curry to Snorlax desserts, and the whole space is decked out in Pokemon themes.
A reservation fee of around ¥6,000 (~$37 USD) per person secures your table, with food and drinks ordered separately from the menu. Reservations open a set number of weeks ahead, so lock in your spot early if this is high on your list.
Price: Reservation from ¥6,000 (~$37 USD), food ordered separately
Best time to visit: Lunch slots tend to open up more often than dinner
How to get there: Located near Nihonbashi Station, inside the Pokemon Center Tokyo DX building
⛩️ For culture seekers
7. Sensoji Temple tour
Sensoji temple
No list of things to do in Japan, Tokyo is complete without Asakusa, Tokyo's historic temple district. This guided Sensoji Temple walking tour takes you through Sensoji, Tokyo's oldest temple, plus the Nakamise shopping street leading up to it, with a guide explaining the history along the way.
Tours generally run around ¥2,880 (~$18 USD) per person and last about two hours. Early morning visits mean fewer crowds and better photos of the temple gates!
Price: From ¥2,880 (~$18 USD) per person
Best time to visit: Early morning, before tour groups arrive
How to get there: Asakusa Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line
8. Asakusa Sumo Club show
Sumo club show in Asakusa
For a different side of Japanese tradition, the Asakusa Sumo Club show puts you up close with sumo culture, complete with a live demonstration and a bowl of chankonabe (the protein-heavy hot pot dish sumo wrestlers eat to bulk up). It's a more intimate experience than watching an actual tournament, and easier to fit into a shorter trip.
Admission with the all-you-can-eat chankonabe meal included costs around ¥16,000 (~$100 USD). Sessions run in small groups, so it's worth booking a few months ahead!
Price: From ¥16,000 (~$100 USD), chankonabe meal included
Best time to visit: Early evening, so you can pair it with dinner in the area
How to get there: Short walk from Asakusa Station
👨👩👧👦 For families
9. Tokyo Disney Resort
Frozen ride at Tokyo DisneySea
For families, Tokyo Disney Resort is usually the top request, and it delivers with two full parks: Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. DisneySea in particular has attractions you won't find at any other Disney park in the world, which makes it worth the trip even for parents who've done Disney parks elsewhere.
A one-day pass costs around ¥7,900 (~$51 USD) for adults, with lower pricing for children!
Price: From ¥7,900 (~$51 USD) for adults, 1-day pass
Best time to visit: Weekdays outside Japanese school holidays for shorter wait times
How to get there: JR Maihama Station, then a short monorail ride to the parks
FAQs about things to do in Tokyo
What are the top things to do in Tokyo?
If you're only picking a top 5 things to do in Tokyo, start with Shibuya Sky, Tokyo Skytree, Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, a Shinjuku food tour, and Tokyo Disney Resort. Beyond that shortlist, the top things to do in Tokyo cover rooftop views, historic temples, and hands-on food experiences.
What is Tokyo best known for?
Tokyo is best known for blending ultra-modern city life with centuries-old tradition, sometimes on the same street. It's famous for neon-lit districts like Shibuya and Shinjuku, historic temples like Sensoji in Asakusa, and its role as a global hub for anime and gaming.
Add in some of the best food in the world, and every corner starts to feel like a must see in Tokyo Japan.
How many days do you need in Tokyo?
Most travelers find 3 to 4 days is enough to cover the major Tokyo attractions without feeling rushed. That's usually enough time for a city view spot, a temple visit, some food experiences, and a themed activity like anime shopping or a day at Disney.
If you're planning a side trip to Mount Fuji or Kyoto, you'll want to add extra days on top of that.
What is the best neighborhood to explore in Tokyo?
Shibuya is a great all-around pick if you only have time for one neighborhood, since it covers the scramble crossing, shopping, and nightlife in one walkable area. Asakusa is the better choice if culture and history are more your focus.
Ikebukuro is worth the trip specifically for anime and gaming fans.
What are free things to do in Tokyo?
Plenty of Tokyo's best spots don't cost a thing to visit. Walking through Sensoji Temple grounds in Asakusa is free, as is people-watching at the Shibuya Scramble Crossing itself. Parks like Yoyogi Park and Ueno Park are also free and popular for a relaxed afternoon outdoors.
What is a good Tokyo itinerary for first-timers?
A good first-timer itinerary usually mixes one city view activity, one cultural stop, and one food experience per day, so you're not rushing between opposite ends of the city. Day one might cover Asakusa and Sensoji Temple, day two could focus on Shibuya and Shibuya Sky, and day three leaves room for a themed pick like Tokyo Disney Resort or Ikebukuro.
What is the best time of year to visit Tokyo?
Spring, from late March to April, is one of the most popular times to visit thanks to cherry blossom season, though it does mean bigger crowds. Fall, from October to November, offers similarly comfortable weather with fewer people around. Summer can get hot and humid, while winter is cooler but generally has the smallest crowds at major attractions.
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