Talk about a megacity that even other world cities pay reverence to. Tokyo, Japan’s capital, boasts an amalgamation of perennial history, an alluring blend of modernity and tradition, space-age tech, cutting-edge fashion trends, and moments of blissful serenity.
As a traveler or tourist, deciding what to do in Tokyo is mostly about how much time you have and how inclined you are to experience the city’s complexity. The plethora of activities is endless, and the attractions and sites are vast.
Still, to maximize your experience or trip, here is a list of the best things/activities to have on your bucket list.
10 Things to do in the heart of Japan
See the avant garde digital art at TeamLab Planets
Whether you are an art enthusiast or not, this digital art show is one of the most spectacular places to experience. The TeamLab Planets is unusually interactive, featuring exhibitions like nothing you may have experienced before in large-scale art spaces.
Team Lab Planets is simply a unity of movement and light. Here, you can move across rooms and enjoy the unique experience barefoot. From the luminescent flowers and gigantic projections to the glowing orbs and cascading waterfalls, get ready to immerse yourself in a sensory overload.
Moving through this abstract experience is even more tranquil as you get to enjoy classical music accompanied by 3D visuals. Without question, all the well-thought TeamLab details make for an awe-inspiring and delightful futuristic art experience.
Step into the Shibuya Crossing
You will definitely want to experience the Shibuya Crossing. This street is busy and chaotic, with lots of pedestrians on the go but in the most organized way. You won’t hear any beeping here despite how busy this street is. Your senses will only be sparked by the video screens and constant flashing advertisements.
If you like, you can get into the crowd yourself, or you may choose to get a view of the street from the top floor of the distant Hikari building.
You can visit the Shibuya Crossing during the daytime, but It would be suggested to experience it at dusk when it’s most dramatic with neon lighting from the signs over it. When the traffic lights go red, pedestrians from all directions flood the Shibuya Crossing intersection crossing in concert.
Ascend the deck of the Tokyo Skytree
Standing at a monumental height of 634 meters, this is the tallest tower not only in Japan but also in the world. This structure is a must-see observation deck. You can go up the tower and marvel at the breathtaking views of the striking city. If you are here on a clear day, you will be lucky to see the stunning view of Mt. Fuji from afar.
From the Tokyo Skytree, the city spreads out beneath you as you stand in awe of the intricate latticework of this structure itself. It is packed with marvelous aesthetics, and the engineering work is to die for.
Unravel the serenity of the Meiji Jingu Shrine
You will undoubtedly have moments of hustle and bustle while in Tokyo. But the good news is this city also has peaceful adventure options. Among these is the Meiji Shrine. It is a stunning oasis in Tokyo’s center, a tranquil forest packed with thousands of trees.
As you pass through the Torii gate to reach the Meiji shrine, you will feel a nice shift in your spiritual energy as you stroll the Torii entrance gates marking the end of an ordinary world and the start of a sacred one.
While at the Meiji Shrine, you will admire its magnificent wooden architecture and explore the expansive grounds and gardens. You may witness a traditional festival or a Shinto wedding if you are lucky. Here, you can also find people cleaning, praying, and performing various religious tasks. If you want, you can put down your spiritual wishes on the wooden tablets within the shrine.
Partake of the Sakurai tea experience
Wood and copper salute you once you get into this elegant and minimalist sanctuary. You can’t be in Japan and not experience the Japanese “way of tea” here, especially if you are a green tea lover. This retail space is more than a café. It offers a modern take (meditation and illumination) on traditional tea making and is also a fantastic place to escape the city.
Each space seats eight people, and from there, you can watch the tea masters brew every drink meticulously. The glass jars contain various green tea types; every drink you choose comes with a savory or sweet snack.
This will be an ideal spot to visit in the afternoon when you want the ultimate tea break, but it is also an excellent choice for pre-dinner tea cocktails with friends. If you are going for one tea, sample the Gyokuro, the specialty here. However, it’s strongly recommended to try the Full Course Tea Experience for an unforgettable treat.
Visit the living art installation – The Harajuku Takeshita Street
This is the home of fashion in Tokyo and here you will notice very youthful crowds flaunting the wildest fashions. It is where you will find all the pop and color you can imagine. The Takeshita street is lovely as it is bizarre.
Along it are different stores with some of the brightest and most eccentric fashion items whether it is anime costumes, gothic attires, velvet bows, or platform heels, you can’t miss a commanding fashion statement piece.
But this street is not just about over-the-top street style. It has crepe stands, strange candy vendors, loud music, spot cosplayers, and much more. Takeshita Street may seem overwhelming, but everything on it combines with utter brilliance.
Bring out your inner child at Tokyo Disneyland and Disney Sea
While in Tokyo, you must go on a magical journey at Disneyland and Disney Sea. These are best experienced alongside each other, especially when traveling with young ones. Both theme parks ooze enchanting parades and thrilling rides that are the best ways to ignite childlike wonder.
Tokyo Disneyland is a more classic and exemplary version of the Disney parks we know, featuring a fairytale castle and enjoyable rides.
Attractions at the Disney Sea are more adult-tailored, and you can enjoy a Broadway show or sip a cocktail in the spot’s 1920s lounge while on a cruise liner. The park is also home to eight ports inspired by ocean legends and other places.
Kindle your spirituality at Asakusa’s Senso-ji Temple
In the historic Asakusa district sits the red Senso-ji temple, Tokyo’s most renowned temple by default. The atmosphere you get here is sacred and is one of the things you should be eager to experience.
Many visitors gather in front of the temple, where incense is usually burned to foster good health. This temple attracts large crowds so if you are a traveler keen to avoid such a situation, make sure to get here early.
The Senso-ji temple beckons at the end of a shopping street, and on its left is the five-story pagoda, which offers magnificent views of the city’s old and new. Be sure to visit the souvenir stalls and get something to remember your visit.
Get electrified at Akihabara
If you are into pop culture, are an anime enthusiast, gamer, comic lover, or a tech aficionado, you can’t afford to miss out on the Akihabara neighborhood. You will meet your fellow fans here who define life using themes of artistic peculiarity and geeky nostalgia.
At Akihabara, there are video game console stores, anime merchandise shops, manga comic stores, and towering gaming arcades.
Akihabara’s hundreds of neon-bright electronic shops, drive go-carts, and cosplay cafes are other experiences that will give you a sensory overload and fun alongside Tokyo’s cultural immersion.
Complete your experience at the Tsukiji Outer Market
A visit to Tokyo will not be complete without you savoring the culinary relishes of the Tsukiji Outer Market. This is a testamentary gastronomic point in Tokyo that also buzzes with energy.
You can sample fresh seafood of all kinds sold from different stalls marked with price markers and bright signs. You must try the sushi rolls, oysters, perfectly sliced sashimi, and barbequed fish. For the best experience, join a food tour where a guide recommends the best stalls to eat or buy from while giving you fun facts about this market.
Besides being a famous fish market, the Tsukiji Outer Market is a great spot to experience Japan’s local life. You can engage with many vendors that have mastered their craft over generations.
Final words
Bottom line, Tokyo has a lot of cool stuff to do that mixes old and new, art and nature, and calm with fun. To fully experience this vibrant city and ensure an awesome time, you must explore the above ten activities. Whether you’re into art, culture, adventure, or just chilling out, Tokyo offers something special for everyone, making your visit truly unforgettable. Just FYI, the images displayed here are for illustration purposes only.
