25 Epic Things To Do In Tokyo

Travelling to Tokyo? You lucky thing! I squeezed in 3 visits last year and this crazy, crepe-filled, crowded capital still left me wanting more.

Whether you’re planning your first or your 30th visit, here are 25 weird and wonderful things to do in Tokyo to have the best time ever.

25 fun things to do in Tokyo

From the best themed restaurants to cool tours, cultural experiences and, yes, that Go Kart you’ve heard about. Here’s how to fill your Tokyo itinerary with some seriously fun things to do.

1.Visit the Robot Restaurant

Watch giant robots take on dinosaurs in this electrifying cabaret show my partner described as ‘Power Rangers on acid’. Featuring strobe-lighting, dancing ninjas and scantily-clad ladies in an intimate mirrored arena, the plot is loose but what does it even matter?

One thing for sure is you’ll never forget your first time at the Robot Restaurant.

Robot Restaurant – nothing makes sense but it doesn’t matter!

2. Dine at Kawaii Monster Cafe

Not to be beaten by dancing robots, the Kawaii Monster Cafe in Harajuku features ‘cute’ monsters prancing around on an indoor merry-go-around.

Unlike the Robot Restaurant, the Kawaii Monster Cafe serves half-decent food, albeit rainbow-coloured dishes that match the decor.

Kawaii Monster Cafe – the craziest place I ever had a unicorn-inspired meal…

3. Take a Go Kart Tour of Tokyo

Race around the crazy streets of Shibuya in a Go Kart, accessorised with a Go Pro and (optional) fancy dress outfit.

(You must have a valid drivers’ license and you may dress as a super-hero – just not a Nintendo character as apparently Nintendo didn’t like it!)

4. Shop in Omotesando

Head to Tokyu Plaza in Omotesando for some retail therapy and Insta-opportunities in the mirror-covered entryway.

Fun for photographers at Tokyu Plaza

5. Eat crepes in Harajuku

Scoff cake & cream-filled crepes on Takeshita Street in Harajuku. (Save room for a Beard Papa cream puff too.)

6. Visit the world’s first digital art museum

You’ll never look at a museum the same way again after experiencing the incredible Mori Building Digital Art Museum by TeamLab.

Artworks move out of rooms and merge with each other in this sensational digital experience that expands across 10,000 square metres. Be prepared for your Insta to explode :p

7. Visit Senso-ji Temple

Learn your fortune at Senso-ji, Tokyo’s oldest temple, and if you don’t like it just give it back (tie the paper on the  rack) and ask the gods for a better one instead.

8. Dress like a geisha

Dress like a geisha in Asakusa and take a rickshaw ride around Senso-ji in your new get up.

Learn your fortune at Senso-ji Temple

9. Train as a ninja

Learn the ancient arts of the ninja with a hands-on ninja experience, which includes your outfit, weapons training and a comedy photoshoot.

10. Visit a Maid Cafe (or not!)

Have an expensive and possibly very awkward cup of tea served by a maid or butler at one of Tokyo’s wacky theme cafes. 

How on earth do you choose? Crepes in Harajuku

11. Shop at Don Quijote

Buy every imaginable flavour of Kit Kat, some animal-themed face-masks and a load of tat you’ll never need at Don Quijote.

12. Experience the Shibuya Scramble

Dive into the Shibuya Scramble and look for the perfect vantage points to marvel at the Shibuya Crossing. (There are some pretty good views from Shibuya Station and a Starbucks directly above the intersection – see left hand side of photo below.)

Be blown away by the world’s busiest intersection, the Shibuya Crossing

13. Take a Tokyo night photography tour

Up your photography game with a Tokyo night photography tour with a pro who can show you how to capture the incredible neon-tinged streets of Shinjuku and Shibuya.

14. Discover the nightlife of Shinjuku

Say kampai to the locals over beers in Golden Gai, feast on yakitori in Piss Alley and discover the nightlife of Shinjuku.

Tokyo by night literally shines

15. Visit an izakaya

Order ramen from a vending machine and enjoy happy hour at an izakaya (with mixed results depending on your skills with the Japanese language!).

16. Discover geek culture in Akihabara

Play vintage arcade games and go mad for manga in Akihabara.

Games and geeks in Akhibara

17. Explore hipster Shimo-Kitazawa

Wander the narrow lanes of hipster Shimo-Kitazawa, shop for vintage fashion and stuff your face with pancakes.

18. Visit an onsen

Visit an onsen theme park, Oedo Onsen Monogatari, to experience the Japanese tradition of bathing in hot spring waters. Yes, you do have to be naked, but it’s not that terrifying, honestly.

Onsen Etiquette – Tips For Visiting A Japanese Public Bathhouse

Vintage fashion and hip cafes in Shimo-Kitazawa

19. Watch a sumo wrestling tournament

Watch a sumo wrestling tournament at a local arena with a guide who can explain what the big guys are doing.

20. Go shopping in glitzy Ginza

Go shopping in glitzy Ginza and try to get your head around the self-service tills. Visit the basement level of leading department store Matsuya to discover the elegance of food gifts in Japan.

Did I mention crepes?

21. Tour Tsukiji fish market

Tour Tsukiji fish market, the world’s largest seafood market, and learn the art of sushi-making from a sushi master.

22. Experience an arty cafe

Doodle while you wait for noodles at the Bungougu Café (Stationery Café) in Omotesando, a beautiful artist store and cafe in one.

One of the calmer cafes in Tokyo – Stationery Cafe, Omotesando

23. Fly ‘First Class’

Only in Tokyo can you enjoy a virtual first class flight in a restaurant. Enjoy in-flight meals themed to your ‘destination’ served by helpful cabin crew at First Airlines.

24. Spend a day at Tokyo Disneyland

Lose your mind on Space Mountain at Tokyo Disneyland!

Meet Japanese Mickey at Tokyo Disneyland

25. Sleep in a capsule hotel

Sleep in what is essentially a cupboard at a Capsule Hotel. Or better yet stay in a room designed by a Japanese artist with views of Tokyo Tower at Park Hotel Tokyo.

Artist Rooms at Park Hotel Tokyo

Ready to have a lot of fun in Tokyo? Check out the rest of my posts on Japan 😀

You may also like:

Tokyo without tourists – 5 places where it’s you and the locals

5 things you need to know before visiting Japan

Japan bucket list: places and experiences not to be missed

Where to stay in Tokyo – review of Park Hotel Tokyo 

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Post updated: May 2020