Things to Do in Tokyo
Old temples and new towers in the world's largest metropolitan area.
See top-rated activities »About Tokyo
The list of things to do in Tokyo is endless because the city is really dozens of neighborhoods joined by trains. The best way to see it is one or two areas a day, on foot and by subway, with a rechargeable IC card such as Suica or Pasmo, or a phone wallet, for every fare. The city is famously safe and clean, and getting lost is part of the fun.
Asakusa, in the east, is old Tokyo. Senso-ji, the city's oldest temple, is approached through the Thunder Gate and down Nakamise, a lane of snack and souvenir stalls, and Tokyo Skytree, at 634 meters the country's tallest structure, rises across the river. On the west side, Meiji Jingu, a Shinto shrine dedicated in 1920 to the Emperor Meiji, sits in a forest in the middle of the city, beside the youth fashion of Harajuku's Takeshita Street. A short walk south, the Shibuya Scramble Crossing fills with people from every direction each time the lights change; Shibuya Sky, an open-air deck above it, has one of the best views in the city.
Food is a reason to come. The Tsukiji Outer Market, which stayed when the wholesale fish market moved to Toyosu in 2018, is a maze of stalls selling sushi, grilled seafood and tamagoyaki. Shinjuku's Omoide Yokocho and Golden Gai are tiny alleys of yakitori grills and bars, and department store basements, called depachika, sell beautiful prepared food. At teamLab Planets in Toyosu, visitors walk barefoot through immersive digital art, sometimes in shallow water, and the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, which needs tickets bought well in advance, celebrates the animation studio's films.
Day trips are easy by train. Hakone, in the mountains southwest of the city, has hot spring inns, an open-air sculpture museum, a ropeway over volcanic vents and boats on Lake Ashi with views of Mount Fuji on clear days. Kamakura, the old samurai capital, has its Great Buddha and seaside temples, and Nikko, to the north, has the lavish Toshogu shrine set in cedar forest.
Don’t Miss
Tokyo's oldest temple, reached through the Thunder Gate and the Nakamise shopping street.
A forested shrine to the Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, entered through giant wooden torii.
Stalls and small restaurants selling sushi, seafood and kitchen tools.
Immersive rooms of light, water and flowers, walked barefoot.
A whimsical museum of Studio Ghibli's animation; tickets must be bought in advance.
Top-Rated Tours, Tickets & Activities in Tokyo
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TiqetsTours, tickets, prices and reviews from Viator (a Tripadvisor company) and Tiqets — prices are per person, from, and were checked October 28, 2026. See & Do Asia may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you.
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Get free trip quotes »Tokyo — FAQ
How many days do I need in Tokyo?
Four days covers the main neighborhoods at a comfortable pace; add a day for Hakone, Kamakura or Nikko.
When can I see Mount Fuji?
Clear views are most likely on cold, dry days from late fall through early spring, especially in the morning. Summer haze often hides it.
Is Tokyo expensive?
Hotels are the biggest cost. Food and transport can be very reasonable, with good meals at ramen shops, convenience stores and department store food halls.
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