Tokyo has captured the imagination of countless creatives throughout history, from Anthony Bourdain (who said if he had to eat in only one city the rest of his life, it’d be Tokyo) to writer and director Sofia Coppola, whose love affair with its neon lights and boundless energy is captured in her classic movie Lost in Translation.
It’s a destination where ancient traditions meet trendy technology, where skyscrapers coexist with centuries-old temples and shrines, and where you can start your day with a bento box finishing machine and end it at a 3-Michelin-star restaurant dining on the best. . The sushi of your life.
While Japan’s incredible capital is hard to encapsulate, if you’re planning a trip and need a few tips for what to add to your itinerary, continue ahead for 17 of the best things to do in Tokyo, from museums and landmarks to vintage shops and tiny alleyway watering holes.
Ryogoku Kokugikan is Tokyo’s sumo stadium, hosting three major sumo tournaments each year (lasting about two weeks). If your stopover doesn’t fall within this time frame or you prefer a more intimate and consistent experience, book a layover at one of Tokyo’s “sumo stables” (sumo-beya) to see how an educational consultation is conducted. If you’re invited to Aman Tokyo, electronically book their Sumo Behind the Scenes Tour, where you spend the morning witnessing the classic Japanese wrestling sport.
This exhibition, which is both a museum and a garden, has been a resounding success and has been expanded several times due to its popularity. (It is currently scheduled to close by the end of 2027. ) Visitors can explore four large-scale art spaces and two gardens, even before they take off their shoes. TeamLab Planets invites visitors to walk barefoot through the spaces, which comes into play in the shallow water walking rooms.
Surrounded by a cinematic moat and imposing stone walls, the Tokyo Imperial Palace is a sight to behold. It sits atop the former site of Edo Castle (once the seat of the Tokugawa shogun) and has served as the apartment of successive emperors since 1868. Visitors can get a glimpse into royal life through a guided tour through the palace grounds and on January 2 and February 23, when the palace’s inner park will be open to the public.
For a destination almost synonymous with sushi, hiring a personal advisor to show you around Tokyo’s historic fish markets is a no-brainer. Opened in 1935, Tsukiji was the main wholesale fish market until it moved to Toyosu in 2018. Visitors can still tour the outdoor portion of the historic Tsukiji Market or visit Toyosu to attend a tuna auction, a renowned event world. (Fun fact: A 612-pound bluefin tuna, sold for $3. 1 million in 2019, holds the record for the most expensive tuna ever sold at auction. )
There’s nothing quite like experiencing a city from the water, especially when you’re dealing with a bustling capital like Tokyo. Book a personal cruise on the Sumida River (perhaps aboard a classic Japanese houseboat, or yakatabune) that ends in Tokyo Bay. Better yet, plan your sailing time to coincide with sunset so you can appreciate the iconic skyscrapers taking on a brilliant golden hue.
Park Hyatt Tokyo opened its doors in 1994, revealing a striking design by Dr. Kenzō Tange (the winner of the 1987 Pritzker Prize for Architecture). Less than ten years later, director Sofia Coppola filmed her award-winning Lost in Translation at the Park Hyatt, sparking further fascination with the luxury hotel. Book a room and admire the four-story glass atrium lobby or simply grab a drink at the sophisticated New York Bar, the hotel is forever a Tokyo marvel. (Note: Park Hyatt Tokyo is currently undergoing a restoration in celebration of its 30th anniversary and will reopen in October 2025.)
Tea came to Japan through Zen Buddhism, and its influences continue to permeate the country’s identity, especially in Tokyo, considered one of the largest tea cities in the world. During your visit, don’t explore its many tea houses, from Norm Tea House in the up-and-coming Ueno district to Café Banksia, founded by photographer Nana Yuri.
For library lovers who strive to find the most productive bookstores when traveling, be sure to add Daikanyama T-Site to your list. This famous bookstore is located in the trendy Daikanyama district and is known for its unique latticework facade that resembles the letter “T” (designed by Klein Dytham Architecture). Inside, explore the curated range of art books, magazines and monographs covering a wide diversity of interests.
The bohemian neighborhood of Shimokitazawa is an epicenter for treasure hunters who relish the opportunity to hop between vintage and thrift stores in search of their latest score. In search of vintage American labels like Polo Ralph Lauren? Make a pitstop at Flamingo. You’ll find more ‘90s streetwear at Chicago, while both Pigsty and New York Joe Exchange deliver an eclectic mix of laidback vintage pieces.
A destination that’s served as the backdrop in countless films and editorials, Shibuya Crossing is a Tokyo icon. During its busiest times, there are an estimated 1,000 to 2,500 pedestrians making their way across the intersection every two minutes, making it a tourist destination in and of itself. And despite the seeming chaos of it all, there’s a sense of synchrony about the crossing that draws in people-watchers from around the world.
While Japan’s countryside is a common destination for experiencing an onsen (hot spring), there are a few locations in Tokyo where you can take a dip in these geothermal waters—like Yuen Bettei Deita, a ryokan-style hotel in the heart of Shimokitazawa. The property has its very own open-air bath that is fed from source springs in Hakone and Lake Ashi. Book a day at the hotel’s onsen complete with a tea salon and meal.
Soaring 2,080 feet into the air, Tokyo Skytree is among the world’s tallest towers. Once visitors reach the Tembo Deck at 1,148 feet, they can take in 360-degree views of the city. For those with a penchant for sprawling views, go to the very top to the Tembo Galleria via a spiral ramp to experience this thrilling skywalk. On clear days, you can see all the way to Mount Fuji.
Founded to preserve and exhibit premodern art from Japan and East Asia that belonged to Nezu Kaichirō (the president of the Japanese Tobu Railway), the Nezu Museum today has approximately 7,600 works in its collections, including seven national treasures, 92 vital cultural houses and 95 vital art objects. The museum is in the Aoyama district and offers a tranquil environment for visitors: bamboo, glass walls and the striking architecture of Kengo Kuma. Also not to be missed are the gardens with their stone paths that wind through a lush park.
Illuminated with neon lamps and brimming with post-war charm, Shinjuku’s Golden Gai is a dinner for the senses. Half the laugh of discovering the community is walking through its puzzle-like alleyways, past bars with open seating – the average bar is small and only seats between 4 and ten people. And while there are more than two hundred bars to choose from, keep in mind that some of those institutions demonstrate “non-tourist” symptoms to keep their seats available for regulars. .
Ginza is Tokyo’s upscale grocery shopping district and home to Ginza Motoji, a store known for generations for its kimonos (and favored by Vogue’s Hamish Bowles). Make an appointment to purchase and have your own kimono compatible that you can pass on from generation to generation, as is the culture in Japan. (The culture dates back thousands of years to the Heian period!)
Japan’s vending device culture (yes, vending devices!) is part of what makes the country so wonderfully unique, and in Tokyo there are around 4 million vending devices serving locals and tourists alike. . Your average vending device – expect a dizzying array of truly clever cuisines, from canned sushi and yakitori to ramen and candy.
Breathe in the fresh air at this lush park near Shinjuku Station. It is one of the largest parks in Tokyo and one of the places to see cherry blossoms in spring (the park has about 1,300 cherry trees of more than 65 varieties). Visitors can walk around three other types of lawns: a classic Japanese lawn, a landscaped lawn with giant trees, and a French lawn designed with a symmetrical geometric shape that resembles those in France.
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