Things to Do in Tokyo
Tokyo has more things competing for your attention than any single trip can absorb. The problem isn't finding options — it's knowing which thing actually fits your pace, your interests, and the shape of your days.
Iconic Attractions
The places everyone visits — and for good reason. Meiji Shrine at 8am before the crowds, the Imperial Palace gardens in autumn light, teamLab on a rainy afternoon when you need something indoors. Most take 30 to 90 minutes. The difference between checking a box and having a real moment usually comes down to timing and a little context.
Food & Drink
Standing sushi at 7am, basement izakayas at midnight, and ramen counters where you eat shoulder-to-shoulder with salarymen at lunch. Tokyo's food scene rewards the curious — but the sheer number of choices can paralyze you. These guides narrow it down by what you're actually in the mood for.
Niche Interests
Nakano Broadway's maze of vintage toy shops, Toyosu's tuna auctions at dawn, Kabukicho's neon-soaked streets after dark. These are the experiences that don't fit neatly into itineraries — but for the right traveler, they become the highlight of the trip.
Things to Do
Nakano Broadway Guide: Is It Worth Your Time?
An honest assessment of Nakano Broadway: who it's for, who it disappoints, how to navigate 25 Mandarake stores.
Discover more
Things to Do
Tokyo Nightlife: Why Depth Beats the Bar Crawl
Tokyo nightlife: drinking culture that rewards depth over bar-crawl variety. The Chuo Line gradient, listening bars, karaoke, and why regulars' spots matter.
Discover more
Things to Do
Toyosu Market Guide: What to Expect vs Tsukiji Alternative
Toyosu market guide: it replaced Tsukiji but isn't the same experience — what you actually see, when guides help, and what to skip.
Discover moreDay Trips & Immersive Experiences
An hour on the Romancecar to Hakone's hot springs. A morning in Kamakura's bamboo groves. Mt. Fuji's fifth station on a clear day. Day trips aren't an escape from Tokyo — they're contrast that makes the city feel richer when you come back. Tea ceremony and helicopter tours offer something different entirely: Tokyo slowed down, or seen from above.
