Tokyo Recommended Activities Vol. 01

Are you planning a trip to Tokyo? Are you currently looking for the best activities and places to visit in Tokyo? Tokyo is one of the most captivating cities in the world, offering a plethora of tourist attractions, including historic landmarks, unique art museums, sleek skyscrapers, and cultural experiences.

For first-time visitors, it can be overwhelming to decide what to do in Tokyo, especially if your time is limited. Therefore, careful planning of your trip and selecting where to go and what to do is crucial to make the most of your travel experience in Japan.

If you need some ideas on the best places to visit and activities to do in Tokyo, check out my Tokyo Bucket List, which introduces must-see spots in Tokyo. It's a list of classic tourist attractions, historic landmarks, unique cultural experiences, and the latest trendiest spots where you can experience both traditional and modern Japanese culture. Take a look!

For those planning to visit Tokyo or wanting to stay up-to-date with the latest trends, be sure to check it out!

Shibuya's scramble crossing has become a renowned landmark in Tokyo, and it's a popular photography spot that's frequently featured in various media. You'll often see tourists with cameras patiently waiting for the perfect moment at this iconic intersection. This world-famous crossing sees approximately 500,000 people passing through it daily, and the sight of passengers converging from all directions when the traffic light turns green is truly breathtaking.

Shibuya is known as one of the trendiest districts in Tokyo and serves as the epicenter of Japanese youth culture. It's home to a wide range of shopping malls, boutiques, discount stores, bars, clubs, cafes, and restaurants. It's the perfect area for shopping, dining, and nighttime entertainment.

One of the best places to enjoy the view of the scramble crossing is the outdoor observation deck "Shibuya Sky" on top of the super-tall building "Shibuya Scramble Square." From this 229-meter-high observatory, you can take in panoramic views of the scramble crossing and even spot Mount Fuji in the distance. It's one of the newest and coolest tourist spots in present-day Tokyo.

Shibuya Sky Observation Deck Ticket Reservations
https://www.klook.com/activity/70672-shibuya-sky-tokyo/

Tokyo is home to hundreds of high-end restaurants and bars that offer luxurious and high-quality dining experiences. However, if you're seeking a more unique drinking and dining experience, then exploring the "izakaya yokocho" (alleyways of izakayas) is an excellent culinary option.

Izakayas are traditional Japanese-style bars or gastropubs that serve drinks and Japanese cuisine or snacks (usually at relatively affordable prices). They are particularly popular among salarymen and locals, who often stop by for a beer after work. Izakaya yokocho is a collection of narrow, old-fashioned alleyways filled with small izakayas. Some izakayas can be very small, with just a few seats.

For foreign tourists, sitting next to locals and enjoying authentic Japanese cuisine and sake can be a completely different experience from dining at high-end restaurants. Tokyo boasts many charming izakaya yokocho and drinking districts in areas like Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno, and more.

One of the best ways to explore Tokyo's drinking culture is by participating in a "hashigo sake" tour. Many local izakayas can be challenging for first-time visitors to find and enter, but on a local hashigo tour, you can visit hidden bars and izakayas, getting to know Tokyo's genuine drinking culture.

Check out the details to find the ideal hashigo sake tour in popular areas:

[Tokyo Hashigo Sake Night Food Tour in Shinjuku]
https://www.magical-trip.com/product/59afbefb-b0d9-4e10-9273-b6c59b81e345

Sumo is a sport that began in Japan in ancient times, and it is one of the most unique and fascinating aspects of Japanese culture for foreign tourists. In Tokyo, particularly in the Ryogoku area (not far from Asakusa or Tokyo Skytree), you can find numerous sumo stables, some of which open their morning training sessions to the general public.

I've had the opportunity to participate in this activity, and it was truly amazing. Witnessing sumo wrestlers in action up close is a breathtaking experience. Seeing the physical and mental rigor of their training made me develop a deeper appreciation for the sport, and I gained immense respect for the wrestlers. While it may not be the most budget-friendly activity for all travelers, it's unquestionably worth the cost and is one of the most valuable experiences you can have in Japan.

Sumo Stable Visit & Morning Training Experience!
https://www.japanwondertravel.com/posts/sumo-morning-practice-tour

If you're staying in Japan during the right time of the year, it's also highly recommended to attend the live broadcasts of grand sumo tournaments. These tournaments are held six times a year (three times in Tokyo), each lasting for 15 days.

Consider joining a Tokyo Grand Sumo Tournament Tour (with tickets included) to experience this unique sporting and cultural event!
https://www.japanwondertravel.com/posts/sumo-tournament-tour-tokyo

TeamLab's digital art museums have become one of the trendiest spots in Tokyo in recent years.

MORI Building Digital Art Museum - teamLab Borderless, as the world's first interactive digital art museum, opened in the Odaiba area of Tokyo in the summer of 2018. Later in the same year, an immersive experience-based teamLab Planets Tokyo opened in the Toyosu area. These award-winning TeamLab museums have now become top tourist attractions in Asia, drawing visitors from around the world.

Both museums offer unique interactive art experiences utilizing the latest digital technologies. Vast spaces are filled with multiple digital art installations that are projected onto walls and floors, responding to movement and touch, creating immersive installations with moving, reflecting lights, and sounds.

Immerse yourself in these lifelike digital art creations! These museums are perfect for taking Instagram-worthy photos, so be sure to bring your camera. TeamLab museums are popular not only among Japanese visitors but also among foreign tourists, so it's a good idea to book your tickets in advance!

Book tickets for TeamLab Planets Tokyo in Toyosu!
https://www.klook.com/activity/25300-teamlab-planets-toyosu-tokyo-ticket/

Please note that MORI Building Digital Art Museum - teamLab Borderless closed in the summer of 2022 and is set to relocate to the Toranomon Azabudai Project in the heart of Tokyo in 2024.

TeamLab Planets, originally scheduled to close by the end of 2022, has been extended until the end of 2027 due to its popularity.

If you enjoy TeamLab's art museums, you might also appreciate the unique "Art Aquarium" museum, which combines the latest digital art with goldfish and incorporates light, sound, and scents into its exhibits. It offers a different and fascinating art experience that you may find enjoyable.

Various information
https://www.teamlab.art/

Senso-ji Temple, located in the historic heart of Tokyo's Asakusa area, is Tokyo's oldest temple. Tourists can enjoy taking photos of the iconic Kaminarimon Gate and stroll along Nakamise Street, the approach to the main hall, lined with traditional stalls. Nearby, you'll find numerous kimono shops and rickshaw tours. Asakusa is a fantastic area where you can experience Japan's traditional culture and historic streets in the midst of a modern metropolis.

Asakusa is home to many well-established Japanese restaurants that serve authentic dishes like sukiyaki, tempura, and sushi. It's an excellent area to savor traditional Japanese cuisine. In this district, you can discover various traditional activities, such as riding in a rickshaw or wearing a kimono. Moreover, this area is very close to other popular attractions like the Tokyo Skytree, Sumida River, Kappabashi Street, and Ueno area.

Tokyo, known for its towering skyscrapers and high-tech urban environment, offers more natural beauty than many first-time visitors might expect. Spring is the most popular season for people to visit Japan to witness the stunning cherry blossoms in full bloom. Throughout Tokyo, there are dozens of renowned spots where you can admire the cherry blossoms from mid-March to early April.

Popular parks in Tokyo, such as Shinjuku Gyoen, Yoyogi Park, and Inokashira Park, showcase the beauty of cherry blossoms in full bloom. Traditional Japanese gardens like Rikugien and Koishikawa Korakuen create a harmonious blend of lush greenery and vibrant pink cherry blossoms in spring. Hundreds of cherry trees adorn the banks of the Meguro River and Sumida River, creating picturesque scenes. In the futuristic Roppongi district, you can visit Tokyo Midtown, a complex entertainment facility that offers evening cherry blossom illuminations and a variety of dining options.

For many years, Tsukiji Market was renowned as the world's largest wholesale market and a top tourist attraction in Tokyo. However, in the fall of 2018, the Tsukiji Inner Market relocated to the newly constructed Toyosu Market in Toyosu, Tokyo. The famous tuna auctions, a popular tourist attraction at the market, can now be witnessed at Toyosu Market.

Toyosu Market is situated along Tokyo Bay, drawing numerous tourists and food vendors from both within Japan and abroad. The market offers a rich selection of fresh, high-quality seafood, and it's home to numerous establishments specializing in sushi, sashimi, seafood preparation, and food-related businesses. Visitors can savor Japanese seafood dishes at the market's dining halls and restaurants, making it a fantastic place to experience Japanese culture.

Several compelling reasons make Toyosu Market an attractive destination for tourists and inbound visitors:

1. Fresh Seafood: The market receives multiple deliveries of fresh seafood throughout the day, ensuring freshness and quality. Tourists can enjoy delicious sushi and sashimi.

2. Diverse Culinary Experiences: The market offers a wide variety of dining options, allowing tourists to explore Japanese food culture. From sushi and sashimi to seafood bowls and ramen, there's a diverse menu to choose from.

3. Local Atmosphere: The market serves as a place for interaction with local fishermen and food vendors, offering an excellent opportunity to experience Japanese food culture. Visitors can engage with local people, learn about their work, and gain insights into Japanese culinary traditions.

4. Convenient Access: Toyosu Market is conveniently located and easily accessible from central Tokyo, making it a visitor-friendly destination. It can be reached by subway and bus.

For tourists, Toyosu Market is an excellent place to enjoy fresh seafood and experience Japanese food culture, making it a must-visit attraction when in Japan.

There are plenty of other things to see and do in Tokyo, and seasonal events and activities are not to be missed.
We will be writing a four-part series, so be sure to read the next installment.