Tokyo Recommended Activities Vol. 02

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!

If you're a food enthusiast, you might already know the perfect destination for savoring beef. Wagyu, also known as Japanese black cattle, is one of Japan's essential traditional foods, alongside sushi and tempura. Japan boasts several brands of Wagyu beef, such as Kobe beef and Matsusaka beef, and you can enjoy them in various styles, including teppanyaki, steak, shabu-shabu, and yakiniku.

In Tokyo, there are numerous excellent restaurants that offer delicious Wagyu beef dishes. While dining out may not be the most budget-friendly option, it's relatively affordable compared to other countries. During your travels, why not experience top-quality Wagyu beef cuisine at least once? If you're on a tight budget, having these dishes for lunch can be a much more affordable choice.

One of the most popular restaurants where you can savor Wagyu beef is the family-owned restaurant 'Shirashu,' located in the Shibuya ward of Tokyo. You can enjoy the highest quality Wagyu beef cooked on an authentic teppanyaki grill. As it is a highly sought-after establishment, be sure to make a reservation in advance!

Since the closure of the beloved amusement park, Shinmei-en, in Tokyo back in 2020, Harry Potter fans worldwide have eagerly awaited this moment. The Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo - The Making of Harry Potter is finally opening its doors in Tokyo.

The newly opened indoor attraction 'Harry Potter,' in the summer of 2023, features a vast and immersive facility that recreates the worlds of the 'Harry Potter' and 'Fantastic Beasts' films within approximately 30,000 square meters of space. It offers visitors a fantastic opportunity to step behind the scenes of the movies and uncover the secrets of the magical world.

Visitors can explore iconic movie sets designed and created by the creators of the film series, including the Great Hall, Diagon Alley, and Platform 9¾ at Hogwarts Express. The exhibition features a wide range of items, including actual props used in the movies, creature effects, SFX & VFX, costumes, and models. There are also cafe and restaurant options with exclusive food menus, as well as shops to enjoy limited-edition merchandise.

Given the current high popularity of Tokyo's new Harry Potter attraction, be sure to make a reservation for your tickets in advance.

Book Warner Bros Studio Tour Tokyo - Making of Harry Potter tickets
https://www.klook.com/activity/84374-warner-bros-studio-tour-tokyo-making-harry-potter/

For decades, Tokyo Tower has played the role of a symbol of the city. Despite a decrease in attention following the opening of the Tokyo Skytree, it continues to be cherished as a beloved landmark of the city. Tokyo Tower can be enjoyed from afar as well as from its own observation decks.

There are several fantastic spots in the city to enjoy the view of Tokyo Tower, but my recommendation is Zojoji Temple, right next to the tower. This temple is the head temple of the Jodo sect and has deep ties to the Tokugawa family. It gained fame for its appearance in the movie 'The Wolverine.' Alternatively, for other great viewpoints of Tokyo Tower, you can check out the link below.

Tokyo Tower Observation Ticket
https://www.klook.com/activity/4911-tokyo-tower-main-observatory-ticket-tokyo/

Akihabara, also known as Akiba, is one of Tokyo's most popular areas, renowned as the epicenter of electronics and otaku culture. Walking the streets of Akihabara is simply enjoyable for both locals and visitors alike. Even if you're not particularly interested in Japanese otaku culture, which includes underground idols, games, anime, manga, and electronic gadgets, Akihabara is the perfect place to have an entirely new experience in Tokyo.

One of the most unique things you can do in this area is to visit a maid cafe. It seems that maid cafes originated in Akihabara and initially gained popularity among otaku, eventually becoming one of Tokyo's most popular tourist attractions. Why not have the most peculiar 'Moe' experience in Tokyo while being served by adorable maids and enjoying a variety of colorful foods and drinks?

Maidreamin Tokyo maid café reservations
https://experiences.travel.rakuten.com/experiences/20867

UNIQLO, the Japanese fast fashion retail store, offers a wide range of high-quality and affordable trendy clothing items, including smart casual wear, functional innerwear with new technology, and limited edition graphic t-shirts. The brand has significantly increased its popularity over the past decade, successfully expanding its fan base worldwide. UNIQLO is now one of the most popular shopping destinations in Japan among foreign travelers.

Currently, UNIQLO has over 800 stores nationwide, with approximately 100 of them located in Tokyo. In recent years, several new UNIQLO stores with cool features and concepts have opened, providing unique shopping experiences. From global flagship stores to stylish graphic t-shirt shops, you can check out the coolest UNIQLO stores in Tokyo from the link below.

If you want to experience Japan's traditional and unique culture, adding special activities or tours to your itinerary is an excellent idea. Tokyo offers a variety of activities, from traditional cultural experiences to modern high-tech adventures, and in recent years, go-karting has become a popular choice among tourists visiting Tokyo. With a Japanese or International Driving Permit, you can dress up in character costumes and drive through the city just like in the game 'Mario Kart'!

Race with your group and drive through bustling districts like Akihabara, Shibuya, and the Tokyo Tower area. In the past, British F1 racing driver Jenson Button was spotted driving a go-kart on the streets of Tokyo, showing his love for go-karting.

Book Street go-karting experience in Tokyo!
https://www.klook.com/activity/2082-go-karting-experience-akihabara-tokyo/

If you're feeling that dining in restaurants has become too ordinary, why not consider joining a cooking class held in Tokyo? Japanese cooking classes are a popular activity among enthusiastic foodies traveling in Tokyo.

These classes offer a variety of options beyond the typical sushi-making class, including ramen, gyoza (dumplings), udon, traditional Japanese sweets, home-cooked Japanese dishes, and even vegan or vegetarian options. You can choose your favorite Japanese cuisine class, learn how to prepare it, enjoy tastings, and take the recipes back home to cook for your family and friends.

Book an authentic cooking class in Tokyo!
https://airkitchen.me/list/tokyo.php

Most cooking classes are conducted by Japanese instructors in English. Cooking classes not only teach you how to cook but also provide a fantastic opportunity for foreign tourists to communicate with local Japanese people, learn about Japanese culture, and make friends.

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.