Here’s our list of some of the best things to do in Tokyo whether you’ve got kids or not. For more family related things to do in Tokyo check out our guide for Tokyo with Kids. First, here’s our top things to do in Tokyo, in no particular order.
Visit a Park, there’s plenty of them, and if you live in Hong Kong like we do, going to a proper park with fresh air, green grass and good facilities becomes high on your list of priorities when traveling. If you’re staying in Ginza, or are in Ginza, the whole area between the main entrance of the Imperial Palace and Tokyo Station/Ginza, is open to the public. You’ll find people hanging out on the lawns reading and just relaxing. Hibiya park is next door and right outside Hibaya Station, and is equally awesome just to hang out at. In Shinjuku, there’s Yoyogi Park and Shinjuku Gyoen National Park, both are massive and equally awesome.
Go to a Baseball game, or if there’s none on, go to a baseball training park which you can find our more about in Toucan’s Tokyo Tips for Kids. You don’t need to be a baseball fan or know anything about the game to enjoy it, but if you like sports, it’s an awesome experience. Take the kids, if you have younger ones they probably won’t last the whole game but most games are relatively cheap and you can stay an hour or a bit longer and they won’t get too bored with the things are going on.
Eat Japanese BBQ, there’s not much better beef than Japanese beef and there’s Japanese BBQ’s all over Tokyo. One good choice is Jojoen, which has locations in Shinjuku, Ginza and other places. The staff speak English and they have English menu’s. This is one of the first things to do in Tokyo whenever I go back. Generally the more expensive the meat the more fatty it can be, and the more it will just melt in your mouth. When you’ve had a decent Japanese BBQ with good meat, there’s not much else that can compare if you like beef. They’re popular, easy to find just walking around, and if you’re on a budget, you can usually find cheaper ones.
Shimokitazawa
Visit Shimokitazawa, a trendy little town just a few stops from most of the major areas like Shinjuku, Ginza and Shibuya. This is where the hipsters hang out, with loads of independent, hipster style coffee shops, cafes, restaurants and local fashion brands. It’s also full of used clothing shops, which are full of some hidden gems and well worth taking a look in. You can read more about Shimokitazawa here.
Take a trip to one of the many Outlet Malls less than an hour away from Tokyo center, these aren’t your normal outlet malls selling all the shit stuff. If you like to shop you can spend a day here or if you have time, spend a night at an Onsen and do it on the way. There’s plenty of Onsens around an hour to away. Rent a car and drive up and stop on the way. Best to do it in winter or autumn when it’s a bit colder and if you can, find one that has a table built into the floor with heating underneath.
Shop in Shinjuku. If you can’t find anything decent here there’s not much hope for you. Visit the Isetan Mens Building which is 7 floors of goodness. Adidas has their flagship store with Tokyo only merchandise and the whole Shunjuku areas is basically full of shopping malls and restaurants. Shinjuku is buzzing all the time, particularly at night and even if you’re not into shopping, it’s exciting to just walk around and check out all the things going on here. Can get a bit full on but parks aren’t far away if you need a break and some peace and quiet.
Check out Harajuku and Shibuya, this is a different vibe than Shinjuku or Ginza, but can get rather busy (as can everywhere in Tokyo). Check out Cat street and walk around that area for some cool local fashion brands. Harajuku is where the cosplay girls hangout but you need to go later in the afternoon to see most of them all geared up. You could easily spend a day here and once you get off the main strip it’s relaxing walking around the back streets where you can find some really nice boutique’s and cafes.
Check out Bic Camera and I dare you not to buy anything. Electronics at it’s very best with everything you can imagine and way (WAY) more. It’s called Bic Camera but if you go to one of the larger stores you can find pretty much anything. It’s way more than camera’s but if you’re into photography or own a camera, there’s likely to be something here you don’t need at all but will end up buying. Some stores have toy sections so pop u there and bribe the kids with a toy for 30 minutes of shopping time. This is quite possibly one of the best stores in the entire world and one of the must do things to do in Tokyo while you are there.
Go and see a shrine or two, it’d be a bit of a sin not to and whilst more than one is on most people’s lists of things to do in Tokyo, once you’ve seen a couple you’ve seen them all so I wouldn’t get too carried away and feel like you have to visit all of them, unless that’s your thing. Meiji and Sensoji Shrine are probably two of the best. All of them can get very busy, especially afternoons and on public holidays, so plan to go early morning for the best experience. Quite often you’ll see girls decked out in Kimono’s and you can get your photo taken with them for a few guaranteed likes on Fartbook.
Take a bullet train, notoriously efficient, clean, quiet and the best way to get out of Tokyo. Head north and get some wicked views of Mt Fuji. The bullet trains in Japan are super clean, super comfortable and civilised. Turn your phones to silent and don’t be one of those prats that thinks he’s gods gift to mankind because he (it’s always a man) has to make a phone call when traveling. Nobody thinks you’re cool, not in the least bit, so take your sunglasses off, take your bluetooth ear piece out and put down your phone – the world will not come to end if you don’t deal with it right then! I’ve gone a bit off topic here!
Take a dump in a public toilet, and video your subsequent confusion on which button to push. Okay this probably isn’t going to be on most peoples lists of things to do in Tokyo, but it’s worth a mention. Failing that, try out some indoor golf. Tokyo is full of them and they’re usually on the 2nd or 3rd floors of some random buildings. Have a drink and play some golf in the middle of Tokyo. They can get very busy at nights but if you go during a weekday during the day you shouldn’t have a problem. They’re not really setup for tourists but it’s not complicated to work out how to play.
Odaiba
In the summer, Tokyo can get hot. Head over to Odaiba, or Daiba as it’s sometimes known, and there’s a nice(ish) beach area. You’re not going to find golden soft sand and awe inspiring sunsets here but for where it’s at, it’s a pretty good change from the full on nature of Tokyo’s downtown. You can get the train over or even take a ferry, only about 15-20 minutes. There’s a couple of hotels out here so you can also think about staying out here.
What our our favourite things to do in Tokyo? If you live in a country with clean air and proper parks, then just exploring the city by foot and checking out the the major destinations like Shinjuku, Shibuya and possibly Ginza is going to be an experience. For us, living in a polluted, crowded, un-polite, unfriendly shit-hole like Hong Kong, which doesn’t have any parks that one would consider even half decent, going to Tokyo’s parks is a treat. Green grass, clean, and nice, educated, well mannered people. Sure, at most parks you’re not allowed to do a lot of things but it’s just nice to run around in what is mostly clean fresh-air and not have the fun police descend on you like you’re a criminal as they do at most places in Hong Kong.
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