Gotokuji

There's no shortage of things to do in Tokyo -- it's one of the largest cities in the world, after all. But with all that choice, knowing where to start is the hard part, for newbies and locals alike. Luckily for you, we've done the research. We've categorized it and everything. History and culture, gardens and parks, rides and games, anime and much, much more -- here are the ultimate 101 best things to do in Tokyo. Do something uniquely Japanese: History, culture, and tradition Soak your worries away at an old-school Japanese-style public bath. We like Daikoku-yu in Sumida Ward, Kosugiyu Harajuku Sento in Harajuku, and Toyosu Senkyaku Banrai in Toyosu. All three are technically tattoo-friendly. Head to Asakusa and embrace tradition by renting a kimono or yukata. Rental packages include dressing services, and you can often add hairstyling and even photography. Cram into a Purikura photo booth with your friends. Yes, the filters will make you look like an alien, but that's part of the fun. Purikura usually costs around . Down a drink or two at a yokochō -- a small alley jam-packed with bars and eateries. Our top picks include Omoide Yokochō in Shinjuku, Sanchoku Yokochō in Yurakuchō, and Ebisu Yokochō. Catch a baseball game at Jingu Stadium. Baseball is one of the most popular sports in Japan, and Tokyo's Jingu Stadium is the home ground of the Yakult Swallows. Visit Japan's most loyal hound -- Hachiko. The statue is a much-loved meeting point at the city's busiest crossing. Grab tickets for the sumo. If your stay doesn't coincide with a tournament, watch a morning sumo training session instead. Check out the Samurai Restaurant or the Ninja Live Show. You're guaranteed high-energy entertainment that is equal parts glamorous and tacky. Experience a Japanese festival. Go to a cherry blossom festival in spring, a fireworks festival in summer, or a music festival, depending on the time of year. Sit down to a Japanese tea ceremony, or at least pop into a matcha café. Yes, we did just mention festivals, but we want to point out that fertility festivals are also a thing. And they are very much worth checking out. Feast your eyes: Art, museums, and showrooms You've seen it on Instagram, but it's time to experience the sensory overload of teamLab Planets for yourself. Also check out the sister exhibition teamLab Borderless, and see which you like better. Get your fill of modern art at the Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum. The rotating exhibits feature everything from sculptures to paintings, ceramics, and more. Ticket prices vary. Marvel at the amazing ukiyo-e woodblock prints at the Sumida Hokusai Museum. Adults get in for . See pop art for free at the Diesel Art Gallery. Browsing the eye-watering prices of the clothes at Diesel is also free. Visit the Meguro Parasitological Museum -- the world's only parasite museum. If you need more convincing, entry is free. Step back in time at the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum. This museum houses relocated and reconstructed buildings from across the country, with many dating back to the Meiji Period (1868-1912). Admission is . Be brave and visit the Maman Spider Sculpture. If giant arachnids aren't your thing, Tokyo has plenty of other statues you can check out instead. Meet up-and-coming young artists at the Design Festa Gallery. With over 20 exhibit rooms, there's sure to be something for you. And even if there isn't, entry is (usually) free, so you've got nothing to lose. For "classic" art, take a wander through the National Art Center. The exhibition space is huge and full of world-class exhibits. Entry fees vary depending on the exhibit. When nature calls, hunt down the Tokyo Toilet Project public loos. They're where architectural genius meets -- erhm -- necessity. If you can't get enough of toilets and bathrooms, visit the Toto Showroom. You'll see the latest toilet tech firsthand. Fill your belly: Tasty treats, cooking classes, and food experiences Indulge in a Tokyo food tour. Or several, we won't judge you. Learn some new culinary skills with a Japanese cooking class. Then you can cook up all your favorite Japanese dishes from the comfort of your own home. Chow down at a Michelin-star restaurant for lunch, and save money. Tokyo has the most Michelin-star restaurants in the world. Try some seasonal delicacies. Whether it's summer, fall, winter, or spring there's no shortage of new and interesting foods to try. Hit up one of Tokyo's fish markets for the freshest seafood around. Tsukiji Outer Market is the OG, with plenty of famous restaurants, but its actual fish market has now moved to the more modern Toyosu Fish Market. Like mayo? Then it's time to take a factory tour at Kewpie Mayo Terrace. You'll eat potato salad, spot hidden mascots, and even get a free souvenir. Prefer ramen? Well, you'd better head over to Yokohama and visit one (or both) of the ramen museums there. The Yokohama Cup Noodles Museum is all about instant ramen, while the Shinyokohama Raumen Museum is more about trying different ramen from all over Japan. If you dream of sushi, then you're in luck, Tokyo's got plenty of that. Try out budget sushi chains or fancy high-end places, the choice is yours. For a unique experience, dine at a themed restaurant. The food may be more form over function, but the atmosphere usually makes up for it. Get spiritual: Shrines and temples Pay homage to the resting place of the 47 Ronin at Senkakuji Temple. If cats are more your vibe, don't miss Gōtokuji Temple. It's famous for its lucky cats that are dotted throughout the temple grounds. Ueno Tosho-gū Shrine is coated in gold and was built to impress. After all, it's dedicated to three different Tokugawa shōguns. If you're up for a challenge, take on the vertigo-inducing stairs of Atago-jinja Shrine. If you survive the climb to the top, you will be blessed with good luck. And of course, you can't miss Sensōji Temple. It's easily Tokyo's most popular (read: crowded) temple. Get one of those photos where you juxtapose Zōjōji Temple with the nearby Tokyo Tower. Drop by Meiji Jingū Shrine for a quiet escape in busy Harajuku. You can explore the forested grounds and maybe spot a wedding party along the way. Take the escalator to enlightenment at Hie Shrine. Make sure you take the rear exit down the tunnel of vermilion torii gates. Enjoy the gardens at Nezu Shrine. If you're visiting in spring, make sure to check out its amazing Azalea Festival. Unwind in nature: Gardens, parks, and outdoor activities Unwind with a picnic and people watching at Yoyogi Park -- Tokyo's largest and liveliest park. It's free to enter. Head to Hamarikyū Gardens for a classic Japanese garden experience. Seasonal flowers and a teahouse await. Entry costs . For a pleasant afternoon stroll, head to Hibiya Park. Look out for the turtles and herons in the ponds near the police box. Entry is free. Visit Shinjuku Gyoen, a stunning park at the heart of one of the city's busiest districts. Entry is . Take the world's shortest and smallest monorail from Oji Station to Asukayama Park. It's one of Japan's first public parks, and the site of a number of museums. Climb to the summit of Hakoneyama in Toyama Park. It's Tokyo's tallest central city "mountain." Don't get too excited though, the 44.6-meter-high peak doesn't actually have much of a view. For a somewhat more challenging hike, head to Mount Takao. As Tokyo's favorite nearby mountain, it gets pretty crowded, especially during spring and summer. Outdoorsy types will love Okutama. Go rafting, swimming in the river, and even soak in a hot spring. Explore the grounds of Koishikawa Bontanical Garden -- home to over 4,000 species of plants. Highlights include the pond, the arboretum, and the cherry blossoms in the spring. Entry is . Swing by Ueno Park and Shinobazu Pond. Ueno Park is home to a bunch of great museums, while Shinobazu Pond has swan boats and, in summer, lotus flowers. Get your heart pumping: Rides, games, and entertainment Zip around Tokyo with a street go-kart tour. Looked upon by locals as either terrifying, a nuisance, or both, they continue to be hugely popular with visitors. Make sure to bring an international driver's permit. Sing your heart out with some daytime karaoke. Not only is it fun, but daytime is also when you get the best rates. Spend a few 100-yen coins at a games arcade. We like the vintage games at Mikado, as well as the crane games dotted around shopping districts. Check out Kabukichō Tower. One of Shinjuku's coolest entertainment complexes, it has a games center, escape rooms, and plenty of food and drink options. Entry is free, but the games and escape rooms have separate charges. Get sporty at a spocha (indoor sporting center). These places have everything from roller blading to bowling, darts, batting cages, and bucking bulls. Prices vary. Hit up Japan's oldest amusement park -- Hanayashiki. Are the rides super fast? No, but they are certainly nostalgic. Tickets start at . For a more modern thrill-ride experience, head to Tokyo Dome City. There, ride the Thunder Dolphin roller coaster through holes in the LaQua building and the Big-O Ferris wheel. The inner-city amusement park also has haunted houses, live performances, and heaps more. Great for a rainy day but perhaps not for the easily queasy, Joypolis is the place to go for VR rides and an indoor rollercoaster. Day passes start at . Head to Immersive Fort Tokyo for an, uh, immersive experience. This indoor theme park has an array of interactive, escape room-esque attractions that are sure to get your heart pounding. Entry costs . Nerd out: Robots, tech, and pop culture Get a taste of space at the Chofu Aerospace Center of JAXA -- the Japan Aerospace and Exploration Agency. They have a space shuttle simulator and lots of spacecraft and aeroplanes. Admission is free. If you're a fan of old-school anime, then head to the Suginami Animation Museum. It's all about the evolution of anime culture in Japan, and entry is free. Like robots, gadgets, and future tech? Then you'll love Miraikan. It's full of science-y wonders for all ages to enjoy. Admission is . Fans of Japanese literature will love the Murakami Library. Leaf through texts of world-renowned author Haruki Murakami, listen to jazz records, and sip coffee in the student-run café -- all for free. Go to the Ghibli Museum -- a must visit for Studio Ghibli fans. The vibe will make you feel like you're in a movie, and the robot on the roof is great for photo ops. Tickets cost and you need to buy them in advance. Cower before the Gundam Statue in Odaiba and catch a Unicorn Gundam show. This show happens several times a day and is totally free -- so, even if you're not a fan, you've got nothing to lose. If you can't make it to London for your fill of the wizarding world, not to worry -- there is a Harry Potter Studio tour in Tokyo. Seek out everything Pokémon. From buying merch at Pokémon Centers, to snapping photos of Pokémon manhole covers, and dining at the official Pokémon Café, Tokyo will keep would-be Pokémon Masters busy. For a cuteness overload, visit Sanrio Puroland. Tokyo has plenty of other stuff for Hello Kitty fans, too. Hunt for Tokyo's surprisingly elusive Godzilla statues. There's one in Hibiya and another in Kabukichō. Much loved in the Tokyo otaku community, Nakano Broadway is another one for the anime fans. It's filled to the brim with anime and manga memorabilia, including figurines, games, posters, and more. Hunt down the real-life locations from your favorite TV shows, anime, and movies. We've got guides for Tokyo Vice, the Makoto Shinkai films, and Evangelion to get you started. See the sights: Tours, attractions, and views For one of the best views of Tokyo Bay, jump on the Yurikamome automated light rail system. The line begins in Shimbashi, goes across the Rainbow Bridge, and does a big loop around Odaiba before pulling into Toyosu Station. Get your step count for the day and go on a walking tour. Tokyo is a very walkable city, and each neighborhood has something different to offer. Take a rickshaw tour of Asakusa and admire one of Tokyo's more traditional neighborhoods. Okay, yes, a large part of the appeal is also the strapping lad or lass in tight shorts pulling the rickshaw. Head to Hijiri-bashi Bridge for some train spotting. If you time it just right, you can capture a bright red Marunouchi Line train emerging from its subterranean hiding place with Chūō Line trains running through Ochanomizu Station just above. Get the best (free) views at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. And yes, on a clear day there's a chance you'll see Mount Fuji. Ride the circular Yamanote Line all the way round. Well, most of the way -- get off one stop away from where you got on, thereby paying the minimum fare. Get more free views at the Asakusa Tourist Center. It's one of the best photo spots in Asakusa. See the city at night with a cruise around Tokyo Bay. Brace yourself for sparkling lights galore. Board the hop-on hop-off Sky Hop sightseeing bus. The open-top bus is a great way to get a feel for an area before going back later to explore some more. Take a stroll through Ginza. Shops in this upscale neighborhood are well out of most of our budgets, but window shopping here is so popular it has its own term -- Ginbura. Family fun: Activities for little kids and big kids alike Check out the street perfomers. Common spots include Shinjuku Station, Yoyogi Park, and Inokashira Park. Play with some of the cleverest toys you've ever seen at Hakuhinkan Toy Park on Chuo Dori. Take one of Tokyo's last remaining tram/street car lines -- the Toden Arakawa Line. It's only for the entire 50-minute trip. See the miniature delights at Small Worlds Tokyo. The tiny dioramas are incredibly detailed, and even better, interactive. Visit the world of bright and colorful poop at Unko Museum. No, really. It's more of a theme park than a museum though. Shop for some fun ekiben (train-station lunch boxes) and chow down. Typically these are eaten on Shinkansen rides, but they also work well for picnics. Okay, we might have mentioned this before, but if you've got a Pokémon fan in your family, don't forget to book a table at the Pokémon Café Tokyo. Cute food and Pikachu await. See the 3D animal billboards that took the internet by storm. There's a cat, a dog, a panda, an owl, and even a band of animal musicians to choose from. Learn something new at the Natural History Museum. Full of interactive exhibits, it's hands-on fun for the whole family. Shop 'til you drop: Flea markets, thrift shops, and department stores Find a book bargain in Jimbōchō Book Town. There are plenty of second-hand titles to browse through, and even if you aren't a reader, it's worth a trip just for the photos. Ever wondered where the cool kids of Tokyo get their clothes? Usually in second-hand stores in Kōenji or Shimokitazawa. Go souvenir shopping in Ameya-yokochō. This place used to be a black market for American goods but now is an eclectic market where you can get a pair of sneakers, perfume, fresh fish, or anything else you can dream of. Akihabara has more than its fair share of computer goods, electronics, gadgets, and collectibles. Wander down the unique and impossibly crowded Takeshita Dori in Harajuku. Full of independent and big-name stores as well as sweets and snacks galore, it's a sensory overload, in the best possible way. Visit Yanaka Ginza, known for its blend of quirky independent shops and traditional crafts. Stop for a steamed manju bun or a cat-shaped taiyaki as you browse, before exploring the neighborhood's winding backstreets. The go-to place for certified chefs, DIY-dabblers, and the culinarily curious, Kappabashi Kitchenware Town is a cooking-oriented shopping street like no other. It has every utensil, tool, and trapping you could ever need, plus some of the best bladesmiths in the city. Hit up a flea market for affordable souvenirs, rare antiques, and other pre-loved wares. Kit yourself out with the trendiest pens, pencils, and notebooks at Itoya. This multi-storey stationery store in Ginza has all the office supplies you'll ever need. Head to the NSFW Tenga shop in Harajuku. Leave the kids behind for this one -- you can only enter if you're over 18. Get the bulk of your souvenir shopping done at a Don Quijote. You're guaranteed to leave with heavy bags, a lighter wallet, and the Donki theme song stuck in your head. Even more things to do in Tokyo: Neighborhood guides Looking for more things to do in Tokyo? Then you're in the right place -- we've put together articles on things to do in different Tokyo neighborhoods, too. Check them out below: Shinjuku Akihabara Shibuya Harajuku Roppongi Asakusa Ueno Shimokitazawa And if you're headed to other parts of Japan, we've got that covered too. Check out our things-to-do guides for different parts of Japan below: Osaka Kyoto Nagoya Kanazawa Fukui Nara Kobe Finally, check out 101 things to do in London and 101 things to do in Hong Kong for more travel inspo. While we do our best to ensure it's correct, information is subject to change. Post first published in December 2012. Last updated by Patrick Balfe, May 2025. #links { counter-reset: my-awesome-counter; } ol { counter-reset: none !important; /*First initializing the counter*/ } ol li{ counter-increment: my-awesome-counter !important; /*Incrementing the counter with getCounter reference*/ }

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Articles about Gotokuji

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