Things to do in Tokyo

More about Tokyo

Also known as Tokyo Metropolis, Tokyo is the capital of Japan and one of the most populous cities in the world. There are over 13,000 million people living in Tokyo and 9,000 million in Tokyo’s 23 wards. Nowadays, Tokyo has more than 600,000 foreign nationals registered as residents from China, South Korea, Vietnam, Philippines, Nepal, Taiwan, and the United States. Tokyo has a rapidly-growing economy, heavily dependent on the tertiary sectors: wholesale and retail, finance and insurance, healthcare, agriculture, forestry and fishing, mining, and tourism.

Tourism in Tokyo is the major contributor of the city’s economy. Many tourists all over the world are attracted to visit Tokyo for its ultramodern skyscrapers, historic temples, peaceful parks, great museums, local delicacies, nightlife, arts, and shopping. Tokyo is all about urban indulgences with a cultural embrace. Kana literature, tea ceremonies, and noh plays are several best examples of Japanese heritage. Because of that perfect blend of modern downtown conveniences and cultural components, Tokyo is an ideal destination for everyone from kids, teenagers, retirees, foodies, shop addicts and more. However, if you’re first-time visitors of Japan, here are some info on things to do in Tokyo:

Best Things to Do in Tokyo

You would never run out of destinations while in Tokyo. This high-spirited city would offer you various things to do to appreciate every corner of the city, such as:

1. Experience Professional Photo Shoot

Calling all photo freaks around the globe! Tokyo provides an opportunity to experience professional photo shoots in your ideal selected backdrops throughout the city; whether it’s urban landscapes, iconic cultural landmarks, or bustling street scenes. Relax, sit back, strike poses, and let a local skillful photographer take care of the rest.

2. Get Around Tokyo with JR Pass Nationwide

Wishing a problem-free method to roam around Tokyo? Get your JR Pass, travel in a high-speed Shinkansen, and explore the city’s charms, like a garden in Furano, Itsukushima Shrine, Kanazawa, and Takayama. The pass includes unlimited access to Japan’s railway system, buses, and ferries helping you reach multiple cities and regions.

3. Tokyo Skytree Observation Deck

Visit Japan’s tallest tower, Tokyo Skytree Observation Deck, and get ready to be pleased by the best perspectives of the city. From 2 different heights, Tembo Deck at 350 meters and Tembo Galleria at 450 meters, you can see the landscape views from the spiraling skywalk. Whether during the day or night time is all at your fingertips!

4. Bakujo Sentai Bunbunja Show

If you take your kids on trips in Tokyo, watching the Bakujo Sentai Bunbunja Show can be in your consideration. Performed at Tokyo Dome Attractions Theater G Rosso, this show features 5 fearless Bunbunger superheroes against the enemies. After the show, you can have some photos with them (additional fees apply).

5. Warner Bros. Studio Tour - The Making of Harry Potter

Aren’t you curious about how the world’s famous Harry Potter movies were made? In Tokyo, you can visit Warner Bros. Studio for a tour to learn about the behind-the-scenes of the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts film production. Prepare yourself to wander through the Great Hall, stroll down Diagon Alley, and peek into Dumbledore's Office! This place really is heaven for Harry Potter fans.

Tokyo Transportations

Tokyo is a well-advanced metropolis featuring a high-quality public transport system. As you arrive in Tokyo, consider some of transports below for your seamless explorations:

1. JR East

Japan Rail (JR) East train networks cover the whole country and east of Japan, including Tokyo. This could be the most economical and convenient way to fully explore Japan. JR East operates the Narita Express and most Shinkansen. It’d get you on the Hikari, Sakura, Kodama, and Tsubame Shinkansen. Plan to get around Tokyo by this train? Traveloka offers JR East Pass tickets for Tohoku as well as Nagano - Niigata Area, starting from RM 825,80. Let’s check them out!

2. Shinkansen

Shinkansen is a bullet train becoming the modern image of the city. It would connect you across Japan to most major cities. Tickets for the northern Shinkansen lines are available on JR East website, while for the ones running through the central and southern regions, you can book the tickets on the smart EX link. However, you might need to prepare more budgets for this type of transport: starting from RM 300,99 to RM 466,53, depending on the destinations.

3. Subways

No less familiar than the previous transport methods, subways in Japan also have comprehensive and efficient networks. Tokyo Metro operates the north-western suburbs to eastern neighborhoods across the Sumida River, while Toei Lines forms a loop around the city and connects you directly to Narita or Haneda Airport. The base fare for Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway is around RM 5,12 to RM 6,62 for a single journey.

4. Buses

Buses can be a useful transport alternative to trains, yet it might not be as frequent as trains and take longer to get from one place to another. However, they often travel to lesser-known areas. Toei Bus covers the main areas in the city with a flat cost of RM 6,32 for adults and RM 3,31 for children, while Sky Bus Tokyo, Hato Bus, and Skytree Shuttle take you through the city’s major sightseeing spots. Shuttle, loop, and community buses are other options for more comprehensive tours of the city.

5. Taxis

Taxis in Tokyo are easily found; as you walk on the city’s streets, a taxi is never too far away. Along with its dedication to cleanliness and customer service, the taxi drivers in Tokyo are also known to be trustworthy. While fares are based on the meter (around RM 12,64 to 15,05 for the first 1,052 km), you can pay a fixed fare when traveling to the airport (RM 601,97 to RM 902,96 to Narita Airport; and RM 210,69 to RM 300,99 to Haneda Airport).

Recommended Tokyo Food

1. Sushi Amano Watari

Address: B1F, Somniare, 1-8-12, Nishiazabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Operational hours: 5 pm to 12 am daily, except Sunday

As the restaurant name reveals, Sushi Amano Watari is a specialty eatery serving the best sushi in town. Prepared from top-quality ingredients and by professional chefs, you’d have various options of sushi made from bluefin tuna from Yamayuki and rare nodoguro “beni hitomi” from Tsushima. Additionally, the restaurant serves an excellent selection of sake and seafood.

2. Akasaka Kintan

Address: 1F, Social Akasaka Bldg., 3-11-7, Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Operational hours: 11.30 am to 3 pm, reopen at 6 to 11 pm daily

Craving for the most tasteful yakiniku in Tokyo? Head to Akasaka Kintan. It serves precisely-selected beef and its fine cuts with a mix of culinary innovations and ambience. Their signature menus: Platinum Yukhoe with Truffle and Light Snow Salt combined with 30-Day Aged Premium Gold Tongue, are perfect to relish with your colleagues, lover, or families.

3. Kappou Toumyou

Address: 2F, Ginza Fugetsudo Bldg., 6-6-1, Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo

Operational hours: 12 pm only for lunch time (Tuesday-Thursday), reopen at 6 to 10.30 pm for dinner (Monday-Friday)

Kappou Toumyou offers seasonal omakase courses in an intimate setting with only 7 seats. You’d be welcomed by a range of menus crafted from the freshest daily ingredients and cooked to perfection. As you realize the variety of dishes here, you’d get to know the Japanese diversity. The country’s best sake and aged wine are also set out here.

Shopping Districts in Tokyo

One attraction in Tokyo appealing to international tourists is its immersive shopping spots. Several districts that are major shopping and entertainment hubs in the city are:

1. Shinjuku

Besides the largest shopping and entertainment district, Shinjuku is Tokyo’s main transport terminal featuring the busiest train station in the world. The area is lined with plenty of department stores, flagship stores, Japan’s largest electronic retailers, various shops, boutiques, and underground shopping arcades. All urban extravagance can easily be spotted here.

2. Harajuku

Harajuku features 2 parallel shopping streets catering different shoppers. Omotesando, Tokyo’s Champs-Elysees, is a 3-lined avenue with upscale boutiques, cafes, and some leading designer brand shops. Meanwhile, Takeshita Dori is a narrow street crammed with youth fashion and cafes targeting the younger, teenage crowds. 

3. Nihonbashi

If you’re into Japanese local goods, Nihonbashi is where you should be in Tokyo. It’s the area where the country’s first department store and smaller shops with century-long histories were built. Nowadays, Nihonbashi is also filled with traditional products and regional foods. Hence, strolling along Nihonbashi isn’t only about shopping, but also walking into Japanese captivating past time.

Best Time to Visit Tokyo

The prime time to visit Tokyo is between March and April, and September and November. The autumn season showcases colorful foliage and creates comfortable temperatures. During the spring, you can also catch cherry blossom trees in full bloom, making it a peak tourist season. When you plan to visit Tokyo between September and November, you’d catch up with some key Japanese events: Tokyo International Film Festival, Culture Day, Shichi-Go-San Festival, Labor Thanksgiving Day, and Asakusa Samba Festival.