Oh, the things you can do in Tokyo. This city is everything you can imagine, and one of our favorite places in the whole world. With a population of nearly 10M, it’s extraordinary to see how clean and organized it is, and how everything works in such an efficient way. From the moment you arrive, you can feel its bustling and futuristic atmosphere, contrasting with the zen gardens and ancient temples. It is a unique destination, filled with both fascinating and weird things to do.
1. teamLab Borderless
More than just a digital art museum, this place is a unique experience. Set aside half-day to explore the different exhibitions spread throughout an endless number of rooms. We promise you it’s totally worth it.
Don’t forget to buy your tickets online and arrive early to avoid the crowds!
2. Yoyogi Park
This beautiful spot is perfect for unwinding from the hectic city life, and you should include it on your list of things to do in Tokyo. It’s common to see locals walking their dogs, doing their daily exercise, and on Sundays, even weddings take place there! Soak up the quiet and peaceful energy of this place, and take the opportunity to explore the enchanting Meiji temple.
Take the subway and get out in Harajuku station. From there, it’s just a quick walk to the entrance of the Park.
3. Karaoke
Karaoke is an authentic phenomenon in Japan. When walking around Tokyo, you’ll come across many karaoke box chain stores such as Big Echo and Karaoke-kan, where you can rent a room for you and your friends. They even have costumes and accessories to take your performance next level!
4. Eat and drink in piss alley and golden gai
Omoide Yokocho, more commonly known as Piss Alley, was our first stop when we arrived in Tokyo. After a long flight and a quick nap, we headed to Shinjuku and looked for this narrow street where we were planning to have dinner. It is becoming quite touristic, but you can see an effort to maintain an authentic vibe. Moreover, you will see a lot of business people and locals of all ages sipping drinks after work, which is always a good sign.
After eating some delicious Yakitori and meeting some friendly people, we’ve decided to extend the night and explore the Golden Gai district. It is a collection of more than 200 tiny little bars, very different from each other, that will make you travel back to the older Tokyo. Some of them are not quite the tourist-friendly type but don’t take it too personally – they just want to save a seat for their loyal local customers. Just pick another one and appreciate the experience! We must say both these places are genuinely worth a visit!
5. Walk into a Pachinko Parlor
If there’s one thing you need to do is to go inside a Pachinko Parlor. This Japanese created game resembles a vertical pinball machine and can be comparable to the Western slot Machines. Although the country forbids gambling for cash, Pachinko manages to stay in a grey area and continues to be an influential industry in Japan. From the moment the slide doors open, you feel like stepping into a different world, and the noise is truly indescribable.
6. Explore the weird stuff
We can not highlight enough how everything in Japan quickly turns into a once in a lifetime experience. In Tokyo, you’ll find many weird and quirky things like the Robot Restaurant in Shinjuku, the Maid Cafes, or people driving through the streets dressed like Mario Kart characters. There are innumerable animal cafes spread around town, and even discount chain stores can keep you entertained for hours. Take the time to appreciate these things. They’re the ones that will stick to you long after you leave this incredible city
7. Soak up the views
Seeing Tokyo from the top is an unmissable thing to do. Many observation decks will leave you lost for words, and it’s hard to choose the perfect time of the day to admire the scenery. Check out Shibuya Sky for 360 open-air views, or the Sky Circus Sunshine 60 Observatory if you want to mix it up with some fun activity. We went for the classic drink with a view in the Park Hyatt Tokyo. Such a cliche, we know! But we have to admit it definitely lives up to the expectations.
8. Take the subway
Have you really been to Tokyo if you didn’t ride the subway at least once? Not only it is one of the world’s most complex subway systems, as it has a strong reputation for being incredibly efficient and punctual. You’ll notice the funny jingles that sound when you’re approaching a station, and how people can pack themselves in rush hours. Even the fact that hundreds of individuals can remain in absolute silence is insane! Most importantly, try not to get too overwhelmed when looking at the subway map: we promise you is not as complicated as it seems at first.
9. EAT YOUR WAY AROUND TOKYO
As of 2020, there are 226 Tokyo restaurants with Michelin Stars, more than in any other city in the world. Therefore, everyone perceives it as a food lovers paradise, and dining out is a big part of Japanese culture. The best thing is that you don’t need to empty your pockets to enjoy fantastic flavors: you will find AMAZING food pretty much everywhere you go! Even in subway stations! Our biggest problem was to fit so many good things we wanted to try out in just 3 or 4 meals a day! In short, prepare your stomach for a real treat.
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