Tokyo is a city of contrasts: ancient temples next to neon towers, quiet gardens a few steps from the world’s busiest crossing, ¥500 noodle bars and three-Michelin-star counters. With so much to see, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed — so we’ve picked the 20 best things to do in Tokyo for first-time visitors, with prices, tips and links to our detailed guides.
Prices are from 2026 sources cited in each section; check official websites before you go.
Best things to do in Tokyo at a glance
| Attraction | Area | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Sensō-ji Temple | Asakusa | Free |
| Shibuya Crossing | Shibuya | Free |
| Shibuya Sky | Shibuya | ¥2,200 online |
| Meiji Jingu | Harajuku | Free |
| Tsukiji Outer Market | Tsukiji | Pay as you eat |
| teamLab Planets | Toyosu | From ¥3,600 |
| Tokyo Skytree | Oshiage | From ¥1,800 online |
| Tokyo Tower | Minato | From ¥1,500 |
| Ghibli Museum | Mitaka | ¥1,000 (advance only) |
| Tokyo Metropolitan Government observatory | Shinjuku | Free |
Temples, shrines and traditional Tokyo
1. Sensō-ji Temple, Asakusa
Tokyo’s oldest temple, entered through the giant red lantern of the Kaminarimon gate and the Nakamise shopping street. Go early in the morning or after dark when it’s lit up and quieter. Free.
2. Meiji Jingu
A peaceful Shinto shrine in a forest of around 100,000 trees, right next to Harajuku. Free — a perfect contrast with the crowds of Takeshita Street.
3. The Imperial Palace East Gardens
The former grounds of Edo Castle, near Tokyo Station, with stone walls, moats and seasonal gardens. Free (closed on some days — check before you go).
4. Yanaka
One of the few areas that survived the war and earthquakes: old wooden houses, temples, a cat-filled shopping street and a slower pace.
Modern Tokyo and the best views
5. Shibuya Crossing
The world-famous scramble crossing, where hundreds of people cross from every direction at once. Watch from street level, then from above.
6. Shibuya Sky
An open-air rooftop 229 m above Shibuya Crossing — ¥2,200 online (source). Sunset slots sell out; tickets go on sale two weeks ahead. Read our Shibuya Sky tickets guide.
7. Tokyo Skytree or Tokyo Tower
Skytree (634 m) has the highest views, from ¥1,800 online (source); retro Tokyo Tower (333 m) costs ¥1,500 for the Main Deck (source). Not sure which? See Tokyo Skytree vs Tokyo Tower.
8. The free Tokyo Metropolitan Government observatory
Free observation decks 202 m up in Shinjuku, with views to Mount Fuji on clear days.
9. Shinjuku by night
Neon-lit Kabukicho, the tiny bars of Golden Gai and the yakitori stalls of Omoide Yokocho. Peaceful Shinjuku Gyoen garden is nearby for the daytime.
Unique Tokyo experiences
10. teamLab Planets or Borderless
Immersive digital art museums — walk barefoot through water at Planets (from ¥3,600; timed tickets only) or wander the dark, maze-like rooms of Borderless (source). Planets is scheduled to close at the end of 2027. See our teamLab tickets guide.
11. The Ghibli Museum
Hayao Miyazaki’s whimsical museum in Mitaka: ¥1,000 for adults, but tickets are sold only in advance and sell out quickly (official site). See how to get Ghibli Museum tickets.
12. Akihabara
Electric Town: electronics, anime and manga shops, retro games, arcades and themed cafés.
13. Harajuku and Omotesandō
Youth fashion and crêpes on Takeshita Street, then elegant architecture and flagship stores on Omotesandō.
14. Tokyo Disneyland or DisneySea
DisneySea is unique to Japan and loved by adults. One-day tickets from ¥7,900 (source) — see Tokyo Disney tickets.
15. A sumo, kabuki or baseball night
Sumo tournaments are held at the Ryōgoku Kokugikan in January, May and September; the Kabukiza in Ginza sells single-act tickets; baseball games at Tokyo Dome are loud and fun.
Food experiences
16. Breakfast at the Tsukiji Outer Market
Sushi, grilled seafood and tamagoyaki from early morning. Go before mid-morning, when it’s freshest and calmer.
17. Ramen, izakaya and depachika
Try a ramen counter, an evening in an izakaya and a department-store food hall. Our Tokyo food guide explains what to eat and how much it costs.
Parks and gardens
18. Shinjuku Gyoen
One of Tokyo’s most beautiful gardens, with Japanese, English and French sections — spectacular in cherry-blossom season.
19. Ueno Park
Museums (including the Tokyo National Museum), a zoo, a lake and one of the city’s most popular sakura spots.
20. Take a day trip
Mount Fuji, Hakone, Kamakura and Nikko are all within about two hours. Start with our Mount Fuji day trip guide or compare options in the best day trips from Tokyo.
Free things to do in Tokyo
- Sensō-ji, Meiji Jingu and other temples and shrines
- Shibuya Crossing and the Hachikō statue
- The Tokyo Metropolitan Government observatory
- Imperial Palace East Gardens
- Window-shopping in Harajuku, Ginza and Akihabara
- Walking the Yanaka old town and Sumida River
Tips for sightseeing in Tokyo
- Group sights by area — follow our Tokyo itinerary.
- Book ahead for Shibuya Sky, teamLab, the Ghibli Museum and Disney.
- Use a Suica or PASMO card for trains and subways (source).
- Start early at temples and markets.
- Pick the right season — see the best time to visit Tokyo.
Still to book? Compare hotels in Tokyo and get a Japan eSIM for maps on the go.
More Tokyo guides
- Tokyo itinerary
- Where to stay in Tokyo
- Tokyo food guide
- Narita and Haneda to Tokyo
- Tokyo travel guide
FAQ: Things to do in Tokyo
What is the number one thing to do in Tokyo?
For most first-timers: Sensō-ji in Asakusa and Shibuya Crossing — ideally followed by sunset at Shibuya Sky.
What are the best free things to do in Tokyo?
Sensō-ji, Meiji Jingu, Shibuya Crossing, the Imperial Palace East Gardens and the free Tokyo Metropolitan Government observatory.
How many days do you need in Tokyo?
Four to five days for a first visit; three days covers the highlights.
What should I not miss in Tokyo?
Asakusa, Shibuya, Shinjuku at night, a Tsukiji breakfast, teamLab and a city view from above.
What can you do in Tokyo at night?
Shinjuku’s alleys and Golden Gai, Shibuya Sky at night, illuminated Tokyo Tower, izakaya dinners and karaoke.
What can you do in Tokyo on a rainy day?
teamLab, museums in Ueno, department stores, Akihabara’s arcades and the Ghibli Museum.
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