28 Unique Things to Do In Tokyo (my totally epic list)
I love Japan. I spend a lot of time traveling the country and have lived here as both an English teacher and as a digital nomad.
So these are my top picks for unique things to do in Tokyo. I’ll keep this post updated as I discover new gems.
But let’s skip the small talk for now and just dive right in.
Let’s get to it and kick things off with swan boats.
1. Ride A Swan Boat At Inokashira Koen
I used to live in Kichijoji, which is just a short train ride from Shibuya station on the Inokashira Line.
It’s an amazing place to explore with lots of unique shops, thrifting spots and restaurants to enjoy. But one major draw for locals and visitors alike is Inokashira Koen (park).
It’s one of my favorite parks in Tokyo and an awesome place for cherry blossom season. But they also have swan boats (and basic canoes) you can rent out.
What can I say, it’s a unique experience.
When I went (around the spring of 2023), it cost me about 500 yen for 30 minutes. You can learn more about renting swan boats here!
2. Have A Night Picnic At Yoyogi Park
I discovered this idea while having a night out with friends near Harajuku.
After dinner, we wanted a place to hang out and relax, so we went to Yoyogi park (which is right next to Harajuku station and Meiji Shrine).
I’d been to the park before, but never at night. So I was surprised to see it full of people (but not too full).
There were dancers, walkers, people listening to music, friends picnicking and couples scattered around.
It’s a great vibe and it was super fun. So I say, have a picnic or enjoy the evening in Yoyogi park. It’s definitely a unique thing to do in Tokyo.
3. Grab Some Secondhand Gems At Shimokitazawa
I love thrifting in Tokyo. There are so many solid spots to find unique stuff. But one of the best places to thrift in Tokyo is Shimokitazawa, hands down.
It’s just a 6-minute train ride from Shibuya station on the Inokashira Line (a perfect place to stop on your way to Inokashira Park).
The town is full of vintage shops, bars and cafes – it’s a hipster-chic, artsy vibe for sure.
And I love it. So it’s definitely worth checking out.
4. Step Into the Future At teamLab
teamLab, Tokyo winter 2023
No Tokyo list would be complete without mentioning teamLab Planets.
It’s an immersive modern art experience that blends technology, music and sensory exhibits to give you a truly unique night out.
It’s one of those few things where the images online actually live up to the hype.
I’ve been there twice now and I know I’ll be going again (the exhibits don’t stay the same).
5. Check Out the Kadokawa Culture Museum
The Kadokawa Culture Museum is a uniquely shaped building with equally unique exhibits inside.
It’s a five-floor museum with a garden, cafes, an anime exhibit and more.
Namely, the Bookshelf Theater on the fourth floor feels like something out of Harry Potter. Its theme is to play and interact with books.
Definitely don’t miss out on this experience if you’re in Tokyo and you like books and museums (or pretending to be a wizard).
6. Ring In the New Year With Hatsumode
If you’re in Tokyo during the New Year, there’s a lot of fun things to do. But if you want something more unique, you could try experiencing hatsumode.
Hatsumode is the tradition of visiting the first shrine of the new year. Many people will start lining up for a midnight visit at shrines throughout the city.
But it’s normal to do hatsumode anytime during the first few days of the new year.
My favorite experience was doing hatsumode around midnight. Although it was cold, it was an awesome experience (plus, there were stands for hot amazake drinks and dango on a stick).
You can learn more about doing hatsumode here.
Recommended: Fascinating Facts About Japan
7. See How Many Stamps You Can Get With Goshuincho
There are around 160,000 temples and shrines in Japan. While visiting every single one is near impossible, you can challenge yourself by visiting as many as possible.
Goshuincho is a small book people use to collect unique stamps from each shrine or temple they visit.
Shrines and temples will have areas to buy seals for your booklet, which is usually an aesthetic and artistic calligraphy-style stamp.
My friend has one and they’re really cool. It’s like a unique artwork book that reminds you of your cultural travels.
So if visiting temples and shrines are your thing (and you plan on visiting Japan often), then starting a stamp collection book could be a great experience.
8. Go to the Ramen Museum
Ramen museum, summer 2023
Most people talk about going to the cup noodle museum in Yokohama (which is pretty fun). But the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum is way cooler (IMO).
It feels more like a movie set and has a variety of ramen shops and stores, all set in 1950s Japan. It’s nostalgic and incredibly detailed.
It’s awesome for getting some unique photos and grabbing a bowl of ramen in an vintage-style restaurant.
9. Enjoy A Hanabi Party
Hanabi is Japanese for fireworks and it’s a popular pastime during the summer months.
One of my top memories of living in Tokyo my first year is doing hanabi outside the city with my housemates. It’s a super nostalgic memory and a great way to spend an evening.
You can pick up fireworks at big stores like Don Quixote (colloquially known as just “don-ki”) or many convenience stores.
Just be sure to use normal safety guidelines and common sense.
You can learn more about doing hanabi in Japan here.
10. Enjoy Hanami or Koyo
Hanami, or cherry blossom viewing, is probably one of the most popular things to do in Japan.
A close second would be enjoying the koyo season, which is the fall foliage.
So if you’re visiting Tokyo during the spring or fall seasons, definitely don’t miss out on this. You can find sakura trees or changing leaves in many places throughout the city and in nearby towns.
Really, you’re never too far from a famous spot.
A quick Google search should be enough to point you in the right direction, but one of my favorite spots is Inokashira Park (yep, the same place I mentioned earlier with the swan boats).
11. Take A Night Cruise
Recently, I went on a night cruise around Kawasaki to check out the factories and industrial plants of Tokyo. It was super cool – and a super unique experience.
So if you’re keen to see Tokyo from the water, going on a short boat cruise could be a great option. There are a few different tours you can take.
I took the Night Factory Jungle Cruise, but there are others also, such as the old style Yakatabune boat tours or the more futuristic Himiko boat cruise.
You can learn more about Tokyo boat tours here.
12. Go On A Helicopter Tour
If boats aren’t your thing, then maybe seeing Tokyo from the sky is.
Taking a helicopter tour of Tokyo is definitely a unique experience that’ll have people saying “wait, really??”
Although I haven’t tried this myself, it’s a solid choice. Although they’re probably the priciest way to see Tokyo, it’s a great way to get a unique look at the biggest city in the world.
You can read more about helicopter tours in Tokyo here.
13. Try Go Karting Around Tokyo
If you’ve spent any time in Tokyo before, then you’ve probably seen these go kart tours whizzing around the city streets.
Strangely similar to something like playing Mario Kart in real life, these are definitely one of the more popular tourist attractions in Japan.
They’re also a bit pricey though (not as much as a helicopter tour though), costing 17,500 yen. Still, it’s definitely a unique experience worth checking out.
You can learn more on their website here.
14. Play the Pachinko Slot Machines
Nothing says unique Tokyo experience quite like playing Pachinko.
Pachinko is the Japanese version of slot machines.
They’re known for their flashy lights and game-themed noises filling the room. It can actually be a bit of a sensory overload when you first step into one.
Still, if you like gambling and playing slot machines, this could be a unique experience worth having.
You can learn more about playing pachinko in Japan here.
15. Go to A Unique Cafe
Tokyo is full of unique cafes. Even some of the Starbucks have stylistic designs and architecture (like the Starbuck Reserve Roastery or this one in historic Kawagoe, which is north of the city).
But for a more unique experience, a few options come to mind:
Tokyo’s 2D Cafe
One of the many animal cafes (cat cafes, owl cafes…there’s even a penguin cafe)
Aoyama Flower Market Tea House (so many plants)
English cafes (this can a great way to meet some locals eager to practice English)
Each of these cafes will give you a unique experience (not just a great cup of Joe).
16. Go to An Amusement Park
There are lots of amusement parks and rides sprinkled through Tokyo. So let’s enjoy them.
While Fuji-Q Highland is one of the more popular spots to go, it’s around three hours outside of Tokyo (by train).
Luckily, there are other options.
Yokohama has its famous ferris wheel, there’s Yomiuriland to the west and there are parks inside the city as well.
Also, Tokyo Disney is right in Chiba (more on this one below though).
You can learn more about the amusement parks in Tokyo here.
17. Sing Through the Night At Karaoke
If you ask me, you can’t go to Japan without doing karaoke at least once. It’s super fun and equally popular.
There are karaoke bars scattered throughout the city (throughout every city, really). You can easily recognize them for their katakana writing.
Just look for any sign that reads カラオケ (ka-ra-o-ke).
You can also order drinks and food from the tablet menu in your private booth.
While most karaoke spots are buildings with private booths to rent out, you can also go to old fashioned karaoke bars, where you sing in front of everyone (similar to how we do it here in the West).
You can learn more about karaoke in Japan here.
18. Go to A Conveyor Belt Sushi Restaurant
Japan and sushi – it just makes sense.
While fancier, more expensive sushi restaurants are a great experience on their own, conveyor belt sushi (kaiten sushi) doesn’t disappoint either.
Two popular places I usually go for kaiten sushi are Kura Sushi or SUSHIRO. You order using a tablet at your table and you pay per plate.
I usually start with 2-3 plates, then order 1-2 at a time after that, until I get full.
It’s a super fun Tokyo food experience (and actually quite good).
Recommended: My Top Travel Travel Tips
19. Wear A Kimono
Even though wearing a kimono is pretty popular for tourists, it’s still a unique experience.
Kimonos are…
Popular places or historic towns (like Asakusa) will have kimono rental shops you can go to where they’ll size you and dress you for the afternoon.
Then, you can simply walk around, enjoy the day and snap some unique photos to remember your trip with.
I’ve personally never done kimono wearing, but many of my friends have. So if this sort of thing behooves you, it could be a solid experience worth having.
20. Check Out the Local Music Scene
Tokyo has a booming music scene, so it’s pretty easy to find a local show or two to enjoy.
Even watching buskers by Shinjuku station or in parks is fun.
If you like industrial electronic and drag-style performances, my friend VERIK is super talented and performs throughout Tokyo a lot.
Otherwise, you can follow local artists online to find shows or check out Tokyo Gig Guide for a list of upcoming gigs around the city.
21. Check Out Tokyo Disney
If you’re a Disney fan, checking out Tokyo Disney (and Disney Sea) could be a great day trip.
Tokyo Disney is located in Chiba, which is just a 15 minute train ride from Tokyo station. So it’s easy to get to and great for some childhood nostalgia – Japan style.
I’ve been to both DisneyLand and DisneySea and while it is fun, it’s also busy. And it’s especially perfect for couples and families.
22. Go On A Hike
Mt. Takao, fall 2023
Tokyo (and the Kanto area) is not all concrete.
There’s plenty of nature to be experienced with lots of beautiful parks, trails and hiking in or near the city.
Mt. Takao is a popular easy-medium hike that will give you great views of Tokyo at the top. But it’s about an hour outside of the city center.
So if you’re looking for something closer, Todoroki Valley is a popular choice. It’s full of lush greenery, bamboo forests, secret shrines and rivers.
Or you can always check out one of the city parks (Meiju shrine is full of nature and trails).
23. Go to the Beach
Japan is an island nation (made up of over 14,000 islands actually) and Tokyo has a lot of beaches to enjoy nearby.
I love going to Enoshima and Kamakura to get that coastal vibe. But you can also check out Odaiba beach in Tokyo or Shonan beach in Kanagawa.
And if you’re into surfing, you can check out the surf scene too.
24. Find the Real Life Locations From ‘Your Name’
If you’re an anime fan (or you’ve seen ‘Your Name’), then exploring the city to find the movie’s real life locations is the perfect way to experience Tokyo.
Tofugu put together a pretty in-depth article about all of the locations, so I’d check that out if you’re looking for some direction.
But you can always just choose a few spots to check out (rather than trying to find them all).
25. Go to the Ghibli Museum
This is another great choice for anime and manga lovers.
The Ghibli museum is located in the western part of Tokyo (near Kichijoji) and is an awesome place to check out.
Even if you’re not into Ghibli productions, it’s a cool museum to visit. It’s pretty immersive and has some cool artistic exhibits and replications to explore.
26. Enjoy An Onsen
Japan is full of beautiful and epic hot springs. There are a lot of simpler public bath houses to enjoy too though.
But wherever you go, enjoying a Japanese onsen is a classic (and unique) way to experience Tokyo.
Just remember to research the etiquette before you go (such as cleaning yourself beforehand). Here’s a video from Tokyo Cheapo to learn more.
27. Explore the Yokocho Alleys
Yokochos are narrow alleyways you’ll find spread throughout Tokyo and Japan. They’re full of many standup bars, izakayas and restaurants or shops.
There are many popular ones, like Harmonica Alley in Kichijoji or Golden Gai in Shinjuku, but you can usually stumble upon them while wandering the city too.
If you’re looking for nostalgic vibes and that quintessential, vintage Tokyo (with a healthy splash of salary workers), then don’t miss out on exploring some yokocho alleys.
It’s a fun time.
28. Do A Creative Project
Part of my whole theme for this website (and my brand vision) is mixing travel with creativity. So naturally, this is a tip I can’t skip over.
I may be biased, but I travel and creativity as close friends – they each support each other in various ways. I mean, travel expands my perspectives and definitely makes me more creative.
So if you’re looking for something unique to do in Tokyo (or anywhere), try doing a creative project.
For example, you could:
Do travel photography
Film your adventures and create a short travel video
Be an author and write a short Tokyo travel story
Do a series of painting or drawing of Tokyo (or one main piece)
Write a Tokyo-themed song
Just remember, you don’t need to be some virtuoso artist to be creative.
It’s more about having an artistic mindset, tapping into your flow state and just having fun.
Recommended: How to Create A Travel Project
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