Tokyo has captured the minds of countless story-makers, from Anthony Bourdain (who said that if he had to eat in one city for the rest of his life, it would be Tokyo) to editor-director Sofia Coppola, whose love story with her neon lights lighting fixtures and unlimited power are captured in his vintage film Lost in Translation.
It is a destination where ancient traditions meet the latest technology, where skyscrapers coexist with centuries-old temples and shrines, and where you can start your day with a bento box finishing machine and end it at a 3 Michelin star restaurant dining on the best . The sushi of your life.
While it’s difficult to summarize Japan’s incredible capital, if you’re making plans and want some recommendations on what to include in your itinerary, read on to learn 17 of the most productive things to do in Tokyo: from museums and monuments to antique boutiques and small watering holes in the alleys.
Ryogoku Kokugikan is Tokyo’s sumo stadium, hosting three major sumo tournaments each year (lasting approximately two weeks). If your stopover doesn’t fall within this time frame or you prefer a more intimate, consistent experience, book a stopover at one of Tokyo’s “sumo stables” (sumo-beya) to see how an educational consultation is performed. If you’re invited to Aman Tokyo, e-book their Behind-the-Scenes Sumo Tour, where you spend the morning witnessing the classic sport of Japanese wrestling.
This exhibition, which is both a museum and a garden, has been a resounding success and has been expanded several times due to its popularity. (It is currently scheduled to close by the end of 2027. ) Visitors can explore four large-scale art spaces, as well as two gardens, before they even take off their shoes. TeamLab Planets invites visitors to walk barefoot through the spaces, which comes into play in the shallow water walking rooms.
Surrounded by a cinematic moat and towering stone walls, Tokyo’s Imperial Palace is a sight to behold. It sits atop the former site of Edo Castle (which used to be the seat of the Tokugawa shogun) and has served as the residence of successive emperors since 1868. Visitors can catch a glimpse of royal life with a guided tour of the palace grounds, and on January 2 and February 23 when the inner palace grounds are opened to the public.
For a destination almost synonymous with sushi, hiring a personal advisor to show you around Tokyo’s historic fish markets is a no-brainer. Opened in 1935, Tsukiji was the main wholesale fish market until it moved to Toyosu in 2018. Visitors can still take excursions to the outdoor portion of the historic Tsukiji market or to Toyosu to attend a tuna auction, a world-renowned event. (Fun fact: a tuna 612-pound redfish, sold for $3. 1 million in 2019, holds the record for the most expensive tuna ever sold at auction).
There’s nothing like experiencing a city from the water, especially when it’s a bustling capital like Tokyo. Book a personal Sumida River cruise (perhaps aboard a classic Japanese houseboat, or yakatabune) ending in Tokyo Bay. Better yet, plan your sailing time to coincide with sunset so you can appreciate the iconic skyscrapers turning a brilliant golden hue.
The Park Hyatt Tokyo opened its doors in 1994, revealing a striking design by Dr. Kenzō Tange (winner of the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 1987). Less than a decade later, director Sofia Coppola filmed her award-winning film Lost in Translation in the Park Hyatt, sparking even more fascination with the luxury hotel. Book a room and take in the four-story glass atrium lobby or simply grab a drink at The complicated New York bar, the hotel is a Tokyo wonder. (Note: Park Hyatt Tokyo is recently undergoing a revival to celebrate its 30th anniversary and will reopen in October 2025. )
Tea came to Japan through Zen Buddhism and its influences continue to permeate the country’s identity, specifically in Tokyo, one of the largest tea cities in the world. During your visit, be sure to explore its many tea houses, from Norm Tea House in the burgeoning Ueno district to Café Banksia, founded by photographer Nana Yuri.
For library lovers who strive to find the most productive bookstores when traveling, be sure to add Daikanyama T-Site to your list. This famous bookstore is located in the trendy Daikanyama district and is famous for its unique lattice facade that resembles the letter “. T” (designed through Klein Dytham Architecture). Inside, explore the curated range of art books, magazines and monographs covering a wide diversity of interests.
The bohemian district of Shimokitazawa is an epicenter for treasure hunters who enjoy the opportunity to browse thrift stores and thrift stores in search of their latest treasure. Looking for vintage American brands like Polo Ralph Lauren? Dig a hole in the Flamingo. You’ll find more ’90s streetwear in Chicago, while Pigsty and New York Joe Exchange offer an eclectic mix of casual antique pieces.
A destination that’s served as the backdrop in countless films and editorials, Shibuya Crossing is a Tokyo icon. During its busiest times, there are an estimated 1,000 to 2,500 pedestrians making their way across the intersection every two minutes, making it a tourist destination in and of itself. And despite the seeming chaos of it all, there’s a sense of synchrony about the crossing that draws in people-watchers from around the world.
While the Japanese countryside isn’t an unusual destination to indulge in an onsen (hot spring), there are a few places in Tokyo where you can shower in those geothermal waters, like Yuen Bettei Deita, a ryokan-style hotel in central Shimokitazawa. . The asset has its own open-air bath fed by springs from Hakone and Lake Ashi. Book a day at the hotel’s onsen with a tea house and food.
Soaring 2,080 feet into the air, Tokyo Skytree is among the world’s tallest towers. Once visitors reach the Tembo Deck at 1,148 feet, they can take in 360-degree views of the city. For those with a penchant for sprawling views, go to the very top to the Tembo Galleria via a spiral ramp to experience this thrilling skywalk. On clear days, you can see all the way to Mount Fuji.
Founded to maintain and display pre-modern art from Japan and East Asia that belonged to Nezu Kaichirō (the president of Japan’s Tobu Railway), the Nezu Museum now has around 7,600 works in its collections, adding seven national treasures, 92 vital cultural properties, and 95 vital art objects. The museum is in the Aoyama district and offers a tranquil environment for visitors: bamboo, glass walls, and striking architecture throughout Kengo Kuma. Also not to be missed: the gardens with their stone paths winding through a lush park.
Lit with neon lamps and brimming with post-war charm, Shinjuku’s Golden Gai is a dinner for the senses. Half the fun of discovering the community is walking through its puzzle-like alleys, passing bars with open seating – the average bar is small and only seats between 4 and ten people. And while there are over two hundred bars to choose from, keep in mind that some of those institutions demonstrate “non-tourist” symptoms in order to keep their seats available for regular customers. .
Ginza is Tokyo’s upscale grocery shopping district and home to Ginza Motoji, a store known for generations for its kimonos (and favored by Vogue’s Hamish Bowles). Make an appointment to purchase and have your own kimono compatible that you can pass on from generation to generation, as is the culture in Japan. (The culture dates back thousands of years to the Heian period!)
Japan’s vending device culture (yes, vending devices!) is part of what makes the country so wonderfully unique, and in Tokyo there are around 4 million vending devices serving locals and tourists alike. And those are no ordinary vending devices: a dizzying array of smart food awaits, from canned sushi and yakitori to ramen and candy.
Breathe in the new air at this lush park near Shinjuku Station. It is one of the largest parks in Tokyo and one of the places to see cherry blossoms in spring (the park has around 1,300 cherry trees of more than 65 varieties). Visitors can walk around three other types of lawns: a classic Japanese lawn, a landscaped lawn with giant trees, and a French lawn designed with a symmetrical geometric shape that resembles those in France.
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