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We spent a full week in Tokyo and we came back with a heart full of memories and lot to say. Not just about the iconic spots everyone already knows, but also about the temples, the food, the parks and all MUST-SEE places. In this post we want to share with you our favorite 15 things to do in Tokyo. If you’re planning your trip, you really can’t miss these places.
1. Shibuya Crossing
We have to start at the heart of Tokyo. Shibuya Crossing is the busiest pedestrian intersection in the world with around 300,000 people passing through it every single day, and if we had to describe it with two words, it would be: sensory overload. But in a good way. It’s the most iconic area and we recommend you to visit during the day, but also at night for you to see the iconic neon lights.
When you’re there, don't leave without walking to the Hachiko statue just outside Shibuya Station. Hachiko was a dog who waited at this station every day for nine years after his owner passed away. His statue has become Japan's ultimate symbol of loyalty, and people queue to get a photo with it. We actually missed it the first time there because it was so busy, but when back to see it properly.
For a view of the crossing, everyone tries to go to the famous Starbucks, just across it, but here's our actual tip: find the Sundrug store and head into the metro station building opposite. Go up the stairs and you've got a perfect elevated view, completely free.
2. Meiji Jingu Shrine
Just a 20-minute walk from the Shibuya chaos is a 170-acre forest which you have to visit. The Meiji Jingu Shrine is dedicated to Emperor Meiji and feels like a completely different world from the city surrounding it. When you’re walking through those massive torii gates, you stop feeling like you're in Tokyo at all. It's one of those quiet, sacred places that we really enjoyed spending a couple of hours in.
3. Senso-ji Temple
Tokyo's oldest temple was one of the busiest places we visited in Tokyo, but an absolute must. We do recommend you to arrive by 9:00 AM, because by 10:00am you'll be moving through a sea of people. Just a heads-up: some souvenir stalls won't be open at 9:00, but honestly, the temple experience is worth the trade-off. Even with the crowds later in the morning, Senso-ji is stunning and the pictures below speak for themselves.
4. Hatoya Matcha
Just a short walk from Senso-ji you’ll find the most unique Matcha in Tokyo - and our favourite! Hatoya Matcha is a premium matcha café where they make everything right in front of you, from measuring with precision, using traditional technique, calling your name when it's your turn. You're not just ordering a drink, you're watching a craft and it feels like an experience as opposed to just ordering a drink to go.
We arrived 20 minutes after opening and still waited 30 minutes in the queue. We paid $18 for two matchas, so it’s not the cheapest. We'd do it all over again without hesitation.
Pro tip: Take your matcha to Sumida Park, right by the riverside. It has the best views of the Tokyo Skytree, and if you're visiting during early Sakura season, the whole area blooms beautifully.
5. Tsukiji Fish Market — Early Morning Sushi
Yes, it's touristy, and yes it will be busy, but hear us out. The food is still incredible, even though it’s a market. We recommend you to go right in the morning at around 9AM, and if you think it’s weird to eat sushi for breakfast, I don’t blame you. But this is because the sushi is at its freshest right in the morning, so it’s a whole exprience, plus the market close at 2PM.
Most people stay near the outside stalls. Our tip: there's an indoor market just behind that's far less crowded. We found incredible Bluefin Fatty Tuna Sashimi in there, at a stand called Tokyo Kitani - and there's a rooftop with tables where you can sit and eat properly instead of standing in the middle of a crowd.
6. Tokyo Tower
Just skip the queue to go up the tower, instead , visit Zojo-ji Temple for the best view of the Tokyo tower. It's not a common tourist stop, so it was quiet and calm when we went in the morning. The contrast between the ancient temple architecture and the glowing red tower behind it is genuinely one of the most beautiful sights we had, and we 100% recommend.
And you know what we also recommend, planning your trip with ease instead of stressing out about it. That’s why we built a Planner which you can download for free and stay on top of all the details for your trip to Japan.
7. Imperial Palace Gardens
Hard to visit Tokyo without coming here. Even if you don't go inside the palace itself, the surrounding gardens are worth the walk. They are peaceful, spacious, and right in the middle of the city which makes it feel like in a green oasis with a jungle of concrete buildings surrounding you.
If you do want to visit the palace interior, check the visiting days and hours in advance as it's not always open to the public.
8. Shinjuku at night
This is a must, but before you go, know that the train station feels like a maze, and the whole neighborhood is overwhelming and overstimulating. Our recommendation: go anyways. The lights at night are unlike anything else in the city, and the pedestrian path that takes you to the iconic Godzilla is like no other.
When you exit the station, look up to spot the famous giant Tokyo cat screen that's become one of those only-in-Tokyo moments. Shinjuku has brilliant food and restaurant options, but do your research beforehand. We found plenty of tourist traps mixed in.
Walking through Memory Lane (Omoide Yokocho) is a must for the photos for the smoky grills, narrow lanes and incredible atmosphere. But eating there is a different story - at least for us it felt cramped and the smoke is quite intense. Our take: walk through it, get your photos, then go find dinner somewhere slightly less chaotic.
9. Ueno Park
Ueno is enormous. There's a vintage market, a massive pond, and just a lot of space to exist in without being directed anywhere. It's one of those rare spots in Tokyo where you can slow down and feel like a local for an hour.
Right next door is Ameyoko Market - street food stalls, discount shopping, high energy. Great for a cheap, fast bite and an authentic, bustling atmosphere.
10. Akihabara
If you have any interest in anime, manga, gaming, or retro tech, Akihabara is its own universe. The main street closes to traffic on Sundays and turns into a pedestrian which makes it really cool to wander around.
Some of the highlights are: Super Potato and Taito for vintage gaming, Animate and Mandarake for manga and comics. Even if this isn't your kind of thing, it's worth an hour just to take it all in.
11. Harajuku
Super worth visiting, but don’t go too early, because we made the mistake of arriving at 10:00 AM and a lot of the shops were still closed. Late morning or afternoon is the right move if you ask us.
Takeshita Street is the obvious starting point: the pig café, the capybara café, the crepes and the general chaos. But our actual favorite Harajuku discovery? In Tokyu Plaza, find the Starbucks on one of the upper floors. On that same level, there's a hidden rooftop garden overlooking the iconic geometric building exterior. It's a top-tier photo spot and the vast majority of visitors walk straight past it.
After Takeshita, cut away from the main tourist roads and head to Cat Street. It's cool, relaxed, great for people-watching, and the shopping feels far more local.
12. Ginza
Ginza is where you go for the big-name shopping such as Uniqlo, Muji and all the designer stores. But the real highlight for us was Loft. If you love stationery (and even if you think you don't), Loft will change your mind. Pens, stickers, organisers, Japan-themed items, Pokémon collaborations, etc. It's really the kind of shop that makes you want to carry an extra bag.
Around Ginza you can also find unique east such as the sweet potato and the famouse friend sandwiches at Age 3 Ginza.
13. Vintage Thrifting in Koenji
This was one of our genuine highlights of the whole trip. Koenji is a local, slightly bohemian neighborhood about 30 minutes by train from the center, with entire streets dedicated to vintage shops. If you love thrifting, you could spend a full day here and not scratch the surface.
Fair warning: branded vintage items can be pricier than you'd expect, but there's also great stuff at accessible prices if you're willing to browse properly.
When you exit the station, stop at Kaneko-en for local food souvenirs. We picked up matcha there and later spotted the same product elsewhere at a noticeably higher price.
For shops: 2nd Street, Atlantis, and Mode Off are popular. Whistler has a huge collection of leather goods, Ralph Lauren, and Burberry trench coats. But our personal favorite, where we actually bought things? TreFactStyle Koenji - a little off the beaten path, but the best deals we found all day.
14. Omakase Sushi
While you're in Japan, you have to experience an omakase. In Japanese, omakase literally means "I'll leave it up to you.”, so there’s not realy a set menu. You hand the keys to the chef, and they select the freshest seasonal fish from that morning and prepare each piece one by one, right in front of you. You'll likely try cuts of fish you've never heard of. It's personal, exploratory, and genuinely unlike any other dining experience.
In Koenji, we found a tiny local spot called Kiku Sushi that was exactly what we'd hoped for - no tourist theater, just a chef doing what he does, up close. If you want an authentic, non-touristy sushi experience, this is the one.
15. Collect Stamps Around Tokyo
This one is a bit of a hidden Tokyo ritual and you can find stamps all over the city: train stations, temples, parks, tourist spots. Each stamp is unique and it’s a perfect way to build your souvenir booklet (if you’re into it). It sounds small, but it becomes genuinely addictive and makes a beautiful, completely free souvenir of everywhere you've been.
We picked up our first stamp at Hamarikyu Gardens (near Tsukiji Market) - a gorgeous park that's especially worth visiting during Sakura season. We also collected stamps at Ginza Station and Koenji. Keep your eyes open and you'll start spotting them everywhere.
If you’re planning your trip to Japan, you’ll probably start feeling a little overwhelmed - at least we did.
This is exactly why we created the perfect planner which you can download for free right here. You can add your hotels, places to visit and even budgets. It makes it so much smoother having the trip all in one place - so go check it out and we hope it helps!
