Have you ever wondered what to do when sightseeing in Tokyo? Going out on a holiday, or on a date? Here I will introduce plans for outings in Tokyo that will take you from one hour to half a day. I hope you find a good excursion!
TOC
Enjoy the scenery
First, I’ll introduce observation decks in Tokyo. There are many places where you can not only enjoy the scenery, but also eat and shop. You can also visit almost anytime, during the day, in the evening and at night. Before visiting, be sure to check the opening hours and whether tickets are available. I will also introduce discount tickets here.
Tokyo Skytree
Tokyo Skytree
Tokyo Skytree is the tallest tower in Japan. There are two observation decks at 350m and 450m. Tokyo Solamachi, where the Skytree is located, also has a shopping mall, restaurants and Sumida Aquarium, so you can enjoy here for a few hours or a full day. The shopping mall also has character cafes and souvenir shops.
In Tokyo Tower, there are observation decks at 150m and 250m. The top deck can only be accessed by tour, but they have drink service and photo gifts on the tour. The view of Tokyo Tower from Shiba Park is also beautiful and is a popular photo spot.
Tokyo City View’s observation deck is located on the 52nd floor (250m) of Roppongi Hills. You can enjoy the city center scenery with a view of Tokyo Tower. They also sometimes hold exhibitions related to anime and manga, so if you’re interested, check it out!
You can enjoy the view of Tokyo’s skyscrapers from Shibuya. Because it is a popular spot, you may not be able to enter unless you make a reservation, so be sure to buy your tickets in advance. Scramble Square, where Shibuya SKY is located, has restaurants and fashion stores, so you can enjoy shopping.
Next, I will introduce some recommended plans for walking around downtown. The recommended city walks here are Asakusa, Kappabashi, and Shimokitazawa. Each city introduces a walk that can only be done in that city.
Walking around Asakusa wearing a kimono
Kimono Rental
You can enjoy walking around Asakusa wearing a kimono. Also, there are many sweets shops around Sensoji Temple. If you have enough time, riding a rickshaw will also be a memorable experience. Here, I would like to introduce the Ebisuya Rickshaw, which has a good reputation among guides and is my favorite. They are always around Asakusa Station and Sensoji Temple, but if you make reservation in advance, you can find an English driver easily.
Shop around for kitchen supplies at Kappabashi Dougu Street
Kappabashi, the town of kitchen supplies, is where you can find cooking supplies for both home and professional use. You can look for elaborate Japanese tableware, cute cookie cutters, and discover useful cooking goods. Some stores also sell very realistic fake food. Window shopping in Kappabashi is fun! My favorites are Dengama (田窯), a Japanese tableware shop, and Kamata, a knife shop. This place is also close to Sky Tree and Asakusa.
Shopping for second-hand clothes in Shimokitazawa
When it comes to vintage clothing in Tokyo, Shimokitazawa is the best place to go. There are many places which have clothes from American casual to vintage high-end brands. It’s fun to look at colorful old clothes, and you might even find a good bargain. I bought vintage shoes in Shimokitazawa and love them. Many of Shimokitazawa’s used clothes are in good condition, and many people come to buy them not only from Japan but also from overseas. My favorite is a second-hand clothing store called “Nishikaigan Anchor (西海岸アンカー).” There are several stores, and I love using them because I can find many types of clothes in good condition. There are many shops within walking distance from Shimokitazawa Station, so it’s easy to access.
Enjoy the exhibitions
Teamlab Planets
Team Lab Planets
Teamlab Planets is located in Toyosu, and a new art installation which you can experience by walking inside the art work. Many of the works use flowers and light, so you can enjoy a photogenic space. The new Teamlab Borderless also opened on February 9, 2024 in Azabudai Hills.
Art Aquarium is an aquarium with the theme of art with goldfish. There are about 5,000 goldfish on display, representing about 70 types of goldfish that you have never seen before, so it’s definitely worth seeing. Enjoy the fusion of traditional Japanese beauty and goldfish artwork.
Goldfish Art Aquarium in Ginza, TokyoHave you decided where to go on your Tokyo trip yet? There are various sightseeing places and date spots in Tokyo, and the Art Aquarium is a very popular spo…
Aqua Park Shinagawa
Aqua Park Shinagawa
Aqua Park Shinagwa is the largest aquarium in Tokyo. The dolphin show is a collaboration of light, music, and water art, making it gorgeous and worth seeing. In the jellyfish section, jellyfish are swimming and swaying under the colorful lights making it a fantastic sight. There are several aquariums in Tokyo, but Aqua Park Shinagawa is my favorite in terms of their size and presentation.
Lastly, I will introduce bus tours and street go-carts that you can easily enjoy.
Stroll around Tokyo by bus
Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus
Here I will introduce two buses. Both are open double-decker buses with no roof! Also, English guides are available. The first one is Hato Bus‘s open top bus tour. This is a one-hour tour where you can enjoy views of Rainbow Bridge, Tokyo Tower, the National Diet Building, etc. from the bus window. Even though I live in Tokyo, I enjoyed participating because the guide showed me things that I wouldn’t normally notice.
The next recommendation is the Sky Hop Bus, a red bus where you can hop on and off as much as you like. There are three courses: the Red Course (Asakusa, Sky Tree), the Blue Course (Tokyo Tower, Tsukiji, Ginza), and the Green Course (Shibuya, Shinjuku). The high degree of freedom of being able to get off the bus if you see a spot along the way that interests you makes it easy to use. Tickets allow unlimited rides for one or two days.
Many people have probably seen go-karts dashing around the streets of Tokyo. In Tokyo, there are stores in Akihabara, Shibuya, Asakusa, Shinagawa, and Shinkiba. You should check to see if you have qualified drivers license on their website. You can also rent out character costumes! You should be able to enjoy a different Tokyo than usual.
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