Welcome to The Wanderbug, a travel blog written for humans, by a human. I'm Genevieve, and every guide is personally written by me and based on my firsthand travel experiences.

Whether you’re visiting Tokyo for the first time or are an eager return visitor, there are so many amazing things to do in Tokyo. Tokyo is the biggest city in the world, with a dizzying array of things to do & discover.

I’ve rounded up my recommendations for the best things to do in Tokyo below, which include the famous Golden Gai precinct, Senso-Ji Temple, Tsukiji Market & the Meiji Shrine to name just a few!

I recommend spending at least 3-5 days in Tokyo on your first trip, to give you time to explore widely across this enormous, mind-boggling metropolis. I spent a week in Tokyo on my first trip, which was an amazing introduction to the city at a leisurely pace.

Planning a trip to Tokyo? Download my free 3-Day Tokyo Itinerary, converted into an easy-to-use PDF, perfect for printing or viewing on mobile, on-the-go.

1. Golden Gai & Memory Lane (Omoide Yochoko)

Golden Gai is one of the most romantic and nostalgic destinations in Tokyo, and a must-visit for a night out. Golden Gai is a collection of more than 200 hole-in-the-wall bars crammed into six blocks in Shinjuku. It’s a maze of narrow alleyways and is like stepping back in time, to post-war Tokyo, before the city’s futuristic transformation.

Most of the bars only seat 4-10 people, and not all of them market themselves to foreigners – you’ll be able to get a sense of whether it’s a tourist-friendly bar as you walk around. Golden Gai comes alive from 8pm. This is somewhere where a small group tour would be really beneficial, which is something I’d love to do next time!

Like Golden Gai, Memory Lane is a precinct that time forgot. Instead of bars, Memory Lane is a collection of tiny food stalls and restaurants, serving simple and cheap Japanese snacks.

Memory Lane formed in the 1940s, when Japan was Occupied by the victorious Allied Forces following World War II. It started as a black market area, where people could by food and other items that were scarce, due to tight Allied controls. Since then, it has morphed into an area for tiny restaurants and food stalls, but has retained it’s rebellious spirit.

Memory Lane translates to Omoide Yochoko in Japanese, but is also known as Piss Alley to locals – don’t let the name deter you, it has no meaning today but refers to the lack of public toilets in the area in the 1940s and 50s.

Memory Lane is hidden away, near Shinjuku Station. The entrance is marked by a green & yellow neon sign in Japanese, near the Uniqlo.

2. Senso-Ji Temple

If you have time to visit just one temple in Tokyo, make it Senso-Ji. Located in Asakusa, Senso-Ji is the oldest and one of the most significant temples in Tokyo.

Senso-Ji is a Buddhist temple and was completed in 645 AD. It was destroyed by bombing during World War II, and was rebuilt afterwards.

It receives 30 million visitors per year, and according to some sources, it is the most visited religious site in the world. Senso-ji is dedicated to Kannon, the bodhisattva of compassion.

I visited Senso-Ji at night, and it was absolutely beautiful when it was illuminated against the night sky. There are lots of great restaurants in the streets surrounding Senso-Ji, and the Nakamise Dori Markets around the temple are also worth a look.

3. Tsukiji Market & Toyosu Tuna Auctions

Visiting the Tsukiji Outer Market is easily one of the best things to do in Tokyo, particularly if you come for breakfast or lunch!

The Tsukiji Market was once split into the Inner Market and Outer Market, with the world famous tuna auctions taking place in the Inner Market, and the Outer Market offering restaurants and food shops.

In 2018, the Inner Market moved to a new building at the Toyosu Market, but the Outer Market of Tsukiji still remains in place. The Outer Market restaurants and food stalls at Tsukiji still get their fresh fish direct from the Toyosu Market, so it remains one of the best spots in Tokyo for fresh seafood.

Even without the tuna auctions, which are held before dawn anyway, the Outer Market at Tsukiji is an amazing place to visit for the atmosphere and the variety of delicious, fresh seafood ready to eat.

The shops & restaurants are open from 5am-2pm, from Monday-Saturday. I’m not exaggerating to say that the sushi I had for breakfast at Tsukiji Market was the best I’ve had in my life!

If you want to see the world famous tuna auction in Tokyo, head to the Toyoso Market, the new, purpose-built home for the tuna auctions.

There are two ways to view the tuna auctions at Toyoso, which happens from 5:30am. The first option is to enter the lottery for the Tuna Observation Deck, by registering in advance. Located on a lower floor close to the action, this deck separates visitors from the auction by a single pane of glass, so you can still hear the auction from your deck.

You’ll also be exposed to the cold temperatures! If you don’t get a spot on the Observation Deck, you can go to the Tuna Observation Windows, which have double-glazed glass, which means you aren’t exposed to the auction hall temperatures, but you also won’t be able to hear the auction. There is only room for 27 people though, so arrive early!

4. Yoyogi Park

A stroll through Yoyogi Park is one of the best things to do in Tokyo, especially on Sundays when it attracts an eclectic crowd of Tokyo subcultures, including rockabillies, cosplayers, martial arts clubs and jugglers.

Yoyogi Park is one of the largest city parks in Tokyo, and is a popular spot for picnics during hanami (cherry blossom) season or autumn when the gingko forest is especially beautiful. Y

Yoyogi Park is home to the Yoyogi Flea Market, which is one of the biggest flea markets in Tokyo with more than 800 vendors. The Yoyogi Flea is often held on Sundays but its schedule can be erratic.

It’s also home to the seasonal Earth Garden Festival, a lively sustainability festival held to celebrate each season. When we visited Yoyogi Park, we were lucky to time with autumn foliage, the autumn Earth Garden Festival and Yoyogi Flea, but even without these events it is a beautiful place to visit in Tokyo.

5. Explore Old Tokyo in Yanaka

Yanaka is one of the most atmosphere neighbourhoods in Tokyo. Located in Northern Tokyo, Yanaka escaped the bombings during WII that flattened so many of the central Tokyo neighbourhoods. Walking through Yanaka is like stepping back in time, and it’s almost hard to believe that it’s part of the same city as futuristic Shibuya and Shinjuku.

To get to Yanaka, go to Nishi-Nippori Station. From the station, you can explore several beautiful and traditional Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples.

Make your way to Yanaka Ginza, which is a beautiful shopping street, which is perfectly preserved. If you explore the backstreets of Yanaka, particularly towards Ueno Park, you’ll also come across lots of brightly coloured and eclectic kawaii architecture. A morning exploring Yanaka is easily one of the best things to do in Tokyo, to see a totally different side of the city.

6. Meiji Shrine (Meiji Jingu)

The Meiji Shrine is one of Tokyo’s most important shrines, dedicated to the spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shoken. The original shrine was built in 1920, destroyed by bombing in World War II, and re-built shortly afterwards.

The Meiji Shring is located in Yoyogi Park and is surrounded by a 170-acre forest of more than 120,000 trees, donated by the people from all over Japan. Emperor Meiji was beloved for being the first emperor of modern Japan, by modernising the country following a Feudal Period, and building the country into a global power.

Before Meiji, Japan was an isolationist, feudal power which cut itself off from the modern world and technological advances, leaving it vulnerable to foreign colonising powers. Meiji opened up Japan, and transformed the country.

When we visited the Meiji Shrine, it was buzzing with large numbers of Japanese residents and families, many celebrating in traditional dress. A number of ceremonies appeared to be taking place, which gave it a very different atmosphere to religious sites around the world which are predominantly overrun with tourists.

7. Dine under train tracks at a gado-shita

All over Tokyo, you’ll find strings of restaurants and bars underneath the city’s elevated train tracks. These restaurants are called gado-shita, which translates to “under the beams.” These restaurants and precincts have a unique, retro atmosphere and you’ll also find great deals on lunchtime meals here.

We had a delicious, and cheap lunch meal deal at a restaurant under the train tracks near Ueno, but you can find gado-shita all over town. Some popular spots are between Shinbashi and Yurachuko stations, under Koenji Station and Nakameguro Koukashita.

8. Kawaii culture in Harajuku

One of Tokyo’s most famous cultural exports is kawaii culture, which is a celebration of all things cute! The famous Harajuku neighbourhood is the Tokyo’s capital of kawaii, especially around Takeshita Street.

Stop by for some kawaii crepes and shopping, and to see the colourful street style from Tokyo residents dressed up in their kawaii best. 

9. Shibuya Crossing

The Shibuya Crossing has to be experienced to believed. It is the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world, yet crossing is a serene and calm experience.

In any other country I’ve ever been to, this crossing would be chaos. Shibuya Crossing is likened to Times Square, but somehow it feels totally peaceful. After you’ve crossed at the Shibuya Crossing, head to one of the many cafes overlooking the crossing, for a surprisingly mesmerising view over coffee.

10. Day Trip to Mt Fuji

Mt Fuji is an icon of Japan, and one of the most recognisable peaks in the entire world. Mt Fuji can be visited on a day trip from Tokyo, which is best done as part of a guided day tour.

There are ten stations on Mt Fuji, the highest station that you can access by motor vehicle is the Fifth Station. At the Fifth Station, you’ll have great views of the peak, as well as access to some touristy facilities and a lovely forest.

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