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By Ajay Suresh – Wikimedia

Top 10 Best Things to do in Tokyo

Are you planning on visiting Tokyo soon and is looking for the best things to do while there? Well, you came to the right place. I have a list of things that you and your family can do while in Tokyo.

First though, a brief introduction to the city. Tokyo is one of the most attractive cities in Japan and the world.

Tons of tourists flock this city to marvel at the attractions and experience the rich culture.

The city is defined by magnificent skyscrapers, historic landmarks and unique museums. As a first-time visitor to Japan’s capital, you may be overwhelmed by the myriad of activities.

There are must-see places and things to do while in Tokyo. You will get to experience a mix of both modern and traditional cultures of Japan.

To be sure you don’t miss out on the best attractions and activities, check out these 10 best things to do in Tokyo.

1. Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

By Carbonium – Wikimedia

If you fancy a stroll in a Japanese garden then head over to Shinjuku Gyoen garden. The garden is made up of native and traditional gardens.

It sits on the 144-acre park and features French and English Landscape gardens. This was formerly an imperial garden that was turned into a national garden after World War II.

The gardens are well maintained and are the best place to see the cherry blossoms between March and April.

The gardens are perfect for picnics, strolls along the paths leading to the ponds, walk over the bridges while admiring the tea houses.

There are beautiful landmarks in the park one of them being the Taiwan Pavilion erected along the pond.

2. Izakaya Alley: Enjoy a drink like the Locals

There are several fancy restaurants and bars in Tokyo that serves fine wine and high-quality meals.

If you would like to experience Tokyo like a local, then head over to Izakaya alley that also has amazing dining options.

The Izakaya alley has traditional Japanese styled bars that serve drinks and Japanese foods and snacks too.

The streets here are narrow and have small bars on either side. Some of these bars are tiny with few seats inside.

You can find several other Izakaya alleys and drinking districts in Tokyo including Shinjuku, Shibuya and Ueno.

For a much more fun experience, take the bar hopping tour and discover some of the hidden pubs.

3. Watch Sumo Morning Practice

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Get to watch Sumo wrestlers in their element while in Tokyo. This is a national sport in Japan and has been since ancient times.

The sport is one of the most unique and fascinating cultures if you will be visiting Japan for the first time. There are several training rooms situated in Tokyo.

Most of them are found in the Ryogoku area. Some are open to the public for viewing the morning practice.

It is a wonderful experience to watch the wrestlers in action, they engage in mental and physical training. This will give you a good understanding of the intensity of the sport.

4. Dine at Kawaii Monster Café

Photo courtesy Kawaii Monster Cafe Facebook Page

Tokyo has themed cafés where you can enjoy a unique dining experience. One of the most popular themed restaurants in the city is Kawaii Monster Café.

This café is located at the heart of the pop culture area in Harajuku. It is designed with vivid and edgy interiors that is a perfect prop for your photos.

The food served here is colourful like the famous rainbow spaghetti and unicorn coloured parfait. Reservation of a table is highly recommended.

You will also get to discover Japanese snacks, delicious and original ice-cream, trendy sweets, and enjoy the craziest artsy lunch imaginable. Cook.

5. TeamLab Borderless Digital Art Museum

This is a digital art museum that gives you one of the best photo props in the City of Tokyo.

Wander through the museum and explore the massive displays that use lights and projections most creatively.

There is a bean bag next to walls with crashing waves in one of the rooms. This gives you the feeling of being on a boat in the sea.

You will also find a floating net in a spinning room and see changing lights in the Forest of lamps room.

The Athletic forest has interactive features that are perfect for young children where they can create things.

6. Harajuku

By Japanexperterna.se – Wikimedia

Take a tour of Harajuku, it is Tokyo’s youthful neighbourhood with Takeshita Street at its heart. Many young people flock in this area on the weekends.

As you wander around, you will spot the cosplay kids, independent fashion stores and enjoy crepes stuffed with cheesecake.

Close by is the sophisticated shopping street Omotesando, the Meiji Shrine in Yoyogi park together with the Ota museum.

Experience some offbeat fashion like Lolita which is a Japanese fashion that was inspired by Victorian and Rococo clothing.

7. Visit Sensoji Temple

This is a Buddhist temple in Asakusa. It is one of Tokyo’s most traditional neighbourhoods with old wooden shops amongst the concrete.

Sensoji temple is vibrant red and attracts large crowds. To escape the crowds, check out the gardens and wander off to one of the quieter shrines.

There is a fortune teller in the main square, if you are curious about your future, you could consult one and bet cleansed with incense for good luck.

This temple offers a relaxing ambience away from the city. It is located at the end of a shopping street. Right at the front of the temple is a large cauldron with burning incense.

8. Tsukiji Market

By Ajay Suresh – Wikimedia

This is the world’s largest fish market that is located in Tsukiji. The market has two sections; jogai where you will find street vendors and the Jonai area where auctions are held.

The market has street-food stalls that serve seared tuna and sandwiches in squid-ink sticky buns.

If you would like to sample some raw fish, head over to Toyosu that has several sushi bars and holds live fish sales.

This is a haven for seafood lovers that would love to enjoy some sushi aficionado. It is a great way to sample the many flavours on a small budget.

9. Drink your way around Golden Gai

If you fancy a night out while in Tokyo, then head over to Golden Gai. This area is in Shinjuku is defined by narrow streets lined with two-storeyed bars.

The bars are small and can only accommodate a few customers at a time. There are a few bars with English signs that allow foreigners.

Enjoy the unique Japanese nightlife by bar hopping in the section of town where most of the drinking holes only seat 8-12 people total.

10. Ramen Vending Machine Restaurant

By Guilhem Vellut – Wikimedia

Enjoy some delicious ramen in one of the many ramen restaurants in the city. All you have to do is order your meal from the vending machine.

Once you get your ticket, give it to the chef as you wait by the counter. There are vegan ramen restaurants too.

Another way of enjoying a meal off of a vending machine is to head over to vending machines found in the streets.

There are beverages as well as fish soup, eggs, hotdogs, hamburgers, sushi and many other foods.