Melo Villareal
How to Make the Most of Your Trip to Tokyo: Best Activities in Tokyo
Looking for unique activities in Tokyo, Japan, to add to your Bucket List? Tokyo may not have one of the tallest buildings in the world, but they have the fastest mode of transportation and the most vibrant, popular, and traditional culture. It is also the bustling capital of the Land of the Rising Sun, and it might be challenging to conquer the city in just one day.
Most-loved activities in Tokyo, Japan
However, if you do a few things on the list, you can make the most of your trip to Tokyo.
Visit Tokyo Disneyland
Looking for the best children’s activities in Tokyo? Visit Tokyo Disneyland! This theme park is one of the most phenomenal constructions ever made in this part of Japan. Construction began in 1979 and drew the media’s attention that they had to do full coverage of it. Tokyo Disneyland is the first Disneyland to be constructed outside of the USA.
When the 115-acre theme park opened its massive gates in 1983, the public swooned over. It is a consistently hot tourist destination in Tokyo, peaking in 2013 with more than 17 million visitors. It is not why tourists continue returning to Tokyo Disneyland, but maybe you can find out why for yourself.
Embrace the wonder and fantasy of Tokyo Disneyland or DisneySea. The vibrant atmosphere, exciting rides, and thrilling attractions will instantly engulf you with joy the second you walk through the entrance. With a Tokyo Disneyland or DisneySea day pass, you can experience one of these two theme parks in one day, offering a plethora of entertainment with an interesting Japanese twist!
Looking for hotel accommodation in Tokyo? Visit Agoda for a wide selection of hotels in Tokyo.
Experience Skyliner
Suppose you are coming from outside Japan and landing at Narita Airport. In that case, you can start your immersion immediately by riding the Skyliner (provided that you reserve a seat beforehand, since all seats are reserved). The Keisei Skyliner is one of the fastest trains in the country, traveling at 160 km/h. It can take you from the airport to the Ueno district in Tokyo in less than an hour.
Do you want to arrive in Tokyo from Narita Airport within 41 minutes? Book a Tokyo Skyliner via Klook now!
Soak in an Onsen in Hakone
Both locals and tourists are crazy about onsen or hot springs. Thankfully, even urbanized Tokyo has some good spots. They’re all bundled up in the mountainous town of Hakone, a UNESCO-declared Geopark. It is also one of the most scenic parts of Tokyo, as the towering Mt. Fuji is more visible here.
Book your Hakone Yuryo Onsen Experience
Take a tour of Mount Fuji
Fujiyama is the highest peak in Japan and one of the hottest destinations in the country and the world. In 2013, UNESCO declared it a Heritage Site since the mountain has been the most well-known symbol of Japan since time immemorial.
Many travel agencies offer day tours of the wonderfully symmetrical snow-capped volcano, such as the Mount Fuji and Hakone Day Trip, which takes visitors as far as 5th Station and gives them a view of underlying Tokyo 2,300 meters below. Another tour package is the Mount Fuji Classic Route Day, which takes guests to the 5th station.
To enjoy Mt. Fuji and other tourist spots, you can get a Mount Fuji Shizuoka Area Tourist Pass Mini via Klook.com.
Get an excursion ticket.
Many Japanese cities offer train passes to tourists, which lessen transportation costs and make boarding one train to another easier. Travelers planning to have a lot of Hakone in their itinerary will find the Hakone FreePass very handy. Other tickets like 6 Day JR East-South Hokkaido Pass (book online) has a wider scope in Japan. Having tickets like these means that you have to take the train a lot, so it is the ultimate cultural immersion of Japan.
Ride a Shinkansen
The Shinkansen, or Japanese bullet train, is Japan’s fastest transportation mode. It can travel as fast as 603 km/h, but the maximum operating speed is 320 km/h. Shinkansen routes cover all major cities in Japan, from northernmost Sapporo to Nagasaki and Kagoshima. Of course, you would not feel the speed while in the shinkansen, just as you can’t feel a plane advancing or accelerating in the air when on a seat, but the shinkansen should not be missed.
There is no easier and more convenient way to discover the Land of the Rising Sun than by riding on Japan’s brilliantly expansive rail network. For your choice of 7, 14, or 21 days, explore Japan in the most convenient and economical way with a Japan rail pass valid for most railways and local buses operated by JR.
Also Read: How to Get a JR Pass in the Philippines? Here’s What You Need To Know
Shop at Harujuku
Harajuku, an iconic district in Tokyo, is a vibrant hub of youth culture and fashion, making it an exceptional shopping destination. It’s the epicenter of Japan’s most extreme teenage cultures and fashion styles, offering a unique blend of shopping experiences catering to adults and teenagers.
From luxury brands to international and local fashion stores, the area is a kaleidoscope of trendy boutiques and historical sites. Harajuku is particularly famous for its bold street fashion and outlandish food trends, providing a shopping experience that’s as much about self-expression as it is about retail therapy.
Whether you’re looking for the latest in gothic, Lolita, kawaii, or cosplay culture or simply want to soak in the eclectic atmosphere, Harajuku is a must-visit for anyone interested in the forefront of fashion and culture in Tokyo (The Travel).
Visit the Robot Restaurant
You will never see as many neon lights in one room as in Robot Restaurant (book online). The place opened in 2012 and has become viral with the fresh concept of having robots (which resemble Gundam, if I may add) lined with neon lights, attracting hundreds of people daily. Even comfort rooms are designed to look bright and neon. Although called a restaurant, it has only three dishes to choose from, and many prefer to eat somewhere else than chow down while being surrounded by dancing robots. Visiting this restaurant is perfect before you do your night activities in Tokyo.
Watch the sunset from Tokyo Skytree.
Aside from Fujiyama, the Tokyo Skytree, standing tall at 634 meters, also pierces Tokyo’s horizon when seen from afar. Guests can visit the second observatory deck (450 meters) and the first observatory deck (350 meters), where the Skytree Restaurant and Skytree Restaurant are located. Needless to say, it’s the best place to catch the sunset.
Book your Tokyo Skytree Ticket
Buy from the Tsukiji Fish Market
Do not miss the largest seafood market in the world. It is known for its tuna “auctions,” where gigantic tunas are sold. Tuna is one of the most used ingredients in Japanese cuisine. The inner market has the wholesale seafood section, while the outer market has different kinds of stalls that sell groceries, kitchen equipment, and even sushi.
Experience Tsukiji Fish Market and Join Sushi Workshop! Book your Tour Online via Klook!
Tokyo Helicopter Cruise
Looking for the most romantic, unique, and exhilarating experience in Tokyo? How about a helicopter flight over the city! Take someone special on this extraordinary experience 600 meters above one of the world’s largest metropolises. Gaze down at the famous sights of Daiba, Tokyo Tower, Shibuya, Roppongi, Tokyo Skytree®, and other famous Tokyo landmarks on this 15-minute journey.
teamLab Planets Toyosu Tokyo
Go on an exciting, immersive art adventure during your trip to Tokyo as you explore teamLab Planets Toyosu Tokyo. Enjoy 7 artwork and discover the true meaning of teamLab’s concept of “Body Immersive”. Step into the art world with the exhibit’s collection of installations allowing visitors to be part of the pieces. Enter and explore the museum barefoot and become immersed in the fascinating art of the vast installation spaces.
Book a teamLab Planets Toyosu Admission Ticket
Tokyo Travel Tips
- Get Narita Airport Transfers (NRT) for Tokyo (book online). Suppose you do not feel up for trying out the Skyliner or Shinkansen after hours of exhausting traveling. In that case, you can always opt for a Narita Airport Transfer (NRT) for Tokyo, which would take you from the airport to Tokyo one way. This also works best for groups as they offer 10-seater cars.
- Convenience stores are your arsenal. Japanese convenience stores are complete with everything, including ATMs. They also have cheap and healthy meals like hot coffee and sweet melon buns.
- Get a 4G WiFi in Japan (book online). This applies to any country. The Internet is the ultimate source of information, after all.
- Get used to paying in cash. Vendos, Hole in the Wall restaurants, and some establishments do not accept credit cards.
- There are very few trash cans. Tokyo and Japan as a whole have a strict waste segregation policy, so very few public trash cans may be used. You can bring a small plastic bag with you to collect your own garbage and then dispose of it at the end of the day at your hotel.
Do you have other recommended tourist activities in Tokyo? Let us know by posting a comment below.
Also See:
- How to get a Japan Visa: Requirements and Tips for Philippine Passport Holders
- Osaka Travel Guide: Itinerary, Things to do + How to get There and more
- Top Best Places to Visit in Japan
- Top 20 Best HAKONE TOURIST SPOTS + Things to Do & Places to Visit
- The Fastest and Cheapest Ways To Travel from Tokyo to Kyoto, Japan
- Top 35 Best TOKYO TOURIST SPOTS + Things to Do & Places to Visit
- Summer in Japan: Where to Go, What to Do and What to Buy
- 7 Reasons Why Japan Should be on Your Wander-List
