Tokyo is a unique city. You can go to temples, museums, and countless excellent restaurants, but you can also do things here that you can’t do anyplace else. Here are some of our favorite unusual, eccentric, and just interesting things to do in Tokyo, one of the most fascinating cities in Japan. We have sorted things to do in three different parts, food, traditional and fun.
Food Related Things to Do in Tokyo
1- Ramen Vending Machine Restaurant
You won’t be eating instant ramen, so don’t worry! In many ramen restaurants in Tokyo, you place your order, make your payment, and then come to the counter to sit down and give the chef your ticket. In Tokyo, there are countless ramen shops. A fully vegan ramen restaurant in Tokyo Station, and Ramen Ouka, serves both halal and vegan ramen, as vegetarians.
2-Sakurai Tea Cafe
Tokyo’s contemporary but immersive tea experience may be had by traveling through Omotesando to Aoyama. When you visit the tea shop owned by Shinya Sakurai, you’ll find a selection that he carefully selected from the greatest growers all across Japan. You may buy packaged teas in the front, and in the rear, you can sample several kinds or spend a lot of money on the tea tasting course. This can be the experience you’re searching for if you enjoy tea, especially the variety of Japanese tea.
3-Kaiseki Meal
A traditional Japanese multi-course tasting feast known as kaiseki uses fresh, artistically prepared items that are in season. It is a special pleasure to have one of these wonderful dinners in a seclusion tatami mat room. Since they are pricey, it is advisable to go during lunch, which is significantly less expensive than dinner. There is a list of kaiseki restaurants to try on Savor Japan. Shojin ryori, also known as fucha ryori, is the vegan Zen Buddhist version of kaiseki, so vegetarians don’t have to miss out.
4-Yokohama Brewery, Yokohama-shi
The oldest artisan brewery in Japan is located in Yokohama, 30 minutes from Tokyo. It has received several awards, including the prestigious Mayor’s Award. It was established in 1995 and specializes in a variety of beers, including flights of altbiers, weizens, pilsners, and pale ales. A restaurant that serves a variety of Asian and Western cuisines is also located inside the brewery.
Fun Things to Do in Tokyo
5-Robot Restaurant
Although there aren’t many robots at The Robot Restaurant and it’s not a restaurant, it’s still one of the strangest things to do in Tokyo. Robots, dragons, ninjas, blue-haired dancers, spooky clowns, guitarists on swings, drums, a ton of neon lights, and loud music are all part of the entertaining and completely wild presentation.
6- Ghibli Museum
The amusing Ghibli Museum is a must-see for Studio Ghibli fans. Although the majority of the displays and short animations are in Japanese, it’s still interesting to see costumes and illustrations from beloved movies like Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro. The level of detail in each and every frame of the movies is astonishing.
7- Harajuku
Tokyo’s young district, Harajuku, is centered around Takeshita Street. It’s one of Tokyo’s liveliest and most enjoyable neighborhoods. Weekends are the busiest, but it’s worth it to meander around to watch the cosplay kids, peruse the unique clothing boutiques, and dine at one of the popular creperie vendors (cheesecake crêpe, anyone?). Visit the upscale retail district Omotesando, the Meiji shrine at Yoyogi Park, and the Ota Museum nearby as well.
Traditional Things to Do in Tokyo
8-Tokyo Imperial Palace
The Imperial Palace and the location of the ancient Edo Castle are in the heart of Tokyo. The area of the estate that houses the emperor’s real dwelling and the operational management of the Imperial household is accessible during the daily tours. Even on the guided tour, you won’t catch a sight of the private structures, but you will get a behind-the-scenes look at a portion that you otherwise wouldn’t. If time is of the essence, there is still much you may see without taking the formal tour.
9-Sensoji Temple
Buddhist temple Sensoji is located in Asakusa, one of Tokyo’s oldest neighborhoods where ancient wooden stores may still be seen among the concrete. One of Tokyo’s most stunning sights, in my opinion. The brilliant red temple may get packed, but you can get away from the crowds by making your way through the grounds to a calmer shrine. Get your fortune told and surround yourself in incense for good luck at the main area. For free views of the Tokyo Skytree, the highest structure in the world, and the Nakamise retail strip, which leads to Sensoji, travel up to the 8th level of the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center, which is located across from Asakusa Station.
10-Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Although the cherry blossoms are in bloom or the leaves have turned red in the fall, you may still enjoy wandering around this lovely park in the late summer as you pass the ponds, pagodas, and teahouse. There are gardens from Japan, France, and England. Picnicking here is one of the nicest things to do in Shinjuku since it’s a beautiful haven from the bustling metropolis.
