Things to Do in Tokyo
Prices, opening hours, best times to visit and the stuff nobody tells you, everything you need for a first trip to Tokyo, Japan, plus one pigeon's opinions on all of it.
Right, Tokyo. Busiest crossing in the world ahead, look both ways, all ways, a capital that only took on that title in 1868 after centuries under a different name, home to the tallest structure in the country, and a pedestrian crossing where hundreds cross simultaneously from every direction several times a minute. This is the proper, no-nonsense guide to things to do in Tokyo: what things actually cost, when to go, what to skip, and which bits are worth the crowd. Three main stops below, plus a quiz elsewhere on this site to see if you were paying attention.
Shibuya Crossing
A famous Tokyo pedestrian crossing sees hundreds cross simultaneously from every direction, mesmerising chaos, several times a minute, one of the busiest, most photographed intersections in the world, worth watching from street level and, for a proper overview, from one of the surrounding building's elevated viewing windows.
Cross it yourself at least once regardless of your actual destination, this is one of the defining experiences of visiting Tokyo, time it for evening when the surrounding neon signage adds real visual intensity to the whole scene.
Best time Evening for the illuminated surrounding signage
Address Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo
Tokyo's Edo-Era Origins
Tokyo was formerly known as Edo before becoming Japan's capital in 1868, Kyoto was the imperial capital for over a thousand years before that. Edo grew into one of the largest cities in the world under the Tokugawa shogunate before formally becoming the imperial capital and taking on its current name, and much of Tokyo's modern identity traces back to this Edo-era foundation.
The Edo-Tokyo Museum covers this transformation in depth, though note current renovation status may affect access, worth checking before planning a visit, and several older districts like Yanaka retain a real sense of this older, pre-modern Tokyo character.
Address Yanaka district, Tokyo
Tokyo Skytree
A towering Tokyo landmark, the tallest structure in Japan, used for broadcasting and observation, is Tokyo Skytree, the older, shorter, red-and-white Tokyo Tower is a different structure entirely, Tokyo Skytree, considerably taller, offers properly sweeping views over the whole city and, on clear days, out toward Mount Fuji in the distance.
It's worth booking timed entry ahead, particularly for the higher observation deck, this sells out during peak season, and evening visits offer illuminated night views, a nice alternative to a daytime trip up.
Hours Daily, roughly 10am–9pm
Address Tokyo Skytree, Tokyo
Best time to visit Tokyo
March through May and September through November give the most comfortable weather for the amount of walking this list involves, mild without summer's heat and humidity. For the full month-by-month breakdown, see our Best Time to Visit Tokyo guide.
Tokyo's museums, crossings, and towers work well year-round, worth visiting even outside the shoulder seasons if the weather isn't your priority.
Getting around Tokyo
Tokyo's subway and rail network is extensive and one of the most efficient in the world, and it's the practical way to move between distant districts. If you're mapping out exactly how to spend your time, our 24 Hours in Tokyo and 2 Day Tokyo Itinerary guides lay out an hour-by-hour and day-by-day plan.
Keeping an eye on costs? Tokyo on a Budget covers what's free and where the tourist markup actually is. Travelling as a couple? Tokyo for Couples covers Tokyo Tower after dark and Shinjuku Gyoen. And once your dates are set, Where to Stay & Eat in Tokyo breaks down the neighbourhoods.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Tokyo worth visiting?
- Yes, unquestionably, few cities anywhere combine this much history, scale, and energy, Shibuya Crossing, the Edo-era foundations, and Tokyo Skytree together represent some of the best of modern and historic Japan.
- How many days do you need in Tokyo?
- Five days covers Shibuya, Yanaka, and Tokyo Skytree comfortably, Tokyo rewards more time if you have it.
- Is Tokyo expensive?
- Moderate, generally comparable to other major world capitals, though a wide range of affordable options exist for food and local transport.
- What is Tokyo famous for?
- Shibuya Crossing, one of the busiest pedestrian crossings in the world, its origins as Edo before becoming Japan's capital in 1868, and Tokyo Skytree, the tallest structure in the country.
That's everything I've got.
A note before you plan around this: prices, opening hours, booking requirements and admission details in this guide were correct at the time of writing, but venues change these often and sometimes without notice. Always check directly with the attraction or its official website before you travel or build a schedule around a specific time or price.
Before travelling to any destination featured on this site, please also check your government's latest travel advice, as safety situations, entry requirements and travel warnings can change.
