I have been to Japan many times. My list of the best things to do in Tokyo combines both must-see sites and some more unusual ones. This last time, I stayed at The Celestine Ginza in the famous high-end district. Although we could walk to many places, we used the easy-to-use subway system for more far-flung destinations. Taxis make a reliable, safe, and clean option, even if they cost more.
Read more: Best Things to Do in TokyoLately I’ve taken to booking a comprehensive tour on my first day in a city to get my bearings. I then plan to visit places either not included on such a tour or that entice me back for a more in-depth look. Given what I was able to see and do, I was especially glad this time to have booked a tour via coach bus.
One-Day Tokyo Bus Tour
This comprehensive bus tour may have taken all day, but it also hit so many highlights, without my ever feeling rushed, that I would recommend this for anyone. Especially if you don’t have much time, this is the way to go. The tour started at a little after 7 am and ended at about 5:30 pm. The price even included lunch, with various dietary restrictions accommodated. Our coach bus had air-conditioning and comfortable seating, with large windows to see out.
I recommend all the stops on this tour, even if you plan your own itinerary instead of booking it. The ability to get to a wide range of high-value sights without having to figure out transportation decided it for us. If we saw everything individually, we might not have been able to fit it all in.
Tokyo Skytree
Our tour not only included seeing The Tokyo Skytree but also skip-the-line admission to the observation deck where we could see the whole city sprawled underneath us, with 360 degree views. We had plenty of time to wander around before we needed to return to the bus. We even had time to grab a Starbucks at the adjoining mall.
Meiji Jingu (Shinto Shrine)
Talk about serene! The wide, shady paths leading to the Meiji shrine felt like a refuge from the busy city we had just driven through. Our guide gave us a brief description of the Shinto religion before leading us to the shrine buildings. Don’t miss the empty sake and French wine barrels just outside the torii (gate.) The sake barrels represent gifts to the Gods made at the shrine. The French wine barrels were presented to the shrine as a gesture of friendship.
Sensoji Buddhist Temple and Pagoda
After having visited the Meiji Shrine and learning about the Shinto religion, we headed to Sensoji, a Buddhist temple, for a quick lesson in Buddhism. Unlike the Meiji shrine, Sensoji bustled with people and had none of the serenity. Still, the visit was well worth it.
We had ample time to stroll the paths, visit the main temple and outbuildings, shop at the stalls, and relax. The grounds include an impressive pagoda.
The Imperial Palace
You cannot enter the inner Imperial grounds; however, you can walk around the outside. To get views of the moat and its bridge, we crossed a park where an impressive statue of a shogun on horseback dominates. Our guide gave us a historical overview of the palace and the role of the Emperor as we walked.
Asakusa (and Lunch)
We walked through the bustling Asakusa area, where we did the “Green Tea Experience.” Our guide gave us the choice of either matcha beer or ice cream. Even though it was right before lunch, we chose the ice cream. It came topped with an adorable bear cookie.
Then it was off to a restaurant for a prepared lunch of chicken and accompaniments.
Tokyo Bay Cruise
Amazingly, we still had more to see. We went on a Tokyo Bay “cruise” that involved a boat going out on the water, turning around slowly so that we could see everything, and then returning to the dock. I found this last stop the least interesting part of the day, although with everything else we did, it rounded out the day’s activities.
Fish Market Food Tour
One of the best things to do in Tokyo — and one of the most unusual — is to book a tour of Tsukijii, the old fish market. Although the famous tuna auctions no longer occur there, Tsukijii captures the essence of a traditional Japanese fish market. We found that a tour enabled us to sample foods without being overwhelmed by the choices.
Our guide and his assistant provided excellent commentary and food selections. We had only four people on our tour, which made the whole experience more personalized. Plus, we could stay together more easily in the crowded market.
We sampled everything from dried fish to ramen to sushi to mochi.
teamLab Planets Tokyo
Probably one of the most unusual things to do in Tokyo involves a visit to teamLab Planets, a “digital art museum.” The immersive, interactive experience changes every few months, so what I encountered wouldn’t be anything like what you might. That makes the experience full of surprises. You never know how the individual rooms will be set up. Whatever the particular exhibit, you will see virtual reality images such as swimming koi or blooming flowers.
TeamLab offers some helpful, pre-visit tips. Three of the most important notes help you plan what to wear that day: you will be barefoot; you will wade up to your knees in water; and you shouldn’t wear skirts or dresses. For the last, you may encouter mirrored floors that will allow an “up-skirt” view. Free lockers are provided for shoes, purses, and other belongings. Given its popularity, reserve tickets for specific time slots well in advance.
Shopping Under Tokyo Station
For the ultimate Japanese experience, you should venture under Tokyo Station to shop and eat. From comic alley, where you can find boutiques dedicated to manga and anime characters, to the iconic Tokyo banana store, it’s tons of fun to wander around.
Afterward, stop up above the station for a Hitachino Nest Beer Lab break, where you can sip craft beer and purchase a snack to go with it.
Ueno Zoological Gardens
Whether you bring along the kids or visit as a couple as we did, a trip to the Ueno zoo offers a different kind of experience. The range of animals and the size of the zoo are impressive.
A lot of people come to see the pandas, although actually seeing them can be a challenge. They have two separate enclosures, and it’s not easy to figure out where they are at a given point. We thought that we wouldn’t be able to see them due to a long line in front of the exhibit, only to stumble upon them, with no lines, at the other side of the zoo.
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
The Japanese love their gardens and the nature they reflect. I found the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden another delightful way of escaping the noise of the city. Make sure you visit the rose garden, the greenhouse, and the Taiwan Pavilion.
The Verdict
Because of the sheer size of Tokyo, planning a visit can be daunting, especially if you have less than a week. We did a combination of booked tours and things planned on our own. The bus tour takes you to most of the iconic sites, freeing up days to explore other places. I highly recommend both the bus tour and the Tsukijii market tour since they give an excellent view of traditional and contemporary Japanese life.
Debbie Lee Wesselmann
