101 Things to DO in TOKYO | Japan Guide to Secret Hidden Places

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Shibuya is a bustling, 24-hour neighborhood on the west side of Tokyo, known for its young crowds, numerous shops, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. It's also close to trendy areas like Harajuku, Nakameguro, and Daikanyama.

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Shibuya is a bustling, 24-hour neighborhood on the west side of Tokyo, known for its young crowds, numerous shops, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. It's also close to trendy areas like Harajuku, Nakameguro, and Daikanyama.

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The iconic Shibuya Scramble Crossing sees up to 3,000 people cross at one time. For the best free overhead views, head to Starbucks at MAGNET by Shibuya 109 or Shibuya Mark City.

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Shibuya 109 is the capital of Shibuya's 'gyaru' fashion culture. Even if you're not into gyaru fashion, it's an experience to witness the crazy vibe inside.

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Don Quijote is a giant discount chain store found near most stations across Tokyo. It's a great place to buy drugstore items, snacks, and inexpensive souvenirs for friends and family.

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This spot serves fluffy Japanese pancakes that are light and delicious. It can be hard to get a seat, but it's worth the try for these Instagram-famous treats.

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Nakameguro is Instagram-famous for its cherry blossom tunnels over the Meguro River and is a popular, trendy spot for locals. You'll find cool bars, restaurants, chic accessory shops, and high-end vintage stores. You can walk along the river or explore the side streets.

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Omotesando is a great spot for high-brand shopping, within walking distance of Harajuku. It features wide-open streets and sidewalks, though it can get very crowded on weekends.

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Yoyogi Park is the biggest park in Shibuya/Harajuku and a go-to spot for the creator. It's free to enter and often hosts festivals with different themes, usually featuring food stalls and vendors. The creator suggests picking up food and enjoying it in the larger park areas.

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Meiji Jingu is a Shinto shrine just a step away from Harajuku Station. Its spiritual forest leads to the main shrine, offering a peaceful escape from everyday stresses.

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Shinjuku is home to the world's busiest station, filled with office workers and international travelers. Known for its red-light district, it's also a major hub for shopping and dining. The west side features skyscrapers, while the east side is for shopping and entertainment. It's recommended as a base for accessing anywhere in Tokyo.

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Shinjuku Gyoen feels like New York's Central Park but costs about $2 to enter, reflecting its past as an Imperial Garden. It offers a more proper atmosphere than other Tokyo parks, with breathtaking views of skyscrapers from its beautiful gardens. A highlight is the tea ceremony experience in the Japanese garden area, and you also have access to botanical gardens.

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Omoide Yokocho, also known as 'Piss Alley,' is a cool spot for bar hopping, with about 80 bars crammed into its alleyways. You can find everything from yakitori to soba. Most shops fit only 5-6 people, offering a great opportunity to make local friends.

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Kabukicho is Shinjuku's red-light district, located north of the East Exit of Shinjuku Station. With neon lights, hostess bars, and love hotels, it's a part of the city that never sleeps. It's a fun place to check out, but be cautious when entering clubs.

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The Japanese-born monster Godzilla can be found on top of Hotel Gracery in the Kabukicho area. You can watch a small show from the street or get a closer look from the hotel's rooftop. To access the rooftop, you'll need to use the cafe.

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Golden Gai is another bar hopping spot in the Kabukicho area, behind Hanazono Shrine. About 200 bars are squeezed into this mysterious, retro alley, each fitting only 6-10 people. The etiquette is not to stay too long. Many bars have cover charges, so ask at the entrance.

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For a decent and free city view in Shinjuku, visit the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. It's a bit of a walk from Shinjuku Station but offers views from 202 meters high. Both daytime and gorgeous nighttime views with city lights are recommended.

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Kagurazaka has been slowly becoming a stylish and trendy neighborhood over the past few years, despite being one of Tokyo's oldest cities. It used to be a Geisha district, with remnants visible in its unique limestone pavement and quiet alleyways. It's also a great spot for street food.

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Kagurazaka has been slowly becoming a stylish and trendy neighborhood over the past few years, despite being one of Tokyo's oldest cities. It used to be a Geisha district, with remnants visible in its unique limestone pavement and quiet alleyways. It's also a great spot for street food.

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Hie Shrine boasts one of Tokyo's most beautiful and photogenic shrine gates, hidden between Akasaka and Tameike-Sanno stations. Many travelers overlook it for more well-known shrines, but the creator finds it much more photo-worthy.

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Ikebukuro is one of the busiest districts on the northwest side of the Yamanote line, offering numerous entertainment, shopping, and dining options. It's connected to the station by two huge department stores, Tobu and Seibu, both providing a luxury shopping experience. Ikebukuro is also known for awesome ramen shops and is considered a second capital for anime fans.

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Sunshine City is the biggest entertainment landmark in Ikebukuro. It's a shopping mall but also houses J-World, a Pokemon Center, a planetarium, and an aquarium.

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Senso-ji is Tokyo's oldest temple, situated at the center of Asakusa. It's surrounded by multiple small shrines and temples that are also worth checking out.

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Sumida Park is a long park running along the Sumida River, known as another great spot for cherry blossom viewing.

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Hoppy Street in Asakusa is the place to get your drink on. Hoppy is a beer-flavored drink (a mix of soju and beer-flavored soda) created post-WWII to skirt beer taxes. It became the drink of choice for shitamachi (old downtown) areas. To be super local, enjoy cheap hoppy beer and food from the stalls, especially during daytime drinking on weekends.

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Just one station from Asakusa, Tokyo Skytree is Japan's largest tower. Beyond being an observatory, its base features a complete shopping mall, planetarium, aquarium, restaurants, and a VR park. The creator prefers it over Tokyo Tower for being newer and offering more.

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Ueno Park covers the entire west side of Ueno Station and is massive, containing seven museums, a huge pond, and several temples and shrines. It also hosts a cherry blossom festival with many food stands.

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Ginza is known for upmarket shopping and dining, often compared to New York's Fifth Avenue with a Japanese twist. Many flagship stores of high fashion brands line the main street, with others scattered throughout. Ginza boomed in the 18th century, so you'll find a mix of retro restaurants and cafes with history, blending old and new Tokyo.

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UNIQLO, Japan's biggest fashion brand, has its flagship store in Ginza, which the creator considers worth visiting. The mannequin displays are well thought out, and the 12-floor store is incredibly organized and well-laid out despite the vast number of products. If you can't find something at other UNIQLO stores, this one likely has it.

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Tsukiji Fish Market has two parts: the inner market, where sushi chefs and Michelin restaurants auction for the day's catch, and the outer market, open to everyone for delicious market food. If you're an early bird, check out the morning tuna auction; otherwise, there's still plenty to see and eat during the day.

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Akihabara is an otaku paradise, where you'll be bombarded with anime in every direction. The area is packed with specialty comic stores, video games, card games, electronics, cosplay, and figurines. Be aware that adult comics and goods are also found here.

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Odaiba, situated next to Tokyo Bay, is home to multiple giant shopping centers like DiverCity, Aqua City, and Palette Town. It's less busy than other parts of Tokyo, making it recommended for families. It's a huge area, but free shuttles circulate through major shopping centers and destinations. The monorail also offers great sights.

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Odaiba, situated next to Tokyo Bay, is home to multiple giant shopping centers like DiverCity, Aqua City, and Palette Town. It's less busy than other parts of Tokyo, making it recommended for families. It's a huge area, but free shuttles circulate through major shopping centers and destinations. The monorail also offers great sights.

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Kichijoji is ranked as one of the most desirable places to live in Tokyo, partly due to its vast restaurant options, shopping streets, and the beautiful Inokashira Park. It reminds the creator of a 'second Shibuya' but feels more down-to-earth. He loves the street food here, and a main highlight is Harmonica Yokocho, a bar alley.

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Known in Japanese as Tatemonen, the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum exhibits a range of historic buildings, from ordinary middle-class houses to a former Prime Minister's home. It's one of the creator's favorite spots for hidden Tokyo photo opportunities.

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Just a 10-minute walk from Tokyo Station, you can visit the Imperial Palace, where Japan's royal family lives. The property is massive and located at the former Edo Castle. You can book a tour on the website to access private areas, while some gardens are open to the public year-round.