Book these first: they sell out
teamLab Planets is sold online only, with timed entry, and there are no door tickets. The Ghibli Museum is reservation-only and one of the hardest tickets in the city. Shibuya Sky sunset slots go weeks ahead. Lock these in before you book anything flexible.
What Are You In the Mood For?
Shibuya Crossing & Shibuya Sky
Watch the scramble from street level for free, then go up to the rooftop deck for the version with the skyline attached. Sunset is the prize.
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
A free observation deck in Shinjuku with wide city views, and Mt Fuji on a clear day. The cheapest great view in Tokyo.
Tokyo Tower
The red lattice icon, with a Main Deck that is roomy, quick and far less crowded than the newer towers. Pretty at night.
Tokyo Skytree
The Tembo Deck sits at 350 m, with the Tembo Galleria at 450 m for an upgrade. The Sumida side is a good pairing with Asakusa.
teamLab Planets
Walk barefoot through water, mirrors and projected gardens in Toyosu. Entry is timed, tickets are online only, and you may wait 30 to 60 minutes after your slot opens.
teamLab Borderless
Over 75 works flowing across rooms with no fixed route, in Azabudai Hills. A different mood from Planets: choose one, or do both if you love the format.
Ghibli Museum, Mitaka
Whimsical, hand-made and charming, with tiny rooms and original animation. Tickets are time-slotted and the museum asks for ID at entry. Resold tickets are not valid.
Senso-ji & Nakamise
Tokyo's oldest temple and the shopping street leading to it. Go at dawn or after dark when the tour groups are elsewhere and the lanterns are lit.
Meiji Jingu
A forest shrine beside Harajuku, with a long gravel approach under towering torii gates. Surprisingly peaceful for a city of this size.
Yanaka
Low-rise streets, temples, cemetery paths and an old-fashioned shopping lane, a short walk from Ueno. Much of the area has the feel of an older Tokyo.
Tsukiji Outer Market
Grilled seafood, sweet tamagoyaki omelette and tiny counters. Go before 11 am for the full experience, and note that many stalls close on Sundays and some other days.
Depachika (Department Store Basements)
Isetan in Shinjuku and Mitsukoshi in Ginza have food halls that rival museums. Prepared food is often marked down in the evening, which makes for a cheap, excellent dinner.
Shinjuku Gyoen
A huge park with Japanese, English and French garden styles. A top spot for cherry blossom in spring and autumn colour in late November. Closed Mondays.
Akihabara & Nakano Broadway
Arcades, retro game stores, figure shops and manga towers. Since 1 November 2026, tax-free shopping means paying the full price and claiming the refund at departure.
Karaoke & Izakaya Hopping
Private karaoke rooms are charged per person per slot, with optional drink plans. Pair it with a few small izakaya and you have the proper Tokyo evening.
When Tokyo Looks Its Best
🌸 Cherry blossom
Typically late March to early April. The most beautiful and most expensive weeks of the year.
🍁 Autumn leaves
Colour typically peaks from late November into early December. Many parks and gardens put on evening illuminations.
🎆 Summer festivals
Fireworks and matsuri bring street life in July and August, though it is hot and humid.
❄️ Winter clarity
Dry, cold, sunny days give the best chance of seeing Mt Fuji from the city.