Best Things to Do in Tokyo for First-Time Visitors | Your Quick Guide

Without going to Tokyo, it is hard to comprehend the scale of this city. It is truly vast and comprises of multiple miniature metropolises. When we first arrived, we genuinely wondered what were the best things to do in Tokyo. Being first time-visitors we wanted to take in as much as we could, but quickly realised that seeing it all in 4 days was impossible.

If you are heading to Tokyo for the first time soon and are feeling a similar sense of overwhelm, this post is for you. I’ll walk you through everything I wish I had known before visiting, as well as what to prepare for beforehand.

Without further ado, this is my quick guide on the best things to do in Tokyo, written especially for first-time travellers here.

Best Things to Do in Tokyo for First-Time Visitors | Your Quick Guide

Arrival Into Tokyo

Let’s start off with your arrival in Tokyo before we even get to the top things to do. Tokyo Heneda Airport is just as crazy as the rest of the city. In fact, this was the first true culture-shock we had in Japan. Some good things to know before you arrive are:

• Make sure that you have your eSIM ready to go. We used SIM Local for our trip and we genuinely couldn’t have done it without this. Navigating the Metro in Tokyo is really challenging, but mobile data made is super straightforward and easy. If you follow the link above, it will take you through to my discount code. Metro and Monorail stations are at Heneda and take you directly to the centre of Tokyo.
• You don’t need a visa to get into Japan, but you do need to fill in a customs form. Make sure that you have this completed before arrival as it will speed up customs. It was quite slow even after filling this in, so the last thing you want is to delay this further.
• Bringing fruit or vegetables into Japan is illegal. There are sniffer-dogs which are regularly on patrol, so don’t risk it.

Best Things to do in Tokyo

Explore Shibuya & Shibuya Sky

Nothing quite represents the craziness of Tokyo than Shibuya Crossing, the busiest crossing in the world. Walking across it – perhaps even multiple times – is a rite of passage for any new traveller to Tokyo. You’ll see plenty of influencers lining up, ready to run into the crossing to take that perfect picture. It’s all a bit of fun and worth doing.

Shibuya as an area is also ideal for shopping. You could spend hours here exploring the shops and not get bored. You can find the Nintendo Store, Pokémon Center and so much more here (though, much of it can be found in various department stores / larger buildings).

My favourite thing that we did in Shibuya was going up to Shibuya Sky. These tickets sell out fast and are released two weeks before the day at midnight (Japan time). When I say fast, you will need to buy tickets in the first 15 minutes usually to secure a sunset spot. We were lucky enough to do this and absolutely loved the experience. On clear days, you can even spot Mt. Fuji.

TeamLab

We sadly caught the flu when we visited Tokyo. This meant that for one full day we were completely wiped-out and didn’t feel like doing anything. However, in the evening we felt well-enough to visit TeamLab Borderless, something which we had booked weeks before.

Both of us completely loved the experience and were so happy we forced ourselves out of bed to go and see it. It was easily one of the best things that we did in Tokyo and we could have spent hours exploring all of the secret tunnels and passageways.

You also have TeamLab Planets which we haven’t visited yet, but is something we want to return for. The main difference is the style of art and immersion. For Planets you actually have to walk through knee-high water, so consider that as part of your decision.

Senso-ji Temple

You can’t visit Tokyo without visiting shrines. These are some of the most beautiful parts of the city and I loved exploring these.

The oldest and most famous temple in Tokyo is Senso-ji, found in Asakusa. Before arriving at the shrine, you need to walk along Nakamise Street, which has all the souvenir shops you could ever want. You will also see the Thunder Gate too at the very start. When you get to the main shrine, you can have your fortune told by paying ¥100. Simply pay, shake the box containing bamboo sticks (Mikuji-bo), and then take a random stick from the box which will have a number. This corresponds to a numbered drawer which will have your fortune.

Tip: Arrive as early as possible – Senso-ji opens at 06:00am during the spring / summer and 06:30am during the autumn / winter. It goes without saying that the shrine gets incredibly busy and you don’t want all the crowds ruining the zen atmosphere.

Tip: If you have spare time, you could also consider a visit to the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center. There is a free observation deck on the eighth floor with fantastic views.

Wander Through Harajuku and Takeshita Street

When we first went to Tokyo, we knew that Harajuku was a must-see in Japan. It is famous for being the playful, creative side of the city, known for bold fashion and colourful boutiques. It is a complete contrast to the shrines of Senso-ji and alike.

The main thing to see in Harajuku is Takeshita Street, where you’ll find all of the reasons why Harajuku is such an iconic neighbourhood in Tokyo. You have the famous crepe stands, vendors selling novelty snacks, and even cafés which feature animals such as otters, micro pigs and capybaras. It is fun and fast-paced and, even if you’re not interested in any of the above, it is well worth seeing. Whilst not entirely our vibe, it was absolutely one of the most memorable places we visited in Tokyo.

Tip: Whilst I enjoyed the Harajuku area, my favourite place nearby was the Meiji Shrine. It is a complete contrast and is incredibly quiet, peaceful and leafy. Plus, you have arguably the best collection of Sake barrels to take a photo with anywhere.

Experience Tokyo’s Food Scene

When we first arrived in Tokyo we had one thing one our minds; try as much food as possible. Food in this city is legendary, whether you’re going full-luxury and trying the best wagyu money can buy, or simply popping by your local 7-Eleven for a viral egg salad sandwich.

Here are my must-try experiences when in Tokyo. I’ve limited myself to a top 5 as there were just so many different places to try. However, if you’re here in Tokyo for the first time, this is what I’d do.

Best Food Recommendations

• Of course, Japan is most famous for its ramen. You’ll find that there are lots of restaurants which sell this across the city and it can be challenging to find a good one. Many of the best ramen places are those which are quieter and family-run, and you’ll find these just by wondering about. If all else fails, Ichiran is the fast-food version, but still does it very well.
• During our last few nights we stayed in Shinjuku. In hindsight, this probably wasn’t the best idea as we aren’t about nightlife, and it is very difficult to get to Heneda airport from it. However, nearby is the Golden Gai area which is a more traditional part of Shinjuku. The Izakaya – or small bars / eateries – here are fantastic and made for a really enjoyable experience.
• On our first night, we were absolutely exhausted after over 30 hours on the move. We decided to go to 7-Eleven to try some of the viral food. To be honest, it really delivered and cost a fraction of the price it would do in the UK. The egg salad sandwich is viral for a reason, but the real star was the Crème Brûlée ice cream.

Top tip: Don’t be put off by small, no-frills restaurants or places with queues. If you see a queue in Tokyo, it means that it is good. In fact, the culture of queuing in Japan comes from a deep respect for the owner; showing that you will spend time waiting to try their food.

Visit the Tokyo Tower or Tokyo Skytree

The Tokyo Tower and the Skytree are two places for an incredible view of Tokyo. The tower is older and now sadly does not have the height to get the best view over the city, although climbing up it and seeing the Shiba area is worth doing. The Skytree though does have the height advantage and you get an awesome view from the top.

Coming back to the Tokyo Tower, we actually really enjoyed walking around Shiba Park. It includes the Shiba-Toshogu Shrine, which was really beautiful. We also saw an authentic Shinto ritual take place in the early evening. If you wait until after sunset, you’ll see Tokyo Tower light up, which is really pretty and worth-seeing.

Top Tip: I’ve said that the Tokyo Tower is pretty at night, but the Skytree is too. It looks incredibly futuristic and really represents the vibe of the city.

Shinjuku

I’ve mentioned the Golden Gai up above. Whilst this is a quaint, relaxed neighbourhood representing the old Tokyo, Shinjuku is a complete contrast. It shows the futuristic nature of Tokyo and the new, carefree attitude of the younger Japanese population. It is famous for neon lights and nightlife, as well as being incredibly commercialised and touristy.

Like I said, we stayed here for a few nights and it wasn’t really our thing. We did have a cool hotel room which was right behind the Godzilla head, but the novelty wore off quite quickly. However, I would say that seeing the neon lights at night here were everything I thought of when I imagined Tokyo. It is still very atmospheric and walking around here has to be one of the best things to do in Tokyo for first time visitors.

Tip: If you want to escape the hustle and bustle, check out the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. Whilst not open all day, it is a really peaceful escape and a perfect place to sit down and enjoy a coffee.

Ueno Park and Museums

Ueno Park is the place to go if you are hunting cherry blossom in the spring. In fact, we even saw some during October when we visited this park!

I would say that this is perfect for a leisurely walk and is a quieter contrast to the rest of the city. We enjoyed stopping here with a drink and an ice cream from a local vendor before we hit the busier parts of the city.

If you are into museums, Ueno Park is also for you. The Tokyo National Museum can be found here, as can the National Museum of Nature and Science. If you want to add a bit of extra culture into your trip then give these a go.

Shop and Stroll in Ginza

On our first day we were really tired and wanted to do something leisurely. As we were staying at the Shiba Park Hotel, we thought that we would walk up to Ginza and undertake some retail therapy.

This area is the high-end shopping district and has some of the best shops and restaurants in the city. Even if you don’t buy anything (like us!), window shopping here is a lot of fun, as is seeing all of the mega stores around.

Tip: If you want to rejoin the foodie scene, check out Tsukiji Outser Market. Whilst very touristy, there is some great street food here to try.

Akihabara Electric Town

If you want to see the quirky and fun side of Tokyo, check out Akihabara. It is a place where anime, manga and video games are all celebrated, and there are entire shops dedicated to collectables and arcades. In fact, you can’t really leave this area without winning at least one plushie toy from the machines!

Another fun thing to do here is to try out the gacha machines. This is actually a part of Japanese culture and involves putting money into the machine (¥100), turning the knob, and receiving a random toy. You can get them in all sorts of themes, ranging from completely abstract to fan-favourite franchises such as Pokémon or Star Wars.

Similarly to Shinjuku, Akihabara is not for everyone, but it is a lot of fun and shows a new side of Japan.

Gōtokuji Temple

If you’ve ever wondered where the lucky / beckoning – Maneki-Neko – cat comes from, it is from the Gōtokuji Temple in Tokyo. This entire temple is dedicated to cats and attracts cat lovers from all over the world.

As you explore the grounds, you’ll see thousands of these Maneki-Neko cats dotted around. Visitors actually bring polaroids of their own cat and leave them amongst the statues. At the end, you can also buy your own figurine (in many different sizes) to take home with you.

FAQs and Further Tips

Best Time to Visit Tokyo for First-Time Visitors

I have been asked this question so many times that I thought I’d answer it here. In short, I really liked the autumn. You still get to experience the beautiful side of Japanese nature through autumnal leaves, plus the temperature is usually perfect. The crowds are also smaller than they would be in the spring, but it is still very busy.

When we return, I’d like to go in the spring to see the cherry blossom. However, it is very unpredictable and I know that it will be much busier and more expensive.

How Many Days Do You Need in Tokyo?

For first-time visitors, I’d say 4-5 days is perfect. This will give you enough time to see the main attractions, but also some downtime – it is really needed.

Is Tokyo Expensive for Tourists?

We had heard for years that Tokyo rivals London in terms of prices. This actually couldn’t be further from the truth and we found that it was surprisingly cheap. In fact, we spent less than what we had budgeted during our time in Japan.

If you are buying lots of souvenirs and doing group tours, expect it to be somewhat expensive. However, if you are doing it completely by yourself then it won’t be at all.

Did you Find Navigation Difficult?

At first, yes. The signs in the Metro and around Tokyo are not tourist-friendly. However, with our eSIM we were able to do this easily and without any major hassle. As I’ve said in all my posts about Japan, make sure that you buy an eSIM.

Final Thoughts | Best Things to Do in Tokyo for First-Time Visitors

Tokyo has so much to see and this list only includes the absolute must-dos when spending 4 nights in Tokyo. We loved our time here and can’t wait to return to tick more off of our list. If you enjoyed this post and found it helpful, check out my guide on Travelling by Train in Japan | Your Quick Guide. It will help you plan the rest of your adventure in this incredible country.