The best things to do in Tokyo, Japan

Sumo wrestling at Ryogoku Kokugikan

The national sport of Japan is sumo wrestling and it’s a major attraction in Tokyo. This 1500 year old sport is soaked in Japanese traditions and the wrestlers are admired as national heroes. The aim of the wrestler is to either push the other wrestler out of the ring or ensure that he touches the ground with any body part besides his feet. The sumo wrestlers tend to get huge as there is an obvious benefit to throwing your weight into the fight. And the entire lives of the wrestlers are in service of the sport, from how they look to what they eat for dinner.

When you’re Tokyo you have the unique opportunity to visit a Sumo wrestling tournament and enjoy the ceremonies surrounding the event. Ryogoku Kokugikan is the main Sumo arena in Tokyo where you will find the traditionally Japanese wrestlers facing off in a grand contest. Visiting one of these Sumo matches in Tokyo is a fun highlight for any vacation.

Tokyo Disneyland

The most popular Disney theme parks on the planet can be found in the very heart of Tokyo, Japan. Disneyland is known for it’s family friendly attractions, the rich music and dance shows and of course its stellar cast of cartoon characters and classic fairytales. Partially due to it’s great location, this park is actually a popular destination for almost all Japanese locals who are looking for things to do in Tokyo and desire a day filled with surprises and entertainment. Tokyo Disneyland can be found in Tokyo Bay, which is easy to reach by public transportation from pretty much anywhere in Tokyo as the Maihama Station is right in front of the door.

Tokyo Disneyland is divided into seven themed lands. Each land has it’s own setting, attractions and restaurants. In the World Bazaar you will find a penny arcade. In Adventure Land you will find child friendly attractions like the atmospheric Pirates of the Caribbean ride. In Westland you will find cowboy American themed attractions, such as Big Thunder Mountain roller coaster, a shooting gallery and you can take the Mark Twain riverboat around the park. But it’s also possible to canoe around from Critter County. In Fantasyland you will find attractions based on some of the most popular Disney characters, such as Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella, Pinocchio and Peter Pan and a 3D movie at Mickey’s PhilharMagic. In Toontown will find many attractions for smaller children, such as a slower roller coaster, the house of minnie mouse and spinning cars set in the world of Roger Rabbit. Tomorrowland is the final land with the most well known attraction, the space mountain, and several interactive attractions.

It’s a good idea to prepare your journey well by buying the tickets to Tokyo Disneyland online. Single and multiple day passes for the park are available online. But it’s also possible to combine a visit to the park with a stay at one of the Disney hotels.

Samurai experience

The honorable travelers among us who want to learn more of the ways of the samurai can opt in for a true samurai experience. The history of Japan is closely tied with the history of the samurai, so it comes as no surprise that many travelers want to know more about this caste.

In Tokyo you will find several ways to get to samurai experience. There are several workshops available in Tokyo where you will be introduced to traditional Japanese swordsmanship. Another memorable thing to do in Tokyo is to get into a photoshoot with traditional samurai armor on, so you have something to reflect back on even years after your journey.

Kabuki theater

The Japanese have their own traditional style of theatrically performing dramas called Kabuki, which comes from the Japanese word for bizarre due to the expressive nature of the plays. The elaborate plays often portray or parody historical and everyday events which may lead to moral conflicts. It is also common that the most memorable scenes of grander stories are played out. The dynamic stages of Kabuki theaters also allow for sudden surprises and reveals popular in Japanese dramas.

Kabuki actors are easily recognizable by their white makeup, uniquely painted faces, elaborate wigs and the typical Japanese outfits that are worn. During the performance you will also see the actors dramatizing poses and facial expressions meant to portray the nature of the characters. Amusingly all characters in the plays, even the female characters, are traditionally portrayed by male performers.

The visually stunning plays are also accompanied by traditional Japanese instruments, such as the clapping instrument Hyoshigi, ambiantic noh and takebue flute, the three stringed Shamisen, the ko-tsuzumi hand drums and the threatening Taiko (or more specifically o-daiko) drums. They are played live both onstage and offstage setting the mood for the moment.

There are multiple theaters in Tokyo where you can find Kabuki plays. The primary theater of Tokyo is the Kabuki-za Theater. It’s also a good pick for travelers as the theater allows you to rent a headset for the English language version of the portrayed story.

When you are wondering what to do in Tokyo then you should definitely entertain the thought of visiting a Kabuki theater. The Kabuki theaters are one of the most immersive tourist attractions in Tokyo as all elements of authentic Japanese culture come together in a grand display for you to enjoy, from exotic songs and dance to beautiful outfits.

Arcade gaming in Akihabara

In Japan arcade gaming is still as popular as ever. And the arcades are bigger than anything you’ve seen before. The Akihabara district in Tokyo is known for it’s many arcades.

As you arrive at Akihabara Station and enter the streets on the west side towards electric town you will come across several multi storey arcades. With a huge seven floor Sega arcade being the first to welcome you. And next to it you will find the professional arcade Hirose Entertainment Yard (HEY). You are now in the main street, Chuo Dori, of the otaku heaven called Akihabara which is dedicated to gaming and anime. As you look through the streets you can’t help but notice that the Japanese have embraced geek culture in all its facets and it’s marvelous.

Both singleplayer and multiplayer games are well represented in the Tokyo arcades. While we were there we have seen large halls filled with mech simulators, shooting games, retro games, racing simulators, bullet hell games, punching games, claw machines, musical drum games, guitar games and everything else you can imagine. Many arcades like Taito station welcome people until midnight and you will find people playing there all evening.

Visiting the arcades in Akihabara is one of the best things to do in Tokyo as the variety of games provide endless hours of fun, especially when you play the multiplayer games with a partner or with your kids. And after you are done you can enjoy the rest of the day in the street with anime stores, cosplay cafes and retro gaming stores.

Ooedo-Onsen Monogatari

Relaxing in hot springs is a traditional part of Japanese culture. Just like enjoying Japanese gardens and Japanese food, going to a bathhouse and bathing and relaxing in warm healing mineral water is an intrinsic part of the Japanese lifestyle. The Japanese call these therapeutic bath houses an Onsen. And Ooedo-Onsen Monogatari is one of the largest hot spring bath houses in Tokyo.

As you arrive you receive a Japanese outfit called a Yukata, which is what you will wear during your stay. There are a variety of baths you can enjoy. Starting from a footbath where you can sit down with your family. Then you can proceed to the main hot spring baths, where you can choose between several natural hot mineral baths, bubble baths, and outdoor baths in the garden. After which you can enjoy a nice sauna or take a nap in the relaxation area.

The complex also has a spa, where several types of massages, skin treatments and even fish therapy is offered. And afterwards you can enjoy one of the restaurants in the edo-era styled complex, where you can get some tasty Japanese food like yakitori, sushi, ramen and noodles. Or simply enjoy some Japanese treats.

The Japanese honor their traditions, so for travelers it’s worthy of note that the main hot springs are separated by gender, as people will be nude. And there is a rule against tattoos in most hot springs in Japan. The Japanese also believe bathing here does sooth your mind and enhance your blood circulation. If you are wondering what to do in Tokyo and are looking for a cultural and pretty relaxing experience then this attraction is certainly worth a visit. As it truly adds to the Tokyo experience.

Ueno Zoo

The Ueno zoo is the oldest zoo of Japan. And animal lovers will be glad to know you will find a very diverse array of animals here, as the park houses over 400 different species. From the Chinese panda bear, cute monkeys like the ruffed lemur and Japanese birds, to the well known lions, pinguins, tapirs, seals, giraffes, turtles and gorillas. The park also has quite some exotic species such as Okapis, which looks like a mix between a zebra and a giraffe.

Of course for small children it can be fun to touch animals, so the zoo also has a children farm where you can pet some farm animals like rabbits, donkeys and sheep. The zoo is incredibly cheap and even free for younger children, which makes it a perfect destination for a great family day out on a budget.

The zoo can easily be reached by taking the metro to Ueno Station, which is located in front of Ueno Park. As you enter the park you will find some of the most important museums in Tokyo and Ueno Zoo itself. Surrounding the zoo you can find an abundance of things to do, but the zoo itself offers so much that you can easily spend the entire day in it.

Joypolis

Joypolis is a fantastic Sega theme park in Tokyo with fairly unique attractions. This colorful wonderland is one of the biggest indoor theme parks in Japan and one of our favorite amusement park in Tokyo due its unique vibe, as it has an emphasis on high tech interactive attractions with many arcade elements. The whole setting feels like you entered a steampunk neo-tokyo world filled with familiar Sega faces.

Fly upside down in a spinning roller coaster. Put on VR goggles, grab a laser weapon and enter a virtual battle with your friends. Race against each other in high speed without a drivers license. Grab a Donald Duck, Sonic or Pikachu doll. Fly around in a Star Wars space ship. It’s all possible and indeed a joy to experience.

Joypolis can be found in Odaiba and the Tokyo railway stops right in front of the door. And surrounding Joypolis you will find some cool other touristic sights, such as the headquarters of Fuji TV where you will find a giant mech in front of the door, that you can also check out after your visit. So there is no excuse not to check out Joypolis when you are in Tokyo.

VR Zone Shinjuku

VR Zone Shinjuku is a virtual reality arcade from the famous game developer Bandai Namco, who made big brand games like Pacman, Dark Souls and countless anime games with big names like Naruto and Dragon Ball Z. There is no one more qualified to make a VR arcade than them, and they certainly made something beautiful.

VR Zone offers a wide range of virtual reality experiences for you to enjoy. The popular Mario Kart game can be experienced in an immersive 3D experience where you race against your peers. You can enter a giant mech from Evangelion. Or enter the world of Dragon Ball Z and fire a Kamehameha with your hands. Or you could ski off a mountain in Ski Rodeo. There is an abundance of quality offerings to experience, which makes VR Zone Shinjuku certainly worth a visit.

If you are wondering what to do in Tokyo and want an attraction that you can enjoy with the whole family, then VR Zone Shinjuku is a solid pick. And the great thing is that it’s also located in the touristic Kabukicho, Shinjuku, so you can be sure to find lots of great eateries and shopping areas nearby, which you can visit aftwards.