Tokyo, Japan: things to do, prices and tips 2026

Things to do in Tokyo (Japan): Senso-ji Temple (Asakusa), Shibuya Crossing, Meiji Shrine & Harajuku, Tsukiji Outer Market. Prices, opening times and the author’s tips.

Open the interactive guide

What to see

🏮Senso-ji Temple (Asakusa)

Tokyo's oldest temple: a giant red lantern on the Kaminarimon gate and the Nakamise shopping street full of snacks and sweets.

Price Free

Insider tip Come before 8 am or after dark — the temple is lit up and the crowds are gone. Draw an omikuji fortune for ¥100: if it's a bad one, tie it to the rack by the temple.

🚦Shibuya Crossing

The world's most famous pedestrian crossing: up to three thousand people cross at once when the lights turn green. The statue of the loyal dog Hachiko is right next to it.

Price Free

Insider tip The best view from above is from the windows of the café on the first floor by the station, or from the free rooftop of the Magnet shopping centre. Friday evening is peak show time.

⛩Meiji Shrine & Harajuku

A Shinto shrine inside a real forest in the middle of the city, and beyond the gates — Harajuku with Takeshita Street, bold street fashion and rainbow sweets.

Price Free

Insider tip On weekend mornings you may see a traditional wedding procession. Then walk down Omotesando, Tokyo's "Champs-Élysées" lined with buildings by famous architects.

🍣Tsukiji Outer Market

Blocks of stalls where breakfast means the freshest sushi, tamagoyaki on a stick, grilled scallops and strawberries with mochi.

Price Snacks ¥300–1,500, sushi breakfast ¥2,500–5,000

Insider tip Come at 8–9 am: many stalls close by lunchtime. Eat at the stall, not while walking — it's frowned upon here. Some shops close on Wednesdays and Sundays.

🌌teamLab Planets

A digital art museum you walk through barefoot: mirrored rooms of flowers, knee-deep water with koi made of light, and a floating garden of orchids.

Price About ¥4,000, depending on the day

Insider tip Tickets are online only and timed — weekends sell out 1–2 weeks ahead. Wear shorts or trousers you can roll up above the knee, and note some floors are mirrored.

🌸Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

A huge garden with Japanese, English and French sections: one of the best cherry blossom spots in spring and for maples in autumn.

Price ¥500

Insider tip Alcohol isn't allowed, which makes it the calmest place in central Tokyo for a picnic under the blossoms. Usually closed on Mondays.

🏮Omoide Yokocho & Golden Gai

Narrow Shinjuku alleys where tiny 6–8 seat bars grill yakitori in the smoke and pour beer under red lanterns.

Price Skewers ¥150–300; some Golden Gai bars charge a ¥500–1,000 cover

Insider tip Look for bars with an English sign or "Welcome" — some places are regulars only. Ask before taking photos inside.

🎮Akihabara

The district of anime, manga, retro games and electronics: multi-storey arcades, figure shops and gachapon capsule toy machines.

Price Gachapon ¥200–500

Insider tip On Sunday afternoons the main street is closed to cars. For retro games and rare manga, head to Super Potato and Mandarake.

🏙Tokyo Metropolitan Government Observatory

A free observation deck on the 45th floor: Tokyo to the horizon and, on a clear winter day, Mount Fuji. In the evening there's a projection show on the building's façade.

Price Free

Insider tip Fuji is clearest on winter mornings, December to February. Bags are checked at the entrance; come at opening time, 9:30 am.

🧘Kamakura & the Great Buddha

An ancient seaside capital an hour from Tokyo: an 11-metre bronze Buddha in the open air, the hydrangea temple Hase-dera and the bamboo grove of Hokoku-ji.

Price Buddha ¥300, Hase-dera ¥400

Insider tip Ride the old Enoden tram along the ocean to Hase station. In June Hase-dera is buried in hydrangeas and there can be a queue to get in.