Things to do in Tokyo in 2024

We visited Tokyo! It’s always been a dream to visit, and finally, it happened (and yes, we are still sort of in disbelief). In true Uncharted World fashion, we did our research, so you don’t have to. From shopping to activities, food to entertainment, we’ve got you covered. Check out our list of 15 things to do in Tokyo Japan, or if you'd rather see 39 things to do in Tokyo, check out our video below!

1. Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo Disneysea

There was no way we could keep these epic theme parks off this list. This was our first foray into Disney parks, and we absolutely loved it. Despite the long lines, the parks themselves were fun and extremely entertaining. Tokyo Disneysea is the only park of its kind in the entire world, and offers some exclusive rides. We used a half day pass to Disneysea and spent most of our time riding the Indiana Jones ride. We definitely recommend both of these parks to anyone visiting Tokyo. It was straightforward getting here by train, and we had such a fantastic time! You can buy your Tokyo Disneyland tickets here or buy your Tokyo Disneysea tickets here. 

2. 3D Cat Billboard in Shinjuku 

This giant 3D cat billboard went viral on social media several months ago. At first, we just didn’t get it, but after visiting, it has climbed onto our list to become a must do. Upon leaving Shinjinku station, you will hear a meow that seems to echo through the surrounding area. Looking up, you’re greeted by an adorable calico cat (fun fact: calico cats are thought to be especially lucky in Japan) which entertains you for several seconds as you wait to cross the road. We loved the way there were so many different clips being shown, and enjoyed the Halloween edition where the cat displayed typical - well - cat behaviour, using its paw to knock a jack-o’-lantern off the table.

3. Godzilla in Kabukicho

Godzilla: the most iconic Tokyo movie (and character) of all. In honor of its 38 onscreen appearances, a giant 12 metre high Godzilla head has been erected on top of the Toho Cinema in the Kabukicho area of downtown Tokyo. And if that wasn’t good enough, ‘Zilla also does a performance on the hour every hour between 12 noon and 8pm, where can you see sparks flying from his mouth. If you’re interested in an even closer look, you can access Godzilla’s 80 tonne head by either being a guest at the Gracery Hotel or a customer at the Gracery Hotel Cafe on the 8th floor. 

4. Shibuya Scramble

The world’s largest pedestrian crossing? Well this is one that you’ve gotta see with your own eyes! Apparently, up to 3,000 people have been known to cross here at any one time. Understandably, It can feel a little hectic being caught in the rush, but it is definitely something to do when you’re next in Tokyo. And once you’ve crossed the road, there’s so much more to do! Shibuya is a place full of bars and restaurants - so get exploring and make the most of it! 

5. The Hachiko statue, Shibuya 

While in Shibuya, make sure you pay a visit to Hachiko; the Japanese Akita dog that touched hearts all over the world, not just Japan. To sum up the story, Hachiko met his owner, Tokyo University professor, Hidesaburō Ueno, at Shibuya station every day at 3pm. One day, the professor sadly passed away, but Hachiko returned to their meeting spot, unsure of his owners whereabouts. Hachiko continued to wait in the same spot for ten more years, until he passed away too. Now there is a statue in his memory, which is said to be a popular meeting spot for locals. What really touched us, was that parts of the Hachiko statue were worn down from people patting him. What a good boy. 

6. Pet Cafes/MiPig Cafe

Love animals? Tokyo has absolutely got you covered! It seems like there’s some form of pet cafe on almost every street in central Tokyo. And it’s not just limited to cats and dogs either. As well as cat cafes and dog cafes, you could go to a raccoon cafe, a hedgehog cafe, or even MiPig pig cafe! Choose your favourite animal and pop in for a visit.

7. Purikura Photo Booth 

For the perfect photo momento from your Tokyo trip, go and take some Purikura photos. We loved visiting the main Purikura shop in Harujuku, Noa. Lean into it, choose the most ridiculous backgrounds you can, and have fun with editing. We were literally cackling with laughter as we took our Purikura photos.

8. MOS Burger

Are you one of those people who wants to eat the local cuisine then just ends up at McDonalds? Well then boy do we have the answer for you. MOS burger is Japan’s very own fast food establishment, and it is really, really good. Choose your favourite burger, sample some fries and a drink, and you might even get a limited edition sauce to go with it. They also have vegetarian options available.

9. Senso-ji temple

Established in 940AD, this is an area with a lot of history. The structures themselves are absolutely stunning, with their bright shades of scarlet and classic Japanese architecture, but our favourite thing overall was undoubtedly doing our fortunes. To see whether good or bad luck is coming your way, select a stick at random, match it to the corresponding number, and retrieve your fortune from a set of drawers. Not to worry if luck isn’t on your side, you can simply tie it off in the designated area, and all of the bad luck is removed completely.

10. The Asahi building

If you haven’t heard of Asahi, it’s one of the largest beer manufacturers in Japan. We love a theme, and so do Asahi, so they shaped their building like a giant beer glass. It’s definitely worth a visit, especially if you’re visiting from Senso-ji temple - it’s right around the corner. 

11. Exploring Harajuku

You absolutely need to come and see Harajuku for yourself. As well as being an iconic spot in terms of fashion, both Japanese and worldwide, Harajuku is a must for Tokyo shopping, pet cafes and street food. This is where you’ll find thr rainbow food, like rainbow cheese sandwiches and rainbow corn dogs, and it’s also home to a couple of branches of Strawberry Fetish - a delicious fruit snack that we highly recommend! You can also check out our complete guide to Harajuku here.

12. Golden Gai

You know those little Japanese bars you’ve seen in tv show and movies? The little hole-in-the-wall style places that serve local beers, sake and shoju? Well this is where you’ll find several streets full of them. In many of them, you can choose to sit downstairs, in others you can go upstairs and look down on the passersby. 

13. Ueno Zoo

Established in 1882, Ueno Zoo is Tokyo’s oldest zoological park. This beautiful zoo is a vibrant gem in the middle of an otherwise bustling city. You will see your ‘usual’, so to speak, zoo animals, such as monkeys, zebras and elephants but they also have some special other guests. The polar bear is undoubtedly special, but the true gem of the zoo is the panda exhibition. The love for these animals is so real, and you will see glimpses of panda memorabilia donned by most visitors to the exhibition. 

14. Tokyo Train Station

This is a really stunning bit of architecture built in 1914. It’s one of the largest train stations in the Tokyo area, and is very, very much in style. It’s not just the exterior either, the inside is decadent and full of beautiful details. The front of the train station offers an excellent photo taking spot if you’re trying to master those holiday pics.

15. Exploring Kabukicho

Kabukicho is the latest ‘in’ area in Tokyo - think of it as a bit like what Harajuku was like in its heyday. There are vibrant lights, patrons a-plenty, and buildings that are synonymous with what you’d expect when you think of Tokyo. Plenty of restaurants are packed into this area, although you need to be prepared to wait, as some of those queues can be quite long, but simply walking around makes this place worth a visit in itself. Just a head up - the later it gets, the louder it gets, and by the end of the night it’s filled with, erm, let’s just say, very “merry” individuals indeed. Keep this in mind when planning your visit, as you might want to leave before the area enters its nightlife mode.

We hope you enjoyed exploring these things to do in Tokyo and we hope you get to enjoy some (if not all!) when you decide to travel Tokyo. For more details, remember to watch our things to do in Tokyo video, and happy traveling!