There are so many things to do in Tokyo in 4 days. We had a hard time choosing where to go and what to do in Tokyo because it’s so big. Check out our list of the things to do in Tokyo, you will get some great ideas here!
Things to do in Tokyo Day 1
Harajuku
My Little Pony restaurant and crazy fashion. A fun and weird neighborhood of Tokyo to shop and people watch. This is where to find people dressed up as awesome anime characters. We explored here for a while, especially Takeshita Street. After visiting here, head to Yoyogi Park.
Harajuku is one of the coolest things to do in Tokyo. From anime characters, to crazy themed restaurants, it has it all! This is a photo of Takeshita Street.Japan is full of crazy themed restaurants. This one is in Harajuku and is My Little Pony Themed. Where the bronies at?
Yoyogi Park
Beautiful grounds to walk, complete with flower gardens to stop and smell the roses in. Watch out for the ravens, these birds were HUGE. Don’t mess with them, I’ve heard they can remember who you are and seek revenge! We saw some cosplayers practicing their sword fighting in one area here. Sundays are supposed to be especially lively. After Yoyogi Park, we went to Meiji Shrine.
Meiji Shrine (Meiji Jingu)
History and Japanese architecture at its most beautiful located right outside Yoyogi Park. The shrine was originally built in the 1920’s but was destroyed during WW2. What you see today was rebuilt in the late 1950’s. The walk back to the shrine is really great, the trees there are just so beautiful and big. After checking out the shrine, make sure not to miss the gardens. These were frequently visited by the Emperor Meiji and his wife. For a few yen you can visit them, perfect for a nice stroll, and worth the price of entry. By this point in our first day we were famished. Now it was time for some sushi!
Eat Sushi and Sake at Heiroku Sushi (or anywhere, really)
I don’t think we need to tell anyone to eat sushi and drink sake on your trip to Tokyo. Its delicious and worth every penny. Eating sushi has to be one of your things to do in Tokyo. Even if you don’t particularly like it, just give it one more try, they know what they are doing!
Souvenir Shopping at Oriental Bazaar
Located just near Heiroku Sushi, this is the place to go to find awesome cheap Japanese souvenirs! If you want some great ideas of where to go or what to buy, check out our awesome souvenir shopping guide!
Things to do in Tokyo – Day 2
Sensoji Temple
One of the best things to do in Tokyo is exploring their many temples. But how to choose? Sensoji Temple is one of the oldest and most beautiful temples in Tokyo. It was originally built in 645 AD, though it’s been destroyed many times and rebuilt since then. The most recent rebuilding occurred after WW2. There is even a tree in the courtyard that survived the bombing raids and regrew with the bomb inside of it!
On the way to the temple from the subway station is Nakamise Dori, which is another fabulous spot to buy souvenirs. Make sure to haggle!
Geisha Hunting in Asakusa
Asakusa is the place to find Geishas. We saw a few walking around and tried to follow them to their lair, but to no avail. It was still fun (and free) and you get to see some of Tokyo’s oldest neighborhoods and feel very like you’re looking for a magical creature, which in fact, you are.
Geisha hunting in Asakusa is one of the most fun things to do in Tokyo. It feels like you are searching for a mystical creature!
Things to do in Tokyo – Day 3
Tsukiji Fish Market (#1 of our Things to do in Tokyo)
This is the top of the things to do in Tokyo. I would categorize this as “MUST-SEE!” It’s one of the most amazing places we have ever been to. A truly unique Tokyo, Japanese, life experience. If you love culture, are in awe of the ocean, and want your mind blown…this is the place for you. WAKE UP EARLY (3 A.M. early) for the tuna auction, then walk around the outside shops and eat some of the delicious food. The big warehouse opens to the public at 9:00 am, we almost left before we got to see this and it was the best part by far! Try to stay out of people’s way, it’s a chaotic scene of people running around and slicing up huge fish. Some people do not want to be photographed, so keep that in mind also. Tsukiji Fish Market is at the top of our things to do in Tokyo. Trust us.
Eat sushi at the Fish Market
The freshest sushi money can buy. And the biggest oysters you’ll ever see.
The freshest sushi in Tokyo is at Tsukiji.Eat a steak sized oyster if you dare at Tsukiji Fish Market.
There is also a nice Buddhist Temple very near to Tsukiji Fish Market called Tsukiji Hongan-ji that is worth checking out.
Drink Traditional Japanese tea in a teahouse
Have a nice cup of tea in a beautiful Japanese style tea house called Koso-An, near Jiyugaoka Station. The surrounding neighborhood is beautiful and lively.
Have a nice drink and sit on the floor in Koso-An teahouse. Of all the things to do in Tokyo, this one had us the most relaxed!
Things to do in Tokyo – Day 4
Shibuya
For our last day we decided to do the touristy Shibuya Crossing, free and just a quick look was all we needed. There is a Starbucks on the corner where you can sit up on the 2nd floor and people watch. Tons of shopping and a lively nightlife in this area. In exploring the area we found a side alley full of tiny bars and restaurants, maybe 5 to 10 seats each.
We found it behind the Lindt Truffle Boutique (1 Chome-25-6 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tōkyō-to 150-0002, Japan) and a random comic book store. It was a great ending to our trip to Tokyo and a fun place to relax and have a glass of wine. All of the restaurants and bars on this street are tiny and intimate. It’s really neat!
We hope you enjoy Tokyo as much as we did. You might have noticed we always travel on a budget and are always looking to experience a city’s history and culture first and foremost. If this is you we know you’ll find this list of things to do in Tokyo very helpful. Safe travels!