Tokyo is one of the world’s most beautiful cities, with lots of tourist attractions, including historical landmarks, exclusive museums, cool skyscrapers, and cultural experiences. It might be difficult for you to determine what to do in Tokyo if you are a first-time traveler. So planning your trip carefully in advance and deciding where to go and what to do is really important. You can check out my Tokyo Bucket List if you need a little help to get some ideas about the best places to visit and stuff to do in Tokyo. The list includes classic tourist attractions, historical landmarks, unique cultural experiences, and the new trendy spots to encourage you to experience Japan’s traditional and modern cultures. Let’s check them out!
- Robot restaurants
An extravaganza of high-tech computers with flashy neon signs, there is no other place that is as impactful at this one in Tokyo. Robot Restaurant is a themed restaurant and bar offering a robot show that is exclusive and wild. This restaurant worth 10 billion yen is located in Shinjuku Kabukicho city, also referred to as “the districts that never sleep”. The Robot Restaurant completely stands out from the hundreds of night-out spots and entertainments in the city, as it is exclusive, and something you will never experience anywhere else on earth.
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- Izakaya Alley
Tokyo has hundreds of thousands of fancy restaurants and bars serving good and high-quality meals, but Izakaya alley is an incredible dining choice for a unique experience. Izakaya is a Japanese style gastro-pub, offering drinks and Japanese food usually at a relatively cheap price. Izakaya bars are particularly popular for a couple of beers among men and locals to hop in right after work. Izakaya alleys are old-fashioned, smoky, narrow streets, and small Izakaya bars clamber together. Some of the Izakayas are very small and only have a few seats. For international visitors, sitting next to the local and sipping a glass of Sake with genuine Japanese dishes and snacks maybe a whole new experience rather than dining at high-end bars. In Tokyo, there are several Izakaya alleys and drinking districts such as Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Ueno. Bar-hopping tours are one of the best ways to experience the drinking culture in Tokyo! For first time tourists, a lot of local Izakaya might be difficult to find or join, but the local bar-hopping tour will take you to secret bars and Izakaya and show you Tokyo’s real drinking culture.
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- Watch Sumo morning Practice
Sumo is Japan’s national sport, with ancient roots, and is still one of Japan’s most special and fascinating cultures for foreign visitors. There are several Sumo stables (training rooms) in Tokyo, especially in the Ryogoku area, some of which are open for public viewing to witness the morning routine. It’s a breathtaking experience to see Sumo wrestlers in action at such a near distance, and I began to admire the sport even more and appreciate the wrestlers by knowing how hard they practice physically and mentally. For any traveler, it’s not easy, but it’s certainly worth the money and one of the most precious experiences you can have in Japan.
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- Digital art museum at Mori building
The Mori Building digital art museum opened as the world’s first digital art museum in the summer of 2018 in the Odaiba area of Tokyo. It has been one of the hottest spots in the city since then and has now become a must-visit tourist destination for any traveler. With the new high-tech technology, the museum provides a special immersive art experience. In a huge space, several interactive art exhibits are shown and the artworks are projected around walls and floors. You could get lost in this immersive digital artwork. Be sure to take your camera with you as it’s the best place to take pictures for Instagram.
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- Sensoji Temple at Asakusa
Sensoji Temple is Tokyo’s oldest temple, located in the Asakusa area, the historic center of the city. Visitors enjoy taking photos of the iconic Kaminarimon gate, strolling down the Nakamise Lane. Numerous kimono stores and rickshaw tours are available all around. In this modern metropolis, Asakusa is a great place to explore traditional Japanese culture and historic townscape. Asakusa is also a wonderful place where traditional Japanese cuisine can be eaten, as there are numerous long-established Japanese restaurants serving authentic dishes such as Sukiyaki, Tempura, and Sushi. There are a variety of traditional activities in this region, such as riding rickshaws, wearing kimono clothing, etc. Besides, the area is very close to other tourist attractions, such as Tokyo Skytree, Kappabashi Lane, Sumida River, and the Ueno area.
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