Places To Go In Tokyo
There is a lot to see and do in Tokyo. One of the easiest trips you can plan is to go around one train line, the green Yamanote line, that goes in a circle and stops at just about all of the major tourist destinations in Tokyo. Riding the entire circle takes about one hour. Here are a few of the stops along the green line and a tip or two for each.
Ueno Zoo
This is a must with the kids or if you are looking for a nice leisurely walk. For just 600 yen (or free for kids), you can walk around a pretty expansive zoo and see animals we don’t have at the Honolulu Zoo and animals we don’t even usually see out at the zoo! The main attraction is the Panda, but we skipped that line and still had tons to see.
erin’s tip
Check it out and go when the weather is cool. We went 2 hours before closing so there was no sun and it was very relaxing.
Ueno - National Museum of Nature & Science
This place was sooo interesting for kids and adults. So much so that even though we’ve all been before, we came again! Our kids love animals, bugs, and nature so they loved it. We also rearranged our schedule to come here on a day it was a raining so we could relax and stay dry inside.
erin’s tip
If you don’t have more than a couple of hours, we skipped many sections and made sure to see the nature part with animals and dinosaur bones!
Harajuku & Otters
We of course had to walk the famous Takeshita street and although it was packed, we found a few good stops including one store right at the right, in the beginning down a long walkway to a place full of those gatcha gatcha machine toys. We didn’t have much time here and if you weave in and out of stores, this could take you a bit so we opted to do something really different. On a whim, we went to pay with otters because we didn’t know when we might ever get the chance to do so.
We had to put on some funny clothes and the space was a little cramped and in my mind, stinky, but it was pure joy for my daughter and my husband loved it too. The otters were pretty cute and their little paws feel neat!
erin’s tip
There’s some pretty neat finds shopping in Harajuku, but go on the weekend if you want to see the Japanese people all dressed up!
Shibuya Sky
In busy Shibuya, we did the famous crossing or Shibuya scramble and saw the statue of Hatchiko, but a pretty neat perspective was actually from the top of the Shibuya Sky building. Tickets were purchased in advance and we went up right around 4pm for some crazy views of the city. There were areas in the corner of the top of the building you could line up to have your picture taken, but I preferred hanging out in the center large steps and watching the people take their photos. This 360 degree view was relaxing with nice weather (rooftop closes if it’s raining) and there’s even a bar on the roof.
erin’s tip
There are actually beautiful views as you exit indoors with carpet up to the windows and seating and would have preferred relaxing in peace here with less people had we known.
Asakusa Ninja Cafe
I’ve seen people post about ninja cafe and prefer high quality food over a dinner dressing up as ninja, but watching my son (who loves battles) learn how to maneuver a sword, ninja stars, and blow gun, was what made it hilarious! He became the ninja. He took his role seriously and felt so proud to do so well in his training and came home with new skills.
erin’s tip
This is a good one if you’ve got a young boy or girl (age 5-6 ideal I think) who wants to be a ninja for a night. This window of magic will pass so if you find yourself in it, put on the outfit and “hiya!”
Art Aquarium in Ginza
Ginza is known for its high end shopping and expensive real estate and within the famous Mitsukoshi Department store, is this new exhibit. If you want to walk slowly and daydream a bit, listen to soothing music, and contemplate life, this is a peaceful stop. It took us just 30 minutes or so to walk through because there wasn’t a lot of places to sit and ponder life. :p
erin’s tip
If you love or know someone who loves koi fish, the gift shop is pretty neat at the end!
teamLab Planets Tokyo
This one is all over Instagram and if you love taking selfies or making Reels, then this digital art museum that’s every changing is for you! If you’re a germophobe or get motion sick, you might be in and out of this one in 45 minutes. There’s some walking through water so wear clothes you can hike up past your knees, and take your ginger pills for you motion sick friends (tips HERE).
erin’s tip
Do not wear a skirt or dress or even baggy shorts. There are mirrors on the floors so you can see up your clothing!
Animal Cafe in Odaiba
We were hesitant about going to an animal cafe with the kids this trip, but stumbled upon this new one in Odaiba in the Aqua City shopping center, and this was like nothing else I had seen before. Thirty different species of animals and one place including animals I don’t think I’ll ever have the chance to see so up close! A sloth and toucans were out and about, there were snakes in tanks, owls on perches, and a lot of little kid-friendly ones to touch and hold like chicks, hamsters, hedgehogs, and mice. One of the highlights was the cute capybara that were there as special guests for the week. What I loved about this facility was it was very clean with lots to see and do.
erin’s tip
Our kids LOVED this unique experience they can’t do at home and could have spent hours in here. Eat before going in because once you’re out, you can’t go in and out except to use the restroom.
Walk Around Train Stations
Right around all of the major train stations, there are tons of places to eat, shop, and interesting things to see if you just wander. We found these puffer fish at a restaurant near Ueno station in the Ameyoko shopping area. We also learned some history about the grand Tokyo station. Tokyo is just bustling with life and a lot to see and do if you have the time to just roam the streets.
erin’s tip
If you want to learn or experience something in particular, consider hiring a local guide. I haven’t done this before, but if you don’t have family or friends that can show you around personally, I think this was worth it for our group!
These are just some of the places we went, but there’s a lot more places to go in Tokyo!