Tokyo: the sights that are really worth it

There are countless things to do in Tokyo – but not all of them are worth it. So here is our honest list: what we saw ourselves, how much time you should allow and what you can safely skip.

Tokyo is huge and really consists of many cities. If you try to see everything, you’ll spend your holiday on the subway. We were in Tokyo from 29 August to 2 September 2024, straight after five weeks in Thailand. After tuk-tuks, street kitchens and chaos, Japan was a culture shock in the other direction: quiet subways, punctual trains, no rubbish bins and yet no litter. Here you’ll find which places are worth it, how much time to allow and what you can skip. Our overall impression of the trip is in our story Japan: Tokyo and Osaka in ten days.

Things to do in Tokyo at a glance

The table shows how much time to allow for each place and what to expect to pay. Prices are guide values (approx., as of 2026) and change, especially for observation decks with time slots. Check them on the official website before you go.

How many days do you need in Tokyo?

For four to five days, this is the split we have in mind. It works because you experience one district per day at your own pace instead of rushing across the city:

• Day 1: arrive, set up Suica, Shinjuku in the evening.
• Day 2: Asakusa and Sensō-ji early, then a slower afternoon, izakaya in the evening.
• Day 3: Shibuya, sunset on the observation deck.
• Day 4: Akihabara for electronics, anime and arcades.
• Day 5: buffer – for weather, tiredness or a second favourite district.

If you only have two days, do Asakusa in the morning, Shibuya at sunset and Shinjuku in the evening. You can drop Akihabara if electronics and anime don’t appeal to you.

The highlights in detail

Shibuya: the crossing from above

The Shibuya Crossing is world-famous. Standing in the middle of it, though, you quickly realise that one photo and one or two crossings are enough. The better view is from above: Shibuya Sky is right by the station and shows the crossing and the city from a bird’s-eye view. Book your ticket in advance. The time slots around sunset are in demand and often sell out earlier than the rest of the day. The ticket costs more than a museum entry, so pick a slot in which you can really enjoy it. In clear weather it is far more worthwhile than in thick haze.

Shinjuku in the evening: Omoide Yokocho and Golden Gai

During the day Shinjuku is mainly a station and skyscrapers. In the evening the district shows its two faces. Omoide Yokocho is a set of narrow alleys full of small grill stalls where you eat skewers and drink beer. Golden Gai has tiny bars that seat about six guests. Every bar has its own style and its own regulars.

A typical mistake: walking into a bar without looking at the signs first. Some bars charge a seat fee, and some prefer to serve regulars. Ask briefly before you sit down, and move on if you don’t feel welcome. With kids, Golden Gai is not a place to linger – a short walk through the alleys is enough.

Asakusa and Sensō-ji: get up early

Sensō-ji is Tokyo’s oldest and best-known temple. There is no entrance fee for the grounds. The catch: during the day, groups crowd through the shopping street in front of it. If you come early in the morning, before the groups arrive, you’ll experience the temple much more calmly and can take photos in peace. The souvenir shops open later. If you want souvenirs, come back later anyway or wander through the side streets.

Akihabara: electronics, anime, arcades

Akihabara is the district for electronics, anime and arcades. Multi-storey shops sell figures, games and accessories. Even if you don’t want to buy anything, a walk through the arcades is worth it to experience the sounds, the lights and the concentration of the players. Bring coins: many machines only accept yen coins or don’t work with IC cards, so carry some small change.

An evening at an izakaya

The underrated Tokyo tip: an izakaya, a Japanese pub with small dishes, beer and highballs. Office workers sit next to you after work. It’s cheaper and, in our view, better than any tourist restaurant. Order several small plates to share and look at what your neighbours are eating. In some places you have to take your shoes off. You can’t pay by card everywhere, so keep cash handy.

Overrated or shorter than you think

• The crossing itself: it is worth it as a moment, not as an item on your itinerary. Plan Shibuya Sky instead.
• Golden Gai as a night out: the bars are tiny, some charge a seat fee, some are mainly for regulars. A walk is enough for a first impression; afterwards you can switch to a normal izakaya.
• Sensō-ji at midday: the grounds are packed then. Early in the morning it is a different experience.
• Too many districts per day: Tokyo is bigger than it looks on the map. Two districts a day are enough.

Practical: Suica, cash, etiquette

Suica on your phone

First things first: add a Suica card directly to Apple Wallet and top it up with a credit card. In Osaka the card is called ICOCA, but it works everywhere. You use it for the subway, buses and regional trains, and to pay at konbini (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart) and drinks machines. No buying tickets, no small change.

Cash

Japan relies on cash more than you might think. Small restaurants, shrines and machines often only take yen. The ATMs in 7-Eleven reliably accept foreign cards; we withdrew cash with our Wise card. In hotels, department stores and chains, cards work without any problems. More on cards and fees in our post on money abroad.

Etiquette in brief

• No tipping – it tends to be seen as a misunderstanding.
• Take your rubbish with you, because there are hardly any public bins.
• Shoes off wherever slippers are provided, including in some restaurants and changing rooms.
• Be quiet on the subway and trains and don’t make phone calls.

Day trips: Osaka and Kyoto

Tokyo combines well with Osaka and Kyoto. The table shows rough times and prices (approx., as of 2026):

By Shinkansen to Osaka

The Nozomi gets you to Osaka in about two and a half hours. Buy your ticket from a machine or in the SmartEX app and reserve a seat. If you want to see Mount Fuji in clear weather, sit on the right-hand side when travelling towards Osaka. Since the price increase in 2023, the JR Pass is usually no longer worth it for a single route like this. Do the maths beforehand.

Osaka as a base

Osaka is louder, funnier and more down-to-earth than Tokyo. Its heart is Dōtonbori on the canal, with the Glico running man, the neon signs and the stalls selling takoyaki (batter balls with octopus) and okonomiyaki. Kuromon Market is worth it in the morning and Osaka Castle in the afternoon. For us, Osaka was the better base: cheaper than Tokyo and close to Kyoto and Nara. We were there from 3 to 7 September.

Kyoto as a day trip

From Osaka it is about 30 minutes to Kyoto. The most famous spot is Fushimi Inari Shrine, with thousands of orange torii gates winding up the mountain. It is open around the clock and free. If you’re there at 7 am or come in the evening, you’ll have the gates almost to yourself. After the first half hour of climbing, the crowds thin out considerably anyway.

Best time to visit and weather

At the end of August and beginning of September it is hot, humid and typhoon season. Keep an eye on the weather app, because trains are suspended during storms. Plan outdoor activities like Asakusa for the early morning and save observation decks for days with clear views. Would we go again? Yes – but in spring or autumn, and with more time for Kyoto, Nara and the Japanese Alps.

Typical mistakes

• Trying to book Shibuya Sky on the spot – by then the best time slots are often gone.
• Relying only on cards, even though small restaurants, shrines and machines often only take yen.
• Buying a JR Pass without checking whether it pays off for your routes.
• Leaving rubbish anywhere: take it with you and dispose of it where there are bins.
• Planning too many districts per day.

Entry and safety

Before you travel, check entry requirements, visa questions and current safety advice with your government’s official travel advice. This also applies if you want to bring pets – separate rules apply, which you should ask the official authorities about. Earthquakes and typhoons are a reality in Japan, so take a look at the official advice before your trip.

Things to do in Tokyo: our verdict

Tokyo rewards you if you take on one district per day: Asakusa early, Shibuya at sunset, Shinjuku and an izakaya in the evening, plus Akihabara for electronics and anime. Avoid the crowded times, book Shibuya Sky in advance and keep yen to hand. Ten days in Japan are enough for a first impression – and they will definitely leave you wanting more.

Our verdict on things to do in Tokyo: plan less and take your time for the places you really like. It also pays to visit the most famous sights early in the morning or in the evening, because it is quieter then. You’ll find more places we have been to ourselves in our travel stories; general background on the city’s history is on Wikipedia.

Frequently asked questions

Last updated: 20 Oct 2026. Prices and rules change – please check with the official sources before you travel.