10 Amazing Things to Do in Tokyo for First-Time Visitors

Tokyo is one of those cities that is hard to describe until you are standing in it. It is enormous and fast, and yet somehow calm. Neon signs next to quiet shrines. Trains that arrive to the minute. A vending machine on what feels like every corner. I have spent time in Tokyo on both of my trips to Japan, and each visit has shown me a completely different side of the city.

If Kyoto is the city that slows you down, Tokyo is the one that shows you everything at once. That can feel like a lot on a first visit. There are so many neighbourhoods, so many train lines and so many “must-sees” that it is easy to spend your whole trip rushing between them. What I want to do with this guide is help you actually enjoy Tokyo, not just tick it off.

This guide covers 10 of my favourite things to do across Tokyo’s main areas — Asakusa, Shibuya, Ginza, Shinjuku, Toyosu and a couple of quieter neighbourhoods that most first-timers miss. I have organised it loosely by area and experience rather than ranking, because how you spend your time in Tokyo really depends on where you are staying and how many days you have. If you are short on time, I have flagged the ones I would prioritise. But first, let’s talk about timing.

The Best Time to Visit Tokyo

Spring (late March to early April) is cherry blossom season, and Tokyo does it beautifully. Parks like Ueno, Shinjuku Gyoen and the Meguro River turn pink, and the whole city seems to come outside for hanami (flower viewing) picnics. It is also one of the busiest and most expensive times to visit, so book your accommodation early.

Autumn is another favourite of mine. Tokyo’s autumn colours tend to peak a little later than you might expect, usually from late November to early December, when the ginkgo trees turn a brilliant shade of gold. If crowds are a dealbreaker for you, October to mid-November and May are great alternatives, with pleasant weather and generally fewer tour groups. That said, Tokyo is a huge metropolitan city, so let’s be realistic — you’re unlikely to visit its popular spots without encountering other people. 🙂

If you can help it, I’d avoid the rainy season (June to mid-July) and the height of summer (late July and August). The heat and humidity can be brutal, even for those of us used to Lagos weather!

Now, enough about when to go. Can we get to the good part?

Things to Do in Tokyo for First-Time Visitors

1. Start Your Trip in Asakusa

Asakusa is where I would send any first-time visitor on their first morning in Tokyo. It is home to Senso-ji, Tokyo’s oldest temple, and it still holds on to the feeling of old Edo in a way that much of the city does not. But this could also be a very bad idea if you don’t time things right!

I recommend visiting first thing in the morning, before the city wakes up for a calmer atmosphere. Before 8 am, the temple is calm and golden. By 11 am, it is shoulder to shoulder. If you’re not able to make it that early, then visit later in the evening to avoid the worst of the crowds.

You enter through Kaminarimon, the “Thunder Gate”, with its giant red paper lantern, and walk up Nakamise-dori, a shopping street lined with stalls selling snacks and souvenirs.

After the temple, walk down to the Sumida River for a view of Tokyo Skytree across the water. If you have time, the side streets behind Senso-ji are full of small restaurants, kimono rental shops, and quiet corners worth wandering. Asakusa is also a great place to try on a kimono for a few hours, just like in Kyoto.

2. Explore (and Stay in) Akasaka

Akasaka is one of the neighbourhoods I would recommend staying in, especially if you want a calmer side of Tokyo without missing the buzz. It sits right in the centre of the city, close to where the old Edo Castle stood, and has a grown-up, polished feel.

Step off the main roads, though, and you will find narrow, sometimes cobbled backstreets lined with traditional ryotei restaurants, jazz clubs, wine bars and simple ramen shops.

For culture, climb the staircase of red torii gates at Hie Jinja. Then find the quieter, tree-shaded Akasaka Hikawa Shrine, or visit Toyokawa Inari Tokyo Betsuin. If you visit on a day without official receptions, you can tour the State Guest House Akasaka Palace, a grand, Versailles-inspired palace built in 1909. Akasaka is also very well connected. Akasaka, Akasaka-mitsuke and Tameike-sanno stations put you on several Tokyo Metro lines, including the Ginza Line, which runs straight to both Shibuya and Asakusa. That makes it an easy, central base for everything else on this list.

3. Visit Meiji Jingu, Then Get Lost in Harajuku

This is one of my favourite pairings in Tokyo, because the contrast is so striking. Meiji Jingu is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, set inside a forest of around 100,000 trees that were donated from all over Japan. The moment you pass under the huge wooden torii gate, the noise of the city just drops away. It is free to enter and one of the most peaceful places in Tokyo.

Then you walk out of the forest and straight into Harajuku. Takeshita Street is loud, colourful and packed with crepe stands, rainbow candy floss and quirky fashion. It is fun for an hour, but do not stop there. Walk over to Omotesando, a tree-lined avenue of designer architecture, and then duck into Cat Street for independent boutiques and vintage shops.

4. Cross the World’s Busiest Intersection in Shibuya

You’ve probably seen it online – Shibuya Scramble Crossing, where the lights turn red in every direction and hundreds of people spill into the intersection from all sides at once. It’s chaotic, oddly orderly, and very Tokyo. Walking across it at least once feels like a rite of passage. Will you find it a little underwhelming? Possibly. But when in Tokyo, right?

While you’re there, stop by the Hachiko statue, a tribute to the loyal dog who waited for his owner at Shibuya Station for nearly ten years, even after his owner had passed away. Then, head up for a view of the city.

Shibuya Sky, the open-air rooftop observation deck atop Shibuya Scramble Square, sits about 229 metres above the city. On a clear day, you can spot Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Skytree and even Mount Fuji. It’s a fantastic view, although tickets come at a price.

If you’d rather not pay for the view, there are several free vantage points around Shibuya, including spots inside Shibuya Station and some of the shops in the area. Another great option is the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku, which has observation decks at around 202 metres, and the best part? They’re completely free, with no booking required. The views are from indoors rather than an open-air rooftop, but if you time your visit for sunset, they’re genuinely stunning.

5. Step Inside the Art at teamLab

This is one of those things to do in Tokyo that you’ll either love or hate. When I first visited, I spent too much time debating whether to include it in my itinerary, but somehow, it fitted perfectly into my first 24 hours in the city. I ended up going with a friend, and we absolutely loved the experience! It might not be for everyone, but I’m glad I gave it a chance.

Tokyo has two teamLab digital art museums, and both are worth visiting, but if you can only do one, I would go with teamLab Planets in Toyosu. You walk through it barefoot, wading through knee-deep water filled with projected koi fish, sinking into soft floors, and standing in rooms of floating flowers and endless mirrors. It’s a unique and immersive experience that I think is worth adding to your Tokyo itinerary.

Two tips: wear shorts or trousers you can roll up past your knees (the water room is deeper than you think), and skip short skirts because some floors are mirrored. teamLab Borderless at Azabudai Hills is the other option. It has no set route and you wander between rooms, which some people love and others find overwhelming. Planets is also about a 10-minute walk from Toyosu Market, so you can pair the two in one morning. Book early!

6. Experience Shinjuku After Dark

Shinjuku by day is a busy business district with the busiest train station in the world. Shinjuku by night is something else entirely. The neon comes on, the side streets fill up and the whole area takes on a different energy.

Start at Omoide Yokocho, a narrow alley of tiny smoky yakitori stalls right by the station, where you squeeze onto a stool and order grilled skewers and a cold drink. Then walk over to Golden Gai, a cluster of around 200 tiny bars, some seating only six or seven people, each with its own theme and personality. Note that many bars charge a seating fee, and a few are regulars-only, so look for signs welcoming visitors.

If you are there before dark, Shinjuku Gyoen is one of the loveliest gardens in the city and a beautiful spot in both cherry blossom and autumn leaf season. As for Kabukicho, Tokyo’s entertainment district, it is fine to walk through and see the lights, but politely ignore anyone trying to lure you into a bar.

7. Explore Tokyo’s Whimsical Café Scene

Tokyo’s cafe scene is every bit as quirky and creative as you’d expect, and exploring it is one of those things to do in Tokyo that’s worth making time for, even if you’re not a big coffee person.

Build a café stop into every day of your trip. It is the perfect way to rest your feet between neighbourhoods, and some of my favourite Tokyo memories are from these small, quiet moments.

While you are at it, do not underestimate the konbini (convenience stores). 7-Eleven, Lawson and FamilyMart have onigiri, egg sandwiches, fried chicken and desserts that are genuinely good, and they are a lifesaver for early mornings and late nights.

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These are the kinds of places I love exploring in Tokyo, where even stopping for a coffee and a snack can feel like an experience in itself.

8. Ride the Tokyo Sakura Tram

For a different perspective on Tokyo, hop aboard the Tokyo Sakura Tram, also known as the Toden Arakawa Line. Unlike the city’s busy metro system, this charming streetcar line passes through quieter residential neighbourhoods, local shopping streets and parts of Tokyo that feel a world away from the bright lights of Shibuya and Shinjuku.

The tram is one of Tokyo’s few remaining streetcar lines, and riding it is as much about the journey as the destination. You’ll get a glimpse of everyday life in the city, passing neighbourhoods where locals go about their routines and where Tokyo feels a little less hurried. It’s particularly lovely if you enjoy discovering places beyond the usual tourist trail.

You don’t need to ride the entire route, either. Pick a few stops that catch your interest, hop off to explore, and continue when you’re ready. It’s a simple way to experience a quieter, more nostalgic side of Tokyo.

9. Explore Yanaka and Old Tokyo

When Tokyo’s bright lights and busy shopping districts start to feel a little overwhelming, head to Yanaka, one of the city’s most charming old neighbourhoods. Parts of the area survived the 1923 Great Kantō Earthquake and the Second World War bombings, giving it a more nostalgic feel than much of modern Tokyo. Think narrow streets, old wooden houses, little temples and a slower pace of life.

Start at Yanaka Ginza, a small, old-fashioned shopping street lined with local shops, traditional snacks and food stalls selling treats such as freshly fried croquettes. Keep an eye out for cats, too, as the neighbourhood is well known for its feline residents.

From there, wander through Yanaka Cemetery, a surprisingly peaceful place for a stroll, particularly during cherry blossom season when the paths are lined with flowering trees. Continue towards Nezu Shrine, one of Tokyo’s most beautiful hidden gems, known for its traditional architecture and striking red torii gates. If you haven’t made it to Fushimi Inari in Kyoto, the smaller tunnel of torii gates here offers a lovely alternative.

You can also pair your visit with Ueno Park, especially during cherry blossom season, when the park becomes one of Tokyo’s most popular spots for hanami, or cherry blossom viewing. There are several museums nearby, too, making this a great area to explore if you want a mix of culture, history and a glimpse of everyday local life.

10. Find Your Niche: Ginza, Akihabara, Nakano or Shimokitazawa

One of the best things to do in Tokyo is to pick a neighbourhood that matches your interests and spend time there. If you love shopping, head to Ginza for flagship designer stores, upscale department stores and their famous basement food halls (depachika). Akihabara is the centre of anime, manga and gaming, packed with arcades, figure shops and retro game stores. Nakano Broadway is a quieter alternative, full of collectors’ shops and vintage toys. Shimokitazawa is the place for vintage fashion, record stores and indie cafés, and it’s perfect for a slow afternoon.

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Bonus: Take a Day Trip Out of the City

Tokyo is huge, but some of the best experiences are just outside it. A day trip is the perfect way to balance all the city energy with something calmer.

Kamakura is about an hour away by train and is home to the Great Buddha, beautiful temples and a laid-back beach town feel. Hakone offers hot springs, lake views and, on a clear day, Mount Fuji. Nikko has some of Japan’s most elaborate shrines set in the mountains, and the Fuji Five Lakes area gives you the classic postcard views of Mount Fuji. I have written a full guide to the best day trips from Tokyo, including some hidden gems, if you want help choosing.

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As you can see, there is so much to see and do in Tokyo, especially as a first-time visitor. Please do not try to do it all. Tokyo rewards you for staying in one neighbourhood long enough to notice it, rather than racing across the city on the train every few hours. For most people, one trip to Japan is never enough, so it is perfectly fine to leave a few things for next time.

If this is your first trip, I would recommend at least four full days in Tokyo, more if you plan to take a day trip. And when you are ready for a slower pace, take the shinkansen down to Kyoto. Here are my 10 favourite things to do in Kyoto for when you get there.

To wrap this post up, I will leave you with some practical tips.

A Few Practical Notes Before You Go

• Sort out your visa early. Nigerian passport holders need a visa to visit Japan, so start your application well before you book anything non-refundable. Here is my step-by-step guide on how to apply for a Japanese tourist visa.
• Get an IC card. A Suica or PASMO card (or the digital Suica on your phone) works on almost every train, subway and bus in Tokyo, and in konbini too. If you plan to ride the subway a lot, look into the Tokyo Subway Ticket, which gives unlimited rides on Tokyo Metro and Toei lines for 24, 48 or 72 hours.
• Stay near a major station. Wherever you stay, being a short walk from a station will save you a lot of time.
• Carry some cash. Cards are much more widely accepted than they used to be, but smaller restaurants, market stalls and temples may still be cash only. ATMs at 7-Eleven and Japan Post are generally the most reliable for foreign cards.
• Mind the etiquette. Keep your voice low on trains and avoid phone calls. Stand on the left side of escalators in Tokyo. Public bins are rare, so carry a small bag for your rubbish. And bring your passport when shopping, as many stores offer tax-free shopping for tourists.
• Book the big ones ahead. Shibuya Sky sunset slots, teamLab, popular restaurants and anything during cherry blossom season sell out. Book these as soon as your dates are confirmed.

If you found this helpful for your first trip to Tokyo, come back and tell me all about it, okay? I would love to hear how your experience was. And if you have already been to Tokyo, what was your favourite neighbourhood? Share your experience with me in the comments below.