14 top things to do in Tokyo, from sushi to kabuki
10 min read • Jun 6, 2022
Tokyo is one of the world's most fascinating cities, and there's more to see than you could fit into a lifetime. Here are our 14 favorite things to do.
Travel Stories
Tokyo
- 8 unique places to stay in Tokyo
7 min read • Jun 6, 2022
Japan's capital has plenty of ordinary hotels – but who comes to Tokyo for ordinary?
- The 7 best museums in Tokyo (that even Tokyoites are waiting in line to visit)
7 min read • May 11, 2022
From cutting-edge digital art to a world-renown animation museum, Tokyo's art scene has something for everyone.
- Swap the big city for scenic views on these 5 top day trips from Tokyo
6 min read • May 2, 2022
After enjoying Tokyo's charms, we recommend a day trip to see temples and mountains and bathe in hot springs. Here are the top day trips from Tokyo.
- Tokyo's most essential neighborhoods
18 min read • Apr 27, 2022
More than any single sight, it’s Tokyo itself that enchants visitors. From Ginza to Shinjuku, here's a guide to Tokyo's diverse, atmospheric neighborhoods.
- A budget traveler's guide to Tokyo: how to make your yen go further
7 min read • Apr 20, 2022
Traveling in Tokyo can be expensive, but our thrifty guide will help cut down the costs.
- The 7 best beaches near Tokyo: sand, surf and summer fireworks just two hours from the capital
5 min read • Apr 19, 2022
Within two hours of Tokyo are some thriving beach towns, with cafe culture and vibrant surf scenes. Here are the very best.
- Tokyo's 10 best parks and green spaces: stroll through beautiful garden scenery
6 min read • Apr 19, 2022
Tokyo's beautifully designed parks and gardens take the edge off the concrete jungle of the city. These are the best parks in Japan's capital.
- 21 of the best free things to do in Tokyo: from shrines to sumo
9 min read • Mar 29, 2022
Tokyo travel can blow the budget but there’s plenty to do that doesn't cost a yen. Here's the best of Tokyo for free.
- The best times to visit Tokyo: from spring cherry blossoms to winter lights
10 min read • Mar 21, 2022
Cherry blossom in spring; festivals in summer; foliage in fall; and fewer crowds in winter: choose the best time to visit Tokyo with this seasonal guide.
- Anime, arcades and pop-culture artifacts: a geek’s guide to Tokyo
6 min read • Mar 2, 2022
If you’re in Tokyo in search of manga and merchandise, here’s exactly where to look.
- Popular sights and hidden gems of Tokyo and Osaka
7 min read • Feb 25, 2022
Tokyo and Osaka are two world-class cities with famous sights and hidden corners that offer something for every traveler
- 3 fantastic walking routes connect the best sights in Tokyo
6 min read • Feb 9, 2022
Connect multiple Tokyo sights on these wonderfully curated walks that showcase different parts of the city
- Tokyo’s natural escapes
7 min read • Oct 11, 2021
From forests to waves, there are several natural destinations within 2-3 hours of central Tokyo that will redefine your entire notion of Japan’s capital
- These attractions in Tokyo and Osaka will awaken your five senses
8 min read • Sep 29, 2021
Prepare for a sensory awakening as we (re)discover an array of iconic destinations and attractions in Tokyo and Osaka – some classic, some brand new
- Rediscover Tokyo by the seasons
6 min read • Sep 22, 2021
Whether it’s cherry blossoms in spring, cruises in summer, hiking in fall, or the tropical islands in winter, there's plenty in Tokyo for every season.
- Things to know before traveling to Tokyo
10 min read • Aug 8, 2021
Tokyo has a reputation as one of the world’s safest and most exciting travel destinations, but there are some things every first-timer needs to know.
- Returning to the best of Tokyo and Osaka
6 min read • Jul 30, 2021
As the world begins re-opening to tourism, we can start to dream about some familiar attractions in Tokyo and Osaka
- Riding Japan’s ‘New Golden Route’: The vibrant cities of Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka
8 min read • Feb 17, 2021
No places better represent the gamut of Japanese culture than Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, and there's no better way to visit them than via Shinkansen
- How to live like a local in Tokyo
5 min read • Apr 2, 2020
Get to know Tokyo from a local's perspective; Rebecca Milner shares her favorite places to avoid the crowds and best place for cheap eats.
- Self-reflection not selfies: why Tokyo’s Mt Takao trek is a perfect complement to Mt Fuji
4 min read • Feb 5, 2020
Beautiful, spiritual and lacking crowds, Mt Takao could be the perfect complement to a Mt Fuji trek, and one of Tokyo’s most enjoyable day trips.
- Here's what you can expect on a Lonely Planet Experiences tour of Japan
5 min read • Jan 20, 2020
Make the most of your time in Japan by joining a group tour with Lonely Planet Experiences and Intrepid Travel.