Things to do in Tokyo

Tokyo is one of the coolest cities in the world. From skyscraper filled with neon lights to serene parks, the capital of Japan truly has it all. With all the high rises, the subway and streams of people moving around the city reminded me of NYC, but a lot larger. Tokyo, to me, is like 20 Manhattans combined. As much as metropoles resemble each other, Tokyo is a truly unique combination of Western and Japanese, modern and traditional and in one word: cool.

In such a large city, there is no lack of things to do and see, but here are 5 of my favourites:

Imperial Garden & Palace


Since 1868, Tokyo has been the seat of the Japanese Emperor. The Imperial Palace sits in the grand Imperial Park, a spacious garden in the middle of Tokyo. Surrounded by high rises, it’s reminiscent of Central Park. The Imperial Park is surrounded by a moat and houses a lovely Iris pond, an orchard, several structures and a large field. On a sunny day, you find plenty of people lounging on the grass or strolling around. The east part of the park is open to the public and entrance is free, but the inner Imperial Gardens are open to the public twice a year and the palace can only be visited as part of a tour.


Possibly the most famous part of Tokyo, Harajuku is best known for its expressive street style. Right at the end of Omotesando, the ‘Champs-Elysees of Tokyo’, a high-end designer street begins Harajuku, but the two could not be more different. Although it has become more touristic, Harajuku is still hip and edgy.  Harajuku is filled with vintage shops and hipster cafe’s and on a Sunday you might spot some girls is the signature Harajuku style.



Shinjuku is a world of its own, with everything you could possibly want or need and had become the place to be in Tokyo. The area around the train station is filled with shops, restaurants, malls, cinema’s, bars and nightclubs. It truly comes alive after dark when the neon signs light up the street advertising everything from clothes to karaoke. Walking around Shinjuku is an experience on its own, but if you want to have a crazy night out in Tokyo try stepping inside some of the wild establishments.

Shrines & temples


Tokyo has a stark contrast between old and new, with both tall modern buildings as well as shrines and temples. The most famous ones are the Meiji shrine and the Shinjoji temple, both crowded by tourists but still very impressive.


Japanese art and culture are so distinct and unique that no trip to Tokyo is complete without a museum visit. First and foremost, the Tokyo National Museum. This celebrated museum houses a large collection of Japanese art, antiquities and artefacts. The Edo-Tokyo Tatemono En is an open-air museum, showcasing traditional Japanese life in the Edo period. My personal favourite is the Sumida Hokusai Museum, a small museum dedicated to the work of Sumida Hokusai most famous for his painting ‘The Great Wave’.

Keep in mind that most museums in Japan are closed on Mondays.

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