Tokyo is one of the most awesome cities we’ve visited and one we’ve enjoyed several times as a family. Japan does an excellent job of blending the modern with the traditional in a way that offers a totally unique travel experience. From boisterous games arcades, theme parks and karaoke bars to serene temples, castles and gardens, it’s a destination that offers variety beyond comparison. Tokyo and Japan are top of mind for us at the minute, as we think ahead to where we might visit in 2025 and so I thought I would remind myself of why with our Tokyo Top Ten places to visit.
1. Photos at Shibuya Crossing
There’s no better introduction to the craziness that is Tokyo than standing at the world-famous Shibuya Crossing. On our first day in Tokyo, this was at the top of our sightseeing list. Watching hundreds of people flow seamlessly in all directions was just crazy. Especially for a family who has settled down in quiet old New Zealand for a few years. Shibuya Crossing looks like chaos but the Japanese seem to know exactly how to navigate their way. We took some obligatory photos out on the crossing, of course, and then headed into a nearby mall for a coffee before a stroll through the streets to nearby Harajuku.
2. Visiting Sensō-ji Temple
The magnificent Sensō-ji Temple is an absolute must-see, being Tokyo’s oldest temple. It truly is one of the most spectacular temples we’ve seen and, after multiple trips to South East Asia, we’ve seen a few (!). We’d chosen to stay in Asakusa during one of our Tokyo trips due to its closeness to the river ferry to the museums at Odaiba, good food options, and also so we could visit this amazing temple. So it was easy for us to visit early, at 7.30 in the morning, and miss the tour buses and day-time crowds, which get pretty hectic. The kids loved exploring and making wishes. We also visited again one evening on our way back to our accommodation after dinner, so we were fortunate to see the temple in the daylight and also lit up after sunset. Truly spectacular.
Afterwards, we strolled along Nakamise-dori, one of Japan’s oldest shopping streets, in search of snacks and souvenirs.
3. The View from Tokyo Skytree
At 634 metres, Tokyo Skytree is the tallest structure in Japan. The panoramic view from the observation deck is nothing short of breathtaking, especially during sunset. We could even just make out Mt. Fuji in the distance too. After our ride up the tower, we explored the shopping mall at the base looking for cold beers, dinner and more souvenirs. We enjoyed the Tokyo Skytree so much that we visited a second time during a later trip too so a firm one for our Tokyo Top Ten.
4. Shinjuku
Shinjuku is on everyone’s must-see list for Tokyo and probably for good reason. It’s neon-lit, tiny streets are littered with izakayas and bars, making for a super fun night out. We, however, decided to visit around mid-morning with our 3 and 5 year olds, before travelling to Shibuya Crossing, not realising how massive Tokyo is and how far our trip would be. Battling with a double buggy on the subway to get there wasn’t what I would call a highlight of the trip. And arriving up into the daylight after everyone else’s night before, it felt pretty sleazy and dirty to be honest. However, there were still plenty of places open in the morning to grab a bite to eat before going back to the subway to head across the city again. If we visit again, it’ll be to check out the nightlife here, for sure.
5. Fashion in Harajuku
We walked through to Harajuku after visiting Shibuya Crossing to check out the fashion on show in this quirky neighbourhood. Uniquely Japanese, Takeshita Street in Harajuku is an explosion of colour, creativity and style. Just walking around and people-watching was an experience in itself. Our daughter picked out a cute little Harajuku themed dress for a souvenir from one of the many fashion boutiques along our stroll.
6. Tokyo Samurai Ninja Museum
Delving into the past at the fantastic Tokyo Samurai Ninja Museum was an awesome experience for the family. Interactive, educational and entertaining, the kids and us were captivated. We learned a little about the life of Samurai and Ninja warriors through the amazing exhibits, and got to dress up in some traditional garb and handle some samurai swords and ninja stars too. Interesting for us adults and entertainment for the kids as well, so this deserves a spot on our Tokyo Top Ten for sure.
7. Tokyo Dome and Tokyo Giants Baseball Game
We visited the Tokyo Dome for a Tokyo Giants Baseball game, one of the most popular sports in Japan. The atmosphere was electric and the game thoroughly entertaining to watch. We especially loved the ladies that came around with snacks and beer so we didn’t even need to get up from our seats. There’s a small theme park here too and a selection of restaurants, and so we returned the next day to go on the rides and visit the Bubba Gump Shrimp Restaurant. There’s heaps to entertain small kids at the park and a big rollercoaster that Rob went on too. For me the log flume, Wonder Drop, was my favourite.
8. Miraikan – The National Museum of Emerging Science
We took a lovely trip down the river on the ferry from where we were staying in Asakusa to Odaiba, which has heaps of malls, food courts, games arcades and a couple of amazing museums. Miraikan deserves a spot on our Tokyo Top Ten list due to awesome Science and Innovation exhibits and dome theatre. It’s interactive, fun and has signage in English as well as Japanese, and we got to meet some pretty cool robots too.
9. The Tech in Akihabara
If you’re a fan of anime, manga, or video games, Akihabara is a must. It’s not something any of us are really into but this area still offers a sensory overload that’s hard not to appreciate and shows a different side to what Japan is all about. With multi-story arcades, themed cafés and shops overflowing with collectibles, Akihabara is where technology and pop culture meet and was great for a stroll about.
10. Relaxing in Ueno Park
After all the hustle and bustle of the streets of Tokyo, navigating the subway and having our fill of games arcades and karaoke bars, a trip to Tokyo’s oldest public park offered some welcome respite. We were happy to just wander around and have some outdoor time and look at the gardens and ponds. And the kids appreciated a run around in an outdoor space too. Ueno Park contains The Tokyo National Museum, The National Museum of Nature and Science as well as two Art Museums and the Zoo, which would be great for us to visit on a future trip.
We love a trip that offers variety and for that, Tokyo just can’t be beaten. Museums, temples, tech, sport, theme parks and famous landmarks – this has it all. I hope you enjoyed our Tokyo Top Ten and we’re looking forward to seeing what else we can add to the list after future trips.
For our blog post on our favourite temples in Kyoto, click here. Happy Travels!
