5 Things To Do - Tokyo

Sumo

Should you be lucky enough to be in Tokyo during one of its’ three grand tournaments (January, May, and September) then taking in Japan’s national sport is a must. Outside of these times sumo stables are open year-round and are open to visitors for early-morning training sessions.

Green Spaces

Tokyo may be a throbbing hub of modernity, but it is nonetheless littered with pockets of peaceful green space. Most parks are free and many combine well with nearby sightseeing – Yoyogi Park leading naturally into the quirky Harajuku district, for instance. 

Shopping

Tokyo is a shopper’s paradise: for high fashion, look no further than the bright lights of Ginza; all things electronic are found in Akihabara, also a centre for anime and manga; Japan’s notoriously bizarre youth culture can be bought into in aforementioned Harajuku; Nihonbashi is a traditional mercantile district and centre for traditional foods and goods.

Dining

The Japanese capital is also a foodie mecca. There is something to suit all wallet sizes here: from stand-up ramen noodle stands, mid-priced hole-in-the-wall izakaya, right up to a glittering array of Michelin-starred fine dining. You may already be considering a trip to Tsukiji fish market, so while in situ we especially recommend a sushi lunch – as fresh as they come!

Get out of the city

With a famously-rapid rail system, Tokyo is a hub for exploring the wider Kansai region. Mount Fuji is an obvious trip, as is the surrounding Hakone National Park. Culture vultures should also look north towards Nikko, or south to Kamakura – ‘the Kyoto of Eastern Japan’. For a list of recommended day-trips from Tokyo using a Japan Rail Pass, take a look at our blog 'Top 5 day trips from Tokyo using a Japan Rail Pass'.