4 Cool & Unique Things to do in Tokyo
Tokyo is hands-down one of the coolest cities I have ever been to. As a born and raised New Yorker that has visited India many times, Tokyo was the first time I experienced culture shock as an adult. The city maintains an organized chaos that exceeds the hustle of NYC while still preserving its revered history, culture, art, and traditions in a similar fashion to India. (Oh, but the Japanese are MUCH nicer than New Yorkers.) So here are my top four cool and unique things to do when in Tokyo.
#1: MORI Building Digital Art Museum: teamLab Borderless
Number one on my list is teamLab Borderless – a digital art museum located in Palette Town, Odaiba. Museums may not be at the top of most people’s lists when visiting Tokyo, but this interactive and immersive experience is transformative and not to be missed. The first digital art museum in the world encourages you to “wander, explore, and discover” their five worlds consisting of about 60 exhibits while transcending boundaries. Lights, patterns, and sounds are ever changing, and the artwork responds to every passerby’s touch. Truly lose yourself in a world where art, science, technology, design, and nature intersect in the most ethereal ways, resulting in a sensory overload.
Feel free to peruse the list of exhibits on teamLab’s website. But as there is no map onsite, I recommend taking your time exploring the various rooms. We spent 4 hours here and even that did not seem enough! I could have easily spent the whole day there had I not had a flight to catch. The two most popular rooms to visit are the Forest of Resonating Lamps and Crystal World so even if you only have a limited window of time to spend here, make these two your priority. If you don’t come across these organically, you can ask one of the many facilitators roaming the rooms for directions. Photography and videos are permitted and highly encouraged. Lastly, remember to purchase tickets on teamLab’s website prior to your visit as tickets are not currently being sold at the museum.
#2: Golden Gai Bars
Amidst the neon city lights and towering skyscrapers, neatly tucked away in Shinjuku is this hidden gem coming in at number two on my list. Golden Gai is actually a very well-known and trendy nightlife spot, but its unique architecture and run-down façade will make you feel like you just stumbled upon Tokyo’s best kept secret. Six narrow alleyways, no bigger than the aisles in a grocery store, serve as the home for over 200 tiny bars in two-story buildings. Traditional, authentic, and charming are the words I would use to describe my experience there.
We made it to three bars the night we visited Golden Gai. The first cozy bar had one bartender, four locals, and with the addition of the two of us, you had yourself a fully packed bar. Despite trying to order a drink off a handwritten menu completely in Japanese and chatting with the locals in broken English, it oddly felt like we belonged.
The bartender recommended his favorite drinks, the locals gave us their go-to Tokyo sites, and an elderly gentleman bonded with my husband over their mutual love for Ichiro Suzuki. The next two bars involved steep and narrow staircases leading to even smaller bars than the first, if that was possible. One even doubled as a karaoke bar where we heard a local man passionately singing a song in Japanese even though the wall décor consisted of vintage U.S. music records and posters plastered across its red, furry walls. Hopefully by now you’ve gotten the traditionally authentic and charmingly eclectic vibe I was describing earlier.
#3: Department Store Shopping in Electric Town
Yes, you read that right. Department store shopping in Akihabara, better known as “Electric Town.” Imagine if you walked into a real-life video game – that describes my first impression of Akihabara. The bright and colorful lights and packed streets are the city’s hub for anime, comics, gaming, electronics, and shopping. There is plenty to do in this town like stopping for a drink at a maid café or trying your luck at a pachinko parlor (effectively slot machines). But the department stores are the true highlight. You can wander these massive 8 - 10 floor buildings (with additional sub-floors) and find anything from those green tea flavored KitKats you promised to bring back home to unique cookware you didn’t know existed, from an army of dancing Pikachus and Stormtroopers in one aisle to high-end electronics, clothing, and beauty products in the next. It’s as if Sephora, Best Buy, Club Monaco, and your local convenience store all joined forces. Plan to spend adequate time here as you can get lost in the aisles for hours and fill up your basket without even realizing it. We made it here two different nights to load up on sweet treats, face masks galore, a few electronics, and trendy pieces to add to our wardrobe.
#4: Takeshita Street in Harajuku
Number four on the list is Takeshita street - a narrow yet crowded, 400-meter street meant for pedestrians to enjoy a wide array of fashion, food, and shopping. It consists of cute and quirky independent shops as well as major chains along with cafes and fast food. When you visit Takeshita street, you get to experience the height of Harajuku pop-culture and Kawaii culture (or cuteness culture). You will come across imaginative and colorful storefronts, delicious sweets (try the crepes!), locals sporting eccentric fashion or costumes, and fun, experimental activities like cat cafes and Mario Kart in real life.
Honorable Mentions
Shibuya Crossing – Visit the busiest pedestrian intersection in the world! In a setting similar to that of Times Square in NYC, it’s mesmerizing to just stand in the intersection and watch the people pass you by for a few minutes.
Ginza – Take in the glitz and glam of what feels like NYC’s Fifth Ave high-end shopping and fine dining.
Roppongi – Known for its nightlife and place where expats generally frequent, this area is buzzing with fun clubs, bars, and the BEST pizza in Tokyo.