You’ve done all the traditional touristy stuff in Tokyo, now what?
The non-traditional stuff, that’s what! These unique sights, activities, and noms will show you Tokyo through a quirky lens and allow you to explore the city’s cultural and culinary nooks and crannies.
1) Shinjuku Neighborhood’s Godzilla Head
Lounging outside of the Hotel Gracery Shinjuku 8th floor lobby, the hotel’s resident pet peeks over the building, roaring and spitting light and smoke a few times each hour.
While only guests of the hotel can see the Godzilla Head up close, the best view is from the street, as you walk towards the hotel from Shinjuku Station east exit.
2) The World’s Busiest Intersection
If you want to glimpse orderly chaos, head over to the 2nd floor of the Starbucks in the Shibuya neighborhood. Situated at the head of the world’s busiest intersection, watch hundreds of pedestrians walk the spider-web crosswalks as they cross the intersection.
3) Hachiko
If you love animals and want to have your heartstrings pulled, head to the Shibuya metro station. Outside of it is the famous statue of the Akita dog Hachiko (1923-1935), which symbolizes fidelity and loyalty.
Hachiko waited every day for his owner, a professor of agriculture at the University of Tokyo named Hidesaburō Ueno, to return home from work.
One day, he suffered a cerebral hemorrhage during a lecture and did not return on his commute home. Hachiko kept waiting in the same spot for his owner for nine years, finally passing away when he was eleven years old.
Related: The Perfect 7 Day Japan Itinerary
4) MariCAR Tour
MariCAR is hands down the must-do activity for first-time visitors to Tokyo. There is no better way to experience the energy of the city than to zip through traffic in a go-kart. And doing so in full costume is the quirky cherry on top of this wacky sundae of sightseeing.
The tour options range from one hour to three hours. The one-hour tour is 6,000 Yen per person (roughly $54) and you drive by the Tokyo Tower and through Shinagawa. The two-hour tour is 8,000 Yen per person (roughly $72) and you drive by the Tokyo Tower and through Roppongi, Shinagawa, and Shibuya (where you drive through the World’s Busiest Crosswalk).
The three-hour tour is 10,000 Yen per person (roughly $90) and you drive by the Tokyo Tower and through Roppongi, Odaiba (where you get to test the speed limits of your go-kart as you drive on the Rainbow Bridge and see the bay), Shinagawa, and Shibuya. I recommend the three hour tour at sunset (tour started at 6:30 pm and ended at 10pm). Seeing the cityscape at night lit up and sparkling is breathtaking.
5) Robot Restaurant’s Evening Cabaret Show
The Robot Restaurant’s Evening Cabaret Show a psychedelic blast. For 8,000 Yen per person (roughly $72), you get 90 minutes of this high-energy, Alice-in-Wonderland-esque performance.
It’s the flamboyant love child of Cirque du Soleil (without the acrobatics) and Medieval Times (exchange the horses for lit-up robots) and definitely a unique experience. You’ll leave entertained but scratching your head at what exactly you just saw.
Related: 8 Things To Do In Japan That Are Totally Worth The Hype
If you want to taste some of the yummiest ramen in Tokyo, head over to one of the local shops where you order your ramen through a vending machine of sorts. Made for those with hermetic tendencies, this is a limited-human-interaction experience.
Once you place your customized ramen order through the machine (select extra toppings like a soft-boiled egg, additional garlic, etc), the machine will spit out a ticket. Once you plop down on a bar stool with privacy screens on each side, you hand the ticket to the pair of hands that reach through the window in front of you.
Once your ramen is served through the front window, the server pulls down the sliding screen and you can slurp your noodles in privacy. Try Ichiran in the Shinjuku neighborhood.
7) Yakitori in an Izakaya
For carnivorous souls, head over to an Izakaya, a Japanese tavern, like Torikizoku Okubo in Shinjuku. A local joint, half the fun is navigating the Japanese-only picture menu and ordering through a touchpad screen located at each table.
Salivate over succulent skewers of grilled meats and don’t forget to try the fried chicken skins and chicken butt.
8) All You Can Eat (AYCE) Yakiniku
Translating to “grilled meat”, the Japanese BBQ is a fun experience. Much like Korean BBQ, each table has a grill in the middle of it and you order an assortment of beef, pork, seafood, and/or vegetables to grill yourself.
If you’re in the Shibuya neighborhood, try the Yakiniku Fufutei Shibuya. In addition to AYCE, you have the option of ordering All You Can Drink. You’re allotted two hours to eat and drink to your heart’s content. Try the beef tongue.
What To Know For Visiting Japan
Japan Visas
Citizens of many countries can get a free 90 day entry to visit Japan for tourism.
Be sure to check the official Japanese Immigration Website for the latest information for your specific country.
Currency
The currency used in Japan is the Japanese Yen (JPY). The current exchange rate is approximately 1 USD to 108 JPY. You can check the latest EUR exchange rate on Google.
While traveling, our number one tip is to use a free Charles Schwab Debit Card which gives unlimited worldwide ATM Fee Refunds and the true exchange rate.
Best Tours In Tokyo
Some of the best tours and things to do in Tokyo are:
- Tokyo Temples and Shrines Morning Tour
- Tokyo: Sushi Making Class
- 2-Hour Asakusa Food Hunt & Cultural Tour
- Photo Shoot in Tokyo with a Private Photographer
Where To Stay In Tokyo
We recommend booking your hotels on Booking.com to get the best rate and many hotels offer free cancellation in case your plans change.
Some of our favorite hotels in Tokyo are:
- Pullman Tokyo Tamachi: Luxury hotel with rooms bigger than more in Tokyo, located in the Minato district.
- Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo: Great hotel set in a beautiful traditional Japanese garden with its own pagoda.
- The Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho: Perfect location and a luxury hotel with onsite restaurant and great views.
AirBnB is also a great option in Tokyo (and you can save $44 using that link to sign up!).
Best Time To Visit Japan
The best time to visit Japan is during the shoulder seasons of March to May or September to November. These times have the mildest temperatures and will be less crowded than summer.
Best Books About Japan
Read more about Japan before you go! Some of the best books about Japan are:
What Power Adapters Do You Need
Japan uses standard Type A and Type B adapters also commonly used in the USA. However, keep in mind that the voltage is different so be careful with your electronics and bring a voltage converter if necessary.
You can buy a universal adapter that will work in any country and has extra ports for USB cables to charge your phone and other devices.
We also always travel with a portable battery pack which is great to keep your phone charged on long journeys.
Transportation In Japan
- Public Transportation: Japan has extensive public transportation by both bus and train. The high speed trains are particularly good.
- Rental Cars: If you want flexibility, we recommend renting a car at the airport. This provides the easiest way to see certain landmarks, though parking in Tokyo can be expensive.
- Uber: Uber is sometimes available in Japan, though it depends on the area (mostly in Tokyo and Kyoto). However, the rules are constantly changing about Uber in Japan due to the strict permits that are required for drivers to offer rides. Metered taxis are readily available. You can use the popular JapanTaxiApp instead of Uber.
Travel Insurance
Our top recommended travel insurance companies for Japan are:
- World Nomads: Comprehensive coverage for medical, travel delays, and electronics.
- SafetyWing: Cheaper monthly coverage primarily for medical, starting at $37 for 4 weeks of coverage.
More Articles About Japan
- How To Plan A Trip To Tokyo Disney In 5 Easy Steps
- Naoshima, Japan Will Surprise You
- Why You Should Consider Japan For A Solo Female Trip
- A Guide To Visiting Hakone, Japan
- The Perfect 7 Day Japan Itinerary
- 8 Things To Do In Japan Totally Worth The Hype
- 8 Off The Beaten Path Things To Do In Tokyo, Japan
Do you have other recommended things to do off the beaten track in Japan? Let us know in the comments below!
Do you want to share your own travel tips by guest writing for We Are Travel Girls? Please visit our Contribute page for guidelines and to submit your article.
By We Are Travel Girls Contributor Kasey Adamchik of DrinkWineEatBreadPetCats.com
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Helen says
Wonderful story!
Kasey says
Thank you! ????
We Are Travel Girls says
Thanks for reading Helen! Becky x
Zhanna says
Anti-social ramen, owl cafe… Kasey, what could be more non-traditional than that? :) I love your post. It gives a glance at real Japan.
Kasey says
Thank you so much, Zhanna! I’m glad you enjoyed reading it and you should definitely try the anti-social ramen! ??
Vivian says
I love Ichiran!!
Vivian | http://www.viviyunn.com
IG | @viviyunn_
~
Kasey says
Agreed! It’s delicious! :)
Jessica says
Great suggestions! I was in Tokyo over the summer and did all the touristy things. I fell in love with the city and am looking to visit it again. I’ll definitely check out some of the activities you mentioned! i am especially intrigued by the MariCar tour! Thanks for sharing these with us!
We Are Travel Girls says
Thanks for reading and commenting Jessica! Glad the post is useful for when you return to Tokyo one day! Becky x
Kasey says
Thanks Jessica! If you want any more information on MariCAR, feel free to reach out to me.