Tokyo Holidays

Mount Takao sits about an hour from central Tokyo and offers several routes through wooded slopes to its 599-metre summit. Trail 1 is the easiest choice for first-time visitors, while steeper paths feel quieter. Clear days may bring a distant view of Mount Fuji.

The upper Tama River carries rafting groups through forested scenery, rocky channels and lively rapids in Okutama, roughly two hours from central Tokyo. Guided trips generally provide helmets, buoyancy aids and wetsuits, making the experience accessible to beginners who are comfortable around fast-moving water.

Canyoning turns Okutama’s steep gorges into a natural obstacle course, with guided sessions involving rock slides, waterfall descents, jumps and abseiling. Routes vary by operator and water conditions, so participants should check age, swimming and fitness requirements before booking, particularly after heavy rain.

Tokyo looks surprisingly calm from the water. Guided kayaking and paddleboarding sessions run on stretches of the Sumida River, Tokyo Bay and around Odaiba, placing bridges and towers above you. Conditions and minimum ages differ, while some tours welcome complete beginners.

Deep in Okutama, the Nippara Limestone Caves lead through cool, narrow passages filled with unusual rock formations. Illuminated sections make the route manageable without specialist caving experience, although floors can be damp and uneven. Sturdy shoes and an extra layer are sensible year-round.

Cycling reveals a more open side of Tokyo, particularly along the Sumida, Arakawa and Tama rivers or around the bay. Flat waterfront stretches suit casual riders, while guided tours help with navigation. Follow local road rules carefully and park only in designated bicycle areas.

Founded in 628, Sensō-ji is Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple, although its present buildings were reconstructed after the Second World War. Enter through the Kaminarimon Gate, continue along Nakamise-dori and reach the main hall, where incense, prayer rituals and seasonal gatherings keep the precinct lively.

Built on the former grounds of Edo Castle, the Imperial Palace became the emperor’s permanent residence in 1869. Most inner areas remain closed, but visitors can explore the East Gardens, stone walls, moats and the surviving foundation of a seventeenth-century castle tower.

Completed in 1920, Meiji Jingu honours Emperor Meiji and Empress Shōken, whose era transformed modern Japan. A broad path passes beneath towering torii gates and through a 70-hectare forest created from donated trees, leading to a working shrine where traditional weddings still take place.

Zōjō-ji became the Tokugawa family temple during the Edo period and contains the tombs of six shoguns. Its imposing Sangedatsumon Gate survived wartime bombing, unlike much of the complex. The gate is currently undergoing conservation work, scheduled to continue until November 2032.

Nezu Shrine’s present complex dates from 1706, when the fifth Tokugawa shogun moved it to its current site. Several original structures survive as important cultural properties. Beyond the ornate gates, a path of red torii and spring azaleas gives the grounds their distinctive character.

Tokyo Station’s red-brick Marunouchi building opened in 1914, designed by architect Tatsuno Kingo as a grand gateway to the capital. Damaged during the Second World War, it later lost its domed roofline before a major restoration returned the exterior to its original three-storey appearance.

Held around early March, the Tokyo Marathon sends tens of thousands of runners past major neighbourhoods and landmarks before finishing near Tokyo Station. Even without a race place, visitors can join the roadside crowds. Expect road closures and packed transport along the route.

Each May, Sanja Matsuri fills Asakusa with three days of processions, drumming and portable shrines carried through the streets. The main action surrounds Sensō-ji and Asakusa Shrine, drawing enormous crowds. Arrive early, wear comfortable shoes and expect temporary access restrictions.

Tokyo’s best-known fireworks event usually takes place beside the Sumida River in late July. Displays launch from two sites near Asakusa, including a competition featuring inventive designs. Viewing areas become extremely crowded, so check transport controls and official guidance before choosing a spot.

Late August brings tightly packed dance groups, musicians and spectators to the streets around Koenji Station. Performers move in choreographed lines to lively drums, flutes and chanting during this two-day summer celebration. Street space is limited, while indoor stage performances may require tickets.

Usually held in autumn, the Tokyo International Film Festival screens Japanese and international films across cinemas in central Tokyo. The programme combines premieres, competition titles, talks and public appearances. Tickets are sold by screening, so study the schedule rather than expecting a single festival pass.

From November into winter, shopping districts, gardens and business quarters install elaborate evening light displays. Marunouchi, Roppongi and Shibuya are regular favourites, although locations and dates change annually. Many displays are free, making them easy to add after dinner or late-afternoon sightseeing.

Akihabara’s multi-storey arcades pack rhythm games, racing simulators, fighting titles, crane machines and photo booths beneath one roof. Different floors often specialise in different games. Bring some coins, watch regular players before joining in and set a spending limit for prize machines.

Shimokitazawa’s compact live houses host indie rock, punk, jazz and experimental acts in rooms that can feel barely larger than the audience. Check individual venue schedules before travelling, as tickets, drink charges and entry arrangements vary. Some performances sell advance tickets; others accept walk-ins.

Tokyo Dome is home to the Yomiuri Giants, with professional baseball games during the season. The atmosphere extends beyond the field through coordinated chants, team songs and organised cheering sections. Buy tickets in advance for major fixtures and check rules on permitted bags and food.

Golden Gai squeezes hundreds of tiny bars into six narrow lanes in Shinjuku, with many rooms seating only a handful of customers. Some welcome visitors openly, while others cater mainly to regulars. Check cover charges before entering and avoid photographing people without permission.

Allow several hours for this walk-through collection of Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts sets, costumes, props and production displays. Highlights include the Great Hall, Diagon Alley and the Tokyo-exclusive Ministry of Magic set. Tickets must be reserved online before arrival and cannot be bought onsite.

At Nakajima no Ochaya, a teahouse set beside Hama-rikyu’s tidal pond, visitors can pause for matcha and a seasonal Japanese sweet. This is an approachable introduction to tea customs rather than a full formal ceremony, with no prior knowledge expected from first-time guests.

Ryogoku remains Tokyo’s centre of sumo, anchored by Ryogoku Kokugikan and nearby training stables. Grand tournaments take place here in January, May and September. Outside tournament dates, visitors can explore the Sumo Museum or book an authorised morning-practice visit where available.

Kabukiza in Ginza is Tokyo’s principal venue for kabuki, combining elaborate costumes, stylised movement, live music and stories drawn from history or domestic life. Full programmes can run for hours, although shorter single-act tickets may be offered. Check schedules and language-support options before booking.

A neighbourhood sento is a public bath rather than a natural hot spring. Wash thoroughly before entering the shared pools, keep towels out of the water and speak quietly. Facilities are usually separated by gender, while tattoo policies and supplied toiletries differ between individual bathhouses.

Edo kiriko is cut glass decorated with precise geometric patterns that catch and reflect light. Workshops around eastern Tokyo let visitors practise on a glass item under an artisan’s guidance. The finished piece can usually be taken home, making the experience both practical and personal.

Ikebukuro’s anime culture spreads through large specialist shops, themed cafés, exhibition spaces and character stores rather than a single attraction. The area has a strong following among female fans in particular. Check timed-entry rules for exhibitions and cafés, as popular collaborations can fill quickly.