Other Stuff to do in and around Tokyo

Owned by Brett Meehan
Jan 13, 2017

Recommendations from SSS and Atlassian folks in no particular order

The Suijo Bus (Water Bus) is quite a nice ride - perhaps plan a trip to/from Asakusa.

There are heaps of places to go shopping. Perhaps start at Shibuya (that famous scramble crossing), walk up to Harajuku via Cat Street and up Omotesando Dori.

  • Ameyoko in Ueno - a market that is under/beside the trainline at Ueno.
  • Ginza on a Weekend - they make the big streets pedestrian only which makes it quite a nice place to walk around and do some shopping.
  • Roppingi Hills - there's a nice lookout over Tokyo and the Mori Art Gallery at the same venue.

If you like Hayao Miyazaki films, you could visit the Ghibli Museum http://www.ghibli-museum.jp/en/ be sure to buy tickets ahead of the trip as I don't think you can get them at the door.


  • Go shopping in Harajuku, buy some ludicrous clothing and wear it all day – on Sundays they apparently have more people dressing up and walking the streets
  • Live the high life in Ginza, go shopping then for a fancy meal – we went to http://www.ukai.co.jp/english/ginza/ and ate a $200 steak, don't regret a dollar of it #ginzalife
  • All the gardens are spectacular, but our favourite last time was Hamarikyu Gardens – we got there by taking a boat from Asakusa to the gardens
  • We never actually made it up the Skytree, it was either closed due to wind or the lines were too long, so I can't compare the views, but the view from Mori Tower (which also has an art gallery and a restaurant dedicated to making food in the form of Pikachus) is awesome, and it's not enclosed, you're basically out on a helipad with some fencing around the edge of the building.
  • If it's wet and miserable, Joypolis is a lot of fun, basically an indoor amusement park with a roller coaster and other rides. They had the most terrifying ride I've ever been on, where you're locked in a black box just barely big enough to fit in, with noise cancelling headphones on for complete sensory depravation, to then get thrown around and tipped upside down and stuff.
  • Roppongi is awesome for food, drinks, and night life. We found a pet shop there with lots of tiny puppies too, which I'm sure you'll want to check out (tongue)
  • Hang out in Shinjuku at night, it's pretty unreal. We will definitely hit up a karaoke place when we're there (smile)
  • Near Shinjuku there's an area of small bars in called the Golden Gai, it's maybe two small blocks with tiny little back streets. These bars fit about 5-10 people in them at a time, max, and they have regulars that are basically the bartender's mates from work or whatever, who just sit around shooting the shit. They tend to have themes, too, so there's a medical one with drinks in syringe, a plastic figurine bar, a bar based on old Japanese TV shows, etc. Check out Ace's bar, Ace is a legend.
  • Go the fish markets, eat sushi from some of the little vendors around the market. I've never made it there early enough to see the tuna auctions, definitely want to do that next time.


  • Robot Restaurant - it's crazy but fun!
  • Go to the basement level of all of the department stores - amaaaazing food halls like no other!
  • Meiji Shrine
  • Check out the Shibuya crossing from the Starbucks
  • Check out the views from the Tokyo Metropolitan Govt Offices (free)
  • Top of the Park Hyatt for a drink / meal (of Lost in Translation fame)


Onsens - http://www.timeout.jp/en/tokyo/feature/536/Tokyos-top-onsen


Yodobashi Camera .....Essentially it's an 8 floor department store of just electronics & anything related. There are two in Tokyo - Shinjuku & Akihabara. http://www.yodobashi.com/html/globaltop.html


  • It's a fair bit of a commute, but Tama Zoo is amazing. You can get a bus ride through the lion enclosure, the twist being that the bus has hunks of meat hung on the outside. Ueno zoo is much more accessible and I'm told is still good, but I've read that it has depressingly small enclosures (and has a pretty messed up history). 
  • If you want to go to Yokohama for a day (about 1 hour by train) there's a pretty great aquarium. It's also home to one of my favourite bars anywhere in the world. Yokohama's also one of the better areas for non-Japanese food (I found some great Chinese and had a friend tell me about a great nepalese place).
  • Tokyo skytree is pretty good (even if it seems like a tourist trap). I had the good fortune to visit on a blue sky day and it was pretty mindblowing. I could see forever but I still couldn't see where the city ends (hint: that's because it doesn't end). ... (Tip with Tokyo Skytree.... if you arrive 30 minutes before opening time (8am) there is no line. An hour after opening, the lines will quickly get to the point of a 1-2 hours wait. Been several times and this guarantees you will not only avoid waiting, but you'll avoid crowds. Purchase the tickets when you arrive on the 4th floor (which is where you enter). This will take you up to the first observation desk where you can purchase another ticket for the top. Go to the top! It's worth the very small, additional charge.  )


  • North-East: Tokyo Skytree. As I mentioned above, get there at 7:30am and you'll have no line to worry about. World's tallest tower, more than twice height of Tokyo Tower.
  • Sensoji Temple in Asakusa (near Skytree)
  • South-East: Tsukiji Fish Market - closed Sundays and some Wednesdays
  • South-East: Ginza ($$$ shopping)
  • West: Shunjuku as a general area to visit and base yourself. It never sleeps (unlike Ginza).
  • From Shinjuku you can head south for Harajuku (fashion), and Shibuya (known for its busy intersection)
  • As mentioned above - the government towers in Shinjuku can provide an excellent (and free) view of Tokyo from the opposite side to Tokyo Skytree. They're hard to find.... so here is is a handy link: https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/Tokyo+Metropolitan+Government+Building/@35.689634,139.692101,15z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0xf1665c37f38661e8
  • Yoyogi park
  • Central: Roppongi and Roppongi Hills - more shopping (while the Yen is down.... you're going to shop)