Things To Do In And Around Tokyo Station

1. Visit Character Street

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Japan is known for its rich anime culture, with thousands of lovable characters that have endeared themselves to fans all over the world. Aside from Akihabara, there is one floor dedicated to ‘kawaii’ Japanese characters in Tokyo Station. If you’re a fan of Tamagotchi, Pokemon, and Studio Ghibli, you will be pleased to know that there are various shops selling a wide variety of their products and more.

2. Shop at Okashi Land

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Located at First Avenue in Tokyo station, every snack lover should stop by Okashi Land or “The Land of Sweets”. This place has certainly earned its name. From chocolates, to candies, to delicious chips, they have it all. You can also buy fresh products if you wish to create your own snacks. Also make sure to not miss the chance to witness sweets being made right in front of you in stores like Calbee and Glico.

If you’re travelling with kids, Okashi Land is a must-visit. There are mini activities specially tailored for children to enjoy. There’s a “Press a Penny” machine where you can get an image of Kyorochan, the Okashi mascot. Plus, you can collect stamps!

3. Experience the night lights

Pay close attention to films set in Tokyo, you’ll see that they often highlight their city lights, especially at night. Near the station are spots which glow throughout the night. One famous spot to immerse yourself in an electric display of lights is Shibuya, known for its famous Shibuya crossing, where hundreds of pedestrians can cross the street from all angles at any one go. This part of Tokyo never sleeps, staying well and truly alive even after most shops have closed. Check it out for yourself and experience an almost futuristic side to Tokyo.

4. Search for the best Ramen at Tokyo Ramen Street

You know it’s not a complete Tokyo trip without eating ramen. The good news is that Tokyo Ramen Street has you covered. True to its namesake, the street is lined with all manner of ramen stalls from one end to the other. If you’re spoilt for choice, check out “Rokurinsha”, known for serving its ramen tsukemen style. But, if you want to avoid the usually long line, there are more ramen shops like Tanmen Tonari which also serves really good karaage, Ikaruga, and their special concoction of cheese maze soba.

5. Buy KitKats unique to Japan

Japanese Kitkats are one of the most common souvenirs that travellers take home with them. Not only are they reasonably priced, but they also come in many different flavours and designs that can only be found in Japan — flavours like matcha, strawberry maple, Kyoho grapes, peach, and more. Some KitKats even come with adorable packaging that makes opening them an unnecessarily difficult task. How can one bear opening a box of KitKats with Rilakkuma’s face on it?

6. Stroll down Nakadori Avenue

At this tree-lined area, you will find office buildings, shopping centers, and famous brand stores. Nakadori Avenue creates a balance between the commercial side of Tokyo by matching it with appreciation for nature. Along the avenue lined by trees are buildings like Marubiru, Marunouchi Brick Square, and the New Tokyo Building. With a goal of maintaining art appreciation, there are illuminations held at Nakadori during winter.

7. Visit the Tokyo Station Gallery

Experience art and culture even at the busy station of Tokyo. The Tokyo Station Gallery aims to encourage people to see Tokyo station as more than just a transit point, but a place of rich culture. If you want to take a break from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, the gallery is an indeal place to do just that. Besides their brick wall exhibition rooms that feature art related to the history of Japan, the gallery also welcomes exhibitions of different genres.

8. Eat Bento at Matsuri

Travelling in Tokyo can be very confusing, especially since there is so much to see and do. However, one of the places you can’t miss out on is Matsuri, more so if you’re a fan of Japanese bento meals. This establishment offers over 200 different bento lunch boxes with varying ingredients, each hailing from different parts of Japan, such as Takayama or even the far-flung lands of Hokkaido up north. Matsuri also offers miso soup and alcoholic beverages to complement your bento meals with.

9. Enjoy the Tokyo Station architecture

It’s definitely not a surprise to have a gallery accompanied with excellent architecture at Tokyo Station. With $625m worth of renovation, the build of the station itself is a feast for the eyes. With its dome interior, mixed face bricks, and pillars, you will surely find yourself in awe with its architecture. Some elements are also quite similar to those of the Grand Central Station in New York.

10. Try your luck at Gachapon machines

Perhaps one of Japan’s most ubiquitous features are vending machines, selling all sorts of items, from beverages to toys, to sake. One variant of these are Gachapon machines — insert a 100-yen coin, crank the knob, and watch your prize emerge in a plastic ball. The ones at Tokyo station mostly contain keychains, toys, and anime figures, some of which can be rather quirky, synonymous with Japan’s otaku culture. One thing’s for sure, these Gachapon machines are a great way to lose your spare change to.

Picking up bite-size pieces of Japan

Tokyo is Japan’s commercial hub, and each year, throngs of hopefuls, from foreigners to Japanese people from other parts of Japan, flock to the nation’s capital hoping to take advantage of the many career opportunities up for grabs. Inevitably, with people comes culture, as non-Tokyo Japanese too bring with them a piece of their culture unique to their regions and prefectures. Experience all of that the next time you find yourself around Tokyo station!