Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is the most populous metropolis on earth. If you ever wish to understand the depth of Japanese culture and traditions, Tokyo is the best city to visit. Tokyo offers innumerable options in terms of shopping, entertainment, culture, and cuisine. You will be both amazed and thrilled at the same time with the immense variety, beauty, and class of alternatives in this part of Japan. The city has a number of historic temples, marvelous museums, and gardens which tend to enhance the beauty of the city at every step. You will also come across a number of eye-pleasing green spaces within short distances as Tokyo lays special importance on the environment. Since the holiday season is just around the corner, one should definitely take a break and travel to some exciting places such as Tokyo. Read on to find our list of the top things to do in Tokyo, Japan, during the weekend.
1. A quick look at the Ghibli Museum (from USD 175.0)
Located in Mitaka, the central Tokyo, the Ghibli Museum is a must-visit for movie lovers. Ghibli Museum is the animation and art museum of Miyazaki Hayao’s Studio Ghibli, one of Japan’s most famous animation studios. The museum has two floors and it is designed in a mischievously amazing manner along with a life-sized robot from the famous movie “Castle in the Sky”.
Read more about our detailed guide to Ghibli Museum here >>
Tokyo Studio Ghibli Museum Afternoon Tour with Admission
Duration: 8 hours 30 minutes
2. How about enjoying all-night karaoke
Do you know Karaoke originated from Japan? Karaoke is a well-liked pastime enjoyed by people of all ages in Japan, and also makes an interesting activity for tourists to Japan, especially those looking for some night entertainment. You can find a number of Karaoke establishments open from around 11:00 am to 3:00 am the following morning. Karaoke is an important part of nightlife in Tokyo as it is both relaxing as well as affordable. One of the best karaoke boxes in Tokyo is Karaoke No Tetsujin. This is one of the best and the easiest thing to do in Tokyo on weekends.
Karaoke No Tetsujin
Address: 1-3-2 Nishi Shinjuku, Shinjuku, Tokyo
3. Enjoy a personalized ramen tour with an expert (from USD 99.0)
Alright, ramen lovers, get ready for a two-hour culinary escapade through Tokyo, guided by Hiroshi, the local ramen guru. You’re about to dive headfirst into the fascinating world of ramen, with Hiroshi unraveling the history, various styles, and secrets behind this iconic Japanese dish. During this personalized ramen tour, you won’t just eat ramen - you’ll experience it in all its glory.
You will get to savor two different styles of ramen at two fantastic ramen joints and slurp your way through bowls of steaming, soul-satisfying goodness. The beauty of this tour? It’s all about you. Customize your ramen experience to suit your taste, and Hiroshi will be right there to make it happen.
Private Ramen Tour in Tokyo by Local Ramen Expert Hiroshi
Duration: 2hours
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4. Go on a private ramen tour with a local noodle expert (from USD 106.0)
Prepare for a truly immersive ramen experience with this private tour led by Frank, a seasoned noodle expert. Frank will take you to the world of ramen, offering you insights into various aspects of this famed dish - from understanding what to order and how to savor it to mastering the art of ramen etiquette.
The journey begins with a relaxing coffee or tea session where you’ll get to listen to fascinating ramen anecdotes and learn about the nuances of this beloved dish. But here’s the twist - you’re the one in charge! You and your fellow ramen enthusiasts will decide which ramen shop to visit, together. Whether you prefer the historic charm of Asakusa, the glitz of Ginza, the vibrancy of Shibuya, or any other Tokyo neighborhood, Frank’s got you covered.
Private Tokyo Ramen Tour with Frank
Duration: 2hours
5. Visit Ueno Zoo
Established in 1882 as a part of Japan’s modernization during Meiji Period, Ueno Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in Japan. It is a world class zoo with animals all around the globe. Some of the biggest attractions of this zoo, which make visiting one of the best things to do in Tokyo this weekend, are elephants, gorillas, polar bears, giraffes, etc.
Ueno Zoo
Address: 9-83 Uenokoen, Taitō, Tokyo 110-0007, Japan
Website: Ueno Zoo
6. Take a look at Godzilla Head
Known for all the weird developments, Godzilla Head is located on the 8th floor of the Gracery Hotel. It is a giant head of the scaly menace, that’s seen towering over the Toho Building in the Shinjuku Ward. You might not find it appealing at first sight, but after a few minutes, this gorilla will definitely be appealing. Among other sightseeing options, this is one of the weirdest things to do in Tokyo on weekends.
Godzilla Head
Address: 1-19-1 Kabukicho | Shinjuku Toho Bldg, Shinjuku 160-0021, Tokyo Prefecture
Website: Godzilla Head
7. Visit Nezu Museum
Posted by Nezu Museum on Wednesday, 28 November 2018
Located in the Minato district of Tokyo, Nezu Museum formerly known as the Nezu Institute of Fine Arts is another famous art museum in Tokyo. The museum is home to the personal collection of pre-modern Japanese and East Asian art of Nezu Kaichirō. The museum also contains historical remains of Tokyo in the form of a pair of Edo period folding screens, Irises, by Ogata Kōrin as well as Chinese bronzes of the Shang and Zhou dynasties.
Nezu Museum
Address: 6 Chome-5-１ Minamiaoyama, Minato, Tokyo 107-0062, Japan
Website: Nezu Museum
Contact No.: +81 3-3400-2536
8. Worship in the Buddhist Temple- Sensō-ji
Located in Asakusa, Sensōji is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Tokyo. This is one of the most colourful and popular temples found in Tokyo. As per the legend, the temple is built to provide a permanent place to a statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, found in the Sumida River by two brothers while fishing. Visiting Sensōji is one of the best things to do in Tokyo as this temple is famous for adopting advanced technologies to maintain the traditional architectures.
Sensōji
Address: 2-3-1, Asakusa, Taito 111-0032, Tokyo Prefecture
Website: Sensōji
9. Explore Harajuku
One of the best ways to Explore Harajuku is to take the Harajuku Kawaii Tour. Harajuku is the area between Shinjuku and Shibuya on the Yamanote Line. The place is the hub of teenage cultures and fashion styles. Along with fashion styles, you can also get your hands on exotic Japanese cuisines, you can visit the largest Daiso in Tokyo and find many sources of entertainment. If you ever wish to explore Tokyo completely with the help of locals speaking good English, then visiting Harajuku is the best thing to do in Toyko this weekend.
Harajuku Kawaii Tour
Address: 1-18 Jingumae | Meeting Place: Harajuku station, Shibuya 150-0001, Tokyo Prefecture
Website: Harajuku Kawaii Tour
Traveler's tips
Between Harajuku and Shibuya lies Cat Street, which was a great find while I was on a search for vintage stores around Tokyo. This street is lined with secondhand stores selling items from international brands. In the area, you'll also find The Match Tokyo, a popular café with delicious matcha-flavored drinks and ice cream. I highly recommend the frozen matcha latte!
10. Walk over the bridge to Odaiba
The Rainbow Bridge is only a 798-metre (8589.6-square-foot) long bridge acting as a conduit inside as well as outside of the city, designed especially for people heading to the island of Odaiba. Built towards the end of the Edo Period (1603-1868), Odaiba is a popular shopping and entertainment district on a man-made island in Tokyo Bay. This is another good thing to do in Tokyo this weekend as this walk from the rainbow bridge to Odaiba is an interesting and accessible wander for tourists who are trying to experience life in Tokyo.
Rainbow bridge
Address: Minato, Tokyo 105-0000, Japan
Website: Rainbow bridge
11. Observe and learn Washi making (from USD 27.0)
If you are bored with sightseeing, you can quickly try your hands on this age-old art and craft of Japan called Japanese Washi Paper-Making. You can make traditional Japanese washi paper out of the local fibre. This is not a very easy task. You will need your utmost focus at this Ozu Washi workshop, as even the slightest mistake may prevent you from making a perfect sheet in a humbling yet rewarding experience. This is one of the most fascinating things to do in Tokyo.
Kyoto - Traditional Japanese Washi Papermaking
Duration: 1 hour
12. Experience Shibuya Scramble Crossing (from USD 122.0)
The Shibuya Scramble Crossing also called as “Cross-All-You-Can” is a famous intersection outside Shibuya Station. It is one of the busiest intersections in the world as it merges six streets, and the pedestrian stoplights in every direction turn red and green at the same time. It is an amazing thing to do in Tokyo this weekend as you can experience and watch everything happen from the sidelines. It is an extremely astonishing sight.
Shibuya Scramble Crossing
Address: Udagawacho, Shibuya 150-0042, Tokyo Prefecture (Shibuya, Harajuku, Ebisu)
byFood experience
1) Tasting six mini ramen bowls at award-winning shops
Gear up for a mouthwatering three-hour-long ramen-tasting tour that will take you on a savory journey through Shibuya and Ebisu. You will visit three award-winning ramen shops and get to savor six mini bowls of authentic ramen noodles - some of the finest in all of Tokyo. But it doesn’t stop there, this tour is all about customization and exploration.
You’ll have a blast selecting your ramen and personalizing it to suit your taste buds. Experiment with different toppings and noodle styles, and learn how each element transforms the ramen experience. All the while, you’ll be in the company of a ramen expert who will share insider tips and tricks.
Traveler's tips
Get a different view of Shibuya Scramble Crossing from Magnet by Shibuya 109. There's a set fee, which includes a drink, to enter the rooftop area overlooking the crossing. Seeing hordes of people cross the busy intersection is definitely a different experience from above. While this place isn't set as high above street level as other options, it's less crowded, so you'll have a better shot at gaining entrance.
The other side of the rooftop is an event place with live music, so you might want to check that out too!
Tasting 6 Mini Bowls of Ramen at 3 Award Winning Shops
Duration: 3hours
13. Take the All Star Tokyo Food Tour (from USD 166.0)
Set out on the All-Star Tokyo Food Tour, a fantastic adventure tailor-made for your Saturdays and Sundays! Explore the vibrant neighborhoods of Ginza, Yurakucho, and Shinbashi on this three-hour culinary journey. Immerse yourself in these iconic districts, savoring the unique flavors that make this tour a must-try.
Participants will get to explore captivating culinary traditions, including the vibrant izakaya (pub) culture of Japan. Indulge in sampling a diverse array of local dishes at the various food stops along the way. And there’s more in store – you’ll also have the opportunity to pay your respects at a community shrine, adding an extra layer of meaning to your weekend adventure.
The All Star Tokyo Food Tour
Duration: 3hours
Tokyo, a perfect weekend getaway
Now you know that there are a lot of things to do in Tokyo on a weekend. So, quickly sneak out from your monotonous life and take a quick tour of Tokyo. And since we all live our lives on a packed schedule, Tokyo can be the best weekend escape as the place promises 100% contentment for its visitors.
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