Things to do in Tokyo.

What to book in advance

A handful of Tokyo attractions operate on timed tickets that sell out before the day: teamLab Planets, Shibuya Sky sunset slots, the Ghibli Museum (which releases a month ahead), and popular seasonal exhibitions. Booking these first and building days around them prevents the common first-visit mistake of arriving to a sold-out door.

Most everything else, including temples, shrines, markets and parks, needs no reservation. Senso-ji and Meiji Jingu are free and least crowded before 9am.

What a sightseeing day costs

Admissions for a full ticketed day, say teamLab Planets plus an observation deck, run US$40 to US$60 per adult, while a temples-and-markets day costs nothing beyond transit and food, as of August 2026. The 24, 48 and 72 hour Tokyo Subway Tickets cap transit costs on sightseeing-heavy days.

Experience platforms such as Klook and Trip.com sell many of these tickets, sometimes bundled with transit passes; both run on the ShopBack network, and live cashback rates appear on their store pages.

Neighborhood pairings that work

Group sights by geography to cut transit time: Asakusa with the Skytree and Ueno on the east side; Meiji Jingu with Harajuku and Shibuya on the west; Tsukiji Outer Market with Ginza and the Imperial Palace in the center. Each grouping fills a comfortable day on foot plus a few metro rides.

Attractions covered

• Senso-ji Temple. Tokyo’s oldest temple, in Asakusa; grounds are free and open around the clock.
• Meiji Jingu Shrine. Forested Shinto shrine beside Harajuku Station; free entry.
• teamLab Planets. Immersive digital art museum in Toyosu; timed tickets sell out days ahead in peak season.
• Shibuya Sky. Open-air observation deck above Shibuya Crossing; sunset slots book out first.
• Tokyo Skytree. 634 meter broadcast tower with two observation decks in Sumida.
• Tsukiji Outer Market. Street-food and kitchenware market; mornings only, most stalls close by early afternoon.

What are the best free things to do in Tokyo?

Senso-ji, Meiji Jingu, Shibuya Crossing, the Imperial Palace East Gardens and neighborhood walks in Yanaka or Shimokitazawa all cost nothing. The east-side temples are quietest before 9am.

Which Tokyo attractions need advance tickets?

teamLab Planets, Shibuya Sky (especially sunset), and the Ghibli Museum, which releases tickets a month ahead. In peak season these sell out days in advance.

How much do Tokyo attractions cost per day?

A fully ticketed day runs about US$40 to US$60 in admissions per adult, while temple-and-market days are effectively free, as of August 2026. Most trips average US$20 to US$60 per sightseeing day.

Is teamLab Planets worth it?

It is Tokyo’s most-booked paid attraction and the barefoot water installations are unlike anything else in the city. Buy timed tickets as soon as your dates are fixed.

Shibuya Sky or Tokyo Skytree for views?

Shibuya Sky offers an open-air rooftop directly above Shibuya Crossing with Fuji views on clear days; Skytree is taller and better in bad weather since its decks are enclosed.

When should I visit Tsukiji Outer Market?

Mornings, ideally before 10am. Most stalls wind down by early afternoon, and the best-known food stands queue longest between 10am and noon.

How should I plan sightseeing days by neighborhood?

Cluster by geography: Asakusa, Skytree and Ueno together; Meiji Jingu, Harajuku and Shibuya together; Tsukiji, Ginza and the Imperial Palace together. Each cluster is one comfortable day.

Are guided tours necessary in Tokyo?

No, the city is straightforward to navigate independently. Tours add most value for food deep-dives, sumo mornings and day trips like Mount Fuji where logistics are harder.