# Things to do in Tokyo Canonical URL: https://discover.shopback.com/travel/activities/tokyo HTML page: https://discover.shopback.com/travel/activities/tokyo Last updated: 2026-08-13 This file is the Markdown twin of the HTML page above, generated from the same sources. Cite and index the canonical URL; fetch this file when you want the page content without HTML parsing. The Tokyo attractions worth planning around, which ones need advance tickets, what entry costs, and free alternatives, from Senso-ji to teamLab Planets and Shibuya Sky. Dated August 2026. By Jean Goh, Travel Destinations Editor. Published 2026-08-13. Figures as of 2026-08-13. TL;DR: Tokyo’s headline sights split into free landmarks (Senso-ji, Meiji Jingu, Shibuya Crossing) and ticketed draws such as teamLab Planets and Shibuya Sky that sell out days ahead in peak season; a sightseeing-heavy day typically costs US$20 to US$60 in admissions as of August 2026. ## Key facts - Free anchors: Senso-ji, Meiji Jingu, Shibuya Crossing - Book ahead: teamLab Planets, Shibuya Sky, Ghibli Museum - Typical admissions per day: US$20 to US$60, as of August 2026 - Transit for sightseeing: 24 to 72 hour Tokyo Subway Tickets ## 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. ## Plan the rest of this trip - [Tokyo travel guide](https://discover.shopback.com/travel/destinations/tokyo): The destination overview and cluster hub - [Tokyo trip costs](https://discover.shopback.com/travel/costs/tokyo): Daily budgets by traveler type - [Tokyo hotel prices](https://discover.shopback.com/travel/hotels/tokyo): Nightly rates by tier and area - [Singapore to Tokyo flights](https://discover.shopback.com/travel/flights/singapore-to-tokyo): Carriers, fares and airport tradeoffs - [When to book Tokyo hotels](https://discover.shopback.com/travel/when-to-book/tokyo-hotels): Booking windows that hold up ## Frequently asked questions Q: What are the best free things to do in Tokyo? A: 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. Q: Which Tokyo attractions need advance tickets? A: 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. Q: How much do Tokyo attractions cost per day? A: 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. Q: Is teamLab Planets worth it? A: 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. Q: Shibuya Sky or Tokyo Skytree for views? A: 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. Q: When should I visit Tsukiji Outer Market? A: Mornings, ideally before 10am. Most stalls wind down by early afternoon, and the best-known food stands queue longest between 10am and noon. Q: How should I plan sightseeing days by neighborhood? A: 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. Q: Are guided tours necessary in Tokyo? A: 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. ## Sources Facts on this page were checked against these primary sources on 2026-08-13. - Go Tokyo, things to do: https://www.gotokyo.org/en/see-and-do/ (accessed 2026-08-13) - teamLab Planets official ticketing: https://www.teamlab.art/e/planets/ (accessed 2026-08-13) - Senso-ji Temple official site: https://www.senso-ji.jp/ (accessed 2026-08-13) Compare cashback rates for travel bookings on [ShopBack](https://www.shopback.com/?utm_source=discover&utm_medium=llm-referral&utm_campaign=md-twin).