Choose from 95 Fun Things to Do in Kanto
Seaside Top
At the top you'll find a unique view of Tokyo Bay, other skyscrapers like the Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Sky Tree and even Mount Fuji on a good day. Display screens with light up buttons help you to determine exactly what you're looking at. The deck is usually not crowded so you can linger and enjoy the 360 degree views. The night view is considered particularly romantic, but keep in mind that the deck closes at 8:30.
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Toshogu Shrine
The shrine complex consists of more than a dozen religious buildings set within a forest of some 15,000 Japanese cypress trees planted in the 17th century. Made famous by the 300 carvings of mythical and symbolic beasts, such as dragons, giraffes, and lions, Toshogu is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Japan's most important and sacred destinations.
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Shrine of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu
The shrine was founded by Minamoto Yoriyoshi in 1063. Despite being a shinto shrine it's layout is that of a Japanese buddhist temple. Because of its extreme beauty it's a popular spot for weddings and for the year's first shrine visit, a practice called hatsumode. During the New Year holidays it draws over 2 million visitors.
The walk from the station to the shrine is beautiful and dramatic: a long wide street embellished by orange torii gates that leads from the waterfront through the entire city. In April and September archery on horseback is performed along this street. The best time to visit is early springtime when the cherry blossoms and azaleas burst into colorful bloom.
Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum
The buildings, spread out over many acres of parkland, are all authentic historical buildings either relocated or reconstructed from various places in Japan. This is one of the only places to see buildings of this style as most have been destroyed by redevelopment and earthquakes. There are middle class homes, bathhouses, working shops and restaurants, even the former residence of a prime minister. It's possible to explore both the inside and outside of many of the buildings, which are full of historical artifacts.
The effect is surreal. Film buffs may find some of the buildings look familiar; Hayao Miyazaki visited here for inspiration when making the famous film Spirited Away.
Zojo-ji Temple
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Edo-Tokyo Museum
- Entry to the museum is via paid ticket.
- The museum is wheelchair-/stroller-friendly"”wheelchairs and strollers can be rented on-site.
- Guided tours are available but must be booked in advance.
- There is a cafe/restaurant and souvenir shop on-site.
Ueno Park (Ueno Koen)
- Visit the Kan'ei-Ji pagoda, which has been standing in the same spot for almost 400 years.
- The statue of samurai warrior Saigo Takamori (found outside the Tokyo National Museum) is a popular photo stop in the park.
- The Shitamachi Museum is dedicated to exploring the legacy of the city’s Shitamachi district and its residents, which historically were craftsmen, fishermen, and merchants.
National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation
Exhibits are based around four major themes: "Global Environment and Frontiers", "Technological Innovations and the Future", "Information Sciences and Technologies for Society" and "Life Science and Humans." All exhibits are explained in Japanese as well as English and volunteer staff answer questions and conduct scientific demonstrations.
A large area is dedicated to earthquakes, a huge issue in Japan, and here you can watch real time seismometers across the country vibrating. An enormous Geo-cosmos globe shows global weather patterns as they happen. The most popular exhibit however is ASIMO, a humanoid robot created by Honda who can walk, run and interact with humans.
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Happo-en Garden
Happo-en means "beautiful from every angle." When visiting the Happo-en Garden in Tokyo, you'll see that the name doesn't even begin to describe this Japanese garden and teahouse.
Take a stroll through tree-lined paths of century old bonsai, cherry, and maple trees. Take in the lush gardens and budding flowers surrounding a tranquil pond. Enjoy a traditional tea-ceremony served by women in elaborate kimonos. Then, enjoy a romantic dinner at Enju or Thrush, one of the two restaurants overlooking the lovely gardens.
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Transportation to the Happo-en Garden is simple. Located in Tokyo, in the Shirokanedai area, just take the subway to the JR Meguro Station. You can also get to this area by bus or car. You can visit the Happo-en Garden as one of many destinations on an all-day tour, or make a reservation to see the garden in advance and view it at your leisure on a group tour.
Tsukiji Fish Market
The Tsukiji Fish Market is the largest wholesale fish and seafood market in the world, handling more than 2,000 tons of marine products a day. Although the market wasn’t originally intended to be a major tourist attraction when it opened in 1935, Tsukiji now regularly shows up on visitors’ lists of must-see destinations in Tokyo. Witnessing the fresh tuna auction before the sun rises is the primary draw.
The Basics
The market is comprised of two areas: the public Outer Market, which features shops, sushi, and various market stalls; and the Inner Market, where the famous fresh tuna fish auctions are held. The Tsukiji Market is often visited with a tour guide on city walking and biking tours. Fish market tours can also be combined with other Japanese cuisine experiences, such as sushi making classes, cooking classes, and tastings. Nearby attractions seen on sightseeing tours include the Hamarikyu Gardens, the Asakusa district, and the upscale Ginza neighborhood.
Tips for Viewing the Tuna Fish Auction
Whether you’re a sushi connoisseur or just starting to appreciate this popular cuisine, it’s a unique experience to stand amidst freshly caught tuna the size of small children and observe how quickly the pieces are snapped up and carted off to be sliced into nigiri and more.
- The early morning tuna fish auction is free and open to the public, although registration is on a strict first-come, first-serve basis and typically opens at 5am before the first 20-minute viewing at 5:25 and the second at 5:50am.
- It’s best to arrive at least two hours early, as crowds are large and the maximum number of visitors allowed in each viewing group is 60. Lines are known to queue up as early as 1am.
- You’ll know you’re getting in if the staff provides you with a vest and directs you to a waiting room where you can sit on the floor if necessary. Keep in mind that there is no flash photography.
- Be sure to dress warm and wear comfortable shoes.
How to Get There
Tsukiji Fish Market is located in central Tokyo above Tsukiji Shijo Station on the Oedo subway line. It is also a five-minute walk away from Tsukiji Station on the Hibiya subway line. If arriving by rail, the Shimbashi Japan Railways station is a 15-minute walk away from the market. Note that trains and buses do not run 24 hours in Tokyo; you can take a taxi to the market or plan on finding lodgings nearby.
When to Get There
Tsukiji Market is open Monday through Saturday, with closures on holidays and occasional Wednesdays. Shops in the Outer Market have varying hours, but the area is generally open between 5am and 2pm. The Inner Market has strict rules—the height of business occurs in the morning, and tourists are not permitted inside until 9 or 10am.
Insider Tips
- If you find yourself in the Inner Market, be cautious of moving machinery and be mindful of the many rules.
- Take advantage of the many restaurants and vendors in the Outer Market that offer some of the best sushi chefs and freshest seafood you’ll ever taste. Having a sushi breakfast after a long wait for the tuna auction is commonplace.
Odawara Castle
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Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
The park is split into gardens of three distinct styles: French formal, English landscape and Japanese traditional. Not surprising the Japanese section is the most interesting and beautiful with waterlily ponds, artfully trimmed bushes and statues. The nearby Taiwan pavilion is an elegant spot for photos.
The original gardens date back to 1906, but were destroyed and rebuilt after the war. The diverse and well manicured gardens are great for wandering, taking photos or having an afternoon picnic. The garden has over 1500 cherry trees trees that burst into vivid blooms in late March or early April. It's a favorite spot for blossom viewing and can be very crowded during those times.
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Zenkō-ji Temple
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Owaku-dani Valley
A short walking trail leads from the base of the Hakone Ropeway past bubbling sulfurous pools to a tourist stand where you can purchase black eggs. Local legend claims that eating a single egg will extend your life by seven years. From the Owaku-dani tourist station, you can either return on the Hakone Ropeway or continue to hike up to the peak of Mount Kamiyama and nearby Mount Komagatake. From there, a ropeway will ferry you down to beautiful Lake Ashi.