Updated September 17, 2023

When it comes to travel to Japan, the people of the interwebs have opinions! Here are 9 awesome activities in Japan that we absolutely love. 

Connect with Project Expedition to see all sides of this amazing country.

#1: Tour Tokyo with the Official Street Go-Kart Tour 

Whether or not you spent long summer afternoons crammed around a Nintendo-64, arguing over Mario Kart characters, taking to the streets in a go-kart is absolutely one of the most fun things to do in Tokyo. Zip around the city—literally, up to 60 mph—dressed in wild costumes for a unique and thrilling way to see Tokyo. This wild, weird tour is a must-do in Tokyo.

#2: See Tokyo from above at Roppongi Hills Observatory

What’s better than taking in a view of the best city in Japan from awesome heights? On the 52nd floor of the Roppongi Hills Observatory, visitors can explore the Sky Deck and the incredible view of the city—look for famous sites like the Tokyo Tower, the Tokyo SkyTree, and, on clear days, Mount Fuji. The Observatory is open until 11 pm, which makes it an awesome thing to do in Tokyo at night—the city is simply spectacular from above once the sun goes down. 

#3: Appreciate international art at MORI Art Museum

Roppongi is a great place to stay in Japan for art fanatics since this Tokyo neighborhood is also home to the incredibly cool MORI Art Museum. MORI is one of the largest museums in Asia for contemporary art, which means the art on display varies from the beautiful to the bizarre (and everything in between). Since the exhibits change every few months, visiting the museum is a Tokyo must-do no matter how many times you’ve been there. 

#4: Stroll through idyllic Ueno Park

Don’t get us wrong—the constant buzz and bustle of Tokyo is an awesome thrill. But sometimes it’s nice to take a step back from the wild pace of city life, and Tokyo’s Ueno Park is the perfect place to do so. Take a stroll and admire the park’s temples, pink cherry trees, and serene ponds. If all you want to do is relax, that’s chill, but Ueno also houses many of Tokyo’s top attractions: the Ueno Zoo, the Tokyo National Museum, and the National Museum of Western Art. The park is definitely the best place in Tokyo to unwind after a wild night—and to charge up for another exciting day! 

#5: Visit Senso-ji, Tokyo’s oldest temple

The impressive, dark-red Senso-ji Temple is a powerful symbol of Japan’s culture and history. It’s a definite must-do in Tokyo for anyone interested in Japan’s past—especially those interested in Japan’s Buddhist–Shinto culture. The temple is a popular destination, so aim to visit outside peak times to avoid the crowds.

#6: Walk around Tokyo’s famed Asakusa neighborhood

After seeing the temple, explore the neighborhood! The beauty of Senso-ji extends to the surrounding Asakusa area, where visitors love the natural beauty and awesome selection of food stalls. Check out the brightly colored koi swimming in natural ponds, and enjoy some traditional Japanese fares like mochi. If you’re planning a trip to Japan and want a day that combines Japan’s history, culture, and food, Asakusa is an awesome place to check out. 

#7: Escape the city at the Hama Rikyu Gardens

For a place that’s known as one of the world’s premier cities, Tokyo has a lot of incredible gardens and parks. The Hama Rikyu Gardens are one of the best—and a great place to visit in Japan if you want to escape the city bustle for a few hours. Admire the nature—including impressive trees that are hundreds of years old—and enjoy some tea and sweets from one of the tea houses nestled in the gardens. 

#8: Learn about different art forms at the National Art Center, Tokyo

The National Art Center in Tokyo will dazzle anyone who loves art or architecture. The impressive building itself is a good reason to add the museum to your Japan itinerary—but visitors rave about the exhibits that fill the 14,000 square meters inside. The modern building holds treasures from all over the world, which makes exploring the exhibits a thrill no matter what kind of art you like. 

Pro tip: The museum itself is free, but you’ll need to buy tickets for each exhibit. 

#9: See hundreds of waving cats at Gotokuji Temple

Gotokuji Temple is a must-do in Tokyo for any cat lovers traveling to Japan. This Buddhist temple is widely known as the birthplace of Japan’s Maneki-neki (you’ve definitely seen those white and red cat figurines, with their waving paw). Aside from the hundreds of cat sculptures, Gotokuji also has a pagoda, statues, memorials, and ruins to explore. If you’re looking for things to buy in Japan to bring back home, a Maneki-neki from Gotokuji is the perfect souvenir.

Pro tip: Gotokuji Temple is located outside of Tokyo’s city center, so you may need some help getting there. Talk with Project Expedition to figure out the quickest and easiest way to get to Gotokuji. Local planners can also help you out with other things, like where to stay, where to go, and all of your other travel planning logistics.