Top 10 Things to Do in Tokyo - Are They Worth It?

I think with shrines, my top tip is to find one with a theme that relates to something in your life - when i was in Tokyo I found out that there was a shrine for scholars and as a PhD student - it was relevant! It was a little adventure travelling to it, finding out about it and writing an ema wishing for success for myself and my peers. That shrine sticks so much in my mind compared to the ones which people normally go to.

Hey hey, if you're in Japan over New year's on the 2nd January you can go inside the imperial palace and receive the Emperor's new year blessings.

My thought about Senso-Ji is that it’s crowded. And it’s been crowded for hundreds and hundreds of years. It’s crowded with Japanese and with local Tokyo citizens as well as international tourists. I think that gives it a special quality. It is a temple of crowds and commerce — which is the actual spirit of Tokyo. Equally valid are any of the Zen shiprines with their peaceful gardens. They are temples to peace and quiet, and we’re created to provide an escape from the hustle of the city.

I remember heading to Sensoji but it was far too early so I just spent an hour buying and drinking cups of amazake in the little shop near the front for an hour before the priests, shrine maidens and volunteers began to open up.

WOW. EXCELLENT video. Best video I have seen. Thank you for sharing your experiences.

If you're already in Harajuku, I would STRONGLY recommend visiting the Ota Memorial Museum of Art. You kind of have to curl around through the streets off of Takeshita, but it's not too hard to find. This was literally something I discovered the day of, from (I think) a sign that pointed it out. I went and was bowled over by the exhibition they had on (and bought the book so I could bring home replicas). It has an amazing collection of ukiyo-e art, and if I remember correctly, all of the displays had dual language descriptions. If you want a quiet few hours looking at wonderful art, this is a must-visit.

Tks for the video. Liked it.

Great video. I always stay in Shibuya. Very busy but great atmosphere. Can't wait to go back.

I just received your book! It’s awesome. Greetings from Belgium

Great video as always. Totally saving it for my next Japan trip planning references since we went in winter last time so didn't really do parks and missed some of these temples. The only place that felt like a 'tourist trap' and I wasn't happy with on our trip was The Pokemon Cafe. I was very disappointed with it and the food when we went was very meh compared to the other themed cafes we went to (Ghibli museum cafe and Kawaii monster cafe) BUT That's just our experience. I've seen people sing its praises since then so maybe it just wasn't for my group. I'm honestly happy seeing so many people so happy to go there and enjoying themselves. And I did get my chef Pikachu plushie which, as a cook, was very important to me to get.

Your hair! So beautiful!!

Thanks for this video and the points about making your own top 10 things to do rather than pulling from the 1st google result.

You're 100% right, I've never done something and regretted it either. Japan is such a fantastic place.

I'm a big fan of Ebisu and yurakucho stations... especially in the summer when you can eat outside. As for disney sea... its an amazing park I can wait for the expansion (Fantasy Springs) that should completed in april-ish 2023

Excellent video as always Amy, the top 10 seems more mainstream and things that anybody would do which is why perhaps things like Akihabara aren’t on the list. Your book has so much information in, can’t wait to put it to good use when I can get to Japan.

I really like Ueno Park. It's got a lot of interesting shrines and temples to check out, and I'd really recommend the shitamachi museum. Ameyokocho is also pretty cool.

One day I will go there!

Amazing video sharing my new friend, thank you so much for reviews in Tokyo, Greetings from South Korea, Stay connected, have a nice weekend❤️👍

Meiji Jingu Shrine and Takeshita Street, it's very impressive contrast in Harajuku !

today is my 9th day in tokyo, and the only place i visited twice is akiba :D I think 90% of the young tourists come to japan because they want to pay pilgrimage to the great Akiba, haha. I want to buy a giant figurin, but it will break on my way home... what a shame.