Welcome to our serious-not-so serious list of things to do in Tokyo that are so cheesy, that we can’t help but love them. This list contains some of our personal favorite things we did in Tokyo. But with our insider tips, written in an unfiltered, unhinged style and just who we are!
We present you our ultimate guide of Tokyo’s quirkiest and most fascinating attractions! From signature drinks and cultural obsessions to thrilling activities, we’ve rounded up everything we want you to know. Whether you’re planning your next adventure or you’re just curious about Tokyo, these fun-filled highlights will inspire you for your next trip.
So let’s dive into the magic of Tokyo and have some laughs along the way, because you’re reading Yes and explore where we make your travels smarter, not harder!
Must-do list of adventures:
- Omikuji Fortune Slip: “Ain’t no such thing as bad luck in Japan!”
- Car Free Sunday: “All Akihabara roads are belong to us!”
- Hachiko: “Bless you!”
- Famous Japanese Drink: “Have I got some High-Balls for you!”
- Japan’s German Obsession: “They love a good sausage!”
- Vending Machine Gambling: “Take a chance on me”
- Disneyland has Ducks: “Quack Quack Quack Quack!”
- Ichiran Noodles: “The soup chain responsible for us vs them”
- UFO Catchers: “Out of this world!”
- Manekineko Karaoke: “This Kitty wants to purrrrrrr!”
- Sky Hop Bus Tokyo: “After 20.000 steps, yes please!”
- Conveyor belt Sushi: “There is something fishy here…”
- Disneyland Japan: “WHAT did you just say Mickey to me…..no seriously we don’t understand”!
Omikuji Fortune Slip: “Ain’t no such thing as bad luck in Japan!”
Omikuji are basically random fortunes written on a piece of paper, that can be bought at Japanese temples or shrines with… yes money, 100-200 yen per piece of paper. It can predict things like money, health, fortune, love and many more either good or bad luck.
How does it work? Follow this recipe:
- Pay money
- Shake the box
- Get a stick
- Read the number
- Get the paper
- Be lucky if it’s in English or google translate Japanese
- Voilá Lucky or Unlucky
Fun fact: If you don’t like your fortune, you can hang it up at the designated spot and just walk away!
Another fun fact: Laurens has had luck 3 times and Laura… 0 times! But Laura has Laurens, so no need for extra luck.
Car Free Sunday: “All Akihabara roads are belong to us!”
Akihabara is a well known neighborhood in Tokyo, famous for its Electronics, Anime/manga and is often referred to as e-town.
Every Sunday you can become King of the Road in one of the biggest cities in the world. Officials will shut down the main road from 1pm-6pm (5pm during winter) for all vehicles .
In Japanese this day is called hokousha tengoku or ‘pedestrian paradise.’ A tradition that started in de 1970s in Ginza. Now every Sunday, Akihabara, Ginza and Shinjuku have a Pedestrian Paradise.
We personally loved it as we were staying in this area and during the week it was a very busy street. Seeing this transformation and walking the street with everyone was such a liberating experience.
Fun Fact: You can watch livestreams and enjoy pedestrian paradise, live every Sunday!
Hachiko: “Bless you!”
Hachiko was a real Japanese Akita dog who lived in Tokyo from 1923-1935 .He would always meet his owner when he arrived at the station after work. But suddenly the owner passed away, and Hachiko continued to wait for another 9 years. Every day he went to the station for his owner to return.. but he never did….
Hachiko became famous for his loyalty and devotion, so a statue was erected at Shibuya Station!
Some of his famous quotes were:
“Woof Woof.. Woof Woof!” Or “Woof Woof?”
And his most famous one:
“WOOF WOOF WOOF!!!!
Famous Japanese Drink: “Have I got some High Balls for you!”
The famous Highball is a Japanese staple and it’s simply a drink that combines whiskey with soda water. For us it’s a perfect refreshing light drink that almost feels like a soft drink, but will get you buzzing!
You can get this beverage everywhere! From Izakayas, the traditional Japanese bars, supermarkets, restaurants to even vending machines in the street (Yes really, 24/7!!)
One of our favorite brands is Suntory’s “Kaku Highball”. It’s smooth, flavorful and a limited hangover intensity compared to stronger drinks. And no we are not sponsored by Suntory. Also not promoting the use of alcohol, but we personally like them. Do what you like with that!
Highball Fact 1: Japan’s Highball craze was kick started by a clever ad campaign in the 1950s, where whiskey companies marketed it as a more refreshing, everyday alternative to beer.
Drunk Fact 2: I’m not drunk you are….
Japan’s German Obsession: “They love a good sausage!”
Imagine yourself walking…. in Tokyo, going into a supermarket and tucked away in the basement… a SUPER German Restaurant called “Munich” ! Fully themed, servers dressed in lederhosen, German music blasting and an interior that takes you back to a 1965 Bierstube(Pub). Where they serve all kinds of German beers, sausages and schnitzels.
When we travel around Japan, we find that there is this secret obsession with Germany (why would that ever be). You can find restaurants, bars and bakeries all over the country, with German style food and drinks. So if you want try something completely different but still pretty authentic, try German food in Japan.
Fun fact: The picture shows a large Sausage, just kidding it was the average size.
Funnier Fact: Laurens said: “It’s above average”
Vending Machine Gambling: “Take a chance on me”
In Japan, some vending machines aren’t just for snacks or drinks. They offer “lucky draws” where you pay for a mystery item. You might score something valuable like a gadget or… well, a pack of tissues. It’s a gamble that’s weirdly addictive. These machines are often found in arcades, train stations, and tourist hotspots, giving a fun twist to vending machine culture.
We can confirm after trying a lucky draw that they indeed have packs of tissues as prizes, thanks Laura!
Fun Fact 1: Japan has over 5 million vending machines. That’s about one for every 23 people! So If vending machines want to take over Japan, they would lose.
Fun Fact 2: From some vending machines in Japan you can even buy dates with actual people, things of sexual nature and hot food!
Disneyland Tokyo has Ducks: “Quack quack quack quack!”
Quack quack quack 100 Quack quack quack quack quack, quack quack quack quack quack quack. Freeroaming quack quack quack quack quack. Quack quack Ducks quack quack quack quack. quack quack quack, In quack quack, quack quack, Disneyland Japan quack Quack quack quack quack quack quack.
Duck Fact: Quack quack, quack quack quack.
Ichiran Noodles: “The soup chain responsible for us vs them”
Ichiran Ramen is a Japanese noodle chain famous for its individual dining booths. Each booth is designed to eliminate distractions and lets you focus entirely on slurping up their mouthwatering tonkotsu ramen. The paper menu allows full customization of flavor strength, noodle texture, and spice levels.
Some people think it’s a hype soup and others live and die by Ichiran.. We can say we almost died, we love it! Does that mean just go here? Absolutely not, try every type of shop, style and chain but this is a guaranteed good backup, if you just want some Soup and Chill.
Ninja Fact: You can engage in full silent service, zero speak, zero sound, no questions and just 100% enjoyment.
Actual fact: Do NOT go during lunch or dinner as lines will be very long, just go in between, because pro tip: “it can also function as a snack”.
UFO Catchers: “Out of this world!”
UFO catcher claw machines are a Japanese arcade classic. You’ll find them in game centers across the country, filled with prizes ranging from plush toys to electronics. Winning takes skill, patience, and sometimes a touch of luck. What we lack in patience and skill, we try to make up in luck and enthusiasm. And yes you can still win BIG.
PRO winning tip 1: Many arcades even offer tips on how to win specific prizes and you can even ask staff to help you. Yes they will place it so you can win in 1 try!
Pro tip 2: The game is really not that hard, a little practice and you got this! Be prepared to buy an extra suitcase for all your winnings.
Manekineko Karaoke: “This Kitty wants to purrrrrrr!”
Manekineko Karaoke offers karaoke, where you sing your heart out surrounded by adorable cat-themed decor. It’s a very typical thing to do in Japanese culture, from young to old, everyone joins in. Rooms are equipped with high-tech sound systems, touchscreens for ENGLISH song selection, and can include unlimited drinks, alcohol and ice-cream.
There are many chains and we have tried many of them, but for us Manekineko is a clear winner!
UNLIMITED SOFT SERVE FACT: Most offer all-you-can-eat soft serve with your karaoke session. We can tell you, our dentist was not happy!
Japanese Fun Fact: Maneki Neko is a Japanese cat figure that is believed to bring good luck and prosperity. That’s why you will see a cat in all stores across Japan!
Sky Hop Bus Tokyo: “After 20.000 steps, yes please!”
The Sky Hop Bus is Tokyo’s open-top sightseeing bus, offering a perfect break for tired legs. When you come to Japan you will walk… let me rephrase this.. YOU WILL WALK A LOT!! So sitting in a hop-on-hop-off bus, letting you explore Tokyo landmarks like Tokyo Tower, Asakusa, and Odaiba is a welcome change.
This is the one thing we 100% recommend doing when you are limited on time in a city, is taking these busses. It just takes you around town, seeing the hot spots and you can sit back and relax.
We chose the Sky Hop Bus Company, they have 3 lines (red/blue/green) and if you time it correctly you can do all 3 lines in 1 go, yes 3 lines at the same time!
Tickets costs:
1 day ticket is ¥4,500 (€28, $29, £24, AU$47)
2 day ticket is ¥6,500 (€41, $42, £34, AU$67)
Fun Fact 1: Japanese people love to wave at people and when you are sitting in the bus WAVE, you will bring joy to anyone who sees you!
Fun Fact 2: They’re surprisingly Instagram-worthy. Nothing screams “I’m living my best tourist life” like wind-blown hair on a double-decker.
Conveyor belt Sushi: “There is something fishy here…”
Conveyor belt sushi restaurants or kaitenzushi are a MUST do Japanese dining experience. Plates of sushi glide by on a conveyor belt and you grab whatever catches your eye. Prices are determined by plate color and might be confusing but our tip is, just order like there is no tomorrow.
Many locations also offer touch-screen ordering for custom dishes that will slide to you on a separate belt. To our surprise it’s quite an affordable but delicious place which is very popular with everyone in Japan.
There are many chains to go to and opinions are divided, so let’s settle it here : Go to SUSHIRO.
Pro Eater Tip: Lunch and Dinner are always super busy, so go outside of these times and you are golden!
Pro Drinker Tip: You get unlimited free green tea at your table and free water.
Pro Paying Tip: All the chains you visit will all accept credit cards nowadays.
Disneyland Japan: “WHAT did you just say to me Mickey…no seriously we don’t understand”!
Disneyland Japan combines the magic of Disney with the Japanese culture. Expect bilingual signs, unique snacks like soy sauce popcorn and exclusive rides like Pooh’s Hunny Hunt, Monster’s Inc. Ride & Go Seek and the best one of all Beauty and the Beast.
We chose to go to Disneyland as we wanted the classic experience. You also have Tokyo DisneySea, a unique park that you can only find in Japan and yes we saved that for next time.
Donald Duck FACT 1: AVOID ALL HOLIDAYS, WEEKENDS and SUNNY DAYS. Pick a day that has a chance of rain, during the week preferably after a holiday or special day.
Mickey FACT 2: Try to enter early, once you enter the park, open your phone and reserve stuff ASAP, otherwise you might miss some shows or have to take a chance of a standby seat.
Minnie FACT 3: Everyone will smile at you, so bring your best smile!
Winnie-the-Pooh FACT 4: Wave at everyone you see when you are in a ride, just do it!
Goofy FACT 5: Belle and the Beast is going to be busy, buy a fast pass and save 1-2 hours wait at least.
Final Words
And that’s a wrap, folks! Our list of fun things we loved doing in Tokyo. From the Sushi Conveyor belts, ducks, to the soothing slurps of Ichiran ramen, Japan is a land that knows how to surprise and delight at every turn. Ready to experience it for yourself? Pack your bags, charge your camera and bring your appetite for fun!
Are you ready to plan your trip to Japan? Read our: Perfect 14-day Japan itinerary to inspire your next adventure!
But for now we want to thank you so much for reading and we hope your travels are a little smarter and less harder!…. byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
