10 Unique Things to Do in Tokyo That Should Be on Your List

When visiting Tokyo, it's tempting to follow those "Top 10" guides. But here's a spicy twist...we skipped them altogether for a self-curated list of the 10 most unique things to do in Tokyo. Crafted through personal experience, you'll find a mix of quirky, cultural, and unforgettable experiences.

While not all of these experiences are entirely off-the-beaten-path per se, the combination and variety of these will have you leaving Tokyo with rich and fruitful memories.

After all, Tokyo isn't just a destination; it's an adventure.

1. Embrace the Chaos at Shibuya Crossing

Shibuya Crossing is like joining a flash mob of thousands, but instead of dancing, you're just trying to walk. Known as the world's busiest pedestrian crossing, this is a must-see if you want to feel the city's explosive energy. Picture massive hordes of people moving in every direction, yet somehow avoiding all collisions.

It’s absolutely chaotic—pure, delightful madness!

If you ask locals, they’ll probably roll their eyes and chuckle at tourists’ tendency to record everything. But honestly, this isn't just a crosswalk; it’s an experience.

Tip: when you visit, walk the crossing twice...it’s like hitting replay on a scene in a city life movie you didn’t know you were starring in.

2. Eat Rolling Sushi and Fermented Natto Beans

Ever tried natto? These fermented soybeans are infamous for a strong taste and slimy texture. One bite might make you question life choices as your palate struggles to decide if you’ve consumed "fermented spit" or a revered Japanese delicacy.

If you don't want to make this the star of your meal, balance it out with a sushi conveyor belt experience, where plates glide past like magic -- and surely there will be a natto sushi roll coming around at some point.

Watching your favorite sushi roll side up is both fun and oddly satisfying. Plus, you can usually grab other small Japanese dishes like miso soup or desserts. Head to highly rated sushi trains for the best experience, it'll be worth every yen!

The gooey, stickiness of natto

3. Enjoy Unlimited Drinks (and Unlimited Cats) at a Cat Café

If petting fluffy cats in cozy rooms while sipping unlimited drinks sounds like your vibe, welcome to a Tokyo cat café. Finding one might be a mini adventure—these cafés often hide above hectic streets in strangely specific floors of buildings.

Keep your eyes peeled; we wandered up and down before spotting ours on the sixth floor. Once inside, prepare to be enveloped in soft purring and maybe some “judgey” stares from feline overlords.

A day pass, albeit a little expensive, provides unlimited comfort (and drinks) in one.

We got there just in time for feeding hour at 7pm 🥺

4. Marvel at the Tokyo Tower

Tokyo Tower mirrors Paris’s Eiffel Tower but exudes a distinctly Japanese charm. Feeling bold? Skip the elevator and hike the tower stairs for panoramic views and a cardio bonus, like we did. There are plenty of fantastic angles for cool photos, too.

Oh, and let's not overlook Tokyo Tower's embarrassing-yet-adorable byproducts—a pair of chonky mascots criticized for looking like "butt plugs." See them as humorous interpretations of modern mascot culture. Unfortunately, they were discontinued as merch (for obvious reasons), so consider any sightings exclusive treasures!

What do you think it looks like?!

5. Indulge in Affordable Lunch Deals

Japanese dining levels up midday—many restaurants roll out budget gourmet lunches you don't want to miss. Near Tokyo Tower, we found lunch sets under €7, including heavenly ramen.

Seriously, where else can you enjoy a high-quality multi-course deal like this?

Fun fact: tipping isn't done in Japan. The service is already excellent, and staff take immense pride in their work, so skip the extra yen.

Japan still takes sanitation seriously, hence why we had to eat with a partition between us here, but well...it was cheap!

Another affordable...albeit partitioned lunch deal!

6. Discover a Lesser-Known Shrine

Tokyo isn't short on shrines, but major ones can feel overcrowded. Let's slip off the beaten path, shall we?

Our favorite was a fox-themed shrine, Toyokawa Inari Temple, with all the peace and charm you can imagine from a lesser-known shrine.

Shrines like this are not only stunning—they're steeped in Japanese culture and traditions.

Bonus? Some lesser-known ones are associated with good luck for businesses, which we obviously frequented for the sake of this blog. Talk about spiritual multitasking!

7. Relive Playtime at Bandai Headquarters

Anime lovers, rejoice.

Bandai Headquarters is your nostalgia classroom, especially with its exhibits covering childhood treasures like Tamagotchi and Sailor Moon.

From seeing original designs to diving into a toy universe, this headquarters highlights Japan's impact on global pop culture.

Whether you’re an anime newbie or a longtime fan, this place is dreamily fascinating. Temporary exhibitions also change, so one visit barely scratches the surface!

The best part: it was FREE.

8. Sing Your Heart Out at Karaoke

Is a Japan trip even complete without karaoke? Choose a private room, order some snacks and drinks, and belt out classics while pretending you’re auditioning for Japan's Got Talent.

Tip: Many karaoke places have all-you-can-sing deals for a few hours, so plan in advance for maximum fun. Keep your party playlist ready and friendly reminders—you don’t need sage-like vocal skills to enjoy karaoke!

Our go-to venue was always Manekineko, as it was inexpensive, and we love the fortune cat logo.

While this video was from Malaysia, it gives you an idea of what karaoke can be like (this was a miniature 2-person booth):

9. Cruising the Sumida River: Check the Route

River cruises in Tokyo are tranquil and serene, unless you accidentally pick the wrong route.

A classic facepalm moment for us? Boarding a "roundtrip" cruise thinking it’d showcase stunning bays and famous sights. Nope. It led us north...to an industrial zone better suited for drone footage in a dystopian movie.

Make sure you board the scenic cruises heading toward Tokyo Bay instead of aimless loops. Also, keep an eye out for landmarks, like—you guessed it—a golden "buttplug sculpture."

Tokyo never stops delivering surprises!

Questionable landmark shapes!

The dystopian views heading North on the Sumida River

10. Escape Rain at the National Museum in Ueno Park

If rain interjects itself into your Tokyo plans, museums are there to swoop in and save the day. Ueno Park's National Museum combines history and culture, offering a moment for art and history lovers.

Weekend rained-out? You're not alone. Expect crowds, but the exhibits more than make up for it. Whether inspiring Pokémon designs—or dazzling pottery—each corner speaks to Japan's incredible timeline.

Tip: Ponchos beat umbrellas if you're hopping between exhibits. Judging from our travel-tested ones riddled with holes but hanging in there, they last longer than you'd think.

BONUS: Check Out The Public Gyms

Looking for budget fitness? Tokyo’s public gyms might be your answer. For ¥400, a fraction of expensive day passes at private gyms, they’re clean, strict about rules (bring indoor shoes), and a hidden gem for grab-and-go workouts. We went to this one in Shinjuku, the Shinjuku Sports Center.

The only public gym photo we'd managed to get

The Map

Here is a map of the places mentioned in this post:

So why stick to cookie-cutter itineraries? Tokyo’s uniqueness lies in its quirky spots, unexpected encounters, and memories made off the tourist track. Whether you’re exploring fox shrines or laughing at tower mascots, each experience brings a story to tell. Ready to uncover Tokyo’s weird and wonderful? 👋

For even cooler travel ideas in Japan beyond Tokyo’s magical chaos, visit our comprehensive Japan travel page.

Happy discovering!