No trip to Japan is complete without a visit to its legendary capital city, Tokyo. Where else can travellers visit the world’s most famous fish auction, eat in a restaurant with dancing robots and enjoy a libation in the charmingly named Piss Alley all in one day?
Here are 12 quirky things to do when you’re in Tokyo.
1. Statue of Hachiko the Devoted Dog
Hachiko truly is the embodiment of man’s best friend in this story of loyalty and devotion. Everyday Hachiko the Japanese akita would meet his owner at Shibuya Station after he finished work. Until one sad day the train came, but his master didn’t appear like usual – he had died of a stroke. However, Hachiko still returned the next day, and the next, and continued to do this for nine years until his death.
During his lifetime, the story of Hachiko became known in popular culture and he became a symbol of loyalty and fidelity. After his death a statue was erected in his honour and numerous films and books have since been written in celebration to Hachiko. Furthermore, in 2015 another statue was erected at the campus of University of Tokyo, where his master worked as a professor. This status depicts them joyfully reuniting.
If that’s not a heart-warming tale, I don’t know what is.
2. See Cosplay or Kawaii at Harajuku
Harajuku is like riding Rainbow Road in Mario Kart. This area of Tokyo is cute, colourful, playful, and energetic. It’s the place where you’ll find all the wacky fashion.
If you want to spot Cosplay, literally short for ‘costume play’ or kawaii which is the culture of ‘cuteness’ in Japan, Harajuku is where to go.
Admittedly, I do find kawaii practised through fashion by women a bit strange (dressing up as children and trying to look super, super, cute). But at the same time, I find this sub-culture somewhat fascinating both visually and socially.
3. Azalea Festival at Nezu Shrine
If you’re arriving in Tokyo soon, and just missed the cherry blossom season, don’t despair – the Azalea Festival at Nezu Shrine is the perfect substitute.
An annual event, this floral festival begins in April when over 100 varieties of azaleas bloom (a genus of Rhododendron) in an explosion of vivid colours, and lasts until mid May. So if you’re the city during this period, make sure to see this spectacular vision. There are around 3,000 azaleas plants and 100 different varieties in bloom inside the shrine’s expansive grounds.
4. Robot Restaurant
On one hand Japan can be peaceful, calm and tranquil. After all it’s where the concept of zen originates. However, on the other hand it can slap you in the face with flashy, neon lights and weird things you never imagined could exist. The Robot restaurant in Shinjuku is a fitting example of the latter description.
More a show, than a place to eat, it’s a visual spectacle, with live music, dancers, and plain, ol’ ordinary… robots. Everything is colourful, with flashing lights, and insane dance moves to keep the energy rolling at high speed. So unless you suffer from epilepsy, this is one experience not to miss.
Unfortunately I didn’t get the chance to visit during my trip to Tokyo so for more information check out this great account by travel blogger I am Aileen here.
5. Meguro Parasitological Museum
If you skim through my archives, I seem to have created a niche for visiting museums containing creatures in formaldehyde and this is another to add to the list. Yet, this museum is more abstract, without reading the labels it’s impossible to know what you’re looking at other than knowing it’s some sort of organism, a parasite specially.
The museum has over 45,000 immersed and prepared parasite specimens in its collection. But the showstopper is undoubtedly the world’s longest tapeworm – all 8.8 metres of it – and accompanied by a rope the same length for perspective. During a visit, you may shudder a few times and experience the odd mix of endless fascination whilst needing a shower with plenty of antibacterial soap.
6. Enter the Void at Kabukicho in Shinjuku
Shinjuku is well known as Tokyo’s best night spot for many decades. It’s got more neon signs than anywhere else I’ve ever been in my life and imagine I’ll ever see. It’s intense but mesmerising.
Shinjuku’s red light district called Kabukicho is where atmosphere gets more active after dark, and where film buffs might recognise from Gasper Noe’s film Enter the Void. The crazy club with all the mirrors in the film is called Club Ai and there’s an alley called Kabukicho that was featured in the film too.
In the spirit of unusual spots there’s also a place called ‘Piss Alley’ also known as Nonbei Yokocho, which, of course begs to be visited because of the name alone.
In this area you’ll find other alleys with lots of izakayas (Japanese pubs) and tiny eateries making super tasty food until very late, these most famously are Omoideyokocho and Golden Gai .
7. TeamLab Planets
An otherworldly experience. TeamLab Planets is more than just an art exhibition – but I don’t want to give too much away. Though I will say that you will be taking off your footwear to experience this tour on bare foot!
Whether you’re a seasoned art enthusiast or simply curious to explore the cutting edge of digital creativity, TeamLab Planets promises an unforgettable journey through a world where art, technology, and imagination collide in spectacular fashion.
Please note: Be sure to book well in advance as tickets sell out fast. See website. If you’re out of luck trying to get tickets in Tokyo, there’s also one in Osaka to increase your chances of catching it while in Japan.
8. Artificial Island of Odaiba
Built over a century ago as a defensive fort island, Odaiba is now where you go for amazing views of the skyline, shopping, and a handful of quirky attractions.
These attractions include a giant statue of a robot and a replica of the Statue of Liberty. Take a trip across Rainbow Bridge which illuminates in various colours every night using solar energy obtained during the day.
9. Visit a Cat Cafe
Visiting a cat cafe isn’t unique to Tokyo, I went to one in Kyoto but you certainly have more to choose from in the capital city.
Cat cafes were recognised as being so popular among tourists that other cities around the world have copied its success. If you’re trying to decide where to visit, Cat Cafe MOCHA operates a handful of locations throughout the city, but its shop in Harajuku offers the ultimate “kawaii” experience. A wooden, sculptural tree stands in the centre of the cafe with seats built into the branches so cats can perch in the canopy, while gold-painted birdcages hang across the ceiling like stepping stones.
10. Stay in a Quirky Hotel
From capsule hotels to love hotels – there are plenty of unusual options for accommodation. If you love books and cute interiors then look no further than Book and Bed.
This hotel proves Japan is not always about high-tech gadgetry with its retro nod to more traditional books. Guests sleep amongst the books in this library-cum-capsule hotel, around eight minutes from Shinjuku Metro station. As well as overnights you can come for a kip during the day from £9, which might just be the thing you need if you find yourself lagging from a late night…
11. Yayoi Kusama Museum
In Shinjuku you’ll find the larger-than-life work of artist Yayoi Kusama housed inside a narrow white building rising five stories high in a contemporary fashion. The museum includes many ‘instagrammable’ works such as the new installation of her ‘infinity room’ and polka-dotted sculptures that have catapulted Kusama’s career in recent years. And once you’ve made it to the top floor you’re greeted with a gorgeous skyline across the city.
The huge popularity of the museum has led the owners to reduce the overall number of visitors to only 200 guests each day. To grab yourself a ticket you must book online at: yayoikusamamuseum.jp.
12. Ghibli Museum
A must for Studio Ghibli fans, known for films such as Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, and Grave of the Fireflies. The museum’s design is born from Studio Ghibli co-owner and director, Hayao Miyazaki’s personal vision.
As you would expect from a director and manga artist, Miyazaki created the museum “as if it were a film,” which culminated in a series of rooms with extracts from every single piece of animation he has produced or found interesting. The director also wanted the building itself to part of the exhibition by incorporating interior bridges, spiral staircases and other playful architectural elements.
13. Alice in a Labyrinth Dining Experience
There are a few Alice in Wonderland themed restaurants in Tokyo but this one has the best reviews. This is definitely a dining experience you won’t forget as you enter the outlandish labyrinth of Lewis Carroll and discover various scenes from the story: the hedges from the queen’s garden, a giant tea cup from the mad tea-party and a ceiling with enormous cards embossed onto it.
As you would expect the menu is also themed, and such attention to detail with leave you smiling like a Cheshire cat!
14. Nakagin Capsule Tower
Capsule hotels originated from Japan, but could you image living permanently in a capsule tower? With its sci-fi appearance, Nakagin was the world’s first example of capsule architecture built for permanent and practical use.
Designed by architect Kisho Kurokawa and located in Shimbashi, it was completed in just astonishingly 30 days in 1972.
The building is a rare example of Japanese Metabolism, an architectural movement that never really took off but is still considered important for its concepts in urban design which include ways to harmonise human connection to super-scale cities. Though to answer the question what it might be like to live in a capsule permanently, two architects decided to see by living in Nakagin for a year and documenting their experience here.
15. Capture Godzilla
Like something out of a film, capture a large size Godzilla peering over the edge of the Hotel Gracery building.
It’s designed to give the impression that Godzilla is looking down on the streets of Shinjuku and is about to cause some mayhem! No where else but Tokyo will you find a vision like this!
Did you know that you can get up close and personal with this huge Godzilla if you spend the night at Hotel Gracery in Kabukicho, East Shinjuku? Hotel Gracery is the actual building which Godzilla is peering over, and which you can see up-close if you go to the 8th floor terrace.
Are you planning a trip to Tokyo?
Want to make sure you fit in some unusual Tokyo experiences? Here are a few steps:
First step: Book at least one night in a quirky hotel.
Second step: Soak up cosplay in Harajuku.
Third step: Experience the sights and sounds of Shinjuku at night.
Fourth step: Visit one of the many quirky-themed cafes and restaurants.
If you’re visiting Tokyo on a larger trip to Japan and would like more travel inspiration, read my 2-week itinerary that’s aimed at first-time traveller to Japan.
2 Responses
The story of Hachiko is so heartwarming.
I remember hearing it when I was little. Tokyo looks like such an interesting city! 💕
Such a beautiful and heartwarming story, eh Megan? I love how Hachiko’s story has been immortalised.