Indoor activities in Tokyo
Museums and art galleries
Tokyo has many museums, one of the most famous being the Tokyo National Museum. Located in Ueno Park, it is the oldest museum in Japan.
The Nezu Museum gathers the private collection of Kaichiro Nezu. The businessman made his fortune in the industrial sector in the middle of the 19th century. A few steps away from Omotesando, the museum also has a garden.
For nature lovers and those who appreciate the work of the renowned Hayao Miyazaki, the Ghibli Museum offers a journey to the heart of the famous studio. The museum is located a few steps away from the beautiful Inokashira Garden.
Make way for contemporary art with the MOMAT and the MOT. MOMAT is the National Museum of Modern Art, and the MOT is the Museum of Contemporary Art.
The National Innovation Science Museum (Miraikan) plunges visitors into tomorrow's world. Located on the equally modern artificial island of Odaiba, Miraikan is a visual, sensory, and tactile experience.
Tokyo National Museum of Nature and Science, in Ueno Park, features the history of mankind.
Good to know:
Museums in Tokyo offer student rates and free access to permanent collections for people under 18 and over 70 at certain times of the year. Please check with the appropriate museum for more information.
Shopping malls
- Ikebukuro
Ikebukuro is one of Tokyo's busiest districts, alongside Shinjuku and Shibuya. Sunshine City is here, housing famous shops such as the Pokémon Center and Disney Store. BicCamera, a well-known electronics retailer, has five impressive stores in Ikebukuro, showcasing the district's solid consumer base.
In addition to popular fashion centers like PARCO and LUMINE, there are other department stores operated by railway companies, such as the Seibu Department Store and the Tobu Department Store. In the underground shopping areas, you'll find what you need, whether you're looking for clothes, trendy brands, or souvenirs. The well-liked Don Quijote and plenty of drugstores like Matsumoto Kiyoshi offer a diverse range of products.
- Shinjuku
Another commercial zone, yet another mood. In South Shinjuku, you can head to the train station. From there, you can go on a fun adventure around the luxury stores, make-up and fashion areas, chic cafes, cake tasting, etc.
Shinjuku station's East Exit offers a wide range of shopping options, from trendy stores like H&M and Forever 21 to tech malls like BIC Camera. You can also find major department stores like Lumine and Marui here.
South Exit Shinjuku has spacious streets and malls, with a variety of dining options and big department stores like Lumine, Takashima, and Flags.
West Exit Shinjuku features department stores, electronic shops, business apartments, and government buildings, including the impressive Mylord Shinjuku.
- Shibuya
Shibuya is a well-known shopping and entertainment area in Tokyo. Shibuya 109 is a 10-story fashion mall with trendy clothes, accessories, makeup, and shoes. It's a must-see building in Shibuya and a popular spot for tourists. Shibuya Parco offers a mix of entertainment and shopping, including the Mugiwara ONE PIECE shop and My Melody Café. Tokyu Hands is an 8-story building with DIY materials and craft supplies. The Disney Store in Shibuya Koen-doori features merchandise from popular Disney characters.
Game centers
Usually crowded during the week and on weekends, game centers are a favorite place to relax for young people and adults. You can find them everywhere. Whether you are looking for fighting games, DDR (Dance Dance Revolution), skill games, horror, music, racing simulators, or VR (virtual reality), they are the place to be!
Karaoke
Karaoke is one of the most popular leisure activities for all generations in Tokyo. From discounter Uta Hiroba to the trendy Karaoke Kan, Big Echo or Pasela Resorts, there is a multitude of karaoke bars and clubs around town to have fun in. People go there alone, with friends, or as a couple, at any time of the day or night, to sing and have fun with their favorite tunes.
