The Ultimate Tokyo Itinerary – For Big Kids!
You think you know Tokyo, but you haven’t truly experienced the exuberance of Tokyo until you fight a sumo, eat rainbow spaghetti, watch robots dance, make your own udon noodles and go-kart through the streets in an adult-sized Mario onesie…. Tokyo is seriously a big kid’s playground, and if you want to experience the fun side of Tokyo and delight your inner child, check out our ULTIMATE Tokyo itinerary for ‘big kids’ below.
Day 1
Cook (and eat!) delicious food
Japan is foodie heaven, so why not learn how to make some of the culinary delights from a local? Ayuko at Buddha Bellies Cooking School is a trained sushi instructor, Sake sommelier and professional cook. She shares her passion for food in small, intimate classes, where you will learn to make a range of delicious Japanese food, from udon noodles, to teriyaki and more. The best part though? Eating the food at the end and being pleasantly surprised by how great you can cook Japanese food.
For an in-depth take on the class AND a delicious recipe, check out our Buddha Bellies post.
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Visit Harajuku
Tokyo is known for some of its crazy fashion and characters, and Harajuku is the heart of it all. If you want to buy some funky items (and spend up big), this is the place for it. Here you will also find eclectic ‘op shops’ (thrift stores) and unique stores. The atmosphere is buzzing and if you really want to get amongst the thick of it, try navigating your way down Takeshita Street!
If all the crowds and characters get a little too much for you, take a short stroll up to Meiji Shrine, where the loudness of Harajuku will feel like another world away. Wander through the tranquil forest-like gardens and temples, purify yourself at the cleansing stations, make a prayer and, if you are lucky, witness a traditional Japanese wedding.
Eat rainbow monster food
After feeling anew, head back to the main part of Harajuku and visit Monster Cafe. This colourful cafe can only be described by imagining a cafe being taken over by psychedelic muppet-monsters and harajuku girls. The booths are like something from Alice in Wonderland and all the food looks like it’s made out of rainbow playdough. Rest assured it isn’t and the food isn’t half bad. Of course, it’s no Michelin meal, but it is fun to taste each coloured cream ‘blob’ on the plate or ice-cream and realise each colour is a different bold flavour. Monster Cafe also have performances at night and at unspecified times during the day, so if you want to see some of the quirky performances, time your visit well (and perhaps book in advance if you want to see a show).
Day 2
Fight a sumo (or watch a match)
Sumo wrestling is a national treasure of Japan and a sporting tradition that is still going strong after many centuries. Sumo wrestling tournaments only occur in the odd months of the year, so if you are not visiting during the matches, you can do something even more memorable, fight a sumo yourself! The Asakusa Sumo Experience is a great way to learn the intricacies of sumo wrestling and even attempt to take on one of the masters. And, once finished challenging the sumo wrestlers, you can tuck into a well-earned hearty sumo wrestler lunch.
Want to see and read more about fighting a sumo wrestler (and at the very least, laugh at our attempts)? Check out our post!
Visit temples
If you aren’t too exhausted from your morning match, take a leisurely wander through the streets of Asakusa towards Sensō-ji Temple. Sensoji is Tokyo’s oldest temple, dating back to 628, and one of Tokyo’s most photogenic. The charming alleys around the temple are also worth strolling through and stopping to try snacks along the way.
Watch a psychedelic Robot Show
A visit to Tokyo is not complete with a night filled with neon lights, pyrotechnics and…. dancing robots. Robot Restaurant in Shinjuku highlights the craziness of Japan that we all have heard about and loved. It’s pretty over-the-top and a little cheesy, but you will have a hard time trying not to smile or laugh at the amazing electronic cabaret show before your eyes.
For dinner, you are spoilt for choice, with ramen bars and my favourite chain: Co-Co Curry. You can easily find some good meals for under ¥1500.
To see a short video on Robot Restaurant and get links to discounted tickets, check out our Robot Restaurant Review.
Day 3
Hakone Day Trip and Hot Springs fun
If the hustle and bustle of Tokyo gets a little too much, then a relaxing day trip to Hakone will set you right. Only 2 hours from Tokyo, Hakone is home to some relaxing onsens (hot springs) and amazing views of Mount Fuji. You can take a boat ride out on Lake Ashi, visit the Hakone Shrine and unwind in one of the hot spring resorts. If you are after an onsen with a quirky twist, Yunessun Kowakien onsen park is a great place to visit. You can rotate between unique baths filled with wine, sake, coffee and more, enjoy some fun outdoor baths and slides or, for the traditionalist, relax in the traditional outdoor (read: naked) onsens. There is a restaurant at the attached hotel, but we found a really lovely soba restaurant beforehand by wandering from the train station through the town and over the bridge and stumbling upon Hatsuhana Soba Honten. Note: Japan have a pretty strict ‘no visible tattoos’ policy in a lot of onsens and it also applies to this onsen park.
Check out our post to find out how to get to Hakone and read about the unique Yunessun Kowakien onsen.
Check out the busiest street in Tokyo & Whiskey Alley
To fit two extremes in the one day, serene to hectic, head out for a fresh sushi dinner at Sushi Zanmai in Shibuya, cross the busiest street in Tokyo and finish with a night cap in Nonbei Alley – An ambient alley filled with tiny whiskey bars that can hold 5 people at a time (but that doesn’t stop the locals from squeezing more in for a raucous night out).
Day 4
Hoon through the streets Mario-style
Let the big kid really let loose and spend your fourth day in Tokyo by go-karting through the streets, MarioKart style. MariCar offer 2 and 3 hour accompanied laps of Tokyo, dressed as your favourite cartoon character. This is the coolest way to see Tokyo and will leave you amazed that this is legal. It also turns you into the attraction, with many pedestrians stopping to take quick photos of you as you wait at the traffic lights.
Check out our video and post of MariCar here!
Shopping for interests
After a cheap lunch in one of the train station eateries, it’s time to flex your bank account. If you love cooking, make your way to Kitchen Street to pick up all the tools and utensils you need to create a Japanese feast at a bargain price. The important thing to note however, is that all the stores only accept cash, and the atms are few and far between (best bet is a 7eleven). If you prefer shopping for electronics, Akihabara or even Shinjuku have plenty to offer (we liked the electronic department stores) and if you want fashion, you can’t miss Harajuku, Shibuya and Ginza.
If you prefer more sightseeing, this is the perfect opportunity to visit the Imperial Palace and grounds. Conveniently located in the heart of Tokyo, the site has beautiful gardens, remains of the Edo castle and the Imperial Palace itself. For the history buffs, you can take organised tours to visit parts of the Imperial Palace.
And to top off the ultimate Tokyo itinerary, spend your last night enjoying the incredible neon views from one of the rooftop bars.
Where to stay in Tokyo
We loved staying in Shinjuku, as it is very central and well connected by the metro. Super Hotel Shinjuku Kabukicho was good value, with daily breakfast and cute amenities offered for free (for female guests). If you want a unique experience, book a night at Book and Bed Capsule Hotel. Japan is famous for capsule hotels, and this one has a unique bookish charm – not for the light sleepers or claustrophobics though! For something a little risqué, but not too naughty, Hotel & Spa An Shinjuku is for adults-only fun. The rooms are fitted out with a fancy bathroom, luxurious toiletries and even your own in-room karaoke! For more choices, check out booking.com
How to get around
A JR Pass is great for travel throughout Japan and covers all JR operated trains (including the bullet train). Alternatively, Tokyo is well connected by the metro and is a ‘walkable’ city.
What to eat
Tokyo has no shortage of places to eat. Our picks are Co-Co Curry House, the crazy little Ramen places (you’ll know them when you see them) and and even convenience stores and train stations have excellent food that is reasonably priced. We’ve also written some delicious suggestions on What to Eat in Japan and even picked out some of the most Insta-worthy foods.
What do you think? Is this the ultimate Tokyo itinerary? What else would you add?
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A lot of fun activities for people to do in Tokyo. Really there is so much to there, you can’t even scratch the surface after a month. I have been to Tokyo numerous times but am still to mario kart my way around town. It is on my must do list in the future.
Agreed! We are already planning a return to see more of it! We love Tokyo so much! And MariCar is a must! 🙂
A useful guide for big kids, the Mario Kart thing looks pretty insane so does the psychedelic robot restaurant. Fancy spending the evening in Whiskey Alley then off to karaoke with some drunk Japanese businessman
Haha we didn’t get to do the karaoke – we will have to do that next time!
I haven’t really thought much about Tokyo, but this pretty much sounds like my perfect itinerary! I love to be active, so the Mario karting and sumo experience are right up my alley. And who doesn’t love a good cooking class or food tour? Sign me up to learn to make my own noodles! Also, I want to soak in the tea, wine and sake!
Thanks Jennifer! I’m so glad you love this itinerary. It was so much fun to do and re-live through this post and video! 🙂
Tokyo is so high on our bucket list and we’d love to do most of the things you mentioned: how can you not? We also loved your video, hubby had a blast when he saw the MarioKarting in the street!
Haha Thanks Danila! Glad you and hubby loved the video! Putting it all together just makes me want to go back for Round 2! I hope you guys get there and love it as much as us!
I’m actually dying to get to Tokyo now just to go-kart through the streets in an adult-sized Mario onesie 😀 Buddha Bellies Cooking School sounds fabulous – we recently did a homecooking class in Kansai, and it was the highlight of my week! And Sumo wrestling sounds like so much fun too!! Temple hopping is something I would have automatically added to my itinerary – but a psychedelic Robot Show is a new one for me! Seriously sounds like you guys had the most fun! Thanks for putting this into a shared itinerary!
I’m glad you liked the itinerary! I can just imagine you hooning through the streets of Tokyo in a onesie! What character would you be? What did you make in Kansai? I didn’t realise how much I love Japanese food until we were there and eating it everyday!
There seems to be so much to do in Tokyo. I would love to watch a sumo match, visit some of the temples. My 6-year old daughter LOVES sushi, she definitely would be on top of the world to have that everyday!
Thanks Shweta! As obvious as it sounds, the sushi in Japan is so much better than anywhere else! But even more than I expected it to be. And don’t get me started on the ramen!
I’m heading to Japan in about 6 weeks and we are starting off in Tokyo so this was really exciting for me to read. My problem seems to be trying to fit in everything that we want to see and experience, because there’s just so much going on in the city. We looked into doing the Mariokart but I don’t think we’ll have time unfortunately. Everyone seems to recommend the Robot Restaurant so I’m going to make a point to book it in for one night.
I’m so glad you enjoyed this, Kate! I’m so excited for you! Where else in Japan are you headed? It is hard to fit everything in one trip, but it gives us all a good reason to return! 😉
I’ve never been to Tokyo, but I really want to go after reading your post! I’m especially taken with visiting Takeshita Street, especially for the thrift stores and the Harajuku fashion, it has always fascinated me! I can’t believe you can ride the streets in a Mario kart!
Haha we couldn’t believe it either, but it was so much fun! And if you love quirky fashion, you’ll love Tokyo! 🙂
I loved your video of your travels in Tokyo, it looks like an amazing place. I think I would like to do everything you did as it looks so much fun. Tokyo has been on my bucket list for ages; for the temples, new and old theme of the city, but now I know also for the fun parts!
Thanks Lucy! Like you said, there are so many amazing things to love about Tokyo – temples, food, neon lights, the people.. the list goes on! I hope you get to visit soon and love it as much as do!
I’ve always wanted to play Mario Kart in real life. Are the banana peels included or do you have to bring your own? Thanks for the information and the inspiration!
I’ve been thinking about Japan a lot lately and how much I want to go…stashing this because I think it will need to be soon! Looks so amazing!
Happy to hear it! Let us know if you want any further info! Japan is amazing 🙂
Ha, I would NOT have thought to eat rainbow spaghetti in Japan. At the same time though, I wouldn’t be surprised either. I think I’d like more traditional stops but that Monster Cafe and Robot spot look pretty insane in a good way haha.
We love a mix of traditional and down-right insane 🙂 That’s why I think we love Tokyo so much!
This is ridiculous! I want to do all of it! It’d be hard for me to do Japan because I have too many meetings to deal with the time difference, but maybe I’m going to have to figure out a way.
Where abouts are you based, Cori? We find the time difference when going to Europe or the US a little tricky to deal with at first, but after a couple of days we get used to it. It’s all worth it for a good trip! 🙂
Being from Japan, it’s always fun to read blog posts on things to do in Japan. The past two years when I would go home for Christmas, I would see the Mario Carts in Tokyo and thought it was so hilarious! I was so surprised to see them driving on the regular roads 🙂 I’ve never experienced a cooking class in Japan and am thinking of trying it the next time I go home.
We were amazed that you could drive the go-karts on the road with the rest of the traffic too! As a local, what do you like to do when home?
I think I would have chosen the hot springs and skipped all the eclectic colorful madness of the rest of Tokyo. It sure seems like a crazy place, that I have yet to visit.
The hot springs are amazing! That’s what we love about Tokyo – there’s something for everyone!