10 Terrific Things to Do in Tokyo with Teens

Tokyo is absolutely the best place to travel to with teens. Here are 10 terrific activities and experiences you can do with your teens in Tokyo to ensure your trip is fun and memorable!

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1. Visit Historic Sites

No trip to Tokyo with teens is complete without visiting a few historic sites. How many you visit is another matter entirely! Some teens will be super into these sites. Others will not be so fascinated. Try to gauge your kids’ interests in advance so you know how many of these things to put on your schedule.

The great thing about many historical sites in Tokyo is that they are free to visit and don’t take that much time. So you can weave them into your Tokyo trip with teens easily.

Teen-Approved Options

Here are a few historic sites in Tokyo that might appeal to your teens:

Senso-ji Temple – this is Tokyo’s oldest and most famous Buddhist temple.
Meiji Jingu Shrine – a Shinto sanctuary surrounded by lush forest featuring traditional torii gates and decorative sake barrels.
Tokyo Imperial Palace – home of Japan’s emperor; while you can’t go inside, you can get a glimpse of the buildings and enjoy the gardens, moats, and stone walls.
Kanda Shrine – colorful 1,300 year old Shinto shrine with fewer crowds than other popular shrines and temples.
Hie Shrine – Shinto shrine famous for its striking red rows of Torri gates; go early in the morning for great photo ops without anyone there.

2. Enjoy a Museum

To be honest, we didn’t visit a single museum on my recent trip to Tokyo with my teens. They just aren’t into museums, and Tokyo is a place where you aren’t missing out too much if you skip them. However, there are some great museums that are very worthwhile visiting with teens who enjoy the experience. Here are a few suggestions:

Tokyo National Museum – Japan’s oldest and largest museum filled with art, artifacts, and cultural treasures spanning the country’s history.
Ghibli Museum – be immersed in the whimsical world of Hayao Miyazaki’s films through interactive exhibits, films, and architecture.
Mori Art Museum – go for the contemporary art and stay for the amazing panoramic views of Tokyo from the museum’s observation deck.
Edo-Tokyo Museum – showcases Tokyo’s history from 1603 to modern times through detailed models, artifacts, and exhibits.

3. Experience Something Interactive

While we didn’t visit any traditional museums, we did thoroughly enjoy the TeamLabs Planets and Borderless digital art museums! Here’s information about those attractions and other interactive experiences in Tokyo your team might enjoy:

TeamLabs Planets & TeamLabs Borderless – immersive digital art museum with interactive light and water installations.
Akihabara – district in Tokyo filled with anime and manga shops, electronic stores, and arcades.
Ikebukuro’s Sunshine City – this entertainment and shopping complex features an observation deck, aquarium, planetarium, indoor theme park, Pokémon Center, and many restaurants and shops.
Ninja Trick House – discover your inner ninja while you learn sword techniques, practice shuriken throwing, explore ninja traps, and pose for photos after interactive demonstrations and hands-on training.
Onsen – teens who love a bit of pampering will enjoy soaking in hot spring water brought in daily from the volcanic areas of Hakone and Yugawara; the onsen also has opportunities to try on yukata robes and enjoy traditional Japanese food.
Tea Ceremony – don a traditional Japanese kimono while you learn about the ritualized practice of preparing and serving matcha.
Samurai Ninja Museum & Experience – view exhibits of ancient artifacts, try on armour, and learn swordsmanship and other ninja techniques.
Tokyo Mystery Circus – this “mysterious theme park” offers interactive escape rooms, live-action games, and mystery-solving adventures.

4. Have Some Thrills

If you know me, you know that I am a huge Disney theme park fan. So naturally I’ve raised my kids to also love Disney and other theme parks. Fortunately for people like us, there are plenty of theme parks to be found in Tokyo!

Tokyo Disneyland – enjoy classic Disney attractions that feel familiar but are somewhat different than those offered in American Disney parks.
Tokyo DisneySea – the most unique Disney park in the world filled with great theming and thrilling rides.
Tokyo Joypolis – SEGA’s indoor amusement park with VR rides, arcade games, and simulators.
YomiuriLand – major amusement park with roller coasters and a water park.
Tokyo Dome City – this dome in the center of the city has a Ferris wheel, VR rides, and the famed Thunder Dolphin roller coaster.
Namja Town – indoor theme park with games, food alleys, and haunted attractions.
Sanrio Puroland – indoor park with Hello Kitty theming featuring rides, parades, shows, and characters.

5. Get A Birds-Eye View

Your teen will adore any of the many opportunities to get a birds-eye view of Tokyo! Here are some great options:

Shibuya Sky – futuristic rooftop observatory offering breathtaking 360° views of Tokyo’s skyline and the iconic Shibuya Crossing below.
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building – twin-tower structure in Shinjuku with free observation decks showcasing panoramic city views and Mount Fuji on clear days.
Tokyo Skytree – Japan’s tallest structure and a symbol of modern Tokyo, featuring observation decks, shops, restaurants, and an aquarium.
Tokyo Tow e r – A classic red-and-white landmark inspired by the Eiffel Tower, offering city views, cultural exhibits, and a nostalgic slice of postwar Tokyo charm.
Shibuya Crossing Views – you want a closer, street-level view than what you get at Shibuya Sky, so visit the Tsutaya building. You can see the crossing from the second floor Starbucks (you must purchase something to get in) or try the fourth floor Shibuya Tsutaya Share Lounge ($11 per person, includes drinks and snacks).

6. Wander Through Japanese Gardens

Traveling with teens can be stressful. Fortunately, Tokyo is filled with plenty of gardens when you can find your zen!

Shinjuku Gyeon National Garden – large and renowned featuring Japanese, French, and English gardens.
Imperial Palace East Gardens – gorgeous garden that also allows a glimpse at castle ruins.
Rikugien Garden – Edo-period style garden with beautiful mature trees.
Koishikawa Korakuen Garden – famous for its design and pond scenery.
Hamarikyu Garden – features a tidal pond and teahouse on a small island.
Hotel New Otani’s Japanese Garden – tranquil 400-year-old oasis featuring koi ponds, stone lanterns, waterfalls, and meticulously landscaped greenery.

7. Take a Day Trip

The best way to truly appreciate a country is to get outside of the major cities and see the countryside. There are a lot of charming towns and awesome sites worthy of a day trip from Tokyo. Here are some great options:

Fuij-Q Highland – this amusement park is located at the base of Mount Fuji and features record-breaking roller coasters, anime-themed attractions, and a spooky hospital.
Hakone – ride a ropeway over an active volcano, soak in hot springs, and see Mt. Fuji from a pirate ship.
Nikko National Park– UNESCO temples, outdoor adventures, and the Edo Wonderland cultural park.
Kawaguchiko – see iconic viewpoints, take a serene lakeside walk, visit traditional craft villages and museums, and enjoy panoramic views of Mount Fuji.
Enoshima & Kamakura – see the Great Buddha, take a scenic ride on the historic Enoden train, visit historic shrines, and stroll along the vibrant Komachi Street, offering a blend of cultural, historical, and coastal experiences.

8. Shop ’til You Drop

If your teen enjoys shopping, Tokyo has plenty to offer.

Shopping Districts

Here are the best areas of town to go to for shopping:

Shinjuku – major department stores and electronic stores.
Shibuya – THE place to find all the latest youth fashion trends.
Harajuku – home of both Omotesando (Tokyo’s version of the Champs-Elysees) with upscale shops and Takeshita Dori filled with vintage clothing, quirky snacks, and animal cafes.
Ginza – features iconic department stores, high-end brands, and chic boutiques.

Another great place to shop include Nakamise Dori, the street approaching Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa. It’s filled with Japanese souvenirs and treats. If your teen loves to cook, make sure to stop by Kappabashi, a district within Tokyo that supplies restaurants. Here you can find useful souvenirs such cookware, dishes, and knives while you marvel at the plastic and wax food samples often displayed in restaurants!

Stores

Teens will also enjoy these specific stores that are found all over town:

Daiso – sells a wide variety of items, snacks and souvenirs for just 100 yen each.
Loft – lifestyle store offering home goods, stationary, gadgets, and Japanese design products.
Don Quijote – discount megastore that sells just about everything in a vibrant and chaotic atmosphere.
Itoya – legendary Tokyo stationery store offering multiple floors of premium pens, paper, art supplies, and innovative office and gift products.

9. Discover Something Unusual

Teens will often enjoy doing some off the beaten track activities. And Tokyo doesn’t disappoint! Here are some fun options:

Animal Cafes – you can find cafes offering interactions with cats, dogs, owls, micropigs, otters, hedgehogs, capybara, and many other creatures!
Sumo Show – learn about the exciting world of Sumo wrestling, Japan’s national sport.
Go-Kart Tour – ride a go-kart through the streets of Tokyo wearing a costume of your favorite character.
Gotokuji Temple – cat lovers will love this temple filled with lucky beckoning cat statues.
Inokashira Park – rent swan boats on the lake and explore the quirky Ghibli-like atmosphere.

10. Find Good Eats

I was hesitant to take my teens to Asia because they can be picky eaters. But we quickly discovered that they would not go hungry! We had no issues finding enough sustenance.

Our Recommendations

Some of our favorite places are:

Ichiran Ramen – delicious bowls of ramen with locations all over Tokyo (and the rest of Japan, and abroad!).
Ebisu Tempura Kushi Yamamotoya – this was a bit off the tourist beaten path, but its a favorite of the locals and the tempura was delicious!
Convenience stores – yes, we had many full meals purchased from 7-Eleven, Lawson, and Family Mart during our trip. The egg salad sandwiches were my favorite, and my daughter enjoyed the soft-boiled egg sandwiches. We all enjoyed the Japanese pastries like melon bread.

Other Great Places to Eat in Tokyo with Teens

Tokyo has some terrific theme restaurants. I had a few on the agenda, but we ended up liking convenience store meals so much that we skipped all but one! Here’s a few to consider:

Sanrio Cafe – Hello Kitty lovers will love this cafe decorated with Sanrio characters and serving cute themed dishes.
Alice in Wonderland inspired restaurants – there are two of these in Tokyo. Alice in Picture Book is in Shinjuku and is decorated just like you stepped into a storybook. Alice in Castle Country in Ikebukuro takes you into the Queen of Hearts castle.
Zauo Fishing Restaurant – this was the one themed place we did eat at, but it was a bit of a disappointment. The fish weren’t biting, so we ended up just ordering off the menu. But it was definitely a novelty!
Pop-Up Cafes – there are limited time themed cafes that pop up all the time in Tokyo, See what’s happening during your trip!

Finally, if you have a teen who likes seafood, enjoys fishing, or would like seeing all sorts of interesting seafood, a trip to Tsukiji Outer Market is in order. You can walk through buildings where the freshest catch of the day is displayed on ice. Some vendors may even offer you a taste! Full meals are available from restaurants and food stands. And you can shop for Japanese tableware, knives, and seasonings to bring home.

What’s on your itinerary for Tokyo with teens?

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