We’ve put together a day itinerary for specifically for smaller crowds. Many of these activities are full of tourists in peak season. We also wanted to include activities you may not have come across to maintain sustainable travel even in peak times.
Low Season Japan can have some colder and more rainy weather so we included several indoor activities that will be enjoyable for solo travellers, families, couples and groups. Oh, and don’t forget to enter our competition to win a luxury stay in The Tokyo EDITION Toranomon…
Times are recommendations only and subject to your needs and train times – yup we tried to pack in a lot but if you have time, you can always take a little longer.
Ok, let’s do this…
7am – Wake
Get ready for the day. Grab JR Pass or Tokyo Metro 1-Day Unlimited Ticket. Head to the station ready to catch the JR Yamanote Line. The loop runs every 3 mins making perfect for short trips and unlimited travel.
8am – Breakfast at Tokyo Station
Tokyo Station is 182,000 square meters, Tokyo Station serves over 450,000 passengers every day. Tokyo Station’s 28 platforms make it one of Japan’s largest stations. It boasts over 20 eateries. Take your pick of the bunch or why not try breakfasts that the locals eat?
9am – Tokyo Sky Tree Town
TOKYO SKYTREE TOWN® is a multi-purpose facility, including office buildings, academic institutions, exhibition halls, commercial facilities, an aquarium, shopping centre and a planetarium. Open 365 days a year.
With it’s deck floor 350 (350m up) and gallery floor 450 (450m up) it makes for a fantastic view! If you are visiting in the snowier months you will be able to see a scenic landscape of Tokyo city
You can also take a trip in the evening for a breathtaking view of the lit-up night sky of Tokyo, however, for families, we recommend morning trips. Be warned with so much to do you can get stuck here all day, so a morning trip is best for an action-packed fun-filled day.
Shopping features both western and Japanese high streets stores, along with smaller local stores offering handmade Japanese authentic gifts. There are lots of traditional arts on display here.
Treat the kids to an educational show or the partner to a romantic date at the planetarium. Presentations are offered in both Japanese and English, and you’re able to choose from 3 different types of shows to match your mood. Be sure to get there a little early to book your ticket.
Be warned with so much to do you can get stuck here all day, so a morning trip is best for an action-packed fun-filled day.
11am Yoyogi Park
After being stuck inside for some hours, grab some fresh air at Yoyogi Park in Shibuya. Yoyogi Park is one of Tokyo’s largest city parks, featuring extensive lawns, ponds and forested areas. Yoyogi Park is a 5-minute walk from Harajuku Station on the JR Yamanote Line.
If you’re feeling up to it, and have time to spare you can take a short walk to Meiji Shrine. It’s open all year round and free!
12pm – Visit Harajuku’s cooler cousin
“Everyone knows that Harajuku is the place to go for youth culture and street fashion, but Harajuku’s cooler cousin, Shimokitazawa, is a well-kept travel secret. On the weekends, Harajuku is likely to be heaving with snap-happy tourists, whereas Shimokitazawa is the place the locals go”.
1pm Time to Eat!
For lunch head to a weird and wonderous café. There’s so much to chose from we couldn’t just recommend one! Pay a trip to wonderland through the looking glass in Alice and Wonderland themed café ‘Alice on Wednesday’. Be in awe of all things cute Kawaii Monster Café or satisfy your sci-fi fantasies (over 18) Robot Café. These themed cafes will have to leave your jaw on the floor from the moment you step in and is an excellent photo opportunity.
2pm – Grab a souvenir
Visit Don Quijote (commonly known as Donki) in Shibuya is the go-to for tourist souvenirs. We recommend buying authentic Japanese souvenirs from locals as you make your way around Japan and buying food like Japanese KitKats that come in all flavour, in DQ for its affordable prices. Best of all – it’s tax-free.
3.30pm – Soak in some history and culture
Zojoji is known for its Jizo statues. “Jizo is a bodhisattva regarded as the guardian of children, especially children who died before their parents.” Statues of Jizo are dressed in colourful children’s clothes, especially bibs and hats, and placed at temples by grieving parents in the hope that Jizo will offer protection to their children in their journey through the underworld.
(Remember to be respectful of other visitors to the temple, who may be grieving).
4pm – Immerse Yourself in Art
After something a little sombre, dive into something a little more colourful! See an exhibition at teamLabs borderless Tokyo. The exhibits use lighting to create digital art that fills rooms with wonder. All exhibits are interactive and incredibly stimulating. These can get full quickly, so it’s best to book a ticket before arriving, however, if you’re travelling low season, it’ll be less packed, and you’ll be able to take your time getting lost in the lights.
6.30pm – Gotta Eat!
For dinner head, there is a multitude of top-rated restaurants within walking distance. Another alternative is heading back to the hotel.
8.30pm – Rest your feet
9 minutes from Tokyo station on the Metro is Toranomon Hills Station. In Toranomon Hills you’ll find Tokyo Edition Hotel Toranomon. It’s a new luxury hotel headed up by the Marriott and EDITION. With bespoke guestrooms, suites and a penthouse and 5* spa and gym: 6 treatment rooms featuring 5 individual rooms and 1 couple suite Relaxation area and wellness bar they’re on a mission to redefine luxury.
If you didn’t eat earlier, try their speciality restaurant with private dining rooms helmed by an internationally acclaimed Chef featuring a new culinary concept in Tokyo. Alternatively, have a nightcap at EDITION’s signature cocktail bar.
When you’re ready, rest your heads on a fluffy pillow and drift off to a good night’s sleep… after looking through your photos of course!
