Why Visit Now: Tokyo
Beyond the crowded tourist spots, a deeper, authentic Tokyo awaits, offering hidden gems and local experiences far richer than the checklists of the masses. Discover why visiting Tokyo now means unlocking a city most tourists miss.
With inbound tourism to Japan reaching an all-time high in 2024, particularly in the popular cities of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, you think there is no reason for this article to exist. In fact, with the massive influx of tourists to these cities, the phrase "kanko kogai" (観光公害) or "tourist pollution" has entered the vocabulary of many local residents.
But the idea of over-tourism is highly nuanced, and to say that Tokyo has an over-tourism problem is an oversimplification at best, if not downright misleading. Many of Tokyo's best neighborhoods, events, and experiences are still largely unknown by most tourists, and visitors who diverge from the social media-inspired hot spots for the road less travelled will be rewarded by a Tokyo experience far richer than the superficial checklists of the masses.
I've compiled a list of destinations, events, and experiences to be found in Tokyo that are beyond the ordinary, some taking place during shoulder seasons for travel, others that have been poorly marketed to overseas visitors, and some are just favorites for us locals to enjoy that we don't mind sharing.
1. Experience Japan's Filmmaking Renaissance
With Japanese filmmakers, actors, and producers walking away with top awards in recent years, the quality and quantity of Japan-produced entertainment media has increased. This has also led to a revival in the film festival world, with the Tokyo International Film Festival becoming a significant event for showcasing the work of upcoming Japanese directors and attracting a field of international stars.
The film festival takes place for a week from the end of October during the autumn shoulder season for travel. Held at various venues around the city, it gives visitors a chance to explore a greater swath of the city as they attend its events and screenings. Compared to major film festivals like Sundance and Cannes, the Tokyo festival is low-key, giving film aficionados a better chance to catch a glimpse of their favorite actor or director up close.
2. Legalized Moonshine is Coming Back
Doboroku is the poor man's alcohol, made with the same ingredients as sake, but using a simplified process that anyone could master. With chunks of fermented rice and a slightly sweet, fruity flavor, it contrasts sharply with its cousin, clear and refined sake.
During Japan's Edo Period, when the samurai-led shogunate governed Japan, doburoku was widespread. When the Meiji government took power in the late 19th century, however, liquor taxation led to a ban on home brewing, and doboroku nearly disappeared. In recent years, it has been making a comeback.
Todd Fong
Riding on the popularity of craft beer, doburoku appeals to casual drinkers who enjoy trying distinctive new tastes. Innovative pubs like Heiwa Doburoku Kabutocho near Tokyo Station serve small cups of doburoku with seasonal ingredients like yuzu citrus, black sesame, or cedar wood. Its long bar is full of customers sampling different types of doburoku paired with light snacks, like smoked nuts or a bowl of udon.
3. Recycled is the New Fashion
Tokyo's vintage and recycled clothing stores are among the best in the world, owing to Tokyoite's penchant for staying fashion-current, creating a quick turnover of clothes combined with the gentle care with which most Japanese people treat their garments. Recycled clothing shops share the same streets as designer boutiques in Omotesando, and entire neighborhoods like Koenji have become fashion destinations for vintage clothing fans.
Todd Fong
While some famous shops like Ragtag and Vintage Qoo focus on designer brands, "thrift" shop chains like 2nd Street, BAZZSTORE, and Mode-Off offer vast selections of items, many below 1,000 yen. Find the largest variety of thrift shops around outlying neighborhoods like Kichijoji, Shimokitazawa, and Koenji as mentioned earlier.
4. Find Healing Through the Art of Kintsugi
The breadth of traditional Japanese craft experiences available in Tokyo has grown exponentially over the past few years, but none has grown in popularity quite as quickly as kintsugi, the art of repairing broken items with gold-infused lacquer. Part of kintsugi's appeal is its connection to sustainability: reusing a broken item rather than discarding it. However, kintsugi's broader appeal may be in its symbolism; imperfection isn't always bad, and highlighting rather than hiding scars can make things beautiful.
Todd Fong
Whether kintsugi appeals to you on an artistic, environmental, or spiritual level, you can find many kintsugi workshops around the city, some conducted in English. Maker's Base in Meguro offers inexpensive kintsugi workshops using brass powder rather than gold, and Kintsugi Lady instructs individuals and small groups in English at a studio in Ogikubo.
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5. World-Class Cycling Events Come to Tokyo
Japan is a fantastic destination for cyclists, with its crown jewel being the Shimanami Kaido route along and over the Seto Inland Sea. Tokyo has long been overlooked by cyclists, but no longer: Grand Cycle Tokyo events are attracting thousands of cyclists worldwide.
The first event of 2025 is The Road Race Tokyo, a UCI (International Cycling Union) recognized racing event utilizing the courses created for the 1964 and 2020 Summer Games, held on Sunday, July 13th.
Todd Fong
A 133.8 km Elite Men's course through western Tokyo and a 33.8 km Elite Women's circular course will be the highlights for spectators hoping to glimpse their favorite athletes as they race through the streets. A general race for all participants will be held on the same day using the circular route.
The second event is the Rainbow Bridge Ride, currently unscheduled, but anticipated for early December. This fun ride for all ages utilizes two of Tokyo's Bay bridges, the Rainbow Bridge and Tokyo Gate Bridge, which are closed to motor vehicles for the duration of the event. Courses from 8 km to 35 km are available, and bicycle rental is available at the starting point.
6. The Breadth and Depth of Tokyo Cuisine
The quality of Tokyo's restaurants is certainly no secret, with the most Michelin-starred restaurants of any city in the world. But the quality of Tokyo cuisine spans far beyond these high-end establishments, down to hole-in-the-wall establishments hidden away in some nameless alley, two flights underground.
Todd Fong
Discovering your new favorite ramen shop or perfectly deep-fried tonkatsu pork cutlet at a counter with a half-dozen seats run by an elderly couple who has been serving the same meal for decades is one of Tokyo's hidden joys, and for the adventurous, one you can take part in daily.
Slide up to a counter under the elevated train tracks at Shinbashi and eat yakitori chicken skewers elbow-to-elbow with Tokyo's white collar crowd. Stroll around Ryogoku, home to the sumo stables and stadium, and find a shop to enjoy a hearty bowl of chanko-nabe, the meal of sumo champions. Skip crowded Tsukiji and Toyosu for fresh seafood and find the same fresh sushi and sashimi bowls at Adachi Fish Market in Kita-Senju.
7. See the City at Street Level
Public transportation makes getting around Tokyo quickly a breeze, but to really see the city, consider spending some time walking around it. With the help of your smartphone, you can easily navigate between locations along the Tokyo streets, enjoying scenes of everyday life. Discover tiny, unique shops, surprising landmarks, and interesting local people as you walk through Tokyo neighborhoods that are seldom visited by tourists.
Todd Fong
One of my favorite tricks is to walk between two central train or subway stations rather than ride; a three-hour walk across the city between Ginza and Shinjuku is one of my favorites.
If you lack the confidence to explore Tokyo on your own, consider a guided photowalk tour. Photographer Lee Chapman has been on the Tokyo beat for nearly two decades and can introduce you to places and people he has become familiar with during his frequent walks around the city.
8. Behold the Wonders of...Toilets?
Although we rarely consider it, the availability and cleanliness of public toilets often affect our willingness to explore foreign countries. On these two factors, Japan scores exceptionally high. Publicly accessible toilets are everywhere in Tokyo; it is even rare for private businesses to reserve their facilities for paying guests (although courtesy dictates you should make a small purchase at a shop if you intend to use their restroom). Most toilets are immaculately clean, and tended to carefully as part of the omotenashi hospitality Japanese are famous for.
Todd Fong
However, Tokyo has taken public toilets to the next level with the Tokyo Toilet project, a group of 16 public toilets around the Shibuya district created by famous architects and designers and featured in Wim Wenders' recent film, "Perfect Days." These toilets feature various aspects of aesthetics, sustainable design, and technology to the point that enterprising guides have built "toilet tours" around them. You don't need to book a tour, however, as all the toilets and their locations are well documented in English on the official Tokyo Toilet website.
9. Museums and Art Exhibitions for Every Taste
With all the good eats and shopping to do in Tokyo, museums are often an afterthought in most people's itineraries. It's a shame because Tokyo has an eclectic collection of museums and art exhibitions that appeal to all ages and interests.
Todd Fong
TeamLab led the way with two immersive art exhibitions, Borderless, and Planets. Their success has spawned many other immersive art exhibitions on a myriad of themes, from Monet to Ukiyoe, Japanese woodblock prints.
Children and adults with childlike-wonder can enjoy niche-themed museums like the Metro Museum, dedicated to the ubiquitous Tokyo subway lines, or the Snoopy Museum, home to one of the world's most famous cartoon dogs. Contemporary art lovers can visit the Yayoi Kusama Museum, a stunning blend of architecture and art, or the WHAT Museum, showcasing the cutting edge of Japanese and international artists.
For the few visiting Tokyo who want to see as many museums as possible, the Grutto Pass offers free or discounted admission to over 100 museums and parks around Tokyo for a modest fee.
10. Discover Tokyo's Underground Music Scene
The majority of the Tokyo music scene isn't happening in sold-out arenas or large-scale concert facilities; you'll find most bands and artists playing tiny stages of restaurants or filling tiny venues called "Live Houses."
Todd Fong
Shibuya is the birthplace of Tokyo's underground music, with small-scale venues like Aoyama Moon Romantic hosting intimate performances, but the music scene has long since spread its wings. Koenji rocks the night away with homegrown punk and metal bands at venues like Koenji High and Show Boat. Shimokitazawa is a district full of live houses for every genre: folk, pop, reggae, or maybe a fusion of all three?
