Best Things to Do at Night in Tokyo

Tokyo, as an international sleepless city, provides a lot of interesting things to do at night. Here is the list of most popular activities.

Enjoy Yourselves in Tokyo at Night

1. Visit Senso-ji Temple at Night

Senso-ji Temple is visit-worthy not only during the day, but also at night. After night falls, the large flow of visitors recede, thus you needn’t to fight the crowds. You can enjoy the distinct vibe there with brightly lit old architecture, including the Kaminarimon Gate, Hozomon Gate, Five-Storied Pagoda, and the main hall in the temple. It would be a fancy culture experience, which seems to bring you into the ancient Japan. Meanwhile, the dazzling Tokyo Skytree tower nearby make the night view more glorious and attractive.

Night Visit to Senso-ji Temple

2. Enjoy the Splendid Night Pieces of Tokyo

At night, Tokyo gets lost in the ocean of neon lights, which is definitely a stunning view to see with a number of skyscrapers and landmarks. Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ginza, Akihabara, etc. are the most ablaze zones to enjoy the colorful night scenes, while multiple observation decks on skyscrapers can offer a perfect chance to revel into the skyline of Tokyo city at night. Ascending onto the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, Shibuya Sky Observatory, Tokyo Skytree, etc., you are able to enjoy the 360-degree night view. At the Tokyo City View Observatory of Roppongi Hills, the classic night view with Tokyo Tower nearby heaves in sight.

In particular, the winter illumination drag Tokyo city into a dreamy fairytale world during Christmastide. When everything, even the sidewalk trees are decorated with lights, it is astonishingly dreamlike to walk into the romantic scenes.

Tokyo Night Scene - Shinjuku

3. Tokyo Night Helicopter Tour

It would be a breathtaking experience to take a helicopter tour in Tokyo as long as you don’t have a fear of heights. You may choose the helicopter tour by day, while night helicopter tours are extremely popular likewise. Flying in the sky, you’ll have a panoramic glance of Tokyo city from the new angles that there never have been on the ground. You may enjoy the sun setting down the horizon on a helicopter, too.

Airos is the magnate of Tokyo night helicopter tours. Most Tokyo night helicopter tours take 15-30 minutes, being priced at JPY 89,000-450,000 for the different types of helicopter, duration, heliports of enplaning/deplaning and places you can see on the ride. It should be reminded to reach the heliport 30 minutes at least before the departure time, or you can ensure the time when booking. It’s also advised to book the night helicopter tour with your family or a few partners, as a helicopter can hold 3-6 passengers, 3 persons at most time. They can also help to share the expenses.

4. Go on a Tokyo Cruise

A cruise is also an unforgettable thing to do at night in Tokyo, especially the line around Odaiba and Tokyo Bay, the cruise ship would go through the well-known Rainbow Bridge. The route on Sumida River is also available. Apart from the dazzling night scenes of Tokyo, you can also enjoy a great dinner onboard. In particular, on the yakatabune – boat house with tatami floor, the traditional sightseeing cruise in ancient Japan, you can enjoy the authentic Japan food like fresh sashimi and tempura. Meanwhile, it is likely to watch the traditional side show on the boat house cruise.

Tokyo Bay Night Cruise

5. Bar Hopping at Golden Gai

Referring things to do at night in Tokyo, how could you miss a bar hopping at Golden Gai? Golden Gai is the bar street popular with foreigners in Shinjuku, nicknamed to be a matchbox as approximately 280 bars crowd in this narrow alley. The bars open at 9-10 pm at night, making Golden Gai the liveliest area in the district. You can sit in a bar and expect the wines as well as Japanese & creative western dishes, then go to the next. However, pay attention to the signs for some bars closed to foreigners and some opened to frequent visitors only. Don’t stay too late, and take no notice of hustlers there.

Golden Gai Bar Street

6. Try the Authentic Local Food in Tokyo

If you prefer a relatively quiet dinner, you could find a number of restaurants and izakayas in Tokyo. On the food streets like Omoide Yokochō, it’s perfect to enjoy the local menu in a small izakaya after nightfall, meanwhile experience the local life. Also, it’s common to find a themed restaurant in Tokyo, such as the Ninja Experience Cafe Harajuku and sumo-themed Chanko & Wanko Restaurant Asakusa Sumo Club. It’s great to have a Japanese culture experience while dining.

Sushi is the special food of Tokyo, thus higher-end sushi restaurants mushroom in the city. Ramen is a favorite food of the locals in Tokyo as well. Tsukiji Outer Market would also be a great place to look for these food at an affordable price.

Read More: Japanese Food – Healthiest In the World

Try Authenic Local Food at Izakaya, Tokyo

Taste Local Food at the Izakaya

7. Sing to Your Heart’s Content in Japan Karaoke

You may be not familiar with karaoke, but it is one of the favorite activities for Japanese at night. Whether it’s to vent your feelings or for pleasure, karaoke is a wonderful place for singing. You can sing alone in the small private box, or have fun with a few friends there. In a karaoke box in Tokyo, you can pick some songs on the screen and sing with limitless freedom with the microphone. It doesn’t matter if you sing well or not; you may imagine to give a concert by yourself proudly, do as the locals do. Some snacks and drinks are also offered, for free or charged.

8. Game Challenge at Akihabara’s Top Arcades

If you are the gamers or anime fans, the top arcades of Akihabara, Taito Station and Sega GIGO, in Tokyo, Japan and even the world can’t be missed. As you come to the arcade at Akihabara, you’ll be addicted to the various arcade games, regardless of the new ones or old classics. Virtual reality and more high-technologies will make you immerse in the games more crazily. Doll claw machines are of the essence in an arcade, photo sticker booths are indispensable, and Bongo Touch, or called Drum Master, is an interesting game to play the taiko drums to music. More captivating games are also available, all of which guarantee a fun night for you.

In the Top Arcades at Akihabara

In Tokyo, there are also more things to do at night, to explore the unique local culture. For example, it’s attemptable to stay a night in a chain capsule hotel, or watch the Japanese-style kabuki performance at Kabuki-za Theatre. In the cherry blossom season, night sakura appreciation – seeing cherry blossom at night is extraordinarily popular likewise.