A trip to Tokyo is always exciting, especially since it’s a city that mixes tradition and the latest trends so well, but if you’re looking for even more fun things to do in Tokyo and something even more adventurous, why not check out these 21 weird things to do in Tokyo.
Sumo Wrestling
Photo Credit: Asashoryu fight Jan08” by Eckhard Pecher User:Arcimboldo – Own work. Licensed under CC BY 3.0 via Commons
The wrestlers are professional competitors weighing between 160 – 250 kg. Professional wrestlers live together in ‘stables’, where all aspects of life – sleeping, eating, training and free time, are strictly controlled by the stable master. Wrestlers start training at age 13. Visiting the Wrestling Stables is an option and so is the Sumo museum.
The Sumo tournaments in Tokyo are a big Happening, its the national sports in Japan. Fans ride together on the subway, and there is a lot of before and after drinking and action around the Arena. See More: Sumo Wrestler Tournaments
Geisha
Kannonura Street is one of the few streets in Tokyo where you can still see Geisha in Kimonos and traditional white make-up. Geishas are traditional entertainers. If you’d like to see the Geishas perform the Japanese dance, singing and music they were trained for, the tea-houses in Asakusa still have 45 actively working geisha (In Kyoto Geishas are more common). An evening like that costs around 20,000 yen per customer.
In any case, the Geisha area has a lovely traditional Japanese feel to it, so take a walk down Kannonura Street, Asakusa, Tokyo.
Walk On Air At The Sky Tree
Tokyo Sky Tree has two pod-shaped observation decks, the first is stationed 350 meters up. The 360-degree panoramic views from this height extend some 70 kilometers into the distance.
Another elevator then takes you 100 meters further up to the Tembo Galleria, making the Eiffel Tower look like a small change. The last five meters of this journey are made on foot via a five-meter spiral staircase, leaving guests with the sensation of having sky-walked.
The braver guests may even look through a pane of glass-flooring all the way down to ground level.
See More: Tokyo Sky Tree
Experience Love, Betrayal, and Revenge At The Kabuki
Kabuki theater started during the Edo period. The Japanese government didn’t like the sexually provocative elements in this theater at the time, so in order to tone it down, Women Actors were not allowed to play in this theater any more. Male actors play the roles of women too, which is very weird. The plays take 3 hours, but you can buy tickets for just one act of the Theater, which takes about 30 minutes. See More: Kabuki Theater in Ginza
Public Bathing
Japanese people bathe in a Sento. A Sento is a public bathhouse. In the past, Japanese apartments were so tiny, they didn’t even have a bath. The Sento is a strange mishmash between a Spa and a social get-together, so it’s really worth trying.
This is a really unique experience and may just turn out to be one of your favorite and most memorable things to do in Tokyo. Santos is less formal than onsens and is considered a place to socialize and relax. Men and women bathe separately, in case you were wondering.
Statue of Liberty
A replica of the Statue of Liberty was supposed to be a temporary symbol celebrating the “French Year of Japan” in 1998-1999, but locals fell in love with it and it still stands to this day.
Its located in Odaiba which is worth a visit any time of the year for Rainbow bridge, Fuji TV headquarters, Miraikan science museum, extravagant Shopping malls, Toyota showroom, Panasonic showroom, and the huge Ferris wheel. See More: Odaiba Tokyo
French-Maids and Masters In Akihabara
Each one of the French-Maid Themed Cafe’s in Tokyo offer their own theme. For example, the Maid Café Restaurant has their waitresses wearing Victorian maid’s costumes whereas at the Alcatraz, it’s a prison theme, and in ER it is a hospital theme. Check out Tokyo’s Maid Café in Akihabara.
Gothic Lolitas and Hello Kitty
Cosplay is Japanese modern culture at its strangest: Japanese people dressed as characters from video games and anime. Visit Harajuku Tokyo on a Sunday to meet Tokyo teens dress like Gothic Lolitas, French Maids, and Hello Kitty. See More: Cosplay Girls
Stay At A Capsule Hotel
The rooms are capsules on top of one another with just enough room for you to lie down. Great for those traveling on a budget, but the only drawback is that most are only for men.
A True Japanese Culture Experience designed for short-term stays. That’s why they are also a fascinating peep into life in Japanese culture.
The target market for these places are Japanese office workers late for their last train home, and locals on a short business trip or a holiday.
Try Your Luck At Pachinko
Pachinko machines are uniquely Japanese. Pachinko parlors have kitsch interiors with flashing lights and constant noise from the metal balls, music, and announcements.
Most of the balls fall down the machine and disappear, but a few find their way into special holes. This activates a kind of a slot machine, and the player wins if the same three pictures appear. This is a very hypnotizing activity, perhaps relaxing, but has no target or challenge to the player.
Experience An Earthquake
Brave enough to experience what a 7 point earthquake feels like? Ikebukuro Earthquake Museum is your chance. You will also learn how to cope in an earthquake, learn about famous past earthquakes along with facts and figures.
Walk Rainbow Bridge
Walk the Rainbow Bridges, which is a suspension bridge crossing northern Tokyo Bay between Shibaura Pier and the Odaiba waterfront. There is a separate walkway on the north and south sides.
Take A Ride On A Rickshaw
You might think this is cheesy, but it’s going to be a lot of fun. The place to do it is Asakusa, Tokyo, which has a great traditional feel to it, with Geisha, Shrines, and traditional small restaurants.
Visit The Old Fish Market And Have Sushi for Breakfast
The inner section of the famous Tsukiji fish market which was famous for its epic, early morning tuna auctions closed and relocated to Toyosu in 2018. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still get your sushi on.
The outer market is still well and truly open for business and it’s still a great place to visit and enjoy incredibly fresh and delicious seafood in a unique atmosphere.
Watch A Baseball Game At The Tokyo Dome
If you are a baseball fan be sure to check out at least one of Tokyo’s baseball teams like the Yomiuri Giants or the cross-town underdogs the Yakult Swallows.
The Yomiuri Giants call the famous Tokyo Dome home. It’s easy to get to in downtown Tokyo, close to Suidobashi Station.
The Yakult Swallows play out of the Meiji-Jingu Stadium, which is also conveniently located between Harajuku and Shibuya.
Catch A Tram On The Toden Arakawa Line
This is the only survivor of what was once an extensive system of streetcars in Tokyo. It can be a lot of fun to travel this way and most tourists are not aware of it. The streetcars take passengers around northern and eastern Tokyo to places tourists never see.
The areas are usually older than the touristy sections of Tokyo, so it is a bit like having your own time machine to travel back in time.
The secrets are out, now you know the best fun things to do in Tokyo and weird Things to do in Tokyo that are a bit unusual and extreme.
