Home of Godzilla, lifelike robots, and kawaii anime characters, Tokyo’s reputation for the weird and wacky is widely known. A city that embraces anything eccentric and quirky, yet one that remains deeply connected to its cultural roots and traditions, there is no other place that offers as many unique experiences as Tokyo. We’ve sussed out some of the most unique experiences to have in Tokyo, from the wild to outrageous and more!
Go Wild at the Robot Restaurant
Shinjuku’s famed Robot Restaurant is everything you would expect from a night out in Tokyo. Entering the technicolour spectacle that is the Robot Restaurant, guests will be dazzled by the mash of flashing lights, pumping music, fluorescent costumes and extravagant robots. Lots and lots of robots. At this neon circus, bikini-clad warrior princesses battle 10-foot tall transformer robots while ninjas, dragons and a futuristic amalgamation of animals and robots dance, sing and romp around the stage, culminating in an epic battle between warring robot armies – with pop music blasting and strobe lights and dancers flying every which way. Wacky, loud and wild, the Robot Restaurant provides a truly unique experience full of non-stop laughter and energy that will have you dancing and singing along to these bizarre performances.
Street Go-Karting
If you’ve ever wanted to experience Mario-Kart in real life, this is the attraction for you! Probably one of the coolest experiences you can have while in Tokyo, this Go Karting experience allows you to dress up as your favourite character (ranging from Princess Peach, Yoshi, Mario, as well as various other anime characters) and “race” your pals through the streets of Tokyo. Follow along as your guide leads you around Tokyo’s best attractions, such as the Tokyo Tower, Rainbow Bridge, Roppongi and the Shibuya Crossing as passersby cheer and wave you on. While the throwing of banana skins and turtle shells isn’t allowed, you will have plenty of great photo opportunities and will walk away with a truly memorable experience!
Get Up Close and Personal With Sumo Wrestlers
Sumo wrestling is Japan’s national sport and watching a match is surely one of the top things to do on a trip to Japan. While it may be tricky to score these highly-coveted tickets, fret not as there are other opportunities to see sumo wrestlers in the flesh, even if you are in Japan between tournaments. For an alternative, and arguably more up close and personal way to experience this centuries-old sport, head to the sumo stables along Tokyo’s Ryogoku for a chance to catch the sumo wrestlers training. At these intense morning training sessions, guests are able to witness the panting, grunting and dripping sweat that speak to the hard work and long hours of training behind the spectacle and excitement.
Watch a Kabuki Performance
This traditional Japanese theatre art form is famous for its colourful costumes and expressive makeup in white, black and red. Beautifully made up actors and actresses tell their stories through highly stylised songs and miming, using exaggerated gestures and boxy movements to convey emotions. Literally translating to sing [Ka], dance [Bu] and skill [Ki], these performances are simply captivating and will have you hooked! While a conventional show usually runs for over 4 hours, Tokyo’s Kabukiza sells single act tickets at the door. Steeped in culture and tradition, this is one unique experience that should not be missed!
All-You-Can-Drink Sake Experience
While drinking sake may not be unique to Tokyo, this all-you-can-drink experience at the Kurand Sake Market certainly is! Offering 100 different types of sakes from all over Japan, BYO food (from a nearby supermarket), an almost open-ended duration, and most importantly, an all-you-can-drink philosophy, its easy to see why this concept has taken off. Along with the booze, the knowledgeable staff will also teach you about the origins and production of sake (though the amount of knowledge you retain is debatable), and are more than happy to recommend different types of sakes to try. Traveling alone? Have no fear as this is the perfect opportunity to meet and make new friends, while also partaking in a quintessential Japanese ritual.
Onsen Experience at a Hot Spring Theme Park
Beloved by the Japanese as a relaxation activity, a trip to the onsen (hot spring) is a must when in Japan. In Tokyo, various hot spring theme parks offer several different types of baths, as well as quiet rest areas where you can take a nap, massage facilities, saunas and restaurants offering local food. With all these facilities, the hot spring theme park is the perfect place for a day of rest and relaxation, while enjoying a beloved classic Japanese activity. Do as the locals do and enter the baths in your birthday suit (the baths are differentiated by gender)!
Learn the art of the Ninja and Samurai
Live out your historical fantasies and childhood imaginations at Tokyo’s ninja and samurai training schools! Learn basic martial arts and self-defence, internalize the philosophy of ninjutsu as well as the Way of the Sword. Be introduced to and learn to use the various Ninja and Samurai specific weapons such as the shuriken, and the different swords. Best of all, these dojos allow you to have the full experience by dressing you up in full regalia!
Drink with the locals at Piss Alley
For tiny seats crammed elbow-to-elbow with salarymen and pensioners, unidentified (but tasty) meat on skewers, a faceful of smoke and cheap alcohol, Piss Alley is the place to be. Tucked within the gleaming district of Shinjuku is Omoide Yokocho, a narrow alleyway that has been nicknamed Piss Alley. The more-food, less-hipster version of Golden Gai, Piss Alley is chockful of izakayas known for their unique dishes, and is particularly popular among salarymen looking to destress with a drink (or two). Perfect for meat-lovers, or the adventurous eater, a meal along this grimy backstreet will definitely provide you with something to write home about.
Indulge in a Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony
Amidst the bustling streets of the fashionable Aoyama district, the Sakurai Tea Experience is an oasis of calm, offering a quiet space for visitors to partake on a sensory experience of Japan’s most beloved beverage. Book a session at this beautiful spot and sit back as tea master, Shinya Sakurai, whisks up bitter powdered matcha, steeps delicate sencha leaf tea, or brews aromatic roasted hojicha in a series of beautifully calculated movements. If you’re feeling a bit adventurous, go for the green tea-infused liquor tasting with 4 tastings and wagashi (small bites). Selections include rum permeated with hojicha and sencha-infused gin. This educational and wonderfully theatrical experience is sure to leave you with a renewed appreciation for the seemingly simple act of tea drinking and brewing.
