The countdown to the 2020 Summer Games has already begun. Before you know it, the eyes of the world will be fixed on the wonderful country of Japan and, more specifically, its bustling and vibrant capital, Tokyo.
With up to 33 different sports on display during the Games, there’s already plenty to see and do! But Tokyo is a city on many people’s bucket lists, and visiting the Games is a great opportunity to explore the city and take in its unique atmosphere at the same time. To help you make a start on planning your Tokyo adventure, we’ve put together a list of five top things to do in this fascinating city during the 2020 Summer Games.
- Roppongi Hills City View.
- Rent a Bicycle.
- Zojoji Temple.
- Rock Climbing at Miyashita Park.
- Full-Day Private Guide.
Top 5 Things to do in Tokyo
1. Roppongi Hills City View
View of Tokyo from Roppongi Hills
Tokyo is big – actually, it’s huge! The city covers a whopping 2,188km². To compare, New York covers 1,214km² and London, 1572km². An ideal starting point is to take in this enormous city from one of the best vantage points. The sensational Roppongi Hills City View offers the best panoramic views of this vast, sprawling city – you will not be disappointed, especially at night. Just don’t forget your camera!
2. Rent a Bicycle
Now, we did say Tokyo is big (and it is! Did we mention how big?!), but one of the best ways to see this fantastic city at ground level is on a bicycle. Ranked as one of the world’s most bike-friendly cities, it is an ideal way to immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle of the city, while taking in the sights, sounds and smells – as well as getting a decent bit of exercise! It’s also a great activity to do with kids!
The Yamanote Line Loop encircles central Tokyo and will take you through a huge range of diverse neighborhoods (need some advice on the best neighborhoods to stay in Tokyo? Check out our blog post!). For a trip through diverse environments, the Kanda River Cycle is perfect. It’ll take you through the Inokashira Park and through more beautiful parks, gardens and commercial centers. It’s a fantastic route to take to get a broad cross-section of the city.
For a more nature-oriented cycle, without venturing too far from the city take in the Tamako Cycle Route and Lake Tama. All of the routes are extremely cycle friendly and provide excellent ways to see Tokyo, from lots of different angles! When it comes to renting a bike, here is a handy list to get you started!
3. Zojoji Temple
Zojoji Temple in Tokyo
The Zojoji Temple is the head temple of the Jodo sect of Japanese Buddhism in the Kanto Region. Located by the famous Tokyo Tower, the temple grounds provide some very impressive structures as well as a museum. This temple is steeped in history and the main entrance gate, the Sangedatsumon, has survived many fires, earthquakes and wars, dating back to 1622. If you want to soak up some history on your trip to Tokyo in 2020, look no further than this truly epic piece of Japanese history.
4. Rock Climbing at Miyashita Park
If all the sport has gotten you into an active mood, head over to the rock climbing wall at Miyashita Park in Shibuya. Shibuya is considered the center of Japanese youth fashion where you are free to wear whatever you want, no judgement! It’s a great location to experience another side of Japanese culture and it doesn’t have to be expensive either. You get up to two hours of rock climbing for the equivalent of about $4 – now that’s a deal!
5. Full-day Private Guide
If you want the full experience – and not only see the main attractions but also those hidden gems – then a full-day private guide is the way to go. In one day, you will see and learn so much about the amazing city of Tokyo and gain a deeper appreciation for its history and what has been achieved. These guides can take you through all of the sites and ensure you don’t miss a thing, in a more relaxed manner than on a tour bus. Get in touch and we can help you arrange your perfect full-day private guide around Tokyo.
These are just five things that you can do while in Tokyo for the 2020 Summer Games – if you can manage to tear yourself away from all the sporting action of course! Tokyo is truly one of the best cities in the world and one visit really isn’t enough to experience everything Tokyo has to offer. But these five things should whet your appetite for this unique and fascinating city, and hopefully inspire a return trip in the future.
Anything else to do in Tokyo? We’d love to hear from you. Feel free to connect with us on Twitter @Roadtrips.
If you’d like some first-hand travel advice and experiences, check out our blog post on whether Tokyo is worth a visit from Roadtrips’ President, Dave Guenther. Or, if you are keen to start planning your trip right away, here are the Tokyo venues!
Alison Baker is the lead writer in Roadtrips’ marketing department. An avid traveller and passionate sports fan, she’s found her ideal fit at Roadtrips, one of the leaders in sports travel. Alison’s enjoyed working in the travel industry for the last 20 years and had the opportunity to experience it from all sides, from sales and marketing to quality assurance and hosting.