20 Best Indoor Activities in Tokyo

What to do in Tokyo when it’s raining or cold outside? Or are you travelling in Tokyo during the rainy season? Don’t let a gloomy weather to spoil your day in Tokyo cos there are numbers of indoor activities in Tokyo which you can enjoy on rainy days as much as on sunny days.

From traditional cultural experiences to futuristic digital experience, here are some of the cool and trendy indoor activities in Tokyo!

*Please note that this article contains affiliate links.

1. Robot Restaurant/Samurai Restaurant

Robot Restaurant is definitely a must-visit tourist attraction for anyone visiting Tokyo. The crazy robot show with kawaii dancers and glittering neon lights is totally unique and eccentric is something that you wouldn’t experience anywhere else in the world! Despite its closure in 2021, Robot Restaurant is reopening in 2023 in the same location in Kabukicho, Shinjuku. How exciting!

Review: Robot Restaurant Reopened in Shinjuku

Currently, the Robot Restaurant is closed due to technical issues and no comeback date has been announced. However, the venue is now open as “the Samurai Restaurant” showcasing an action-packed entertainment show with dancers, music and neon lights. If you wish to visit the famous Robot Restaurant, the brand new Samurai Restaurant wouldn’t be a let down!

▶ Shinjuku Robot Restaurant/Samurai Restaurant Ticket here!

Review: Samurai Restaurant to Open in Shinjuku

2. Karaoke

Karaoke has been always a favourite of Japanese people, and it’s one of the most unique cultures in Japan that every tourist should experience. If you are not sure about how to enter Karaoke store and enjoy Karaoke just like Japanese, join the local guided tour! Night-time Karaoke Bar Experience in Tokyo by Magical Trip will take you to the famous Izakaya alley in Shinjuku to get tipsy, then go to Karaoke and party hard with a local!

3. Watch Sumo Morning Practice

Watching the practice of Sumo wrestlers is as exciting as watching a live match. The Sumo Morning Practice Tour is one of the most exclusive and unique experiences to have in Tokyo!

▶ Book Sumo Morning Practice Tour Now!

4. Aquariums

Aquariums are one of top indoor entertainment facilities that people in all generations can be enjoyed. Tokyo has several aquariums where you can meet colourful fish and adorable sea animals such as jellyfish, dolphins, seals and penguins. Besides classic aquariums, there is also an unique style aquarium, Art Aquarium that displays countless goldfish with mesmerizing effects of light, sound and scent.

From the latest art aquarium to a dolphin show, check out the best aquariums you can find in Tokyo on the article below!

5. Japanese Tea Ceremony

Bad weather shouldn’t mean sacrificing your enjoyment of Japanese tradition and culture. An excellent way to spend a rainy day inside in Tokyo is through experiencing the Japanese tea ceremony. This ritual sheds light into Japanese values and customs. Get cozy with a cup of carefully prepared matcha and enjoy Japanese confections (wagashi) alongside it, as is traditional.

▶Tea Ceremony Experiences in Tokyo

6. Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo – The Making of Harry Potter

The long-awaited Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo – The Making of Harry Potter is finally open in Tokyo now. In a space of approx 30,000 square meters, the immersive facility recreates the world of Harry Potter and Fantastic Beast films in a large scale, and visitors can explore the iconic film sets which were actually designed and produced by the creators of the film series.

Make sure to book your tickets in advance for the new Harry Potter theme park in Tokyo!

▶Book Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo – The Making of Harry Potter Ticket 

7. Animal Cafes

Animal cafes are one of most popular places to visit in Tokyo in past years. It’s an unique and rare place that guests can play and touch adorable animals while being in Tokyo. From Owls to Hedgehogs, there are several different animal cafes available in the central Tokyo today! Which animal is your favourite to hang out?

Owl Cafe in Harajuku

Hedgehog Cafe in Harajuku

8. Museums

Tokyo has numbers of great museums including arts, history, science and several unique ones featuring the modern cultures of Japan. There are also anime related museums which are pretty special in Japan. Here are some of unique museums which are trendy and popular in recent years!

teamLab Borderless

Opened as the very first digital art museum in the world back in 2018 summer, MORI Building DIGITAL ART MUSEUM: EPSON teamLab Borderless has been the hottest spot in town and extremely popular among tourists as a new style of entertainment. The teamlab borderless museum in Odaiba sadly closed its door in 2022, yet reopened in early 2024 inside the Azabudai Hills, a brand-new complex facility built in the area across Roppongi, Azabudai and Toranomon. The museum offers visitors a whole new experience of colourful, futuristic and interactive art installations.

▶ Book Tickets for teamLab Borderless TOKYO, Azabudai Hills

teamLab Planets Tokyo

Along with teamLab Borderless, teamLab opened another digital art museum in Toyosu area, called teamLab Planets TOKYO DMM.com. The museum offers unique and mind-blowing body immersive experiences through seven digital art installations.

▶ Book teamLab Planets Tokyo E-Tickets

Studio Ghibli Museum

Visit the Ghibli Museum, the themed park of Studio Ghibli characters and designs! Tickets are not available at the museum and must be bought in advance. They tend to sold out quickly because only the limited number of visitors can enter at once, however you can book the last minute tickets from the link below!!

Samurai Museum

If you are into Japanese Sengoku period (battle era), Samurai Museum is a perfect place to visit to learn Japanese history and the ancient Samurai culture deeper! Don’t miss a chance to see the real Samurai armor and swords, or you can actually wear one with an additional charge!

info: https://www.samuraimuseum.jp/en/

You can find more museums in Tokyo from the link below:

9. Cooking Classes

Love Japanese food?? How about cook them by yourself rather than eating at restaurants?? Lean how to make delicious Japanese dishes and take the recipe home so you can cook the dish for your family, friends and your loved ones back home! Here are the most recommended cooking classes available in Tokyo today!

Ramen Making

Ramen has become one of the most popular Japanese dishes worldwide along with Sushi and Tempura, and it’s possible to make delicious bowl of Ramen on your own with your favourite toppings or make it to vegetarian or vegan option. Check out the link below for best Ramen cooking classes in Tokyo!

More info: Best Ramen Cooking Classes in Tokyo 

Sushi Making

Various types of Sushi making classes are available in Tokyo including classic Nigiri Sushi, instagram-worthy Temari Sushi and Vegan/Vegetarian Sushi!

▶Best Sushi Making Classes in Tokyo

More Cooking Classes in Tokyo

Today, various cooking classes with many kinds of dishes are available from authentic Japanese dishes to colourful and Kawaii bento box! Click the link below to find your favourite cooking class in Tokyo!

▶ Best Cooking Classes in Tokyo | Book Online on airKitchen

10. Maid Cafe

Maid cafe should be on everyone’s bucket list as it’s very unique, strange but entertaining! And the best area to discover this quirky experience in Akihabara, the Mecca of Otaku indeed! Maidreamin is one of the top leading maid cafes in Tokyo, and you will surely have the most unique and geeky experience with cute maids!

11. Watch Tuna Auction in Toyosu Market

The Toyosu Marke opened in 2018 after the relocation of the world’s largest seafood market in Tsukiji. The famous tuna aiction that took place in the old Tsukiji Inner Market is now held in Toyosu Market in early morning from 5:30. The auction can be observed from the viewing deck on the second floor without any reservation, but if you want to see more upclose, there is a special observation space on the first floor, only limited to 100 people that are chosen by lottery (you need to apply this one in advance).

▶ Book a Private Toyosu Tuna Auction Tour here!

If watching the tuna auction is a too early activity for you, you can still have a lot of fun visiting Toyosu Market in daytime by strolling the whole sale market and dining a restaurant at the market. You can check more details about Toyosu Market from the following link.

More info:

12. Toyosu Senkyaku Banrai

Along with your visit to Toyosu Market, you should also stop by Toyosu Senkyaku Banrai, a new entertainment facility that opened in Toyosu area in 2024. The Edo-theme facility is home to a wide variety of eateries and stores including fresh seafood from Toyosu Market and craft shops, as well as a footbath with a panoramic view of the city. Adjustcent to the building, there is also a 24-hour spa complex “Tokyo Toyosu Manyo Club ” with baths using hotspring water from Yugawara and Hakone.

More info:

13. Sanrio Puroland

One of the most popular theme parks in Japan, Sanrio Puroland a.k.a. the Hello Kitty Theme Park is dedicated to cute and adorable Sanrio characters. If you are into Japanese Kawaii culture, or a fan of Sanrio characters such as Hello Kitty, Cinnamoroll, Gudetama, My Melody and more, Sanrio Puroland is a must-visit place. Sanrio Puroland is an indoor amusement park that can be fully enjoyed on a rainy day.

▶ Book Sanrio Puroland E-Tickets !!

14. Ninja Experience Cafe Asakusa

Ninja Experience Cafe Asakusa is a fun and unique cafe offering guests ninja experience. At Ninja Experience Cafe Asakusa, you can have a special training and play as a ninja by dressing up in the authentic ninja attire. Learn some ninja tricks and moves as well as how to use some classic ninja weapons such as shuriken and glowgun. Besides the activity, the cafe also offers special ninja-themed dishes and drinks. This unique ninja experience can be enjoyed both adults and kids even on a rainy day!

▶ Book Ninja Experience Cafe Asakusa!

15. Immersive Fort Tokyo

Opened in early 2024, Immersive Fort Tokyo is world’s first immersive theme park situated in the former site of Odaiba Palette Town. The facility features around 10 attractions and places to eat and shop within a large indoor space, which is a renovated structure of VenusFort, a medieval Europe theme shopping mall in Palette Town. Immersive Fort Tokyo offers a new type of attraction with a wide range of immersive experiences, allowing visitors to immerse into the world of movies, anime, and video games as if they were one of the characters themselves.

▶ Book your Immersive Fort Tokyo tickets now

16. Shopping Malls

Tokyo has numbers of shopping complexes and visiting one of them could be a great idea for rainy days as you can easily spend a whole day enjoying shopping, dining and entertainments in one place. Shopping malls typically houses a wide variety of stores and restaurants as well as some indoor entertainments such as cinemas, amusement facilities, game center and playground for small children.

Check out the best shopping complexes in Tokyo:

17. VR Experience

VR is a new entertainment that has been popular across the world today , and in Tokyo you can experience the latest VR programs. Take a chance to step into the virtual reality world and have a whole new game experience!

There are several VR spots in Tokyo.  Check the attached link below for more information about the trendy VR spots in Tokyo!

18. Kintsugi Workshop

Have you heard of Kintsugi? Kintsugi (金継ぎ “golden joinery”) is a traditional Japanese method of fixing broken ceramics with lacquer dusted or mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum. It’s an art of repairing related to the philosophy of Sado (Japanese tea ceremony) to accept breakage as part of the object’s history rather than disguising with something. There is some workshops in Tokyo where you can have a rare and unique Kintsugi experience. Join the activity and learn the traditional technique of repairing broken pottery. Recreate an art piece and take one and only Kintsugi art home as a special souvenir!

19. Play Japanese Drum “TAIKO”

Taiko is traditional Japanese instrument, and it’s one of the best ways to immerse into Japanese culture by connecting with the sound of drums in energetic atmosphere. Taiko workshops are occasionally held in Tokyo and becoming popular among tourists today!

Recommended Activity ▶ Taiko (Japanese Drum) Experience in Tokyo

20. Manga Drawing

If you love reading Manga, you would definitely enjoy drawing one for yourself! Learn how to draw Manga from the professional manga teacher at Manga School Nakano!

▶ Learn How to Write Manga in English

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Did you enjoy the list?? These activities are also recommended for sunny days for special experiences in Japan 😉 For more info about things to do in Tokyo, please check out these links below, too!

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