My 5 Favorite Solo Traveler Experiences in Tokyo

Tokyo is big. As a New Yorker, I’m used to bustling, non-stop energy from dusk till dawn—I’m used to crowded public transit and loud noise, and I know how to keep an eye on my wallet and purse in big crowds. I felt ready. I was ready. And any traveler bracing themselves for these ideas is doing the right thing, because all of the above are ever present.

But I wasn’t quite ready for how expansive Tokyo truly is, both as you set off to explore and to the naked eye. It first hit me when I peered out of the windows of the Tokyo Tower observation deck: it felt like Tokyo went on forever and beyond the horizon, building after building after building. I’m still not quite sure why this felt different from New York, London, Los Angeles, Barcelona, or other major cities I’ve visited. It was something about how the city is composed, how there didn’t even seem to be pockets of smaller residential homes, the way the tall buildings dominated the scenery dotted with neon signs and Japanese advertisements and signs. It was like my eyes were trying to fit as much as it could see into an image, but it didn’t encapsulate everything in front of me. And this was in the light of day! What would it be like at night?

Both at that moment and in retrospect as I write this, I’m glad I had that momentary mix of surprise, confusion, and general befuddlement. Because at the root of all great travel experiences, there should be a need for curiosity and a dose of courage.

This motivated me to seize my solo time in Tokyo and go outside my comfort zone to mix the major sights with more niche stops as well. These are just a few of the favorite things I did on my own and absolutely loved:

Akihabara

Akihabara is Tokyo’s “Electric Town” because of the high concentration of businesses and retailers that sell electronic goods (computers, cameras, even vintage tech like VCRs, etc), anime and manga-centric stores and cafes, video and crane games, and gachapon halls (thinks rows upon rows on multiple floors full of capsule toy machines). It’s bright, it’s loud, it’s full of visitors and locals alike.

I decided to check it out because I love crane games. I’m terrible at crane games, and probably spend too much time and money trying to fish out a $5 stuffed animal, but the thrill of the chase and satisfaction of a prize in the end are enough to keep me coming back. So my first stop in Akihabara was an arcade that had a wide variety of crane games with prizes as small as keychains or stickers or as large as special collector’s edition figures (as well as more…adult-themed… prizes).

It was a mix of young kids, teenagers, and adults all trying their luck. Not only did I enjoy playing the games, I had fun just checking out the prizes. You can think of it almost like a present-day collection and museum of current youth and pop culture. All the while, high energy Japanese pop music and signature neon lights are popping in the background.

After I finished playing games, I checked out some of the anime and electronics retailers. You could wander a single store for hours, but I did a quick perusal of a few and grabbed a couple of items I thought would make good souvenirs for my anime and tech-loving friends.

I also went on a Sunday when they close off the major street of the area, Chuo Dori, to traffic so pedestrians can walk around at their leisure. This definitely helped make it feel far less crowded and easier to explore.

A Pokemon plush toy I won from a crane game in Akihabara

teamLab Borderless (Azabudai Hills)

Located in the Minato Ward of Tokyo, teamLab Borderless is an interactive and immersive art experience that utilizes technology and large-scale spaces to bring imaginative and beautiful light installations to life. It literally felt like I was walking inside of paintings as I moved from room to room. Some pieces even move through hallways to different rooms so that you may encounter them multiple times despite being in completely different areas. My favorite room utilized technology to not only project drawings made by visitors into a seascape, but to make these drawings move and float like fish and other creatures! It’s like all of your childhood daydreams were brought to life at this experience.

This is the perfect activity to do solo because you can really take your time to appreciate each piece, go back and revisit them, or simply stand still. Some rooms are smaller than others, so not being part of a large group is an advantage to navigate and explore at times.

I recommend booking the earliest entry time possible for your visit to avoid big crowds and let it feel like it’s practically your own imaginative, mind-bending playground. The crowds tend to get bigger by lunch time, so you can start wrapping up then or you can buy the add-on entry to the Tea House (FYI there’s no food served here. It’s simply teas). Continuing the team of playful experiences, you get the chance to sit inside a room where various flowers and plants are projected on the walls and tables, dancing around you as a light show. When you sit at your place, a blossom is projected in front of you and your tea is placed on top of it so that it appears the blossom is blooming and moving inside your tea. It was a quiet and refreshing way to finish my visit and worth the small additional price.¿

One of the many surreal and beautiful rooms at teamLab Borderless

Omakase at Sushi Tokyo Yoshida

Throughout the group tour prior to my solo stay in Tokyo, I hadn’t eaten nearly as much sushi as I thought I would have at that point (I love sushi, much to my wallet’s chagrin). I had made an effort to try other izakaya style dishes, noodle dishes, and things I didn’t encounter as often in the US but somehow managed to miss having my favorite more often.

I knew I couldn’t leave Tokyo without having at least one traditional omakase (a “chef’s choice” progressive meal with multiple tastings and courses, fully at the chef’s discretion and usually highlighting ingredients of the season). I also didn’t pick this restaurant at random. I made sure to research where and when I wanted to go to ensure I could get a reservation that didn’t completely clash with other plans. So before I left the US, I booked a lunchtime seating for their more comprehensive lunch offering.

I love that they’re located on a very unassuming street in Hatagaya (in the Shibuya area of Tokyo), but there’s no mistaking they are a special restaurant when you see their elegant and simple wood exterior among the more modern retailers around them.

As soon as I entered, I was greeted by a hostess in traditional Japanese dress that quietly welcomed me and offered to store my jacket and purse before bringing me to the second floor where the chef’s counter took up the entirety of the room. There were only two other people at my specific seating (they stagger the times based on the meal type you choose).

It was mesmerizing watching the chef work. Every movement was effortless, smooth, seemingly as second nature to him as breathing. I’m sure at some point he could have probably closed his eyes and crafted perfect pieces of nigiri for us.

The ingredients were fresh, sometimes so fresh that he took a live prawn or tentacled creature and cut, prepared, and served it to us within seconds of its last breath. But each ingredient was handled with such reverence and care, it felt like an honor to take the bite he presented to each of us.

Despite our language barrier, the chef and staff made such great efforts to engage with me and ask about my visit. Between the outstanding food, the warm hospitality, and the beautiful setting of the restaurant, it felt like I was getting a private experience all to myself. Enjoying this omakase while solo really let me soak it all in without feeling awkward for being a solo diner.

Chef Fujimoto preparing the next course at Sushi Tokyo Yoshida

Wandering Tokyo’s iconic shopping areas

While large-scale shopping malls and areas are on the decline in the US, Tokyo seems to have embraced making theirs some of the most stylish, comfortable, and well-curated shopping centers in the world. I visited Omotesando (sometimes called the “Champs-Élysées of Tokyo”), as well as Ginza Six (perhaps the most high-end, luxurious shopping mall I’ve ever seen in my life).

I went to both areas without an agenda, mostly wanting to see some of the different and Japan-specific products retailers offered in Tokyo. Something I really appreciated was the way businesses embraced their window displays and artwork before you even stepped inside the store. Ginza Six in particular felt it was curated and organized to encourage shopping for the life you have but also inspire you to shop for the life you want. I may be reading too much into it, but it was refreshing to be in a shopping situation that felt so interesting and beautiful.

The highlight for me, though, was discovering the Fender flagship store in Omotesando. It is the ONLY dedicated Fender retail store in the world, and the space is designed to reflect just how special it is. I’ve played the guitar since I was a teenager (not well, but with great enthusiasm) with a particular affection for Fenders. It was like stepping into a bit of heaven when I walked through the doors. The friendly and enthusiastic staff encouraged me to try the guitars they had on display in the soundproof room or they could provide headphones to plug in and use at any of the amps scattered around the multi-floor store. On the top floor is the custom Fender shop where you can design your own guitar to your specifications and have it made, then shipped to you.

As a solo traveler, this was exactly the kind of unexpected and joyful experience I was hoping to come from my day of wandering. Who wouldn’t want to feel like a rock star in the middle of Tokyo?

"Big Cat Bang" by artist Kenji Yanobe hangs in the Ginza Six atrium

The Fender Flagship store in Omotesando

An evening bar-hopping tour in Shinjuku

This isn’t technically a solo experience, but jumping into a group activity is something I still encourage even the most adamant solo travelers to do once in a while. I decided to book this particular tour because it’s led by a local who could give more information on the nightlife culture and more history about the yokochos. The word “yokocho” translates into side or narrow alley in English, and there are famous yokochos throughout Tokyo filled with bars and izakayas for drinks and bites, popular with locals for afterwork food and gatherings. Also, if you’re going to try out Tokyo’s nightlife, why not at least be a little social while you’re doing it?

Having a guide and small group (just six of us the night I went) to navigate the dozens of options and yokochos before us was perfect for eliminating choice overload and simply enjoying what was happening. I had already told myself to enjoy it and roll with the punches even if it’s not what I expected (a common mantra if you decide to solo travel). Luckily, the tour and my group were relaxed and fun to get to know while enjoying high balls, Japanese beers, and delicious snacks. One person in our group even tried the grilled horse meat at one stop!

Walking around Shinjuku at night—the bright lights glowing, music blaring out of storefronts and from street performers, crowds of people ready to unwind after a long day or week, feeling the shift of energy into something more carefree—that feeling I had at the top of Tokyo Tower returned but as the other side of the proverbial coin. Instead of the anxiety of the overwhelming, it was the excitement of anticipation. I loved that I didn’t know what was on the horizon for the evening, and that the possibilities were expansive and seemingly endless.

But the highlight of that tour and something I got to check off my bucket list was ending the night at a karaoke bar singing happily to Chappel Roan and Lady Gaga. Bill Murray and Charlotte Johanssen didn’t show up to sing “More Than This”, but it was a perfect night anyway.

My fantastic group for the evening bar crawl through Shinjuku, including the famous Omoide Yokocho

Bonus favorite solo activity: Enjoying my king-size bed and view from the floor-to-ceiling windows at Hotel Groove in Shinjuku at the end of the day. Having a comfortable, well-situated place to call your temporary home in a new city really helps you get the best sleep possible and recharge for your next day of adventure!

Being a solo traveler doesn’t mean you have to be alone the whole time. It just gives you extra opportunities to be more open and flexible to those serendipitous moments that happen on a trip when you least expect it.

Tokyo is a fabulous destination for solo travel for all types of people with all types of interests and preferences. These were just my favorite five moments among dozens, and I’m fairly certain there would have been dozens more if I had stayed just a couple of days longer.

It does help to have a few key phrases under your belt as you navigate things on your own, so don’t be afraid to practice and try it out when you’re exploring. Locals seem to appreciate the effort, and it can break the ice when you’re in a new place.

Getting to control your schedule is one of the greatest aspects of solo traveling, but don’t presume you can walk into any attraction on your own terms. It’s still best to do some research to sketch out your days and figure out what you need to reserve in advance.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Tokyo page.