I’m going to let you all in my little secret that I figured out in Japan, and that somehow no one is talking about…It’s the activities passes.
There’s one for Osaka, there’s one for Hiroshima but the best one is definitely the one for Tokyo.
There are 50 attractions included, you can even get a metro pass with it. You can buy a pass for up to 5 days. They’re offering it half off for the rest of October 2026, so if you’re going to Tokyo next year, definitely keep reading.
Here are my top 10 Tokyo Pass activities that are all fully included with the pass!
This Tokyo museum is the art collection that Seijiro Matsuoka, an early 20th century entrepreneur, acquired over his long life.
The museum first opened in 1975 before moving to its current location in Matsuoka’s own home in 2000. It houses a huge chinese ceramic collection, which is the most impressive part of the museum. There’s also Indian art, modernist paintings from Europe, etc.A very human collection from an art lover.
It’s situated in Minato, not far from Meguro and right by a beautiful park, where the Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum is. That one is also included in the pass, just didn’t make the cut for this list. So all together, it makes a great day out in Tokyo.
Right outside Roppongi station is this unusual museum. If you know your drinks, you know Suntory. What you probably don’t know is that they also operate a huge charitable organisation and its jewel is the Museum of Art in Tokyo.
This large collection is a very much needed break in the chaos of Roppongi.
Its large collection even includes a national treasure of Japan, a lacquer box inlaid with mother-of-pearl from the 13th century, which is a prestigious title only awarded to the finest pieces of art. The museum focuses on the “Art of Life” with daily, delicate objects.
It makes the visit particularly unique and a great insight into Japanese craftsmanship.
This was a highlight of my trip and somewhere I stubbled upon only because it was included in the Tokyo Pass. So you never know, you might just find your favourite Tokyo spot that way too!
Kyosumi is a little oasis in the middle of Tokyo. With beautifully zen architecture, a café with a view over the lake, cranes flying over, what else can you ask for in a Japanese garden?
This museum is probably not on your radar, but it’s small enough to be seen in about an hour and such great fun.
The Fukagawa Edo Museum encapsulates the life of Japanese people in this exact neighbourhood of Tokyo, in the late 1800s, the late Edo period.
You can walk around the reconstituted village, hear the sounds of the neighbourhood and go into every house and play pretend. Fun for the whole family, or even just you and your little brother, as you can see me pictured above cramming over my books in the Edo era.
Shinjuku Gyoen is the largest garden in Tokyo, with over 140 acres of land, it has stood for 500 years. Obviously, it has been landscaped differently, but its history dates back to the time Tokyo was Edo and ruled by feudal lords.
It’s only in the Meiji Era, in the 1870s that the garden saw its biggest change. Over 3000 varieties of fruit trees and vegetables were cultivated right here in the centre of emerging modern Tokyo.
The greenhouse was built past WW2, and is still one of the largest in Asia. There’s never a boring season in the National Garden. Whenever you’re heading to Tokyo, put this down on the list as a must-do!
What’s a trip to Japan if you don’t visit Hokusai’s residence in central Tokyo?
Obviously, everyone knows about the Great Wave off Kanagawa. Not many people know about the process behind it. Called “Ukiyo-E,” this is a traditional Japanese craft of printing on wood blocks.
Hokusai was at the forefront of this craft in the early 1800s and this museum tells you everything about the way he lived and conducted business, as well as how to create an Ukiyo-E print.
Great giftshop too, with intricate souvenirs to get. And you’re a stone-throw away from the SkyTree Tower. Nothing more central than that.
I always recommend visiting National Museums whenever you find yourself in a new country. There’s so much to Japanese history and there’s a lot of pride in the display of the National Museum. It should be on any itinerary.
This museum holds 89 national treasures and 650 important cultural properties. It’s a deep dive into Japanese history from prehistory to modern times.
If you’re not sick of museums for the day, the next item on the list is right by the National Museum. You’re also in the Ueno Park, where the zoo is. Another activity included in the Tokyo Pass. It really keeps on giving.
Surprisingly enough, this is Japan’s only science museum. It’s also one of its oldest, having been inaugurated almost 150 years ago.
There’s a little bit of everything here. You get dinosaurs, space, marine life, quantum maths, evolution, manga…There’s no way you’d get bored there. You can really get lost in the museum and spend the most unexepected day of your Japan trip.
Forget TeamLabs, this is none of the crowds, and all of the knowledge.
This sprawling residence in both Japanese and Western styles was built by the Iwasaki clan, who went on to found the Mitsubushi corporation.
This is a true mish-mash of a building, with European inspired mansions and islamic designs as decor, in the middle of a Japanese garden. One of the gingko trees is over 400 years. There’s nothing like Kyu-Iwasaki-Tei, so you have to see it for yourself. And don’t worry about the crowds there, you’ll have the place basically to yourself.
One of the biggest perk of the Tokyo Pass is definitely this one. Saving you about 3,500¥ (~£16), it’s basically reimbursing your Tokyo Pass. And who would skip a trip up the Tokyo Tower? The iconic Tokyo Tower?! Right? Right.
Let’s add up all these 10 activities at full price, we get to over ¥9,680/£48. That’s a saving of ¥1680/£8 for the 3 days pass for only 10 activities. Imagine the savings if you go for more. If you go for a metro pass as well, you can just zip through Tokyo and get around all these fantastic activities for just another ¥2000/£10 for 3 days.
Are you convinced about the advantages of the Tokyo Pass? If you’re planning your first trip to Japan, be sure to check out my itinerary guide here or how to plan for 3 weeks in Japan here.
And don’t forget to let me know about your plans in the comments below! I’m always looking for recs, if you want to share any. I’ll see you there!
