Things to Do By Yourself on a Rainy Day in Tokyo

Things to Do in Tokyo on a Rainy Day

It would be wonderful if the skies were clear and the sun is shining when we go on vacation. However, that’s not always the case! Sometimes you can have a full itinerary planned and find out that it is expected to rain. Fortunately, in an exciting city like Tokyo, there’s still many awesome things to do by yourself on a rainy day.

If you’re looking to primarily stay indoors and wondering what to do on a rainy day in Tokyo, check out the options below.

1. Tokyo Station – See the underground malls, have lunch, and visit the connected Daimaru department store.

Tokyo Station is the the main train station in Tokyo. However it’s not just any train station, Tokyo Station is a fascinating place to see the hustle and bustle. While staying completely underground, there are a variety of things to do.

Check out Character Street, which is a hidden shopping area lined with over 20 stores showcasing famous anime and cartoon character merchandise items.

Also connected to Tokyo Station via the Yaesu North Exit is Daimaru Tokyo, which is a sophisticated department store. On the main floor, you’ll be greeted with an assortment of high-end confectionaries. On the basement level below, admire all the tasty prepared foods and specialty items.

Tokyo Station is connected to other underground shopping centers as well, such as Yaesu Shopping Mall. There are plenty of restaurants and places to eat making it a good stop for a solo lunch.

2. Ginza – Browse the unique shops and admire the luxury department stores.

Ginza is one of Tokyo’s top shopping districts, with an assortment of one-of-a-kind shops and fascinating department stores.

Stop by Ginza Tsutaya Books, a stunning book store in the Ginza 6 shopping complex. Ginza Tsutaya Books is beautifully designed, with a wonderful ambience and pop-up galleries on display. The bookstore specializes in art books and photography books, as well as design, and fashion. This is a lovely spot for solo travelers to browse and shop.

Another cool store is Ginza Itoya which is a specialty stationary shop spread across 12 floors. Here, you can browse an extensive selection of stationary items including fine paper, journals, fountain pens, postcards, paints, and origami paper. You’ll encounter an endless assortment of items that are both pretty and practical.

Right in the center of the Ginza district is Mitsukoshi Ginza, one of Tokyo’s oldest department stores. This vast 12-floor store features a mouth-watering food hall and the Art Aquarium Museum.

3. teamLab Planets – Explore this interactive and immersive digital art museum.

This digital art museum provides a truly unique experience where visitors are immersed in creative works of art. The interactive activities allow you to connect with the elements surrounding you and the movement of the art is affected by the presence of people in the space.

Walk though a floating flower garden, a moss garden and a forest. The visual components are stunning, with bright colours, textures, and lights. There are sketching elements where you can color in a hawk or butterfly on a special paper and see that animal come to life through the digital art in front of you.

teamLab Planets is very popular and it is recommended to purchase a ticket in advance if you really want to visit it. However, if it is more of a last-minute rainy day activity, you can also check to see if there are same-day time slots are still available.

4. Tokyo National Museum – Explore Japanese culture and history through the intriguing exhibits.

The Tokyo National Museum collects and houses an extensive collection of Japanese antiquities, art works, and cultural objects.It is also the oldest museum in Japan, founded in 1872.

The exhibitions are spread out over six buildings that are organized into specific galleries, such as Japanese art, Japanese archaeology, and Asian art. I especially admired the traditional kimonos and samurai armor. You’ll also find statues, ceramics, ancient swords and scrolls.

Tokyo National Museum is located inside Ueno Park, a 10-minute walk from Ueno Station. The admission cost is quite reasonable, at 1000 yen per person. During my visit, I was impressed by the neat little umbrella lockers situated outside of the building entrances. This was very handy for storing your umbrella on a rainy day.

5. Akihabara – Dive into Japanese anime and pop culture; check out the massive arcades.

Akihabara is famous for all things manga and anime. This lively district showcases elements of Japanese pop culture and is jam-packed with shops selling unique anime figurines and collector items which are interesting to see.

There’s a large assortment of massive arcades with eye-catching claw machines and colorful video games. Some of the more well-known game centers include SEGA and GiGO. The game center spans multiple floors and offer a extensive selection of games.

On a rainy day, one could spend some time trying to win an adorable prize through the claw machines or browse the retro video games.

6. Tea Ceremony – Participate in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony.

The tea ceremony is a prominent Japanese cultural activity consisting of the ceremonial preparation, serving, and drinking of matcha tea. The tea is often enjoyed alongside wagashi, which are traditional Japanese confectionaries. This long-held tradition is a peaceful experience that’s ideal for solo travelers during their visit to Japan.

There are many components to appreciate, including the tearoom aesthetics and the leisurely experience of preparing the tea. Many tea ceremony sessions also include a kimono rental, where you’ll have the opportunity to select and wear a kimono while partaking in the tea ceremony.

There’s a variety of teahouses in Tokyo, offering options for both group and private sessions. The tea ceremony itself is typically about 1-hour long. However it can be longer depending on whether you opted for the kimono rental, or added another activity such as a confectionary-making workshop.

This is a wonderful rainy-day activity where solo travelers can lean into a Japanese tradition.

Lastly, don’t let the rain discourage you from getting out and seeing the best Tokyo has to offer! The efficient metro system makes it very convenient to get around by yourself, and you’ll remain dry as it is underground. Look for activities that are a short-walk from the metro station.

A rainy day would be a perfect time to have a leisurely lunch at a cafe, whereas you might otherwise opt for a quick grab-and-go lunch on a day that is sunny and packed with outdoor exploring.