TOP 10 Things to Do in TOKYO on a RAINY DAY
I know it's a bummer when you find out that it will be raining during your trip. It happened to me so many times. I hate a rainy day because I don't want to carry my umbrella and walk around in my rain boots. It is annoying, right? So in this blog, I will show you my top 10 things to do in Tokyo on a rainy day. You can take off your rainy boots and throw away your umbrella!
#1 Ikebukuro Sunshine
This entertainment shopping mall, Sunshine City, located in the second biggest anime otaku capital of Tokyo offers so fun many activities. I think it’s a great rainy day starting point as you can probably spend more than a day here if you tried to do everything.
Sunshine City is directly connected to Higashi Ikebukuro Station, NOT Ikebukuro Station. (Most people make a mistake here.) If you don’t mind being in the rain for 10 minutes, you can walk straight from Ikebukuro Station too. After walking this super long tunnel from the station, you’ll arrive at this huge indoor shopping mall.
For those who are into anime and games, there are J-WORLD and Pokemon Center. When I visited there around Halloween, I saw many people dressed up in the anime characters. (We do not wear costume during the day even on Halloween.)
If you are a family with kids, you would probably have fun at Namjatown, an indoor theme park that offers many many attractions and a crazy variety of gyoza. If you want to get your gyoza on in Tokyo, this would be the place. Surprisingly, Namjatown will entertain not only little ones but also adults! I had so much fun there too.
Also, there are a huge aquarium and planetarium on the top floor if you are into those kind of things.
#2 Shinjuku Underground
If shopping is your main purpose, Shinjuku is your choice. Shinjuku is one of the largest train stations in Tokyo and has crazy underground tunnel access which leads you to a plethora of shopping malls, department stores and restaurants.
There are so many shopping spots you can get to but my favorite places to shop is Lumine Est. (There are also Lumine 1 & 2 which I don't really go because they don't have my favorite stores) ISETAN, BICQLO and Takashimaya/Tokyu Hands. SUBNADE is also a good spot to check out if you are into old Japanese atmosphere.
#3 Akihabara Yodobashi Camera
Everybody knows Yodobashi-Akiba has one of the best selection of electronics. You can get to Yodobashi-kiba straight from JR Akihabara Station Showa-dori exit and Hibiya line exit 3.
It's a 9 floor HUGE building and 6 out of 9 floors are all electronics. On the top floors they have various restaurants too. Did your boyfriend make you come here? Just go to the 3rd floor, beauty section! They don't only sell beauty electronics like all kinds of facial treatment machines and body care but also cosmetics! When I go here with Paolo, this is where I hung out.
#4 Ooedo Onsen Odaiba
Ooedo Onsen is an Edo-theme onsen spa where you can spend a whole day. Most of small public bath in Tokyo use regular water but here they actually use a real water from hot spring.
You might think 'how am I supposed to spend a whole day at just a spa?' Well, there are a lot more to do other than being relaxed in a bath. They have a summer festival-like section where you can enjoy game stands dressed in yukata they provide. Also, they have decent restaurants and proper hotel inside!
By the way, to get to Ooedo Onsen without umbrella, take a free shuttle bus from Toyosu Station. You can walk from Aomi Station but you will be soaking wet without an umbrella.
#5 MegaWeb and Venus Fort
This one is for car lovers. Megaweb and Venus fort can be accessed from Aomi Station. Many people think that Odaiba is a good place to go when it's raining but most of places like DiverCity and FujiTV require an umbrella to get there.
Megaweb is a Toyota's showcase which offers many cool hand-on activities like car simulators, and they even have a ride studio for kids who want to experience what it is like to drive. And yes, most of the cars on exhibition are available for test drives for adults.
Venus Fort is an indoor medieval European themed shopping mall. Not just a apparel stores but there are some cool anime shops as well. They even got a floor for Outlet stores.
One little secret: Go here on weekdays. This are is DEAD on weekdays and weekend is crazy busy.
#6 Tokyo Skytree
Tokyo Skytree is not just about panoramic view on the tower. It's actually a big entreatment shopping mall. You can either get there directly from Oshiage Station or Tokyo Skytree Station.
On the bottom and around Tokyo Skytree, there is a shopping mall called Soramachi. It is a great place to shop but you can also check out cool Virtual Reality game and planetarium!
By the way, this is the view from Skytree on a rainy days. Something to consider!
#7 Yurakucho
Not a lot of people don't know but Yurakucho also has a big underground runs all the way to Tokyo Station.
JR Yurakucho station does not have a covered path to get to many places but Yurakucho subway station is directly connected to Bic Camera, OIOI, ITOCIA, Tokyo International Forum and Mitsuo Aida Museum.
#8 Roppongi
So mainly, you can get to Roppongi Hills and Tokyo Midtown directly from Roppongi Station. Just remember that they are on the opposite side of the station so you have to get thru Hibiya line platform if you are trying to go both.
To get to Roppongi Hills, take the C1 exit from the station. The main shopping area, West Walk, is via this cool stairway to heaven escalator which I'm in love with.
So besides all the high-end shopping, Roppongi hills is a great place to find great eats. You would think there are only high-end shops but there are many casual restaurants in the North Tower Basement floor, and they even have this open terrace space! And it’s FREE!!!!
To get to Tokyo Midtown, walk towards exit 7 & 8 from the Roppongi Station. Just follow the sign and you won’t get lost. Tokyo Midtown is also a shopping mall with good selection of restaurants. It does have high-end feel but more friendly compared to Roppongi Hills.
#9 Marunouchi Buildings
So Marunouchi Building and Shin-Marunouchi Building are directly connected to Tokyo Station. They are on the other side of Yaesu exit.
Since Tokyo/Marunouchi is a business district, stores are very conservative. I love going there for restaurants for a nice occasion.
#10 Shibuya
Alright! My home station! There are so many places you can get to by underground path but I'll show you my favorite.
If you get out at exit 3, you can go directly to 109, Gal fashion building! I don't wear a GAL fashion but I come here some times for PEACH JOHN which is like a Japanese Victoria Secret.
And right by 109, you will find Village Vanguard. They sell weird but fun Japanese stuff.
If you are looking for a decent food, you can also get to HIKARIE and Mark City Shibuya.
I hope this TOP 10 helps with your wet Tokyo days! Drop a comment if you have questions.
-Maiko
