When you think of Tokyo, places like Shibuya Crossing, Senso-ji and Tokyo Tower probably come to mind first.
And while they are absolutely worth seeing, Tokyo has so much more to offer beyond the usual tourist spots.
Some of my favorite experiences were actually a little further away from the crowds, from peaceful shrines and a surprisingly green valley to anime locations, quirky museums and making my own chopsticks.
So, if you’re looking for a mix of Tokyo hidden gems, famous sights and unique experiences, here are 10 unique things to do in Tokyo that are worth adding to your itinerary.

If you like cats, Gotokuji Temple should probably be somewhere near the top of your Tokyo list.
Located in the quieter Setagaya district, the temple is famous for its hundreds of maneki-neko, the little white lucky cat statues you see all over Japan.
The temple itself is peaceful and feels worlds away from the busy streets of central Tokyo.
And seeing rows upon rows of tiny cats staring back at you is definitely something you don’t experience at every temple.
You can even buy your own maneki-neko at the temple and leave it there as an offering.
And who knows, if you’re especially lucky, you might even meet a real-life kitty wandering around the grounds.

While you’re already exploring Setagaya, make a stop at Sakura Jingu, another beautiful shrine that is still relatively unknown among international visitors.
The shrine dates back to the Meiji period and is tucked away in a quiet residential area, making it a nice escape from Tokyo’s busier sightseeing spots.
As the name might suggest, Sakura Jingu is especially beautiful during cherry blossom season.
When the cherry trees are in bloom, the shrine turns into a very pink and very photogenic little corner of Tokyo.
If you collect goshuin, I can also highly recommend getting one here.
Sakura Jingu offers some beautiful seasonal designs, often featuring — surprise, surprise — cherry blossoms.

Not far from Sakura Jingu you’ll find one of Tokyo’s most unexpected green spaces: Todoroki Valley.
This peaceful walking trail follows a small river through dense greenery,
and after a few minutes it becomes surprisingly easy to forget that you’re still in Tokyo.
Instead of neon signs and train stations, you’re suddenly walking past trees, small bridges and shrines.
Tokyo apparently decided it needed its own little forest as well.
Follow the trail and you’ll eventually reach Todoroki Fudo Temple, a beautiful temple surrounded by greenery.
On the opposite side of the river, there is also a small Japanese garden that is free to enter.
If you’re looking for a quiet break from sightseeing, Todoroki Valley is one of my favorite hidden gems in Tokyo.

This one might sound a little niche, but hear me out.
Since I’m a volunteer firefighter myself, visiting the Tokyo Fire Museum was obviously a must for me.
But even if firefighting has absolutely nothing to do with your everyday life, I still think it’s worth stopping by.
The museum takes you through the history of firefighting in Tokyo, from traditional firefighting during the Edo period to modern fire engines and equipment.
There are plenty of exhibits to explore, and some of them are interactive as well.
The best part? Admission is completely free.
That also makes the Tokyo Fire Museum a great option if you’re looking for things to do in Tokyo on a rainy day.
Something to keep in mind: most of the Museum is in Japanese.
I still think it’s worth a visit but it’s something you should know before visiting.

Anime fans will probably recognize these stairs immediately.
The staircase leading up to Suga Shrine became famous thanks to one of the greatest anime movies Your Name (Kimi no Na wa), where it appears in one of the movie’s most memorable scenes.
Today, it’s a popular stop for fans who want to see the location in real life, and, recreate the scene for a photo.
Even if you’re not an anime fan, I would still recommend visiting Suga Shrine itself.
It’s a peaceful little shrine tucked away from the busier streets nearby.
It’s also relatively close to the Tokyo Fire Museum, so you can easily combine the two during the same day.

For a little taste of Kyoto without actually leaving Tokyo, head to Hie Shrine.
Hie Shrine is one of Tokyo’s major Shinto shrines, but my favorite part is the beautiful staircase lined with bright red torii gates.
Does it compete with the seemingly endless gates of Fushimi Inari in Kyoto? Not quite.
Does it still look beautiful in photos? Absolutely.
The shrine itself is also worth exploring and is particularly pretty in spring when flowers around the grounds start to bloom.
Because of its central location, Hie Shrine is easy to combine with other sights around Akasaka and the Imperial Palace.

Right in the center of Tokyo you’ll find the Imperial Palace, the residence of Japan’s Imperial Family.
The palace was built on the former grounds of Edo Castle, and while the inner grounds where the Imperial Family lives aren’t open to the public, there is still plenty to explore around the palace.
The huge stone walls, bridges and moats give you a glimpse of just how enormous the former castle complex must once have been.
You can also visit the Imperial Palace East Gardens, which are free to enter and offer a much quieter side of central Tokyo.
It’s an interesting contrast: one minute you’re surrounded by office towers, the next you’re walking through the remains of a centuries-old castle.
Very Tokyo. 😉

This one is for the car lovers.
Right in the middle of Ginza you’ll find Nissan Crossing, a futuristic showroom displaying some of Nissan’s latest cars and technology.
The cars on display change over time, so you never really know exactly what you’ll find inside.
Even if you’re just casually interested in cars, it’s a fun little stop while exploring Ginza and it doesn’t take long to visit.
If you’re not that much of a car person, don’t worry.
Ginza has plenty of shopping nearby while whoever you’re traveling with stares lovingly at concept cars.

One of my favorite experiences in Tokyo was also one of the most unexpected: making my own chopsticks.
The workshop starts with choosing the type of wood you want to use.
You then shape the wood, sand everything down and finally finish your chopsticks with a layer of wood-care oil.
It was surprisingly relaxing, the staff were exceptionally nice and the whole experience was just really fun.
Plus, you leave with a souvenir you actually made yourself and is pretty unique.
And unlike the mysterious collection of tiny souvenirs that somehow accumulates during every Japan trip, chopsticks are something you’ll probably use again.
The workshop I visited was located in Ginza, making it easy to combine with Nissan Crossing and some shopping in the area.
You can book the experience ahead of time or try your luck and walk in spontaneously.

Asakusa is hardly a hidden gem. Asakusa Underground Shopping Street, however, is a completely different story.
Hidden underneath one of Tokyo’s busiest tourist neighborhoods is a short underground arcade that feels like you’ve accidentally walked several decades into the past.
Opened in 1955, it’s considered Japan’s oldest existing underground shopping street.
Don’t expect anything polished or fancy here, that’s exactly the charm is.
Exposed pipes, old signs, tiny restaurants and somewhat worn-down storefronts give the passageway a wonderfully retro Showa-era atmosphere.
You’ll find a mix of small eateries, bars and shops squeezed into the narrow arcade.
It’s incredibly easy to miss, despite being directly connected to Asakusa Station.
If you’re already visiting Senso-ji, it’s absolutely worth taking a few extra minutes to wander underground and see a very different side of Asakusa.

There are almost endless things to do in Tokyo, which is exactly what makes planning a trip there both exciting and slightly overwhelming.
Of course, I wouldn’t skip classics like Shibuya, Asakusa or Senso-ji on your first visit.
But mixing a few lesser-known places and local experiences into your itinerary is a great way to see a completely different side of the city.
Whether you’re walking through Todoroki Valley, hunting for lucky cats at Gotokuji Temple, exploring an underground shopping street from the 1950s or making your own chopsticks in Ginza, these were some of the experiences that made Tokyo especially memorable for me.
And realistically, you’ll probably leave with another 20 places saved for your next trip anyway.