How To Beat the Crowds in Tokyo

While Tokyo’s dense population means that throngs of people are plain inevitable in some parts of the city, enjoying quiet Tokyo experiences is doable … if you know where to go and when to get there.

Private sightseeing tours are a great way to get a feel for the city beyond the packed tourist hot spots and come with the flexibility of being able to visit spots that interest you while skipping attractions that you find less appealing. For the least-crowded option, select a tour that starts after the morning rush hour, especially if you plan to spend time on public transportation.

Insider tip: Making the most of off-peak Tokyo travel can also make a huge difference in how you experience the city—late winter and early summer are usually quieter periods.

While social media is full of suggestions for where to eat in Tokyo, popular spots usually mean long waits (and, often, mediocre meals—don’t say we didn’t warn you). So make the most of your valuable vacation time by avoiding the queue altogether and heading out on a food tour for a more immersive understanding of the city’s culinary scene.

You’ll be able to check out local haunts in popular (and otherwise busy) areas such as Shinjuku and Shibuya, or even visit the Tsujiki Fish Market to sample fresh seafood. Many market experiences even include the chance to roll your own sushi with the help of a professional chef.

Related: Food in Tokyo: 9 Quintessentially Japanese Dishes and Where To Eat Them

Watching a sumo match is a quintessential part of the Tokyo experience, but if you don’t book in advance, you might end up spending way too long in line trying to snag a seat, shoulder to shoulder with other visitors.

Instead, for a seamless experience that allows you to get to your seat quickly and easily, your best bet is to book in advance—or, to get a glimpse of sumo culture without the masses, consider attending a morning practice session instead.

Insider tip: Book even further in advance for the popular Kokugikan Sumo Stadium & Museum’s special annual tournaments—they draw in big crowds and tend to sell out.

Related: This Tokyo Sumo Experience Let Me Get Up Close and Personal With Some Mighty Men

For a relaxing alternative to a busy day of sightseeing, consider a visit to an onsen (hot spring) or sento (a public bathing house not fed by springs). These traditional wellness centers are ideal if you want to avoid the bustle, slow down, and relax—plus, most limit numbers to keep the ambiance chill and low key.

While many of the bathing options you’ll find in Tokyo are actually sento (not onsens) due to the city’s lack of geothermal activity, there are plenty of onsen destinations within day-trip distance of the capital, including nearby Hakone.

Insider tip: Many onsen and sento prohibit visitors with tattoos due to their association with Japanese gangs, but a growing number allow tatted guests. If you have tattoos, check in advance before you make a booking.

While the concept of forest bathing—aka spending time soaking in the goodness of the forest—has taken off around the world in recent years, the practice originates in Japan, where it's known as shinrin-yoku.

While there are some wooded parks in and among the skyscrapers of Tokyo, your best bet for an authentic experience is to visit the Aokigahara Forest near Mt. Fuji. Though the forest has something of a fraught history, drawing people in search of a place to end their lives, it remains a gorgeous place to hike and soak in the beauty of the woods.

Insider tip: Due to the sensitive nature of this forest, it’s best visited with a guide; many tours also include a stop at the enchanting Narusawa Ice Cave.

Skip Tokyo’s oftentimes crowded art and history museums in favor of a visit to teamLab Planets, an immersive digital arts experience featuring room upon room of digital delights. The blend of mirrors, glowing orbs, high-definition video-walls, and glowing, colorful lights create the opportunity for hours of fun.

While the attraction’s popularity means there will still be plenty of visitors roaming around the place, tickets are limited to ensure that this spread-out attraction never feels packed. (Just make sure to book in advance to avoid long lines or the potential disappointment of a sold-out day.)

Tokyo has loads of parks, many of which are large enough to accommodate huge numbers of people without feeling cramped. Ueno Park is a great option, and is also where you’ll find many of the city's top museums, while Kasai Rinkai Park is an ideal place to go check out local bird life. If you’re visiting the Ghibli Museum, don’t miss the surrounding Inokashira Park, while Kitanomaru Park is a fun place to stroll or rent a paddleboat.

Generally speaking, at parks in Tokyo, early-morning visits are ideal if you want to beat crowds and snap some pictures. Sure, you’ll still certainly encounter a few walkers and joggers, but morning crowds are generally much smaller than during the busy lunch or after-school hours.

For a peaceful excursion not far from the heart of Tokyo, head over to Mt. Takao, part of the forested Meiji no Mori Takao Quasi-National Park—it’s situated about an hour’s drive west of the city. Here, you can climb aboard the Mt. Takao Cable Car and head right to the top, taking in beautiful scenery along the way.

This spot can get crowded on the weekends, so come during the workweek. It’s also particularly beautiful during the spring cherry blossom season, which is considered one of the best times to visit Tokyo; however, it’s also one of the most crowded—pick your poison.

Related: 11 of the Best Views in Tokyo and Where To Find Them

Participating in a tea ceremony makes for a quintessential Japanese experience, and a must-do for anyone interested in getting to know more about local culture in a hands-on way. A tea ceremony is also a great place to get away from the crowds and escape into more peaceful surroundings—they’re often held in teahouses in traditionally designed rooms lined with tatami mats.

While most ceremonies just include the basics of tea making, pouring, and drinking, other packages include the chance to learn how to whisk matcha or make sweets, and many encourage you to don a traditional kimono during the ceremony.

Related: Know Before You Go: Attending a Japanese Tea Ceremony