Tokyo might just be the hottest city right now—in the world, I mean, not just in Japan. From the never-ending Japan travel boom, to the weak yen, to tons of good press, To-ki-yo is the word on everyone’s lips (even if it technically should be Tō-kyō—but I digress).
Now, I love Japan’s capital with all my heart, even having been there more than two dozen times over the past decade. At the same time, I do find the nonstop focus on the city to be tiresome, to say the least.
So is Tokyo overrated? That’s not precisely what I’m getting at. But I do think it’s worth examining the expectations that many travelers set for Tokyo, and how they do and don’t line up with reality.
Tokyo Isn’t the Only City in Japan
Whether or not you end up finding Tokyo overrated, it’s important to realize that Japan neither begins nor ends there. Unfortunately, watching reels or reading articles (at least on sites besides this one), you’d think that Tokyo was the only place in Japan that mattered. “10 new restaurants to try on your next trip to Tokyo,” one was titled, as if most travelers to Japan even have 10 meals in the capital.
As I’ve stated before, I absolutely love Tokyo, particularly after exploring the city for more than a decade and really digging into its nooks and crannies. But as special as neighborhoods like Yanaka or Koenji area, they simply don’t compare to the Nakasendo Way, or the Sanriku Coast or even Kyoto, which was of course Japan’s capital before Tokyo was.
5 Reasons Tokyo Can Seem Overrated
Many Tokyo attractions have become cliché
In the not-too-distant past, names like “Senso-ji” and “Shibuya Scramble” had limited meaning to travelers who weren’t hardcore Japanophiles. These days, however, dozens of spots in Tokyo are as commonly known as Mt. Fuji or Osaka Castle, not to mention as crowded as Tokyo Disneyland.
There’s a limit to the “fun”
Many people who believe that Tokyo is overrated cite how tame it is for a major city. Tokyo’s bars and clubs tend to be pretty one-note, with a lack not only of outdoor terraces, but of unique nightlife options. Plus, while some cannabis products are federally legal in the US, marijuana and other drugs are strictly forbidden in Japan.
Hotel rooms are tiny
The good news? Most of Tokyo’s hotels are clean and relatively stylish, which is a requirement in order to stay in business in this highly-competitive city. The bad news? Unless you can afford to fork out hundreds per night on the Ritz-Carlton or Okura Prestige, the price you pay to stay in Tokyo is rooms that can feel like closets.
Top Tokyo restaurants are overhyped
Now, I consider Tokyo worth visiting for the food alone. In addition to local specialties like Edo-style sushi, you can enjoy cuisine from all over Japan. Tempura, tonkatsu, ramen—oh my! However, if you go to the trouble of booking most Michelin-star (or other high-end) eateries, chances are low that they will meet your expectations.
Bloggers and tourism boards do the city no favors
By relentlessly focusing on things to do in Tokyo’s top neighborhoods over secondary and tertiary ones (to say nothing of places elsewhere in Japan), many social media users (and also, the Japan National Tourism Organization or JNTO) make Japan’s much bemoaned “overtourism” problem a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Ways to Spice Up Your Time in Tokyo
Obviously, there’s nothing wrong with walking through Shibuya Scramble Crossing or ascending the Tokyo Skytree if you’ve never been to Tokyo before. However, here are a few more interesting suggestions:
- Explore secondary neighborhoods, such as the aforementioned Yanaka (Tokyo’s oldest neighborhood) and Koenji, which is “too cool for school” in the best way possible.
- Seek out “hidden gem” attractions, such as the orange gates of Hie Shrine in Akasaka, or the Nakano Broadway manga mall in Nakano just west of Shinjuku.
- Prioritize lesser-visited museums, such as the Sumida Hokusai Museum in Ryogoku, or the Nezu Museum near Omotesando.
- Lean into Tokyo’s seasonal beauty, whether you see cherry blossoms along Chidorigafuchi moat, or golden ginkgo leaves at Meiji Jingu Gai-en.
The great news? If you still don’t feel that Tokyo is worth visiting, I’ve got the 411 on literally dozens of other Japan destinations.
Other FAQ About Travel in Tokyo
Is Tokyo really worth visiting?
Tokyo is definitely worth visiting, but Tokyo alone does not offer even a cross-section of all there is to love about Japan. Unless you plan to come back to Japan in the future, I would never recommend coming to Tokyo and Tokyo alone as a standalone trip.
Is it OK to skip Tokyo?
Conversely, I don’t think it’s wise to come to Japan and skip Tokyo, unless A) you’ve already been in the past or B) simply detest large cities (in which case Japan as a whole might not be a great travel destination for you). Just as understanding Tokyo fully requires seeing it in the context of Japan, so too does the energy, density and aesthetic of Tokyo put the rest of the country in perspective.
Why do people like Tokyo so much?
These days, people like Tokyo a lot because it’s the first place they visit in Japan, and also because it’s cheaper than it’s been in decades. Beyond this, top tourist attractions ranging from futuristic districts like Akihabara and Shinjuku, to ancient sites like Senso-ji temple and the Tokyo Imperial Palace, have made Tokyo world-famous.
The Bottom Line
Is Tokyo overrated? Not per se, though I do sometimes get sick of hearing so much about the city. On much of social media, for instance, you could be forgiven for thinking that places like Osaka and Kyoto even exist, let alone more far-flung destinations. I mean, I have to wonder: Who are these travelers who are able to spend a week (or longer) in Tokyo alone? No judgment, of course—and nothing but love for Japan’s captivating capital city. Need personalized help exploring as much of Japan outside of Tokyo as possible? Consider commissioning a custom Japan itinerary!
