5 places to go out as a couple in Tokyo
- Published on : 21/10/2019
- by : Ph.L
- Youtube
Love in Tokyo
Ph.L
What to do for a romantic day in the Japanese capital?
Whether you're visiting Japan as a family, solo, with friends or on an organized tour, Tokyo is a must when visiting the Japanese archipelago. With its unique architecture, traditional gardens and exceptional panoramas, the capital has many facets, each more appreciable than the last. Especially when traveling as a couple, as the city is also incredibly romantic! To help you discover Tokyo as a couple, Japan Experience today presents a selection of 5 places to visit in a day. Twenty-four hours under the sign of love, to discover Japan under a different light.
1. Stroll through Inokashira Park (Kichijoji) and pedal-boat ride
A pleasure district, Kichijoji is particularly appreciated for its park, home to cherry trees in spring and blushing maples in autumn. Also home to a zoo and a small lake where you can pedal-boat, Inokashira Park is the ideal place to start a day for two after breakfast in one of the many nearby cafés.
But be careful! Benzaiten, the goddess of the arts and sciences, is said to have cast a spell here: anyone who sails its waters as a couple will break up within a year!
Be warned..
Address: 1 Chome-18-31 Gotenyama, Musashino, 180-0005, Tokyo
Opening hours, general admission: every day of the week, 24 hours a day
Zoo: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Mondays
Access : opposite Inokashira-Koen station (Keio-Inokashira line), 5-minute walk from Kichijoji station (Chuo, Keio-Inokashira lines)
2. Admire the view from the observatory and planetarium in Sunshine City (Ikebukuro)
Who says a shopping mall can't be romantic? With its aquarium, planetarium and high-rise restaurants, the Sunshine City has everything to please lovers. Not least with its new attraction: the Sky Circus!
Located on the 60th floor of the building, the SkyCircus offers an exceptional panorama of the city. From optical illusions to VR (Virtual Reality) attractions, this digital circus has everything to liven up an afternoon for two. And it's even said to be able to predict a couple's future, with its (digital) love compatibility test!
- See also: Tokyo's 5 most beautiful night views
Address : 3-1-1 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima.
Opening hours, general admission: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Planetarium: 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Aquarium: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. weekends.
Sky Circus : 10 a.m. to 10 p.m
Access: 8-minute walk from Ikebukuro station (Yamanote, Saikyo, Fukutoshin, Yurakucho lines), 3-minute walk from Higashi-ikebukuro station (Yurakucho line)
View from Sky Circus
Ph.L
3. Odaiba artificial island
You'll find absolutely everything on the artificial island of Odaiba: amazing museums like the MORI Building Digital Art Museum, aka the TeamLab Museum; amusement parks like the Ferris wheel; haunted houses, hundreds of restaurants in the many shopping malls nearby, and an incredible view of Tokyo Bay!
Pleasant at any time of day or night, Odaiba is the place to go to have fun with your better half!
- See also: Tokyo Bay beaches
Address : Daiba, Minato City, Tōkyō-to 135-0091
Itinerary : direct access from central Tokyo on the Yurikamone line
The Odaiba Ferris wheel overlooking Tokyo Bay
©Lily Li
Night view of Tokyo Bay from Odaiba
©Alex Knight
Holographic Sakuras at Team Lab Odaiba
©Shota James
Discover the museum's digital waterfall
Ph.L
4. Tokyo Dome city
The Tokyo Dome is an excellent idea for a fun day out for two during your trip to Japan. You can discover this Japanese institution where the biggest sports competitions (mainly baseball) are held.
Around the stadium, a veritable small town dedicated to entertainment has sprung up, called Tokyo Dome City. There's an amusement park with roller coasters and Ferris wheels, and a water park, LaQua, with shows, games and water attractions. It's also the ideal place to try your hand at baseball in a batting center, a very popular activity in Japan, often found on the roofs of buildings. You can also relax in the spa, which boasts one of Tokyo's largest onsen complexes.
Finally, there are hundreds of stores, restaurants and cafés for you to discover at your leisure.
Tokyo Dome is a lively place, and the energy it exudes is infectious. You can soak up the festive atmosphere and share moments of complicity in this magical setting without ever getting bored.
Tokyo Dome City attractions
©Morio via Wikipedia
Tokyo Dome City parachute attractions
©Canva
Night view of Tokyo Dome City attractions
©ITA-ATU via Wikipedia
Tokyo Dome Water Park
©DocChewbacca via Wikipedia
5. Tokyo Bay and its cruises
Famous for its extraordinary views from land, Tokyo Bay is also famous from the water, with its daily cruises. Day or night, they offer a different take on the capital's most famous landmarks , such as the Tokyo Rainbow Bridge or the Tokyo Tower. This is particularly true of the restaurant boats, which offer shows and dinners on the bay to the delight of gourmets. You'll be able to take in the sights of Tokyo and its surrounding areas from the comfort of your boat, while enjoying Japanese specialties.
Rainbow Brigde
©Kakidai via Wikipedia
Bonus: Unusual ideas for a night for two
Sleep in a love hotel
Cheaper than a traditional hotel, love hotels are an interesting and unusual experience to make in Tokyo if you're traveling as a couple. They also offer excellent value for money compared with traditional hotels, as you'll find a spacious room with a real double bed (quite rare in Japan). You'll also find a host of facilities, including a large bathtub often accompanied by a screen so you can relax and watch your favorite TV series, a Jacuzzi, massage seats, in-room meals and much more.
Some love hotels are themed, i.e. the rooms are built and decorated around a theme. These range from the light-hearted, such as Hello Kitty or Disneyland, to the extravagant, such as aliens or a water park with a private slide in the room. There's something for every taste, even the darkest, such as prison-like rooms, dark alleys and more!
Sleep in a Ryokan
A ryokan is also a great experience to share as a couple and immerse yourself in traditional Japanese culture. A ryokan is a traditional inn, usually accompanied by onsen (thermal baths). These can be either directly in the rooms, for an even more intimate experience, or in the common areas. You can also enjoy a delicious meal of traditional and seasonal dishes.
There are no ryokan in Tokyo, but you can find them in the towns of Hakone or Enoshima near Kamakura. These towns near Tokyo are famous for their hot springs and magnificent onsen with views of Mount Fuji and its lakes, or the sea.
A romantic souvenir from your trip?
In the Asakusa district, you'll find the famous Sensô-ji temple, where you can buy traditional omamori amulets for protection and good luck. They're available for every kind of protection: for passing school exams, for driving a car, for protecting a loved one, and of course, for finding love and protecting your romantic relationship.
In conclusion
Tokyo, Japan's emblematic city, is brimming with picturesque districts and activities for lovers. During your trip to Tokyo, be sure to venture into authentic neighborhoods such as Shibuya and Shinjuku to have some fun! Head to Ginza Corridor Gai and Shinjuku Golden Gai to discover mazes of streets with a friendly atmosphere and to eat delicious meals of all kinds.
Taking a stroll at night to admire the twinkling illuminations is a magical experience for two. Whether you prefer to stroll hand-in-hand through the peaceful parks and gardens, or marvel at the panoramic views from the skyscrapers, Japan's capital offers a plethora of activities for an unforgettable romantic getaway.
See also: Travelling as a couple in Japan
