Had your street go-kart tour in Tokyo canceled due to unfortunate rain? Don’t worry! Tokyo, as one of the world’s premier cities, offers numerous attractive indoor activities for rainy days. From museums and art galleries to high-tech experiential attractions and traditional cultural experiences, this article comprehensively introduces various indoor activities across different genres to make your Tokyo trip fulfilling despite the rain. With this article as a reference for alternative plans, you can enjoy your Tokyo sightseeing with peace of mind even when rain is in the forecast.
Tokyo Sightseeing on Rainy Days: Abundant Options with No Need to Worry
Tokyo ranks among the world’s top cities for enjoyable experiences even on rainy days. With infrastructure designed to provide visitors with attractive experiences regardless of weather, there are many alternative activities available even if your street go-kart tour gets canceled.
First and foremost, Tokyo’s excellent public transportation system deserves special mention. With its well-developed subway network, you can move around the city without getting wet. Many stations connect directly to underground malls and commercial facilities, allowing you to visit various establishments without going above ground. The Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway lines cover most major tourist spots.
Tokyo’s major commercial facilities and shopping malls have evolved beyond mere shopping venues into comprehensive entertainment complexes. For example, facilities like Roppongi Hills and Tokyo Midtown integrate shopping, dining, movies, and art museums, providing entertainment for an entire day. These facilities are also architecturally attractive, with many featuring viewpoints where you can enjoy Tokyo’s scenery from indoors.
Tokyo’s museums and art galleries are of exceptionally high quality, offering a wide range of options from international exhibitions to displays on Japan’s unique culture and history. Rainy days provide an ideal environment for art appreciation rather than outdoor activities, allowing you to thoroughly explore exhibitions. Many museums also offer English audio guides and brochures, enabling enjoyment without language barriers.
Relaxation facilities are also excellent choices for rainy days. Tokyo has various types of relaxation facilities, from traditional hot springs to spas with the latest amenities. The opportunity to heal your body tired from sightseeing while experiencing Japanese bathing culture is another attraction.
Indoor theme parks and attractions are also plentiful. From realistic experiential attractions to entertainment facilities utilizing the latest VR technology, there are numerous options that can be thoroughly enjoyed even on rainy days. Another strength of Tokyo is the presence of facilities that can be enjoyed by a wide age range, from children to adults.
Japanese cultural experiences that can be enjoyed indoors are also popular. Workshops such as tea ceremony, calligraphy, kimono experiences, and Japanese sweet-making provide valuable opportunities to experience Japanese culture on rainy days. Many of these experiences require reservations, so it’s recommended to book in advance as an alternative plan when rain is forecasted.
Additionally, Tokyo is a world-class gourmet city. Rainy days present an excellent opportunity to visit special restaurants or trending eateries. Since popular establishments often require reservations, it’s a good idea to make reservations in advance as an alternative plan for rainy days.
As described, Tokyo offers abundant facilities and activities that can be thoroughly enjoyed even on rainy days. In the following chapters, we will introduce recommended spots by category in more detail.
Museums and Art Galleries: Experiencing Art and Culture on Rainy Days
Rainy days provide an excellent opportunity to visit Tokyo’s fascinating museums and art galleries. You can appreciate artwork in a quiet environment or delve deeply into Japanese history and culture. The following facilities are recommended as alternative plans when your street go-kart tour is canceled due to weather.
The National Art Center, Tokyo, located in Roppongi, is one of Japan’s largest art museums in terms of exhibition space. With no permanent exhibitions but various special exhibitions, you can enjoy completely different displays depending on when you visit. The building itself, designed by renowned architect Kisho Kurokawa, features a distinctive wave-like exterior and spacious entrance hall. With well-equipped cafes and restaurants, it’s an ideal spot to spend a rainy day. Tokyo Midtown and Roppongi Hills are within walking distance, allowing you to enjoy shopping and dining after experiencing art.
The Tokyo National Museum, located in Ueno Park, is Japan’s oldest national museum. Housing numerous masterpieces of Japanese and Oriental art, it’s a must-visit destination for those interested in Japanese cultural history. The museum is divided into several buildings, each with different themes, making it easy to focus on areas of personal interest. The surrounding Ueno Park is home to several other museums, including the National Museum of Western Art and the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, creating a cultural zone that can be enjoyed even on rainy days.
The Mori Art Museum on the 53rd floor of Roppongi Hills receives international acclaim for its contemporary art exhibitions. Its exhibition themes are often challenging and stimulating, providing opportunities to confront social issues and contemporary challenges through art. The view from the museum is also spectacular, with the misty Tokyo landscape on rainy days offering a fantastical atmosphere different from usual. The Tokyo City View observation deck in the same building provides a panoramic view of Tokyo in the rain.
The Edo-Tokyo Museum in Ryogoku, Sumida Ward, introduces the history and culture of Tokyo from the Edo period to modern times. With life-sized recreations of Edo-period townscapes and detailed diorama exhibits, you can learn about Tokyo’s transformation while having visual fun. The displays are particularly accessible to foreign tourists, with clear presentations of Edo-period lifestyles and urban planning that deepen understanding of Japanese culture. Located just a short walk from Ryogoku Station, it’s also convenient to access.
teamLab Borderless in Odaiba is a digital art museum utilizing projection mapping and sensor technology to create an immersive digital art space. As a new type of museum offering a boundless art world experience, it has become a popular spot for both domestic and international tourists. With many interactive exhibits, the light spaces that change as you touch or move around artworks can be enjoyed by children and adults alike. Photography is permitted, making it ideal for social media posts.
Bunkamura in Shibuya is a cultural complex located a 5-minute walk from Shibuya Station. In addition to regular high-quality special exhibitions at The Museum, it also houses a concert hall, theater, and cinema, offering a variety of artistic appreciation options. On rainy days, you can spend the day combining movie viewing, cafe visits, and art exhibitions. The building is adjacent to a shopping mall, making it a convenient location to enjoy shopping simultaneously.
These museums and art galleries are generally open from around 10:00 to 17:00, but opening hours and closed days may vary by facility and day of the week. Popular special exhibitions can get crowded, so it’s advisable to purchase tickets in advance if possible. Many facilities provide audio guides and brochures in foreign languages, allowing you to fully enjoy the exhibitions even without understanding Japanese.
Indoor Theme Parks and Experiential Attractions
If you’re looking for exciting experiences even on rainy days, Tokyo’s indoor theme parks and experiential attractions are recommended. You can enjoy a day at these entertainment-focused facilities that offer something different from traditional museums and galleries.
Joypolis in Odaiba is an urban indoor amusement park operated by Sega. With attractions and games utilizing the latest technology, the VR attractions in particular offer exceptional immersion. The three-story facility houses a wide range of attractions, from thrilling rides like the Jet Tour Coaster to games that families can enjoy together. “Halfpipe Tokyo” is a particularly popular attraction, an indoor halfpipe tour coaster that provides a sensation similar to snowboarding. The Odaiba area has many shopping malls and other indoor attractions, making it an area where you can enjoy a full day even in the rain.
Sunshine Aquarium in Ikebukuro is an urban aquarium located on the upper floors of Sunshine City. With the concept of a “Sky Oasis,” the facility allows you to observe diverse marine life while staying indoors. The particularly popular “Sky Penguin” area lets you look up at penguins swimming in a transparent pool, enjoying a fantastical sight as if they were flying through the air. Regular interactive programs with various creatures such as jellyfish and sea lions are also held. Sunshine City contains not only the aquarium but also a shopping mall, restaurant area, and planetarium, making it ideal as an alternative plan for rainy days.
Madame Tussauds Tokyo in Odaiba is the Asian base of the world-famous wax museum. You can enjoy taking commemorative photos with lifelike wax figures of domestic and international celebrities, athletes, and artists. The interactive exhibition method, which allows not just viewing but also touching and posing with the figures, is characteristic and allows for fun photography. There’s also a section introducing the wax figure creation process, letting you appreciate the artistry of the wax figures.
The Odaiba and Ikebukuro areas, home to Tokyo Joypolis and Sunshine Aquarium, have concentrations of large commercial facilities convenient for rainy days. Decks Tokyo Beach, DiverCity Tokyo, and Sunshine City are complex facilities where you can enjoy shopping, dining, and attractions indoors all at once. DiverCity Tokyo in particular features a life-sized Gundam statue, with regular transformation shows that can be viewed from indoors.
VR ZONE SHINJUKU in Shinjuku is a cutting-edge VR entertainment facility operated by Bandai Namco. With various themed VR attractions available, you can have immersive experiences as if entering the worlds of games and movies. There are many VR contents collaborating with popular anime and games, making it especially recommended for fans. With good access from Shinjuku Station, moving around is easy even on rainy days.
Oedo Onsen Monogatari in Odaiba is a theme park-style hot spring facility. In a space recreating townscapes from the Edo period, you can enjoy various types of hot springs. The facility includes a festival area and food court that can be enjoyed while wearing yukata, providing content that won’t bore you even if you stay all day. It’s an ideal alternative activity for experiencing Japanese hot spring culture even if your outdoor street kart experience is canceled due to rain.
These indoor theme parks and experiential attractions are ideal for those seeking entertainment even in rainy weather. Many facilities also hold special events each season, so it’s recommended to check official websites before visiting. As weekends and holidays tend to be crowded, considering weekday visits or advance reservations when possible will make for a more comfortable experience.
Special Indoor Cultural Experiences and Traditional Crafts
In Tokyo, special activities where you can experience traditional Japanese culture and crafts are abundant even on rainy days. These experiences lead to a deeper cultural understanding beyond mere tourism and will remain long in your memory as travel souvenirs.
The Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center in the Asakusa area offers various traditional cultural experience programs. Particularly popular is the kimono experience, where you can choose from hundreds of kimono types and have someone dress you. Strolling through rainy Asakusa in kimono also creates a poetic atmosphere and special experience. The center also holds short workshops that can be enjoyed in a short time, such as origami and calligraphy, perfect for passing time on rainy days. Around Sensoji Temple, there’s the Nakamise Street, which is easy to walk even in the rain, where you can browse traditional Japanese crafts and souvenirs.
The “Japan Gallery” at the Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store in Nihombashi displays and sells traditional crafts from all over Japan. Beyond simply selling products, regular demonstrations by craftsmen and limited workshops are also held. On rainy days, you can leisurely view the exhibits and purchase crafts you like. The entire Nihombashi area has been a commercial center since the Edo period, and many facilities can be visited via underground passages or covered walkways even on rainy days.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observation Deck in Shinjuku is a spot where you can view Tokyo’s scenery for free. Especially on rainy or cloudy days, the boundary between the city and sky becomes ambiguous, allowing you to enjoy a uniquely fantastical view. There’s also a cafe in the observation deck where you can relax while viewing the rainy Tokyo scenery. Cultural events and exhibitions are also held regularly, so checking before visiting is recommended.
At the SAMURAI Museum near Yoyogi Park, you can not only see real swords, armor, and helmets up close but also try them on. A commemorative photo service is available, allowing you to take social media-worthy pictures. Particularly popular with foreign tourists, the museum offers comprehensive English explanations on sword history and manufacturing processes. Located in a park, it would normally allow you to enjoy nature as well, but rainy days provide a good opportunity to focus on the indoor experience.
The Mori Arts Center Gallery in Roppongi Hills frequently hosts international special exhibitions. You can enjoy high-quality displays across a wide range of genres, from art pieces to special fashion exhibitions. With many restaurants, cafes, and shops within Roppongi Hills, you can spend a day without leaving the building on rainy days. From the Tokyo City View on the 53rd floor, you can overlook rainy Tokyo, with the possibility of seeing rainbows after the rain.
Watching traditional Japanese performing arts is also a good choice for rainy days. At venues like the National Theatre, Kabukiza Theatre, or Asakusa Public Hall, performances of traditional Japanese performing arts such as kabuki, bunraku, and noh are held. Many of these theaters provide earphone guides (English commentary) for foreigners, allowing enjoyment even without understanding the language. At Kabukiza Theatre in particular, single-act tickets are sold, allowing even first-timers to easily experience kabuki.
Cooking experiences such as making Japanese sweets or sushi are also popular. There are numerous cooking schools for foreigners in areas like Asakusa, Tsukiji, and Nihombashi, ideal as indoor activities for rainy days. These schools offer excellent English support, allowing participation without issue even without understanding Japanese. You can eat the food you make and take recipes home, allowing you to recreate Japanese flavors after returning to your country.
Most of these cultural experiences and traditional craft activities require advance reservations. Particularly popular workshops often fill up quickly, so it’s recommended to make reservations promptly when rain is forecasted. Online reservations are possible through the official websites of most facilities.
Gourmet Exploration and Shopping on Rainy Days
Tokyo is one of the world’s premier cities for fine dining, and rainy days provide an optimal time to savor its culinary delights. Additionally, with diverse shopping facilities, you can enjoy a full day without worrying about the rain. Here we introduce gourmet spots and shopping areas especially recommended for rainy days.
The Ginza area is Tokyo’s representative upscale shopping district, a place where you can spend time comfortably even in rainy weather. Department stores like Ginza Mitsukoshi, Matsuya Ginza, and GINZA SIX handle a wide range of products from fashion to food. GINZA SIX in particular, opened in 2017, is a relatively new facility selling modern interpretations of traditional Japanese crafts alongside domestic and international luxury brands. The Ginza area is also home to restaurants of all levels, from long-established Japanese restaurants to the latest fusion cuisine establishments. Particularly recommended is the long-established restaurant “Shiseido Parlour,” where you can taste classic Western-style cuisine with over 100 years of history.
The Shibuya and Harajuku areas are centers of youth culture where you can experience the latest fashion and pop culture. Large commercial facilities such as Shibuya Scramble Square and Shibuya Hikarie allow comfortable shopping even in rainy weather. From “Shibuya Sky” on the upper floors of Shibuya Scramble Square, you can overlook the rainy Tokyo scenery. Laforet Harajuku and Omotesando Hills are also must-visit spots for those interested in fashion. For gourmet options, there are diverse choices from multinational cuisine in Shibuya Center Street to sophisticated cafes in Omotesando. At restaurants in “Shibuya Stream,” you can enjoy meals while viewing the rainy scenery from riverside seats.
The Shinjuku area has multiple department stores connected to a massive underground city, ideal for rainy day shopping. Takashimaya Times Square, Isetan Shinjuku, and Odakyu Department Store are linked by underground passages, allowing you to visit many stores without going outside. The “Shinjuku Southern Terrace” at Shinjuku Station’s south exit is a covered yet open space where you can enjoy window shopping even on rainy days. For gourmet options, “Omoide Yokocho” in Shinjuku Sanchome is popular, offering authentic izakaya cuisine in a nostalgic atmosphere. Around Shinjuku Gyoen-mae, there are many restaurants called hidden gems, popular spots scattered among locals.
The Roppongi and Azabu areas offer sophisticated shopping and gourmet experiences for adults. At complex facilities like Roppongi Hills and Tokyo Midtown, you can simultaneously enjoy high-end shopping and quality dining experiences. Restaurants around “Mori Garden” in Roppongi Hills in particular allow dining while viewing a Japanese garden with rainy day charm. The Azabu-juban area has many distinctive specialty shops and eateries, providing an enjoyable time just by strolling the streets. On rainy days, it may be easier to get into popular restaurants that are usually difficult to reserve, such as “Tavolo Organizzare.”
The Jiyugaoka and Daikanyama areas are charming with stylish streetscapes and independent shops. On rainy days, it’s recommended to center your visit around commercial facilities like “La Vita” and “Jiyugaoka Department Store.” Both areas have developed cafe cultures, allowing you to spend rainy days elegantly at book cafes like “Salon de The Jiyugaoka” and “Daikanyama T-SITE.” These areas are also home to many famous sweet shops, and it’s pleasant to enjoy treats at long-established shops like “Jiyugaoka Roll-ya” and “Mont Blanc Patisserie.”
The Marunouchi and Nihombashi areas are Tokyo’s representative business districts, yet they blend historic architecture with the latest commercial facilities. At facilities like KITTE JP Tower, Tokyo Station First Avenue, and COREDO Nihombashi, you can experience Japanese traditional crafts and food culture. At “Tokyo City i” inside KITTE, you can enjoy miniatures of Tokyo’s cityscape and historical exhibits even on rainy days. For gourmet options, spots like the high-class Japanese sweets at “Mamean Akane” in the basement of Daimaru Tokyo Store and the fruit parlor at “Nihombashi Sembikiya Main Store” offer tastes from long-established shops.
These areas are easily accessible by public transportation, and in many cases, they are connected by underground shopping arcades or covered walkways, allowing comfortable movement even on rainy days. Particularly by using the subway, you can often reach your destination without getting wet by rain. By combining shopping and gourmet plans, you can spend a fulfilling day even in the rain.
Summary: Tokyo’s Diversity Enjoyable Even in the Rain
Tokyo is a city blessed with diverse activities that can be enjoyed even on rainy days. Even if your street kart tour is canceled due to weather, you can enjoy a fulfilling Tokyo stay by utilizing the alternative plans introduced in this article.
At museums and art galleries, you can deepen your understanding of Japanese history and contemporary art while appreciating world-class exhibitions at places like the Tokyo National Museum and Mori Art Museum. At indoor theme parks and experiential attractions, you can experience excitement and fun even on rainy days with the latest technology at places like Joypolis and VR ZONE.
Workshops and exhibits where you can experience Japanese traditional culture and crafts are also abundant, allowing deeper cultural experiences through activities like kimono wearing and Japanese sweet-making. Areas like Ginza, Shibuya, and Shinjuku offer shopping in facilities with excellent indoor amenities and world-class gourmet experiences.
A particular strength of Tokyo is that many of these facilities are connected by developed subway networks and indoor passages, allowing movement without getting wet by rain. The high quality of Japanese facility services is also notable, guaranteeing comfort wherever you go.
Rainy Tokyo has its own charm. The rain-soaked cityscape is fantastical, and especially at night, the scenery with neon lights reflecting shows a different face of Tokyo from sunny days. From observation decks overlooking the city, you can enjoy special views of Tokyo Tower or Skytree amid rain clouds.
When planning your trip, it’s recommended to consider alternative plans for rainy days in advance. Since popular facilities and restaurants may require advance reservations, preparing to flexibly adjust your schedule while checking weather forecasts will provide peace of mind.
While Tokyo is a city with seasonal expressions, consider rainy days as valuable opportunities to know Tokyo deeply and enjoy the various indoor activities introduced in this article. Even a rainy day can become part of wonderful memories from your Tokyo trip.
