Are These Places in Tokyo Overrated for First-Time Visitors?

From the famous Shibuya Scramble Crossing to the crowded, narrow streets of Asakusa, we're looking at some of Tokyo's most famous tourist spots and whether you should visit them on your first trip to Japan.

Aimee's channel: @RoyandAimee

== CHAPTERS ==
0:00 Intro
00:37 Meiji Shrine
1:08 Asakusa & Senso-ji
2:03 Tokyo Skytree
3:12 Ichiran Ramen
4:15 Takeshita Street
5:18 teamLab
6:19 Golden Gai
7:40 Shibuya Scramble Crossing
8:39 Tsukiji Outer Market
9:24 Kabukicho
10:31 Ameyoko
11:13 Akihabara
12:17 Don Quijote
12:40 Kawaguchiko
15:11 Hakone
16:08 Kamakura

★★★ TokyoCheapo ★★★

★★★ Credits ★★★
Intro sequence by the most talented Peter Laugesen

Creative commons images used in the intro:

[Kusaland_CEO]

Kamakura being only an hour away by train is a must. Visit the Giant Buddha, the temples, make friends with the Sail surfers on the beach and enjoy the water, ride the seaside train down to Enoshima, eat some fresh seafood, explore the island, buy some souvenirs, enjoy some coffee watching the sunset, then go back to Tokyo with enough time to decompress and relax at the hotel.

[filipskater]

Thank you for your videos guys. They really helped me prepare for my recent first trip to Tokyo.

[dariusq]

If you are not an otaku/gamer, then Akiba is super overrated. What you have is a really crowded shopping district with mostly specialty shops. Normies would have a better time in other more popular districts.

If you are an otaku/gamer though, Akiba is a must visit, along with Ikebukuro and Nakano Broadway.

[randomtravel]

Ameyoko is definitely overrated. Too many Chinese-owned stores catering to Chinese tourists that doesn't make me feel it's Japan anymore, and if not, selling overpriced touristy knick-knacks. I'd rather go to Yanaka Ginza or Sugamo for a more peaceful old time shopping street vibe.

And any restaurants lined up with tourists only - give them a pass. Not worth the 1 hour wait unless you are only craving for that TikTok / IG thumbs up rather than the food itself.

Ichiran - I agreed it's a bit overrated. It's good, but not that good worthy to wait for anything over 30 mins when other ramen shops are everywhere. If it's only a short wait / no wait, by all means give it a shot. They also have shops opened in other countries too.

[connormaze]

I finally fly out for the first time in 7 days

Been waiting years for this holiday and looking forward to hitting up some of the spots in this video

[qualow]

Hey kids. Thankyou so much for all the videos and guidance. We are flying to Tokyo this weekend and are visiting Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka and also doing a day guided trip to Hiroshima as well as a trip to Nara (all in 10 days)! With all of your guidance we think we have a really fun packed trip planned. Really looking forward to using the bullet trains (and purchasing some amazing bento box es from Tokyo Station...yum! We'll let you know how we go.

[simonwelsh]

Amazing list and very much like our experience in the same spots we skipped going to Ichiran all together in favour of more local ramen shops

[mmeaux]

Great video! Flying into Tokyo tomorrow. This was helpful.

[SotaMaehara]

I agree that Sky Tree is overrated because it's more beautiful to look at, rather than being in it and looking out

[helend]

Excellent video that remembers what it's like to be a first timer. Asakusa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, and optionally Akihabara (you know if you need to go there) are all must do's for the first timer.

[dexttech]

nice video! arigatou gozaimasu Aimee and Yuta!

[TassieEV]

Thank you guys for all your informative videos. Do you have one on Ramen at all as in the best in your opinion Ramen places in Tokyo? I'm coming to Japan in Feb next year with my kids, well young adults really, so have watched many of your videos really love Chris in the video about mistakes to avoid so funny..."Sure sure". My kids are looking forward to a small Jazz club that a Japanese friend told me about but is there any other cultural experiences we aren't there for long more a taster of Japan you could say but are staying in Osaka and will go to Kyoto and Nara.

[thomass]

Ichiran : Definitely overrated. This place is like a egg farm shack. There are hundreds of better ramen places in Tokyo
Ameyoko : Definitely overrated. It used to be a nice place to visit, but recently it has turned like a China Town.
Tsukiji Outer Market : Definitely overrated. So touristy and street food are outrageously priced. Local people do not go there

[Tloc]

Don Quijote not being worth it when it's such a quick walk by trip is wild lol

[YoureNowOnTV]

Don Quijote is interesting to see as a store, but all the prices aren't that enticing. I'd much rather go to Seria or Daiso. They have amazing deals on items that are useful. Donki didn't have bargains on anything I'd like to take home with me or have a use for like bags, clothing items or electronic goods.

[grannysint]

Overrated is telling there are cheap0 places in Tokyo.

[aar]

Been to Tokyo twice (2016 and 2024). Other than the day trip ones, agree on all the places. When we went on 2016, it was not as crazy busy . I think for a first timer Don Quixote is fun but on our second trip this year, did not enjoy it as much. We also went into Ginza and Tokyo Station on our 2nd trip, that was cool to visit, especially Ginza as I always see it in movies and anime.

[ParaSF]

Hello there.

I’m flying with my wife and sister in law on the 1st October from London to Tokyo and of course we are all excited. But regarding the golden gai area and the cover charge you mentioned, what do you prefer: a pub/izakaya without cover charge or one with? Because I heard some stories that if a place charge you cover charge, they charge ridiculous prices inside the place and some of them could be scams. Do you have any good places to go? Where they don’t do this kinda shit to foreigners and something that’s affordable as well?

[AlonsoRules]

The Tsukiji Fish Market is definitely overrated. Stay far far away.
With Tokyo being such a massive city and time precious, extensive research is required. You do not spend time in places that are not required.

[rorok]

Whenever first-timers to Japan say that ICHIRAN is the best ramen in Japan or best ever...I roll my eyes so hard I almost fall off my chair. It's basically the McDonald's of ramen for me. Tokyo alone has literally 10, 000+ ramen restaurants. Do a bit of research and don't believe the hype these influencer types spit, especially if it's their first time to Japan.