If you’ve ever been to Japan’s capital, then you’ll know it’s busy, fast-paced, and crowded. So where do you go when you want some time to spend with your beau that’s romantic, considerate, and intimate? Well, lucky for you, in a city this big, there are plenty of options for places to keep the flames of passion kindled. Here are thirty of our favorite suggestions.
Rodeo Bakery & Coffee
Something of a hidden gem in Harajuku, this cafe is a stone’s throw from Meiji Jingu, and is a terrific spot for a first date, or as a spot to get a cute little bite before moving on to a longer day together. The cakes that are served here are the last word in adorable, and customers also rave about the coffee and smoothies.
Recoco Record Cafe
One for audiophiles, this Shibuya cafe has a large and diverse collection of vinyl records for you to peruse and listen to. It is very much a place to relax: even if you’re a first-timer who has never handled vinyl before, there are easy to understand instructions, and unlike other music-cafes, chatting is not prohibited (though there are headphones if you really want to focus on your tunes).
ChikuChikuCafe
Tokyo has so many cafes with cute animals to choose from, so why not go for something a little different? ChikuChikuCafe in Shibuya is home to dozens of tiny hedgehogs, who live in the cutest little dollhouses! These hedgehogs are a lot more sociable than wild ones, and you can touch them, feed them, and take pictures with them.
Caroline Diner
This spot is a real blast from the past! For those who want to feel like they’re in Back to the Future, this eatery has a 1950’s American diner theme, perfect for cute pics in the store’s vintage photo booth — especially if you and your date go in period-appropriate outfits! The food itself is also retro-chic, serving Americana like burgers, milkshakes, and hot dogs.
Swan Pedal Boats in Senzokuike
A classic date activity, getting into a pedal boat and enjoying time on the open water is easy, relaxing fun for two. There are many different parks you can go to that let you get your swan on a lake, so why Senzokuike? Well, this secret spot in Ota-ku is just across the road from its station, has a delightful walk around the park for before and after your paddle, and because it’s smaller and out of the way, it’s quieter and less crowded. It’s also one of the few places in Tokyo you can spot the Japanese Kingfisher!
Skating at the Tokyo Dome Roller Skate Arena
Tokyo’s largest indoor skating rink, if you can still remember how to pull off those skate moves you learned as a kid, here’s your chance to show off — or if you’ve never skated before, getting your date to teach you can be fun, too! There are also plenty of eating options if all that exercise gets your tummies rumbling.
A View of Tokyo at Tokyo Skytree
On a clear day, there’s little else like seeing the vastness of the world’s largest metropolis, with Mt. Fuji even visible in the distance. There are many places that you can go to get good views of the city, but Tokyo Skytree is not only the tallest building in Tokyo, but has special events you can plan your date around. If you’re enjoying an evening out together, why not drop in and head up during their “full moon” period once a month, to enjoy time-limited cocktails?
Link: https://www.tokyo-skytree.jp/en/ Nearest Sta: Tokyo Skytree Station; Oshiage Station Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm Price per Person: From ¥2.100
Visit the Ghibli Museum
Even people who don’t like anime love Studio Ghibli, and sowhere better to share this love with your love than the Mitaka-based museum? A museum designed to be free of pretension that luts it guests first, and works in harmony with the surrounding garden. In addition to its permanent exhibits, it has special exhibitions that change every few months, as well as a cinema showing exclusive short films. This is consistently rated as one of the best places in Tokyo to visit, so why not enjoy it together?
Paint a Masterpiece at Art Bar
An experience both exciting and relaxing, Art Bar is headquartered at its Daikanyama studiom but has three other locations in Tokyo. Book your tickets to be taught how to paint your own version of a piece by a modern master, which you can take home with you. Don’t worry if you don’t have artistic ability, as the helpful instructors can help you every step of the way. Your reservation includes snacks and wine, too!
Spirit Sampling at Whisky Library
After using a paint palette, are you both looking to test your palette together in a different way, and maybe get just a little tipsy? Whisky Library in Omotesando is a terrific place to end your evening, with over 1,300 different types of whisky, scotch, and bourbons to try from all over the world! You can also book a table for lunch or dinner, as well as enjoy smooth cocktails, if the taste of whisky alone is a little much for either of you!
Couple’s Kimono Experience at Asakusa
Traditional Japanese dress is famous the world over, and there are a number of places you can find to rent kimono, but for our money, Blossom Kimono is the best place. Why, you ask? Well, not only does it offer affordable kimono experiences, but it is also deeply LGBTQ+ friendly, meaning that absolutely anyone can enjoy getting dressed up with their date, no matter their sexual orientation.
Perfume Making at D. Anda
Now this date really makes scents. With branches in Taito-ku and Sumida-ku, this perfumery sets itself apart from other stores that sell fragrances by having a professional perfumer take you through the process of making your very own scent. With over 100 base fragrances, all of which are of unrivaled quality, you and your better half can create a distinctive perfume that is just for the pair of you.
Visit the ART AQUARIUM Museum
Can’t decide which is more serene, an aquarium or an art gallery? Well, there’s no need to choose here. This Ginza museum is dedicated to the beauty of goldfish and carp, which have long been a focus of Japanese art. From contemporary paintings to textiles and ceramics, as well as gorgeously-lit goldfish tanks that look amazing as a piece, but even more stunning when you appreciate them altogether, even the room you’re both standing in can become a romantic work of art.
Glassmaking at ZO
For as omnipresent in our lives as it is, the glass all around us can be the source of some wonderful memories, and that’s most true for glassware that you make yourself at ZO atelier in Sumida-ku. You and your partner can create glass beads, wind chimes, or bowls and cups using up the three colors from a choice of 50. Now every time you take a sip of water from that glass, you’ll be reminded of this special day.
Retro Gaming at Mikado Game Center
Is your other half into old school games? If so, there are fewer places they’d love more than this arcade in Takadanobaba. With two floors, Mikado Game Center is awash with old school shooters and platformers, along with crane games and even some bizarre relics from the 1980s. The second floor is dedicated almost exclusively to fighting games — maybe this date could heat up with a little friendly competition?
Couple’s Cooking Class at Cooking Sun Tokyo
They say the way to someone’s heart is through their stomach, so what better way to get closer than to make delicious dishes together? Even if you cook with your partner at home, learning a new dish together is a lot of fun! You can choose either the Wagyu and Seven Japanese Dishes class in the morning to learn how to create and serve a traditional feast, or the Sushi Class in the early afternoon to make authentic sushi.
Day Trip to Enoshima
If the summer has arrived and you’ve been dying to show your darling your new swimsuit, then the best place to head to is Enoshima! A short train ride into Tokyo’s neighboring prefecture of Kanagawa, this is a sandy beach with blue waves, the ideal place to quietly sit, relax, or go for a dip with your partner. And when you get hungry, you can grab food and drink from any of the many food shacks that line the beach!
Karaoke at Best 10
Maybe you’re the kind of person who likes to serenade your lover, or you prefer duets — or maybe you just love to impress by showing off your voice! In any event, karaoke might not seem like much, but it’s a simple and easy date for established couples, and a good ice-breaker for a first date (if you’re brave!). There are many karaoke companies out there, but we like Best 10 because they have a very relaxed attitude to bringing in your won food and drink.
Link: https://www.karaoke-best10.com/ Nearest Sta: Opening Hours: 24 Hours Price per Session:
Ring Making at glänta
Now this is something really special. At glänta, you can come with your partner to have a ring made for you within an hour, with no reservation, specifically for your finger. But the real joy is booking a time for the pair of you to make rings together, and take home on the day. Your bond will be stronger than ever, and you’ll know your love just as intimately as the back of your hand.
Indie Concert at Ruby Room
If your other half and you are always looking for the next hot sound, then you should organize a date night at the Ruby Room. A rendez-vous for music lovers for over two decades, Ruby Room is the undisputed king of the underground and indie music scene in Tokyo. In addition to seeing up and comers, its reputation is so good that internationally famous bands and artists will sometimes drop by for a listen — and maybe play an impromptu set.
Classical Concert featuring the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra
If you think the classics can’t be bettered, though, you could both pop on your finest and listen to the divine sounds of the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra. Concerts are performed regularly in halls across Tokyo, so it isn’t difficult to find a performance or theme that you and your date can both enjoy.
Visit the National Museum of Western Art
If you’re looking for a date where you can both experience the best of art from outside of Japan, there is no substitute for the National Museum of Western Art in Ueno. With pieces from the Renaissance all the way to the modern age, this is the pre-eminent place to find classics from old masters, as well as see some newer works from contemporary creatives. Before or after, the surrounding park is a lovely place for the two of you to share a picnic lunch.
Ride the Attractions at Fuji-Q Highland Theme Park
Everyone knows about Disney Land, but if you or your partner are thrill seekers, you’ll get a lot more out of Fuji-Q Highland, known for having Japan’s best rollercoasters. Although this is an hour by train outside of Tokyo, getting a train ticket from Shibuya with an entry pass means you will have all day to ride the tallest, fastest, most pulse-pounding rides in all of Japan.
See a Musical Performed by Gekidan Shiki
Musical theatre is popular in Japan, with performances by the Takarazuka Theater Troupe being popular for their original works. But if you and your date would prefer to watch a Disney musical in Japanese, and compare the lyrics and energy to a show you may have seen before, then visit one of the theaters run by Gekidan Shiki (or, the Four Seasons Theater Company) to get a fun experience that will stay with you both for a long time.
See a Kabuki Performance
On the other hand, if you want to have an afternoon or an evening indulging in a more traditional Japanese experience, then what better way than sitting down for some Kabuki? More lively than Noh theater, Kabuki has been the popular art of the people for centuries, and Kabukiza Theater in Ginza is an ideal place to experience it together. Even if your Japanese language isn’t quite up to snuff, there are English captions available, as well as detailed summaries in the backof the program.
See National Treasures at the Nezu Museum
A piece of art inside and out. This museum in Minato has pre-war origins, yet its current building was created by Kengo Kuma, one of the most celebrated architects in Japan. Inside are over 7,000 artifacts, seven of which are officially designated national treasures, from Japan’s history. The highlight, displayed only between April and May each year, are the Irises folding screens, which are exhibited at the same time as irises bloom in the museum’s beautiful garden.
See a Classic Movie at the Waseda Shōchiku Cinema
Sometimes there really is nothing better than movie night. But while you can see today’s modern blockbusters almost anywhere, the Waseda Shōchiku Cinema specializes in being a revival cinema, where older films — both from Japan and abroad — can be seen on the big screen, as they were meant to be. There’s just something so romantic about a French film in black and white, don’t you think?
Hiking Mt. Takao
Situated in Hachioji, in western Tokyo, Mt. Takao is a popular mountain for couples looking to get some exercise and fresh air together. Hiking to the top of the mountain takes roughly 90 minutes, and there are multiple routes of various lengths and difficulties (though none are too tough) for both the ascent and descent. In the summer, it is also home to beer gardens with appealing deals for thirsty climbers.
Dinner at Kyubey
Kyubey is one of the most well-known sushi restaurants in Japan, and indeed the world. While it has many branches, it is the head restaurant in Ginza that enjoys the best reputation, and is where then owner Hisaji Imada created gunkanmaki, a now ubiquitous form of sushi used for easily serving ikura and uni. This one is a little pricey, and requires reservations, but it’s a dinner you and your lover will remember fondly for years.
End of Night Cocktails at The SG Club
We’ve come the the end of the list, and you’ve come to the end of your night — time for a nightcap. The SG Club in Shibuya is regularly voted to be in the top 50 cocktail bars in the world, and it’s no surprise why. Founded by master mixologist Shingo Gokan, it is a bar that aims to blend both Western and Japanese cocktail style, whether you like to sip or guzzle your drink. A lovely place to finish your perfect night together.
To Wrap Up
These are just thirty of our top picks for the best places to go on a date in Tokyo. And if we could think of over two dozen off the top of our heads, how many more must there be? JoynTokyo is your first-call for lovey-dovey suggestions and ideas.