10 Things to Do in Tokyo to Beat the Heat This Summer
Stay comfy in the summer while still experiencing a what unique side of Tokyo! From hands-on workshops to relaxing wellness escapes and immersive art installations, these indoor experiences offer the perfect escape from the heat and humidity.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
1. Customize and upgrade an Original Game Boy
Relive childhood nostalgia with a hands-on Game Boy modding workshop at +Y in Tokyo. Customise an original Nintendo Game Boy with your choice of colours and modern upgrades while preserving its classic retro charm. With expert guidance throughout the process, you’ll leave with a one-of-a-kind console that makes for a truly unique souvenir from Japan. Book directly through their official website and use code GAMEBOYMASTER for 5% off any booking!
2. Immerse in digital art at teamLab Borderless or teamLab Planets
Escape the midday heat by stepping into one of Tokyo's most mesmerizing attractions. Whether you're wading through water at teamLab Planets or wandering through the seemingly endless galleries of teamLab Borderless, both offer a refreshingly different way to spend a summer afternoon. If you choose Borderless, be sure to stop by their En Tea House where tea and ice cream become part of the projection art!
3. Dive into the world of Harry Potter at Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo
Step behind the scenes of one of the world's most beloved film franchises at Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo. Take your time wandering through iconic sets, admire original costumes and props, and uncover the filmmaking secrets that brought the Wizarding World to life. It’s a truly immersive way to enjoy hours of air-conditioned exploration away from Tokyo's summer heat.
4. Catch a view from the world’s tallest tower - Tokyo Skytree
Rise above the summer haze at Tokyo Skytree, where observation decks up to 450 metres offer sweeping views across the sprawling cityscape. If you're lucky with the weather, you may even spot Mount Fuji on the horizon—and for a bit of extra fun, see if you can pick out iconic landmarks like Tokyo Tower and Rainbow Bridge below. Afterwards, head into the connected Tokyo Solamachi shopping mall, where you can easily spend hours browsing shops, cafés, and restaurants without stepping back into the summer heat.
5. Find your zen with a pottery-making session (with options for sake tasting or matcha tasting)
Take a break from sightseeing and discover the calming process of pottery making in the trendy Harajuku area. Choose from a pottery workshop on its own, or pair the experience with a guided sake tasting or matcha tasting. Your finished piece will be glazed and fired for you, ready to be treasured long after your trip.
6. Create your own signature scent at a Japanese incense-making workshop
Immerse yourself in the centuries-old art of Japanese incense making through this calming workshop in Shibuya. Learn how natural fragrances are blended, create your own personalised scent, and craft incense to take home as a unique Tokyo souvenir. With an English-speaking instructor and a calming matcha break included, it’s a peaceful cultural experience hidden in the heart of one of Tokyo’s busiest neighbourhoods.
7. Pamper yourself with 9 floors of onsen & spa facilities at Toyosu Manyo Club
Indulge in a day of Japanese-style relaxation at Toyosu Manyo Club, a sprawling nine-floor onsen and spa facility with panoramic views of Tokyo Bay. This is truly an all-in-one retreat with natural hot spring baths, saunas, rooftop foot baths, plus quiet relaxation areas with cushy recline seats for napping. It’s a wellness experience that brings the comforts of a onsen resort to the city. Guests will be provided with yukata (like a casual kimono) to wear, and tattoo-covering stickers are available for purchase at the front desk. Standard admission allows guests to stay from 10:00 AM to 3:00 AM the next day - with further time extensions available!
8. Visit a traditional weaving studio and create your own table mat
Create a one-of-a-kind Tokyo souvenir with a hand-weaving workshop in Oshiage, just a short walk from Tokyo Skytree. Choose from hundreds of colourful yarns and use a traditional loom to weave your own table mat with guidance from an English-speaking instructor. This calming, beginner-friendly experience offers a chance to slow down and enjoy the meditative process of creating something by hand.
9. Try a traditional Japanese enzyme bath spa treatment
Experience a unique Japanese wellness ritual at kunistyle Enzyme SPA in Ginza, where traditional fermentation culture meets modern relaxation. The gently warming enzyme bath uses a blend of Japanese rice bran, hinoki cypress powder, fermented enzymes, and rose petals, naturally heated through the fermentation process. With English-speaking staff, private treatment rooms, and options ranging from a quick 60-minute session to a longer 100-minute course that includes a head massage and facial - it’s a relaxing way to discover a lesser-known side of Japanese beauty culture.
10. Experience Japanese tea omakase at a local tea atelier
Discover the depth of Japanese tea culture through a tea omakase experience at a local atelier in Kuramae, one of Tokyo’s most charming creative neighbourhoods. Guided by a tea specialist, you’ll sample carefully selected Japanese teas while learning about their unique flavours, origins, and preparation techniques. This intimate experience offers a slower, low-pressure way to appreciate Japanese tea - totally different from a typical matcha ceremony experience. (It’s all counter-seating, no worries about having to kneel or sit cross-legged!)