17 Best Things to Do on a Rainy Day in Tokyo
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Updated 2026
Oh no, it’s raining in Tokyo!
If you’re visiting Tokyo, rain can feel like a major inconvenience. You have this enormous, exciting city to explore, and suddenly you’re wondering if you should spend the entire day hiding in your hotel room.
Don’t!
Tokyo is actually a fantastic city for a rainy day. There are museums, shopping centers, underground shopping streets, quirky attractions, cafés, arcades, observation decks, and plenty of other indoor activities to keep you busy—and dry.
And sometimes, a little rain actually makes Tokyo even more fun.
I’ve spent rainy time in Tokyo and discovered that you don’t have to completely scrap your sightseeing plans when the weather turns bad. You just need to be a little strategic.
So grab an umbrella and let’s make the most of it!
Here are 17 of the best things to do on a rainy day in Tokyo, including some of my favorite quirky indoor attractions.
Is Tokyo Worth Visiting When It Rains?
Absolutely!
Tokyo gets plenty of rain throughout the year, and the city’s infrastructure is remarkably well set up for it. Major train stations connect to enormous underground shopping areas, department stores provide plenty of indoor entertainment, and there are seemingly endless museums, restaurants, cafés, and attractions to duck into.
Tokyo’s official tourism guide even recommends embracing rainy-day activities such as museums, underground shopping, observation decks, cafés, arcades, and indoor entertainment.
So don’t look at rain as a reason to stay in your hotel.
Think of it as an excuse to see a different side of Tokyo.
When Is Tokyo’s Rainy Season?
Tokyo’s rainy season, known as tsuyu, generally occurs from around June into July.
This doesn’t mean it rains continuously every day. You can have beautiful weather during the rainy season, and you can certainly have rainy days outside of it.
Summer can also be hot and humid, so rainy-season weather can mean a combination of rain, humidity, and warm temperatures.
The good news?
Tokyo has plenty of indoor options.
And if the forecast says rain for your entire day, you can actually use it to your advantage by planning attractions where the weather doesn’t matter.
1. Visit the Unko Museum
Let’s start with the obvious choice.
Yes, Tokyo has a poop museum. And yes, I went.
Don’t worry—the Unko Museum is much more kawaii (cute) than gross.
This ridiculously fun attraction in Odaiba is filled with colorful toilets, rainbow-colored poop, neon signs, games, photo opportunities, and all sorts of poop-related silliness.
It’s basically an Instagram playground disguised as a museum.
And oddly enough, it was my favorite silly indoor thing to do on a rainy day in Tokyo.
The Unko Museum is located inside DiverCity Tokyo Plaza, so you can easily combine it with shopping, food, and other indoor attractions in Odaiba.
The museum is still operating in 2026, and the current experience includes interactive attractions such as the Poop Volcano, Poop-Lingual Neon Gate, games, photo spots, and more.
My tip: Don’t be embarrassed. Just lean into the ridiculousness.
You’re in Japan. You’re allowed to have fun.
2. Explore teamLab Planets
If you’ve seen those amazing photos of people walking through seemingly magical digital art installations in Tokyo, there’s a good chance you’re looking at teamLab Planets.
This is a full-body, interactive art experience where you don’t simply walk around looking at art. You become part of it.
You’ll walk through water, encounter digital flowers, interact with changing environments, and explore immersive rooms that react to your presence.
And here’s the important part for a rainy day:
You’re going to get wet anyway.
Okay, not drenched—but there is water involved.
When I visited, I thought teamLab Planets was a little overhyped. The crowds were high, the lines were long, and because everyone takes their shoes off, the whole place had a bit of a…foot situation.
But I’m still glad I went.
And it’s undeniably one of the most unique indoor experiences in Tokyo.
The attraction has also expanded since my visit, so there’s more to see now than there was when I went.
Tickets are sold for timed entry, and the official ticket site currently lists adult admission from ¥3,600 depending on the date/time. Tickets are not sold at the entrance, so booking ahead is the safest option.
Check current teamLab Planets tickets and availability
What should you wear to teamLab Planets?
Pay attention to this one!
You’ll walk through water that can come up toward your knees, and there are mirrored floors in some areas.
Wear shorts or pants that can be rolled up, or wear shorts underneath a dress or skirt. The correct clothing will keep your clothing (and your modesty) intact!
3. Visit the Art Aquarium Museum GINZA
The Art Aquarium Museum GINZA is one of those places that sounds slightly strange until you see it.
And then you realize it’s actually beautiful.
Instead of a traditional aquarium, this museum combines goldfish, elaborate tanks, lighting, music, and art installations. The result is colorful, unusual, and surprisingly peaceful.
The museum is inside Ginza Mitsukoshi, which means you can combine your visit with shopping, food, and other indoor activities without worrying about the weather.
And because you’re in Ginza, you’re already surrounded by department stores, restaurants, cafés, and shopping.
It’s a great rainy-day neighborhood.
The Art Aquarium is still operating in 2026, with seasonal exhibitions and new installations throughout the year.
4. Go Shopping in Ginza
If the rain is coming down hard, embrace Tokyo’s shopping culture.
Ginza is one of the best places to do it.
You’ll find department stores, luxury boutiques, Japanese brands, beauty stores, restaurants, cafés, and plenty of places to browse without spending much time outside.
And even if you’re not interested in designer shopping, Japanese department stores are worth exploring just for the food halls.
Seriously.
Do not skip the basement food halls.
They’re an attraction in their own right.
5. Explore Tokyo’s Underground Shopping Areas
One of the best things about Tokyo on a rainy day is that you don’t always have to go outside.
Major train stations have enormous underground shopping areas, restaurants, cafés, and passageways connecting different buildings.
Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, and Shibuya are particularly good places to explore underground.
You can spend a surprising amount of time wandering around without getting soaked.
Tokyo’s official tourism guide specifically recommends underground shopping areas at major stations as rainy-day destinations.
And if you get completely turned around underground?
Congratulations.
You’ve had the authentic Tokyo experience.
6. Visit a Tokyo Museum
Tokyo has an almost overwhelming number of museums, which makes a rainy day the perfect excuse to visit one.
You can find museums dedicated to:
- Japanese history
- Art
- Science
- Technology
- Anime
- Design
- Traditional Japanese culture
- Photography
- Architecture
The museums around Ueno are particularly worth considering.
The Tokyo National Museum, National Museum of Nature and Science, and Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum are all in or around Ueno Park.
And don’t assume a rainy day means you can’t visit Ueno Park at all. If the rain is light, the park itself can be beautiful.
If it’s pouring?
Stay inside and enjoy the museum.
7. Visit the Edo-Tokyo Museum
If you’re interested in learning more about Tokyo’s history, the Edo-Tokyo Museum is another excellent rainy-day option.
The museum explores the history of Tokyo, from the city’s Edo-period roots through its transformation into the enormous metropolis it is today.
And there’s good news if you’ve been to Tokyo before:
The museum reopened in 2026 after an extensive renovation, so it’s once again an option for travelers.
This would be especially good for a rainy day when you’re looking for something more substantial than shopping or entertainment.
8. Head to an Observation Deck
A rainy day doesn’t necessarily mean you have to give up your Tokyo skyline views.
In fact, watching Tokyo through the rain can be pretty spectacular.
Consider heading up to Tokyo Skytree or Tokyo Tower.
You may not get the crystal-clear views you’d have on a sunny day, but Tokyo’s skyline disappearing into the clouds and rain can create a completely different atmosphere.
And if visibility is terrible?
Well, you’re already inside.
You might as well enjoy the view you can see!
Tokyo’s official tourism guide specifically recommends Tokyo Tower and TOKYO SKYTREE as rainy-day options.
9. Visit a Japanese Department Store
Japanese department stores are destinations in themselves.
Don’t think of them as simply places to buy clothes.
Explore the beauty floors, home goods, Japanese souvenirs, stationery, restaurants, and—my personal favorite—the food halls.
The basement food halls, known as depachika, are packed with beautifully presented Japanese foods, sweets, bento boxes, pastries, and other goodies.
It’s a great way to spend an hour or two while staying completely dry.
And yes, you are absolutely allowed to buy yourself a fancy dessert because it is raining.
10. Spend Some Time in a Japanese Café
Sometimes the best rainy-day activity is doing absolutely nothing.
Find a cute café. Consider one of Japan’s many cat cafes!
Order coffee or tea.
Get something delicious to eat.
Watch the rain outside.
Tokyo has no shortage of cafés, from tiny neighborhood coffee shops to elaborate themed cafés.
And if you’re traveling solo, this is actually one of my favorite ways to slow down during a busy trip.
You don’t have to constantly be sightseeing.
Sometimes sitting in a café and watching Tokyo go by is part of the experience.
11. Go to an Arcade
Want something a little more energetic?
Head to an arcade.
Japanese arcades are so much more than the claw machines you might find at an American shopping mall.
You’ll find rhythm games, racing games, photo booths, fighting games, crane machines, and all sorts of wonderfully weird Japanese games.
Round1 is one option if you’re looking for a large entertainment complex with lots of different activities.
This is particularly fun if you’re traveling with friends, but don’t be afraid to go alone.
12. Go Shopping in Shibuya
Rainy day in Tokyo?
Go shopping in Shibuya.
Between department stores, fashion boutiques, beauty shops, character stores, cafés, restaurants, and massive shopping complexes, you can easily fill several hours without spending much time outside.
And eventually, the rain will probably let up.
Then you can pop outside and see Shibuya Crossing in the rain.
Which brings me to…
13. See Shibuya Crossing in the Rain
Don’t automatically skip Tokyo’s famous outdoor attractions just because it’s raining.
Shibuya Crossing in the rain can be one of the coolest scenes in the city.
Hundreds of people crossing the street under a sea of umbrellas?
Very Tokyo.
If the rain isn’t torrential, grab an umbrella and go experience it.
Tokyo’s official tourism guide actually recommends seeing Shibuya Scramble Crossing in the rain because the colorful umbrellas create such an iconic Tokyo scene.
Just be prepared to get a little wet.
14. Visit a Traditional Shrine or Temple
This one depends on how hard it’s raining.
If there’s just a light drizzle, don’t automatically eliminate outdoor sightseeing.
Tokyo’s shrines and temples can be incredibly atmospheric in the rain.
The trees are lush, the stone paths glisten, and the crowds may be thinner.
Meiji Jingu is one option, although you’ll be outdoors for much of the experience.
If the rain turns into a downpour, find a nearby café or shopping center and save the shrine for another day.
Tokyo’s official tourism guide also notes that some shrines and parks can be especially peaceful in light rain.
15. Relax at an Onsen or Spa
If the weather outside is miserable, why not make being warm and cozy your entire plan?
A Japanese onsen or spa can be a wonderful rainy-day experience.
Tokyo has everything from traditional public baths to elaborate spa complexes with hot baths, saunas, relaxation areas, and restaurants.
A rainy day is practically begging you to spend a few hours soaking in warm water.
Just remember that traditional Japanese bathing culture comes with rules, including washing before entering the communal baths.
And if you have tattoos, check the facility’s current tattoo policy before you go.
16. Eat Your Way Through Tokyo
Here’s a rainy-day activity I’m always happy to recommend:
Eat.
Tokyo is one of the greatest food cities in the world, so a rainy day is a perfect excuse to slow down and have a long lunch.
Try ramen.
Eat sushi.
Find a cozy izakaya.
Order tempura.
Try Japanese sweets.
Or simply wander into a department-store food hall and see what looks delicious.
If you can’t decide what to do on a rainy afternoon in Tokyo, I can almost guarantee that eating something delicious will improve the situation.
17. Take the Rainy-Day Opportunity to Slow Down
This might be my most important recommendation.
Don’t feel like you have to replace every outdoor attraction on your itinerary with another activity.
Tokyo can be exhausting.
It’s huge, busy, fascinating, and there is always something else to see.
So if it rains?
Maybe slow down.
Have a long breakfast.
Visit one museum instead of three.
Spend an hour in a café.
Go shopping.
Take a nap.
Then head out for dinner.
You don’t have to “win” Tokyo.
You’re allowed to enjoy it.
What to Pack for a Rainy Day in Tokyo
If rain is in the forecast, a few small things can make your day much easier.
Bring a compact umbrella
If you don’t already have one, don’t worry.
Convenience stores throughout Tokyo sell inexpensive clear umbrellas, and they’re incredibly easy to find. Tokyo’s official tourism guide specifically recommends picking one up at a convenience store if needed.
Wear waterproof shoes
This one is important.
Tokyo involves a LOT of walking, and wet socks are no fun.
A pair of comfortable, water-resistant walking shoes can make a huge difference.
Bring a small plastic bag
Put wet umbrellas, socks, or anything else damp in here instead of throwing them into your backpack.
Carry a small towel
Japanese people often carry small hand towels, and you’ll quickly understand why.
They’re useful on rainy days!
My Favorite Rainy-Day Activities in Tokyo
If I had to narrow this list down, these would be my personal picks:
For something quirky: The Unko Museum
For something unique: teamLab Planets
For something beautiful: Art Aquarium Museum
For culture: A Tokyo museum
For shopping: Ginza or Shibuya
For relaxing: An onsen or spa
For food: A Japanese department-store food hall or cozy restaurant
For a classic Tokyo experience: Shibuya Crossing in the rain
And if you only have one rainy day in Tokyo?
I’d combine a few of these rather than trying to cram everything in.
For example:
Morning: Museum
Lunch: Department-store food hall
Afternoon: Art Aquarium or shopping
Evening: Dinner and Shibuya Crossing
That gives you a full Tokyo day without spending hours walking around in the rain.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Let Rain Ruin Your Tokyo Trip
A rainy day in Tokyo doesn’t have to ruin your vacation.
In fact, some of my favorite travel memories happen when the weather doesn’t cooperate with my plans.
Tokyo is such a massive city that there is always something else to discover.
Go to a weird museum.
Get lost in an underground shopping mall.
Drink coffee.
Eat something amazing.
Visit an art museum.
Soak in an onsen.
Or grab an umbrella and go watch the colorful umbrellas cross Shibuya.
And if you’re lucky, the rain will stop just as you’re ready to head back outside.
Because that’s Tokyo.
You never really know what the day is going to bring.
If you like it, put a pin on it!
Lori Barbely
Hi, I’m Lori, the Chief Travel Officer for Mostly Solo Travel! I created this site for solo (and would-be solo) female travelers. My goal is to inspire your trips, give you practical advice on how to plan, and to ease your fears so you can explore the world on your own.
