Don’t Let the Rain Ruin Your Trip
Rain is common in Tokyo, especially during the rainy season from June to July and during typhoon season in late summer. Fortunately, many of Tokyo’s best attractions are indoors or directly connected to train stations, so it’s easy to enjoy your trip even on a wet day.
Here are some of the best things to do when it rains in Tokyo.
Best Things to Do on a Rainy Day
Explore teamLab Planets
One of Tokyo’s most popular attractions, teamLab Planets is entirely indoors and perfect for rainy weather. Walk through immersive digital art installations that create unforgettable photo opportunities.
Best for: Families, couples, and first-time visitors.
Visit Tokyo Skytree Solamachi
Even if the view is cloudy, Solamachi Shopping Mall offers hundreds of shops, restaurants, cafés, and souvenir stores beneath Tokyo Skytree.
Best for: Shopping and family-friendly entertainment.
Spend Time at Sunshine City
Located in Ikebukuro, Sunshine City is a huge indoor complex featuring an aquarium, shopping mall, restaurants, an observation deck, and entertainment facilities.
Best for: Families and all-day indoor fun.
Shop Around Tokyo Station
Tokyo Station isn’t just a transportation hub. Explore Character Street, Ramen Street, First Avenue Tokyo Station, and Daimaru Department Store—all without walking far in the rain.
Best for: Souvenirs, food, and easy sightseeing.
Relax in Odaiba
Many attractions in Odaiba are connected by covered walkways, including shopping malls, indoor entertainment, restaurants, and museums. It’s a great place to spend several hours regardless of the weather.
Best for: Families and couples.
Visit a Japanese Department Store
Department stores like Mitsukoshi, Isetan, Takashimaya, and Matsuya offer excellent shopping, food halls, cafés, and restaurants under one roof.
Best for: Shopping and trying Japanese food.
Indoor Attractions Worth Visiting
If it’s raining all day, these attractions are also excellent choices:
- Tokyo National Museum
- National Museum of Nature and Science
- Sumida Aquarium
- Art Aquarium Museum Ginza
- Tokyo Toy Museum
What Should You Bring?
A small folding umbrella is useful, but don’t worry if you forget one. You can easily buy an inexpensive umbrella at almost any convenience store, supermarket, or drugstore.
Comfortable waterproof shoes are also recommended if you’ll be walking a lot.
Rainy days are often one of the best times to visit Tokyo’s most popular attractions because they can be less crowded than on sunny weekends. If heavy rain is forecast, it’s a perfect opportunity to visit museums, shopping malls, or attractions like teamLab while saving outdoor sightseeing for another day.
Many major stations, including Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, and Shibuya, are connected to underground shopping streets, allowing you to spend hours exploring without getting wet.
