
So you can’t travel at the moment? But you’d like to visit Tokyo while stuck at home!
Well I have good news for you can visit Tokyo (virtually) from home!
Whether you can’t go to Tokyo for personal reasons, no holidays, not enough money or whatever really.
That doesn’t mean you have to give it up until you can visit! I know that I really want to, but it’s safer to stay home at the moment so why not virtually travel?!
And how about we take a virtual vacation to Tokyo, Japan. Tokyo is usually very busy and touristy during the month of April as this means it is the seasons for cherry blossoms, right now, well, not so much…
So you’re probably wondering how to virtually travel to Tokyo? I mean it does sound a bit weird, I agree, but we have to be creative lately and we can go there without moving from our home!
Well, let me tell you the best ways to travel around Tokyo virtually and things to do without leaving your home so you can have a lovely vacation!
So, if you follow me on Instagram (if not you should @cpt_lyne! I post photos of Japan there) you know that I was supposed to still be in Japan at the moment, and, I would have been in Tokyo this day for the end of my trip!
Unfortunately, while we were still allowed to travel at the beginning of March things unravelled pretty quickly in Europe and around the world and we played it safe and hoped on the first plane to go home by the end of the month when our return flight has been cancelled and to keep travelling was not the thing to do either.
Of course, I miss it dearly! Tokyo is one of my favourite city in the world and Japan a country I still want to explore more and more every time I go.
I also miss travelling altogether obviously, and if you do too then here are 10 ways to keep the travel spirit alive at home!
Read: A COMPLETE TOKYO TRAVEL GUIDE
How To Virtually Travel To Tokyo A Guide
Table Of Contents
So, here we go all the good stuff to visit Tokyo when you’re stuck at home!

#1 LOOK UP FOR PHOTOS OR INSTAGRAM STORIES OF TOKYO
A fun way to dream about a destinations that has been there since a while is to look up for photos of destinations you want to visit, so why not look up at photos of Tokyo in bloom?
It’s pretty easy to find recent photos of a place today with Instagram or to follow accounts that post only about a specific place such as Tokyo.
Also with the technology, it is now possible to watch people stories when they share their day to day life with a snippet of the city when they add their locations.
If you go on Instagram, search for Tokyo (or any area of Tokyo you’d like to see Ginza, Shibuya and so on…Might even be a museum or a park) on the explorations page, select “places” and you can see stories from Tokyo!
It’s not always interesting but a lot of time you can see some cool places!
As I mentioned above right now would be the end of the sakura season in Tokyo so why not look up at beautiful cherry blossoms tree photos?

Another good option is to look up for Travel Photo Diary, it’s something I like to do here on the blog and I know a lot of people do to if you look it up in google!
Last but not least if you have already been to Tokyo in the past why not go down memory lane by taking a look at your own photos? 🙂
#2 WATCH A LIVE STREAM OF TOKYO

One of the best ways to travel virtually to Tokyo is to watch a live stream you can see live what’s happening in the busy capital of Japan!
Maybe play a game to see how many people with a red shirt you can spot? or how many restaurants! Well, you get the drill 😉
SHIBUYA CROSSING LIVE STREAM
Watch what the very famous crossing passage of Shibuya any time of the day or night!
VARIOUS PLACES ODAIBA/TOKYO TOWER/ AKIHABARA LIVE STREAM
All those cool places in Tokyo have a Livestream, so, just pick the one you like and admire the view as well as what’s going on there! It’s always fun to see what’s life is like on the other side of the world while you’re home!
Read: 11 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT JAPAN
#3 TAKE A TOKYO VIRTUAL TOUR

Now that we have covered the Livestreams of Tokyo why not explore the city in a different way with the numerous virtual tours that are available, from part of the city, theme parks and museums there is a lot to do virtually!
TOKYO DISNEYLAND VIRTUAL TOUR
Are you a Disneyland fan? Would you love to visit Tokyo Disneyland?
Then hop on and take a virtual tour to explore the magic world of Disneyland Tokyo! You can move around and get to know the name of the places you click on.
Virtual tour of Tokyo Disneyland Park:
Here for Adventureland Fantasyland and Toon Town
Here for the Harbour and ToyStory
TOKYO FUJI ART MUSEUM
If you’d like to explore an art museum then why not pick the Fuji Art Museum to see all the beautiful art pieces hidden between the walls as well as the permanent exhibitions there!
TOKYO NATIONAL MUSEUM VIRTUAL TOUR
If you’re keen on visiting virtually another museum then head out to the Tokyo National Museum to see more art and learn about this unique museum which is the oldest museum in Japan and one of the largest in the world!
TOHOKU x TOKYO VIRTUAL TOUR
Watch all the beauty of Tokyo and the region of Tohoku with this fun 360° experience! You’ll see a lot of Japan, it’s beautiful and fun!
#4 WATCH YOUTUBE VIDEO OF TOKYO

Youtube has been around and a popular places to watch more about the world for over a decade now, so, it’s no surprise that it’s a pretty good way!
Jump in and watch some Tokyo vlog, they are a good way to travel virtually and also to learn some new stuff or discover some new places and restaurant to add to your bucket list.
Some of my favourite channel about Tokyo (and Japan in general) are:
I am also working on editing some videos of my last trip to Tokyo/Japan so if you like you can subscribe to my YouTube Channel to be sure not to miss them!
Read: 10 THINGS YOU’LL LOVE ABOUT TOKYO
#5 READ A MOVIE OR A BOOK ABOUT TOKYO
Another good way to escape the reality and feels like you’re visiting another place and in this case, Tokyo is to read a book so you can visualise in your head some beautiful landscape or imagine some odour (speaking of odour wait for number #6!)
Here are some good books to read about Tokyo:
- “Sputnik Sweetheart” by Haruki Murakami
- “Convenience Store Woman” by Sayaka Murata
- “The last children of Tokyo” by Yoko Tawada
- “Sanshiro” by Natsume Soseki
Don’t worry if you’re not much of a book person I have an alternative for you, watch a movie!
Here are some good movies about Tokyo to watch:
- Lost In Translation
- Adrift in Tokyo
- Tokyo Story
- Tokyo Godfathers
- Cherry Blossoms
If you’d like to watch a TV show about Japan real life I highly recommend you to watch Terrace House on Netflix.
Another good show I am watching lately which takes place in Tokyo is “Followers“.
#6 TRY COOKING A LOCAL DISH

Ok this one doesn’t specifically apply to Tokyo only but to all of Japan in general.
If you do like Japanese food but you can’t get any right now then why not try and make your own Japanese dishes at home?
Sure, not everything is doable but there’s still plenty of stuff doable for example egg sandwiches are easy, onigiri with various stuffing, or an omu-rice and more!
You could even make your own ramen or curry at home!
Check out those 55 quick and easy recipes to try at home!
Of course, it might not taste the same, but, you know what they say, practice makes perfect! So, cook away 🙂
And this concludes my how to travel to Tokyo Virtually and without leaving your home! I hope you enjoyed it and have plenty of ideas to now explore Tokyo from the comfort of your home (or wherever you are)!
Remember to stay home and stay safe!
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How To Virtually Travel To Tokyo A Guide
Cristina Petrini says
In this period, reading travel stories or travel tips is beautiful and interesting in my opinion. Both to allow the mind to travel, but also to collect info for the future.
Rebecca Lerner says
I was supposed to be in Mexico at the start of March – it is a hard reckoning. I think you’re right about virtual traveling.
Rebecca says
I love Murakami — Sputnik Sweetheart is a great rec. I’ve been learning French and looking for immersive movies about other cultures.
angela k church says
sounds like a great way to visit. Love the pictures very pretty gonna have to check this out myself
Adrienne says
This is a great way to experience all Tokyo has to offer without leaving home. I love Japanese food, fortunately we have a Japanese food restaurant that can still to carry out so we have been ordering.
Tara Pittman says
Now if I could just virtual travel and have some of the food of the place. I also need swimming pool to relax in
Steph says
Tokyo and Japan have always been my dream destination.thanks for sharing.
Moon Ray says
This is really amazing. It can not be better in the current lock down scenario.
R U S S says
You picked the perfect city for a virtual tour! Tokyo is one of my absolute favorite cities. I consider myself lucky to have been able to visit Tokyo more than once in this lifetime. My IG feed is full of old travel pics. I cant wait for the day when we can all go back to seeing the rest of the world.
Shruti says
Thank you for taking me on a virtual tour of Tokyo. I have always wanted to visit this place.
littlemisadvencha says
Wow. you make me miss japan with this post! That ramen is looking so delicious!! I don’t think I could make the same way that japanese do… 🙂
Meghan @ Girl Boss Stock says
I LOVE the live stream idea!!! So cool. Tokyo is a dream destination for me so this is a great way to prepare for going as well. xx
Britt | Shed Happens (@ShedHappenscmty) says
I love that there are so many different live-streams and virtual tours available right now. We may not be able to get out and enjoy the travel plans that we had originally made, but it’s the next best thing.
World In Eyes says
It is really an amazing and great guide post, which is very much useful for travelers
toastycritic says
That’s so cool that they have a virtual way to tour Tokyo. I would love to do the one of Tokyo Disneyland. Must be amazing.
Tia J McKinzie says
Gorgeous views! I would like to take an actual tour. my husband wants to go back one day!
Steph says
Tokyo and Japan have always been my dream destination.thanks for sharing.
Anthony Pom says
I went to Tokyo last Jan and I loved it 😀
Kate Toll says
I was hoping to visit Tokyo this summer, but unfortunately I don’t see that happening. Thanks for sharing all of these amazing virtual tours – I am so excited to check them out. Especially the Disneyland tour – how fun!!
Erin says
This is an amazing virtual guide!! I visited Japan a few years ago and since then I’ve been dreaming of going back. Since we can’t travel right now, I’ll visit Tokyo virtually instead. Thanks for sharing these ideas for traveling to Tokyo (virtually).
cristinarm937 says
These are great ideas! I like creating itineraries and getting inspiration for future travels 🙂
Rebecca says
Oh a virtual tour during this time is great to have! Great list and links to easily find.
Francesca says
I absolutely love Tokyo! Reading this made me miss it even more. That Ramen looks so delicious and I watching YouTube videos is such a great idea!
cjournov says
Japan is one of the TOP places on my bucket list… really hope to be able to physically visit soon!
solidparent says
This is wonderful! Our family has been cooking from around the world while home recently. We just did homemade ramen and it was delicious!
Lauriane says
What a great idea this post – travelling from home is awesome :). Tokyo is on my bucket list too !
emailgetlost says
Ah these are some great tips! I love turning to Instagram to satisfy my wanderlust when I can’t travel, it’s such a great source of inspiration! I’m definitely going to try out some of your other suggestions as I’d love to visit Tokyo but I imagine it will be some time before I’m able to get there unfortunately!