10 Unusual Date Ideas to Try in Tokyo

The Walled City of Kowloon comes to Japan at Anato no Warehouse cyber café and arcade | © Ken OHYAMA/Flickr

Tokyo Writer27 July 2017

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Calling all lovers in Tokyo – whether you’re at the getting-to-know-you stage or in a long-term relationship, going on an unusual date is a great way to spice things up. If you’re looking to impress, step outside the box and explore the offbeat side of Japan‘s capital city with these quirky date ideas for your next night out.

Gaming at Anata no Warehouse

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Anata no Warehouse is quite possibly the coolest arcade you’ll ever visit. It’s designed very realistically to look like Kowloon’s Walled City, a slum in Hong Kong where criminals, gambling dens and brothels thrived until the 1970s. The arcade and games are located on the second and fourth floors and the rest is a members-only cyber café. The warehouse is located just thirty minutes from Tokyo Station, and entry is free.

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Reminiscing at Brasserie Kyushoku Toban

Brasserie, Restaurant, Japanese, 0

Have you ever wondered what it would have been like to be a student at a Japanese elementary school? Experience it for real by recreating school mealtime at Brasserie Kyushoku Toban. This unique nostalgic café serves meals inspired by school-issue lunches, aka kyushoku,in an authentic-looking classroom on the restaurant’s second floor.

Fishing at Zauo Fishing Restaurant

Diner, Restaurant, Japanese, Seafood, $$$

Make dinner exciting again at Zauo Fishing Restaurant, where you can eat your own catch of the day. Diners are allowed to fish for their main course in stocked tanks before it’s prepared fresh by the chefs.

Meet the Queen of Cute at Sanrio Puroland

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Cinnamoroll and My Melody wave hello at Sanrio Puroland | © Tomohiro Ohtake/Flickr

While Tokyo Disneyland and Disneysea get most of the attention, the adorable Sanrio Puroland is a must-see for lovers of kawaii culture. Sanrio are the makers of the queen of cute, Hello Kitty, along with favorites Pom Pom Purin, Little Twin Stars and My Melody.

Get grossed out at Meguro Parasitological Museum

Library, Museum

Inside the Meguro Parasitological Museum | © Guilhem Vellut/Flickr

Meguro’s weirdest museum is the Meguro Parasitological Museum, an exhibition space dedicated to providing visitors with an educational overview of parasites and their interactions with humans including preserved specimens. If that’s not enough, the library contains over 5,000 books on parasitology. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged.

Raise a glass under the stars at Planetarium Bar

Bar, Pub Grub, $$$

The aptly-named Planetarium Bar features a large planetarium in the ceiling as the focal point of the room. Rain or shine, here you can enjoy a romantic night under the stars.

Visit Old Edo at Komagata Dojo

Restaurant, Japanese, $$$

Kneel down on the tatami and dig into this refreshingly unique eatery’s specialty: loaches, prepared just as they were during the Edo Period. Komagata Dojo wants to take patrons back in time to the lives of peasants in the area centuries ago. It’s named after the loaches that are the main ingredient dojō, and not the marital arts dōjō.

Get locked up at Alcatraz E.R.

Restaurant, Japanese, $$$

Fans of all things spooky and creepy will love Alcatraz E.R., a prison hospital-themed café in Shinjuku. Dine with your darling in a prison cell while being served by undead hospital nurses.

Island hopping at BaliAn Hotel and Resort

Go to Bali without ever leaving Tokyo. BaliAn Hotel and Resort is a Bali-themed resort, spa and couples’ hotel in Shinjuku, meaning you can stay for as long or short as you want in the hotel’s luxurious rooms. The Bali island resort theme is immersive without being over the top. Don’t worry about it being seedy – thanks to their special girls’ party plan pricing it’s become a popular spot for birthday celebrations and other PG activities, as well.

Cooking at Buddha Bellies

School

Going out for date night is great, but learning how to cook for your significant other is the gift that keeps on giving. Buddha Bellies Cooking School will teach you how to make delicious, traditional Japanese food like sushi, udon and ramen. Book as far in advance as possible.

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