10 Perfect Indoor Spots To Go For A First Date In Tokyo

Baby, it's cold outside.

It’s starting to get colder out, so not only is it cuffing season, but many couples are looking to move their dates indoors until the weather warms up. I’ll cut to the chase: here are 10 of the best indoor date spots found in Tokyo!

1. Tokyo Sky Tree (Oshiage)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by 東京スカイツリー　Tokyo Skytree (@tokyoskytree_official) on Sep 9, 2019 at 6:37pm PDT

Tokyo Tower might be the classic tower date spot in Tokyo, but if you want something a little different, then visiting Sky Tree is the perfect alternative.

The two observation decks within Sky Tree offer the most complete and eye-catching views of the city. The Tembo Deck stands 350 meters tall and has its own restaurant, glass floor panels, and a 360-degree view of the city. On the other hand, the Tembo Gallery is 450 meters from the ground, and is known as ‘the world’s highest skywalk.’

If you’re willing to brave the cold, there are special illuminations that vary from day and season. To catch the most romantic views possible, the nightscapes here can’t be beat. Find an empty bench, sit down with your date, and look out into the city for the most dreamy way to end this date.

Where: 1-1-2 Oshiage, Sumida-ku, Tokyo
Hours: Daily, 8:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
Website: http://www.tokyo-skytree.jp/en/

2. Tokyo Solamachi (Oshiage)

Personally speaking, I’m not a big fan of heights, so a date to a tower is a big no-no for me. That being said, Sky Tree Town has a lot more than just the views to offer. So if you’re not into heights but still want to see what Sky Tree has to offer, check out Tokyo Solamachi.

Inside Tokyo Solamachi are lots of neat shops, the Japanese Experience Zone, (where you can take part in traditional activities), the Sumida Aquarium, and the Tenku Konica Minolta Planetarium. The Sumida Aquarium is home to some of the most adorable penguins around, while the Tenku Konica Minolta Planetarium provides an unbelievable immersive experience that will leave you two in awe for hours to come.

Where: 1-1-2 Oshiage, Sumida-ku, Tokyo
Hours: Daily, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. (General area), 11:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m. (Restaurants), 9:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. (Sumida Aquarium), 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m., opens at 9:30 a.m. on weekends (Tenku Konica Minolta Planetarium)
Website: Tokyo Solamachi, Sumida Aquarium, Tenku Konica Minolta Planetarium

3. The National Art Center Tokyo (Nogizaka)

Those couples interested in art and fine dining should definitely pay a visit to The National Art Center Tokyo in Nogizaka.

The NACT doesn’t have any collections or permanent displays but organizes scheduled shows set up by groups and organizations. These vary greatly from month to month — which is why it’s also a good place to visit regularly. As a date spot, you can enjoy seeing works of art that might never be shown in Japan again, as well as works by local artists in watercolor, calligraphy, and so on.

Where: 7-22-2 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Hours: Daily, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., open until 9 p.m. on Fri and Sat. Closed on Sundays.
Website: https://www.nact.jp/english/

4. Shibuya Scramble Square (Shibuya)

Couples that want to enjoy the absolute latest in style, architecture, and Tokyo in general, should enjoy a date at Shibuya Scramble Square.

Recently opened on November 1 this year, Shibuya Scramble Square is the tallest building in Shibuya standing at 47 floors (plus 2 basements) filled with shopping, dining, and ultra-modern entertainment. Those who aren’t afraid of heights will love Shibuya Sky which houses the Sky Stage and Paradise Lounge. While window-shopping, couples can visit Japanese favorites like Good Design Store Tokyo and Tokyu Hands, and international brands like Jimmy Choo, Yves Saint Laurent and my personal fav, Balenciaga. And when it comes to restaurants, there’s literally something for everyone: traditional Japanese, Taiwanese, and Spanish hot spots, just to name a few.

Where: 2-24-12 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 10:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. (Shibuya Scramble Square), 9 a.m.-11 p.m. (Shibuya Sky)
Website: https://www.shibuya-scramble-square.com/en/

5. Kabukiza Theater (Ginza)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Jason Matuskiewicz (@jason.matu) on Sep 9, 2019 at 12:39am PDT

While seeing an entire kabuki performance might be a little pricey and hard to schedule, paying a visit to Kabukiza in Ginza can be just as enriching and makes for a great date too.

Within the theater itself, visitors can check out the Kabukiza Gallery, which displays actual costumes and items used during performances. For example, if you’ve ever wondered how they make certain sound effects, they have the tools on display — and many of them you can try for yourself. There’s also Kobikicho Square on the second basement floor. The official Kabukiza souvenir shop, there you’ll find all things kabuki and old Japan-related.

Where: 4-12-15 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Website: https://www.kabukiweb.net/

6. Tokyo Station (Tokyo)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by masaru ito (@masarulotus1969) on Sep 6, 2019 at 7:35am PDT

Going to a train station has never been this fun. While many might think Tokyo Station is nothing but a crowded, convoluted commuter’s hub, it’s also a beautiful piece of architecture, and to many, has a touching sort of modern romance.

Tokyo Station is a traveler’s paradise where you’ll find plenty of souvenir shops and scores of restaurants selling everything from boxed lunches to high Japanese kaiseki-style dining. Plus, there’s the Tokyo Station Gallery too, where you can view special art exhibitions throughout the year too. It’s the right kind of spot for a self-contained but fully developed first, second, or twentieth date.

Where: 1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Hours: Varies by shop/service
Website: http://www.tokyostationcity.com/en/#ekinaka

7. Mitsuo Aida Museum (Marunouchi)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by みどり (@mi_dori87) on Oct 23, 2018 at 8:11am PDT

A little known but lovely date spot can be found tucked away in Marunouchi’s Tokyo International Forum.

The Mitsuo Aida Museum is home to the works of calligrapher and poet Mitsuo Aida, who was heavily influenced by Zen philosophy. What makes his calligraphy work so appealing is his use of simple characters and straightforward messages — and every single work on display has been translated into English as well. It’s not a very big museum, but it can take a few hours to read and enjoy each piece, plus it’s a wonderful spot for philosophical conversations with your partner too.

Where: 3-5-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Hours: Daily, 10:00 a.m.-7:30 p.m., closed Mondays
Website: http://www.mitsuo.co.jp/museum/index.html

8. Oedo Onsen Monogatari (Odaiba)

Odaiba is where many people think of first when planning an all-day date in Tokyo. There’s so much to see and do there, but if you want something a little more laidback, and maybe to warm you up during the colder winter months, then you should seriously consider an onsen date at Oedo Onsen Monogatari in Odaiba.

Oedo Onsen Monogatari has an open-air bath, a foot bath, rock salt sauna, and the Kinu-no-yu bath, which is said to leave your skin feeling as smooth as silk. Baths are of course separated by gender, but the whole point of this date spot is to rejuvenate and then have a fun day in the rest of the park. I’ve known couples that went here on first dates too, and they loved it.

There are fair and ninja-themed games, fortune tellers, old-fashioned sweets shops, and of course plenty of dining options available too. If you are looking for a luxurious but fun date spot within the city, this is an ideal option — if you are tattoo free, of course.

Where: 2-6-3 Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo
Hours: Daily, 11:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. (next day)
Website: https://daiba.ooedoonsen.jp/en/

9. Artbar Tokyo (Daikanyama)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Artbar Tokyo (@artbartokyo) on Oct 7, 2019 at 10:25pm PDT

Are you and your partner creative types? Would you consider yourselves to be hipsters? Then the perfect date for you both is in Daikanyama. While there are plenty of cafes and stores in this area for a full day date, Artbar Tokyo is one indoor spot that perfectly embodies the neighborhood.

Artbar Tokyo’s Daikanyama branch is just what its name implies: art, or rather making art, and a bar. Basically, before your date you check out their website, choose a painting lesson to take, sign up for it (times vary and update constantly), arrive, and create your masterpiece under the guidance of one of their amazing instructors — oh, and you can drink wine all the while. It’s a lot of fun and a good, carefree way to spend time with a special someone. Plus you get to keep your art too! 

Where: 7-2 Daikanyamacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Hours: Varies by lesson, see website for details
Website: https://artbar.co.jp/

10. Yebisu Garden Place (Ebisu)

While technically a complex made up of a dozen buildings, Yebisu Garden Place is connected by underground tunnels (including to the station) so it’s the perfect date spot in inclement weather.

To start off your date, visit the Tokyo Photographic Art Museum or to the free Museum of Yebisu Beer, where you can learn the history of the brand. Cinephile couples may want to check out what’s playing at the Yebisu Garden Cinema, which plays art films and documentaries from around the world. Or if you want to shop, there’s a Mitsukoshi Department Store as well. There are loads of amazing restaurants to choose from too.

Where: 4-20 Ebisu, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Hours: Varies by store
Website: https://gardenplace.jp/

Where is your favorite indoor date spot in Tokyo? Let us know in the comments below!