How to Spend a Rainy Day in Tokyo: The Best Things to Do Indoors

A rainy day during your vacation always brings the mood down a little. But in Tokyo, there’s no need to let the weather ruin your whole day. In fact, it’s an opportunity to explore the city’s many amazing indoor attractions. 

From interactive museums to immersive digital art and fascinating miniature worlds, here’s how to make the most of a drizzly day in Japan’s capital.

Also read: 8 New Japan Travel Tips in 2025 You Need to Know

Museums & Exhibitions

Sumida Hokusai Museum

Tucked away in the artist’s former neighbourhood, the Sumida Hokusai Museum pays tribute to Katsushika Hokusai, the iconic ukiyo-e artist behind The Great Wave off Kanagawa. 

The museum houses a permanent collection of his woodblock prints, sketches and illustrated books, while temporary exhibitions dive into lesser-known aspects of his life and work. It’s quiet and thoughtfully designed, perfect for a rainy morning.

National Museum of Nature and Science

Located in Ueno Park, this expansive museum offers everything from towering dinosaur skeletons to space tech, hands-on physics exhibits, and deep dives into Japan’s biodiversity. 

A hit with families and science enthusiasts alike, it spans both the natural world and human innovation. You’ll easily lose a few hours inside, rain completely forgotten.

Snoopy Museum Tokyo

Dedicated to Charles M. Schulz’s beloved Peanuts characters, this museum in Machida’s Grandberry Park is a warm and fuzzy haven. 

Rotating exhibitions feature original comic strips, behind-the-scenes insights, and nostalgic memorabilia. There’s also a replica of Schulz’s studio, a Snoopy-themed gift shop, and an adorable café, perfect for fans of all ages.

Tokyo Toy Museum

Set inside a charming former elementary school, the Tokyo Toy Museum celebrates the simple joy of play. The exhibits are highly interactive, featuring handmade wooden toys, retro Japanese games, and play zones that encourage hands-on discovery. 

It’s especially great for children, but even adults may find themselves drawn in by the craftsmanship and nostalgia.

Also read: 8 Family-Friendly Activities in Tokyo for Singaporeans

Immersive art & experiences

teamLab Digital Art Museums

When it comes to immersive indoor experiences, teamLab’s digital art spaces are in a league of their own. These boundary-pushing exhibitions blend technology, light, and interactivity to create dreamlike environments that respond to your presence.

teamLab Borderless

Located in Azabudai Hills, teamLab Borderless is a sprawling, ever-shifting landscape of colour and motion. With no fixed path to follow, visitors can explore at their own pace as digital installations flow across rooms, react to touch and interact with each other. 

teamLab Planets

Meanwhile, teamLab Planets in Toyosu offers a more physical and sensory immersion. Here, you’re invited to walk barefoot through shallow pools, navigate dark mirrored spaces and wade through a sea of glowing, floating spheres. It’s a more tactile experience where the boundary between body and artwork all but disappears. 

Also read: teamLab Planets Tokyo Guide: What to Expect and How to Prepare

Small Worlds Tokyo

A sprawling indoor miniature theme park near Ariake, Small Worlds Tokyo is an enchanting world in 1:80 scale. You’ll find intricately detailed scenes of European villages, futuristic spaceports and even a working replica of Kansai International Airport. 

With tiny moving trains, lighting effects that simulate day and night, and zones dedicated to popular franchises like Evangelion, it’s a detailed, delightful escape for adults and children alike.

Indoor theme parks & interactive fun

Joypolis

This indoor amusement park in Odaiba’s Decks Tokyo Beach offers a full dose of thrills without a drop of rain. 

With high-tech arcade games, VR rides, roller coasters and interactive shows, Joypolis blends the energy of a theme park with the comfort of an air-conditioned arcade. It’s perfect for adrenaline-seekers who want big fun indoors.

Immersive Fort Tokyo

A newcomer on the scene, Immersive Fort Tokyo is a theme park centred around theatrical roleplay and puzzle-solving that completely rewrites the definition of a theme park.

It drops you into fantasy scenarios, from noir-style Sherlock Holmes investigations to their famous Edo Oiran experience, which immerses you in the colourful world of Edo-period courtesans. 

The experience is indoors, story-driven, and perfect for those who enjoy mystery and performance with a twist. While it’s ideal for visitors with some knowledge of Japanese, multi-language support helps non-Japanese speakers follow the storylines and fully enjoy the immersive challenges.

Shopping & Pop Culture

Nakano Broadway

One of Tokyo’s best-kept secrets for pop culture collectors, Nakano Broadway is a multi-level treasure trove filled with rare anime figures, retro video games, vintage toys and nostalgic memorabilia. 

It’s covered, compact, and packed with character. Even if you’re not shopping, it’s a fascinating place to people-watch and window shop.

DiverCity Tokyo Plaza

While known for its massive life-sized Gundam statue outside, DiverCity also offers plenty indoor, from anime merchandise and clothing stores to gaming zones and themed attractions. 

The Gundam Base Tokyo inside is heaven for model kit builders, and the upper floors have arcades and entertainment zones to keep you busy for hours.

Creative & Cultural Activities

Traditional Calligraphy Workshops

Immerse yourself in the elegant art of Japanese calligraphy (shodō) at various studios or the Tokyo Calligraphy Museum, where expert instructors guide you through brush techniques and kanji characters. 

These workshops provide a calming, meditative experience that connects you deeply with Japanese culture, language and aesthetics.

Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony

Experience the serene art of the Japanese tea ceremony in intimate settings such as Urasenke Tokyo Branch or Hamarikyu Gardens Tea House. 

Guided by skilled tea masters, you’ll learn the precise rituals of preparing and serving matcha, gaining insight into Zen philosophy and Japanese hospitality. It’s a peaceful, elegant way to connect with Japan’s cultural heritage while staying cosy indoors.

Also read: New Things to Do in Korea 2025: Brand New Attractions and Undiscovered Gems

Enjoy Tokyo, rain or shine

No need to let the rain dampen your spirits in Tokyo; from mesmerising digital art museums and intricate traditional crafts to immersive theatres and fascinating exhibitions, there’s something that will save or even brighten your day. 

So next time grey skies roll in, keep your chin up and embrace the chance to discover Tokyo’s indoor gems: your rainy-day adventure awaits.