An evening guide to Tokyo at night for cruise guests

You stroll down a rain-slicked street on Tokyo’s Odaiba island, just a few minutes’ walk from the 1/7-scale Statue of Liberty. The skies have cleared and you can see the colorful lights of Rainbow Bridge’s suspension towers spanning Tokyo harbor to the west, into Minato City. As you survey the skyline, your gaze moves to the neon-lit skyline of Tokyo proper further to the north, with the orange-red glow of Tokyo Tower standing out like a fiery beacon against the evening sky.

Tokyo at night transforms after sunset, and for guests with an evening (or more) in port, a little guidance turns those hours into a curated, unhurried experience to remember. (Note: depending on your itinerary and port traffic, your cruise ship may dock at Yokohama at the Osanbashi Cruise Terminal about 30 kilometers/18.6 miles south of central Tokyo, or at the Tokyo International Cruise Terminal on Odaiba, just across the north part of Tokyo bay from the city.)

Tokyo Tower, completed in 1958, is typically lit up in the evening with its 'Landmark Light' — a warm orange for most of the year, switching to a cooler silver-white during the summer months — though there are different colored lights all over the tower and it may appear different during special events. Designed by architect Tachū Naitō and inspired by the Eiffel Tower, Tokyo Tower is a little taller than its French counterpart, standing at 333 meters (1,093 feet). The observation decks (there’s a main deck and a less-populated upper level) of the tower offer sweeping views of the city's skyline and harbor.

Tokyo Skytree, completed in 2012, is an astounding 634 meters (2,080 feet) tall, making it the tallest structure in Japan and the third tallest in the world (after the Burj Khalifa in Dubai and Malaysia's Merdeka 118). The Skytree is located about 8.2 kilometers (5.1 miles) northeast of Tokyo Tower, and totally dominates its surroundings due to its enormous height and brightly lit exterior stretching above Tokyo at night. This tower also features two observation decks, and you’ll need to wait for the elevator to the first (lower) deck and then wait for a second elevator to reach the upper level (and the same on the way back down). 

Some visitors feel the Skytree is actually too high up to offer great views of Tokyo’s skyline, since you’re literally looking down on the city, and that the Tokyo Tower, with its more dated construction and glass-walled elevator, offers a more memorable experience. But that’s certainly a matter of opinion and both are worth visiting, particularly for fans of architecture and skyline views.

Evening dining across Tokyo’s districts

Perhaps more than any other city in the world (well, maybe except Las Vegas), Tokyo is famous for its neon-lit streets and signage after dark. The cool-to-warm colors, the timed flashing patterns and the blend of art and technology make for a memorable experience for nighttime visitors to the city.

Shinjuku, just northwest of Tokyo’s center, is a densely packed, neon-lit district known for its heavy concentration of small restaurants and bars, and is a favorite choice for locals as well as international visitors in the know.

Shibuya is south of Shinjuku, and guests enjoy this lively crossing-and-shopping district with a wide range of casual dining options.

Ginza (often called “the Ginza” by western visitors) is just south of the city center, and has been known for its shopping and dining for around 150 years. This is a more upscale district suited to guests wanting a more refined evening out.

Akihabara is northeast of the city center and is an electronics and pop-culture-heavy district with its own distinct evening energy. This is a good fit for guests traveling with family or those fascinated by technology and how it shapes culture.

There are izakayas (casual Japanese pubs serving small plates) and ramen shops across these districts (as well as all over metropolitan Tokyo), and these serve as staple evening dining options for locals, commuters and visitors to the area.

Evening entertainment beyond dinner

Karaoke is a widely popular, family-friendly evening activity in Japan. In Tokyo, karaoke is typically enjoyed in private rooms rather than a bar setting (as you might expect if you’re familiar with the tradition as adapted in western cultures) and is well suited to groups of any age. There may be drinks and snacks available at your chosen karaoke parlor as well, so be sure to ask if you want to take it up a notch.

Tokyo’s game centers (arcades) are another lively, all-ages option for guests wanting something interactive, or for travelers with younger companions.

Live music venues are also popular options for guests wanting to hear Japanese artists or bands in an intimate setting.

Onsen offer an evening escape beyond the city lights

Onsen (hot springs) are a distinctly Japanese evening tradition, with some facilities open into the evening hours. Note that onsen etiquette is still very much in force, and you will be expected to follow the rules, including separating bathing by gender, washing your body thoroughly and rinsing off before entering the hot pool and entering the bathing pool completely nude. Never let a towel or your long hair (if you have it) touch the water. Keeping conversations limited and at a low volume is also expected, and don’t splash or play in the soaking pool. These are the basics for a traditional onsen bath. There are starting to be mixed-gender bathing spots that are more similar to swimming pools, and these will usually permit the wearing of swimwear, though these are not really onsen in a concrete sense.

For those willing to commit to the experience, a true onsen can be a profoundly relaxing counterpoint to a livelier evening out.

Making the most of an evening ashore in Tokyo

Tokyo’s public transit is extensive for guests comfortable navigating independently, while taxis and rideshare options offer a simpler, though pricier alternative. 

Booking a curated shore excursion is the easiest way to see Tokyo’s evening highlights without spending precious hours figuring out logistics or worrying about getting back to the ship on time.

Guests who begin or end their cruise in Tokyo may have a day or two extra to spend, in which case the later evening activities become fully possible, as well as all the other things to do in Tokyo.

Tokyo’s evening offerings, from illuminated skylines to culinary adventures to karaoke (and maybe an onsen) give guests a genuinely different side of the city, and Princess® excursions make it simple to experience the best of it in just a few hours.

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