Introduction: How to Spend a Smart Silver Week in Tokyo 2025
Hi! I’m Ken, the editor-in-chief of Tokyo Insider Guide.
“It’s a long weekend, but everywhere I go, it’s just crowds, crowds, crowds…”
Have you ever had an experience like that during a major holiday in Tokyo? It’s a real shame when what should be a time for making the best memories ends up just being tiring because of the crowds.
First things first, you should know that Silver Week in 2025 is split into two blocks: a 3-day weekend from September 13th (Sat) to 15th (Mon), and the following week, a scattered holiday from September 20th (Sat) to 23rd (Tue) (which can be a 4-day weekend if you take Monday the 22nd off).
In this guide, I’ll use my insider’s perspective to introduce carefully selected hidden gems and events in Tokyo where you can truly relax, avoiding the super-crowded areas that many tourists flock to. Let’s move smart and have the best holiday!
The Basic Strategy for Avoiding Crowds: 3 Tips for Moving Like a Local
- Tip #1 Go “Just a Little” Outside the City Center: Just a 15-minute train ride from central hubs like Shibuya or Shinjuku will take you to surprisingly quiet areas.
- Tip #2 Make Effective Use of “Morning” and “Night”: Even in popular areas, you can stroll comfortably around 9 AM before the tourists start moving, or in the quiet hours after dinner.
- Tip #3 “Reservations” are Your Best Weapon: It’s now common practice to book museum tickets or nice restaurants in advance through their official websites. If there’s a place you definitely want to go, secure it with a reservation.
【Hidden Gems】Tokyo’s Oases Where You Can Forget the Crowds
Take a Deep Breath in Nature (Parks & Gardens)
While many people head to Shinjuku Gyoen or Ueno Park, let’s go somewhere a little different.
Recommendation #1: Kiyosumi Gardens (Kiyosumi Teien):
A beautiful, traditional Japanese garden also known as the “garden of famous stones.” Because it’s located in an area a little removed from the city center, you can stroll in a calmer atmosphere compared to more famous gardens. The “iso-watari,” where you can walk from one end of the pond to the other on stepping stones, is a unique experience you can’t find elsewhere. The water surface is close, making you feel as if you’re walking on water.
Recommendation #2: Nezu Museum:
A museum with a beautiful Japanese garden located in the fashion district of Omotesando. The contrast between the sophisticated architecture and the meticulously planned greenery of the garden is stunning. There’s also a café with a view of the garden, where you can spend a quiet moment.
Stroll Through Old Tokyo (Shopping Streets & Neighborhoods)
Instead of Asakusa or Harajuku, why not take a walk through a neighborhood like this?
Recommendation #1: Yanaka Ginza:
A nostalgic shopping street lined with old-fashioned shops. The “Yanaka style” is to take a leisurely stroll while looking for cats and enjoying street food like delicious menchi-katsu (minced meat cutlet).
Recommendation #2: Kagurazaka:
A sophisticated neighborhood where wonderful restaurants, cafes, and general stores are tucked away in cobblestone alleys just off the main street. Just exploring the maze-like alleys is exciting.
Satisfy Your Intellectual Curiosity (Museums & Cultural Facilities)
Instead of popular spots that are hard to book, head to places where you can enjoy yourself in a spacious environment.
Recommendation #1: Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum:
An open-air museum in Koganei Park, a little away from the city center, where historical buildings have been relocated and restored. The grounds are very large, so people are spread out, and you can tour at your own pace. You can have an experience that feels just like time travel.
Recommendation #2: Meguro Museum of Art, Tokyo:
A compact museum in a quiet residential area, known for its high-quality special exhibitions. You can contemplate art in a quiet environment, free from the crowds of large museums.
【Events】Enjoy Autumn Festivities Like a Local
Let’s focus on events that are closer to the daily life of the community, rather than large-scale festivals.
- “Farmers’ Markets” Around the City:
The market held on weekends in front of the United Nations University in Aoyama is especially recommended. You can enjoy the relaxing holiday atmosphere while browsing fresh vegetables and fruits, specialty processed foods, and delicious coffee from food trucks. - “Autumn Festivals” at Shrines:
In September, many shrines hold their most important festival of the year, called “Reitaisai.” They may not be flashy, but they are a valuable experience where you can feel the real energy of the local community, with mikoshi (portable shrines), food stalls, and the laughter of local children. Try searching Google for things like “Tokyo shrine September festival” and visit a nearby shrine.
Ken’s Final Advice: Turn Your Destination into an “Experience”
A “point-to-point” trip where you visit crowded famous places like a stamp rally is fine, but how about a “line” trip this autumn, where you stroll leisurely through a quieter area?
Avoiding the crowds will not only allow you to use your time effectively but will also give you the best opportunity to experience the true charm of Tokyo, something you won’t find at the top of a guidebook. Have a wonderful Silver Week!
【Disclaimer】
The information in this article is current as of the time of writing. Please check the official websites of each facility for the latest opening hours and event information before your visit.
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