Best Japan Attractions You Can Book in Advance (2026 Guide)
Japan is one of the most exciting, and logistically challenging, destinations to plan. Many of its most popular attractions require advance booking, sell out days (or weeks) ahead, and are far easier to enjoy with tickets secured in advance. As a result the list of best Japan attractions you can book in advance is extensive!
I’ve written this comprehensive guide based on multiple trips to Japan, including travelling as a family of 4 three times. The 60 days before every single trip are a whirlwind of booking tickets, disappointment at tickets we couldn’t get, and constantly updating our itinerary. This guide covers the best Japan attractions you can (and should) book ahead, from theme parks and museums to transport passes and unique cultural experiences.
Whether you’re visiting Japan for the first time, returning to Japan, or visiting Japan with kids, one thing you have to do is book the best Japan attractions in advance. Booking ahead can save time, money, and a lot of stress. And for many attractions if you don’t book ahead, you simply won’t get in!
Here’s everything you need to know:
Note: This post may contain affiliate links which cost you nothing, but give me a few pennies every time you use them to book your next adventure.
WHY BOOKING IN ADVANCE MATTERS IN JAPAN
So why exactly should you book your key attractions in Japan in advance? Let’s break it down:
- Many attractions do not sell tickets on the day
- Limited-entry museums and experiences sell out quickly (for example for PokePark Kanto and the Pokemon Cafe, tickets sell out within seconds of being available)
- Some attractions, such as the Nintendo Museum or Ghibli Park, are only available via ticket lottery
- For attractions you can book on the day, queueing can eat into precious sightseeing time
- Booking ahead often includes mobile tickets which are so much easier to use
- Prices can be lower online than at the gate
When travelling with children, advance booking is often the difference between a smooth day and a frustrating one. We wouldn’t dream of turning up to an attraction with our boys without tickets: the horror of them seeing the attraction then not being able to go in because it was sold out would be unbearable!
Theme Parks and Immersive Attractions To Book in Advance
🎢 Tokyo Disney Resort (Disneyland & DisneySea)
I recommend booking one day in each of the Tokyo Disney Parks if you have the time in your schedule (check out How Many Days Do You Need At Tokyo Disneyland And Tokyo DisneySea? here) This is not only our favourite theme park in Japan, but our favourite theme park in the world. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t get busy!
Why book ahead:
Tickets frequently sell out, especially on weekends, during peak periods (like cherry blossom season) and during school holidays. You can book tickets for both Tokyo Disney parks up to 60 days in advance.
I recommend booking your tickets with Klook (this is who we used for our tickets) to benefit from the best prices, tickets instantly delivered to your phone, and no printing required.
Book Tokyo Disney tickets in advance to avoid disappointment
🎁 Use our code THATMUMTRAVEL5KLOOK for an extra reader-exclusive discount
🧙♂️ Universal Studios Japan (Osaka)
Universal Studios Japan is officially the busiest and most popular theme park in Japan. In fact, crowd levels are so high that it’s also the most-visited theme park in Asia! This is a testament to just how amazing Universal Studios Japan is. But it should also be considered a warning: if you don’t book in advance, you might miss out!
Why book ahead:
Express Passes sell out fast and massively reduce wait times. But it’s worth noting that you can’t enter the park without a regular ticket, even if you buy an Express Pass. I explain this in more detail in Universal Studios Japan Tickets Explained: The Complete 2026 Guide
What to book:
- Entry tickets
- Express Pass (highly recommended)
- Super Nintendo World timed entry
Check USJ ticket and Express Pass availability
🎁Use our code THATMUMTRAVEL5KLOOK for an extra reader-exclusive discount
POP CULTURE & LIMITED-ENTRY MUSEUMS
🎨Ghibli Museum (Mitaka)
One of the most notoriously hard to book attractions in the whole of Japan is the Ghibli Museum. Winning the ticket lottery for the Ghibli Museum is akin to winning the actual lottery.
Advance booking is essential.
Tickets are released on the 10th of the month at 10am (JST) for the subsequent month and sell out almost instantly.
Good to know:
- No same-day tickets (if you don’t win the ticket lottery you can’t just turn up)
- Strict entry times apply (turn up at the time on your ticket)
- Photography restrictions apply inside
How to secure Ghibli Museum tickets
🧠 teamLab Planets
One of the most iconic attractions in Tokyo is teamLab Planets, and this is the best of all the teamLab exhibitions, in my opinion, especially if you’re travelling with kids. If you’re not familiar, teamLabs is an interactive digital art gallery, but that description really doesn’t do it justice. You don’t just look at the art: you climb, you jump, you wade through water, and your movement impacts the art and the way you see it. Find out more at How To Book Tickets To Teamlabs Planets Tokyo, And What You Need To Know Before We Go
Why book ahead:
TeamLab Planets is a timed-entry digital art experiences with strict capacity limits. On the day tickets are almost never available.
Why it’s worth it:
- Fully immersive
- Great for kids and adults
- One of Tokyo’s most memorable experiences
Book teamLab tickets in advance to get the best time slots
🎁Use our code THATMUMTRAVEL5KLOOK for an extra reader-exclusive discount
TRANSPORT PASSES & DAY TRIPS
🚅 Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass)
Whether or not you need a Japan Rail Pass depends on how much travelling you intend to do in Japan. It used to be that these were the best value (we got one on our first trip) but now they’re only the best option if you intend to make several long journeys Even if you don’t buy a JR Pass, I recommend booking your train tickets in advance, to guarentee a seat on the train you want. Check out the JR Rail Pass calculator to decide which is the best option for you.
Why book ahead:
JR Rail Passes are only available to foreign tourists visiting Japan so they must be purchased before arrival (rules change often, but I update the site whenever they do).
These tickets are best for:
- Multi-city itineraries
- Long-distance travel
Check current JR Pass options and prices here
🎁Use our code THATMUMTRAVEL5KLOOK for an extra reader-exclusive discount
🗻 Mount Fuji Day Trips
You can’t visit Japan without marvelling at the sheer scale and magnitude of the iconic Mount Fuji. You can travel to Mount Fuji from Tokyo in a day trip and it’s an incredible change to see some of the region’s most photogenic and iconic spots. You can visit Fuji independently, but if you don’t want to spend more than a day doing this, it’s much easier to simply book a day trip. Looking for other day trips from Tokyo? Check out 8 Best Day Trips From Tokyo For 2026 (That You Can Book Online Now!)
Why book ahead:
Popular tours sell out, especially in peak seasons. These can also be booked up to a year in advance, so if you’re excited and want to plan something far ahead, this is a great trip to choose.
Includes:
- Transport
- Guides
- Scenic stops
- Less stress than DIY
This is the link to the exact Mount Fuji day trip we took and highly recommend
🎁Use our code THATMUMTRAVEL5KLOOK for an extra reader-exclusive discount
CULTURAL EXPERIENCES YOU SHOULD BOOK AHEAD
🍣 Sushi Making Classes
Japan is famed for its incredible food: ramen, mochi, wagyu beef….but the best Japanese food of all is sushi. And where better to learning to make sushi than in Japan? It’s a wonderful way to fully immerse yourself into Japanese culture and meet Japanese people, particularly expert sushi chefs. We have booked our first sushi making class for next month, and I wish we’d done it sooner!
This isn’t the only cultural attraction that will enhance your trip. Here are 8 Cultural Tokyo Experiences You Have to Try
Why book ahead:
Small group sizes and high demand
Family-friendly options exist if you’re travelling with kids like us, but these do fill quickly.
Check sushi class availability for the exact class we’ve booked
👉 We booked with Wabunka because they offer exclusive private classes and an incredible reputation
OBSERVATION DECKS & CITY VIEWS
🏗 Shibuya Sky
Shibuya sky is one of the newest observation decks in Tokyo as well as the most innovative. It can get very crowded, but you can enjoy an incomparable view across Tokyo and ride an escalator with a sheer glass wall into the sky. As an added bonus, you can also combine your visit to the Shibuya Sky with the chance to walk across the Shibuya Crossing.
Why book ahead:
Sunset slots sell out days in advance.
Why it’s worth it:
- Iconic views
- Outdoor sky deck
- Great photos
Book Shibuya Sky tickets in advance here
🎁Use our code THATMUMTRAVEL5KLOOK for an extra reader-exclusive discount
🗼Tokyo Tower
The Tokyo Tower is my favourite observation deck in Tokyo. It might not be the newest, but it is the most iconic and it offers the most incredible views. Getting as high as possible to see the views is one of the first things I want to do as soon as I arrive in tokyo. Read more about
Going To The Top Of The Tokyo Tower
Why book ahead:
Skip queues and secure peak-time entry.
Tokyo Tower advance tickets should be ordered here
🎁Use our code THATMUMTRAVEL5KLOOK for an extra reader-exclusive discount
FOOD & UNIQUE DINING EXPERIENCES
🍛 Pokemon Cafe
Another one of the most difficult to book attractions in Japan is the Pokemon Café, which is located inside the Pokemon Center DX. Reservations for the café are available to book online 30 days in advance at 6pm JST and they are gone in seconds: this isn’t an exageration. Getting a reservation is very difficult but if you’re interested in trying i’ll put the link below:
👉 Here is the reservation link for the Pokemon Cafe in both Tokyo and Osaka
Can’t get a reservation? There are so many other things to see and do for Pokemon fans in Japan: Pokemon Tokyo Experiences And Attractions (2026 Guide For Pokemon Fans!)
IS IT WORTH BOOKING EVERYTHING IN ADVANCE IN JAPAN?
There are pros and cons of booking everything in advance in Japan: some advance bookings are absolutely essential, and you simply wouldn’t be able to experience certain attractions if you didn’t. Other attractions are less popular, and therefore you don’t need to book them in advance if you would prefer to have some spontaneity.
Pros:
- Saves time standing in line to book tickets (this can often take an hour or more)
- Reduces stress: there’s nothing worse than turning up to an attraction with kids without a guarantee that they’ll get in
- Guarantees entry. So many attractions sell out in advance very quickly
Cons:
- You’ll have less spontaneity on your trip if every attraction is booked in advance
- Some plans may change and this can be tricky if you have already got everything booked
Conclusion: Japan Attractions You Can Book in Advance
Japan rewards preparation, and booking key attractions in advance can transform your trip from stressful to seamless. The fact is that you don’t have to plan everything, but this just isn’t the type of holiday you should take if you don’t like to plan in advance.
This guide focuses on experiences that genuinely benefit from advance planning, especially for families and first-time visitors.
Check our full guide to when you should book the best attractions in Japan
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