Which tickets or restaurants require advance booking before departure? (e.g., Ghibli Museum, teamLab, popular restaurants)

Hello! You've hit the nail on the head—planning and booking ahead for your Tokyo trip will seriously boost your fun! For some places, no booking might mean no entry, period, forget just waiting in line. Based on my experience, here’s a rundown:

1. Tickets: Better to "Snatch" These Early!

Some spots are classic cases of "first come, first served." Set those alarms!

💎 The Top Must-Book Tickets (No Booking = Probably No Entry)

Ghibli Museum, Mitaka
- Booking Difficulty: ★★★★★ (Comparable to scoring concert tickets)
- How to Book: Tickets for the following month go on sale on the official website on the 10th of each month at 10:00 AM (Japan Time). It's a combination lottery/first-come system and typically sells out within hours. Some international travel platforms might have small batches later, but they cost more and availability isn't guaranteed.
- Tip: If this is a must-see, absolutely, positively, figure out the official booking process beforehand and set multiple alarms to grab tickets right at the opening time!
SHIBUYA SKY
- Booking Difficulty: ★★★★☆ (Especially for prime time slots)
- How to Book: Book online on the official website about a month in advance. While tickets are sold on-site, they cost more. Crucially, slots around sunset often sell out online 1-2 weeks ahead. Come on, who wouldn't want that iconic cityscape view bathed in golden hour light?
- Tip: Once your dates are set, book your tickets for an hour before or after sunset online. Worth every penny!
teamLab Borderless (Now at Azabudai Hills)
- Booking Difficulty: ★★★★
- How to Book: Book via the official website. As the new, hugely popular location, demand is very high. Not as crazy as Ghibli, but prime weekend or holiday slots go fast.
- Tip: Book online 1-2 weeks ahead. Skip the potentially long on-site ticket line and guarantee your entry time.
Fujiko·F·Fujio Museum (Doraemon Museum)
- Booking Difficulty: ★★★☆
- How to Book: Similar to Ghibli, advance booking for a specific date is mandatory on the official website or via Loppi ticket machines at Lawson convenience stores. No tickets are sold at the door.
- Tip: While less competitive than Ghibli, still plan ahead and book online.

🎟️ Highly Recommended to Book (Save Time & Hassle)

Tokyo Disneyland / Tokyo DisneySea
- Why Book: Tickets are now primarily sold online in advance. On-site ticket windows are rarely open. Don't risk the disappointment of being turned away!
- Tip: Book tickets through the official website or authorized partners like Klook or KKday as soon as you set your dates. This guarantees entry and lets you check park hours.
Tokyo Skytree
- Why Book: Save money and skip the line! Online tickets are often cheaper than on-site. More importantly, you can exchange your booking code for a ticket or scan straight in, bypassing the massive ticket purchase queue!
- Tip: Book online once your schedule is firm. You won't regret it.
Themed Cafes/Restaurants (Pokémon, Kirby, etc.)
- Key Point: Most operate on a "reservation-only" basis.
- How to Book: Use their official reservation systems, usually opening slots about a month out. Popular spots like the Pokémon Cafe book up incredibly fast.
- Tip: If you're a big fan, study the booking rules before reservations open and try to book slots as soon as possible.

2. Restaurants: Good Eats Require an Early Click (or Call)!

Tokyo is a foodie paradise, but for top spots—especially Michelin-starred or wildly popular online—walk-ins are usually impossible.

⭐️ Fine Dining / Michelin Stars / "Sushi Masters"

Booking Difficulty: ★★★★★+
How to Book:
1. Hotel Concierge: If staying at a nice hotel, use their concierge! They often have dedicated booking channels and higher success rates.
2. Restaurant Website / Booking Platforms: Some take public bookings via platforms like TableCheck, OMAKASE, or ikyu.com. This usually requires some Japanese language ability or Google Translate mastery, plus fast fingers.
3. Credit Card Concierge: Premium credit cards often offer dining reservation services.
Tip: Book 1-3 months (or more!) in advance. Impulse dining here is 100% impossible.

🔥 Trendy/Viral Restaurants

Examples: Popular BBQ joints (Yakiniku), Sukiyaki spots, or unique Izakayas blowing up on social media.
How to Book:
- Find reservation links on Tabelog (Japan's Yelp/Google) or Google Maps.
- Some spots are phone-only, tricky for visitors. Ask your hotel for help.
Tip: Check 1-2 weeks ahead, especially for weekend dinners (Fri/Sat). Reservations are essential.

🍜 Ramen Chains & Casual Eats

Good News! Chains like Ichiran, Matsuya, Sukiya, and most standalone ramen/rice bowl shops do not take reservations (and often don't even have the option). Just show up and wait in line—it's part of the authentic Tokyo experience!

Summary | Recommended Booking Timeline (Save This!)

Venue/Experience	Recommended Booking Time	Notes
Ghibli Museum	Morning of the 10th, 1 month prior	Hardest to get. SET MANY ALARMS!
SHIBUYA SKY	2-4 weeks prior	Especially crucial for sunset slots
teamLab Borderless	1-2 weeks prior	Book earlier for holidays/weekends
Disney Parks	Once date is fixed	Avoid the risk of being unable to enter
Themed Cafes	~1 month prior	Official site will announce reservation opening times
Fine Dining/Michelin	1-3 months prior	Using your hotel concierge is the best strategy
Popular Restaurants	1-2 weeks prior	Absolutely must book for weekend dinners

Hope this guide helps you plan a seamless Tokyo adventure! Have an amazing trip!