Tokyo

Overview

Tokyo is a city of contradictions that somehow all make sense. You can visit a 1,400-year-old temple in the morning, eat the best ramen of your life for $8 at lunch, browse a 12-story electronics store in the afternoon, and end up in a tiny jazz bar that seats six people at night. It’s overwhelming in the best way.

Top 10 Things to Do

1. Explore Shibuya Crossing & Shibuya Sky — The world’s busiest intersection is pure sensory overload. Head up to Shibuya Sky for the aerial view.
2. Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa — Tokyo’s oldest temple with a vibrant market street (Nakamise-dori) leading up to it.
3. Tsukiji Outer Market — The inner wholesale market moved to Toyosu, but the outer market is still the best street food crawl in the city.
4. Meiji Shrine & Harajuku — Serene forest shrine steps away from the wildest street fashion in the world.
5. Shinjuku Golden Gai — Six narrow alleys packed with 200+ tiny bars, each seating 5-10 people. Pick one that looks interesting and sit down.
6. TeamLab Borderless/Planets — Immersive digital art that’ll melt your brain. Book tickets in advance.
7. Akihabara — Electric Town. Anime, manga, retro games, maid cafes. Even if you’re not into it, it’s an experience.
8. Ueno Park & Museums — Tokyo National Museum, the zoo, and gorgeous grounds. Perfect for a slow afternoon.
9. Shimokitazawa — Tokyo’s bohemian neighborhood. Vintage shops, indie theaters, coffee roasters.
10. Day trip to Kamakura — The Great Buddha and beautiful hiking trails, just an hour south by train.

Local Food & Drink

Tokyo has more Michelin stars than any city on earth, but the best meals are often the cheapest.

• Ramen — Pick a style: tonkotsu (pork bone, creamy), shoyu (soy sauce), miso, or tsukemen (dipping). Fuunji in Shinjuku for tsukemen is life-changing.
• Sushi — Skip the tourist traps. Standing sushi bars near train stations are often excellent and $15-25 for a meal.
• Conveyor belt sushi (kaiten-zushi) — Sushiro and Kura Sushi are chain kaiten places that are genuinely great at ¥100-150 per plate.
• Yakitori — Grilled chicken skewers under the train tracks in Yurakucho. Order a beer and point at what looks good.
• Convenience store food — Seriously. 7-Eleven onigiri, FamilyMart fried chicken, Lawson egg sandwiches. Japan’s konbini food is better than most restaurants elsewhere.
• Izakayas — Japanese pub dining. Order small plates, drink beer/sake/highballs. Try chain izakayas like Torikizoku for dirt-cheap yakitori.
• Depachika — Department store basement food halls. Takashimaya and Isetan have incredible prepared food sections.

Budget Tips

• Daily budget: $60-80/day is very doable. $100-150 for comfort. $200+ for luxury.
• Rail pass: Get a Suica/Pasmo IC card. Consider a JR Pass only if you’re traveling outside Tokyo too.
• Eat at lunch — Many restaurants offer lunch sets (teishoku) for ¥800-1200 that cost double at dinner.
• 100-yen shops — Daiso is your friend for random supplies.
• Capsule hotels — $25-40/night and genuinely fun to try once.
• Free activities: Meiji Shrine, Senso-ji, walking Harajuku/Shibuya, Ueno Park — Tokyo’s best experiences are cheap or free.

Getting Around

• Trains/subway — This is how you get everywhere. Google Maps is extremely accurate for Tokyo transit. Runs ~5am to midnight.
• Walking — Tokyo is very walkable within neighborhoods. Shibuya to Harajuku is a 15-minute walk.
• Taxis — Expensive but sometimes necessary after midnight. Doors open automatically — don’t grab the handle.
• Bikes — Docomo Bike Share is great for exploring flat areas like along the Sumida River.
• Tip: Avoid rush hour (7:30-9:30am) on trains unless you enjoy being compressed into a human sardine can.

Neighborhoods

• Shinjuku — The hub. Skyscrapers, nightlife, Golden Gai, Kabukicho. Stay here for convenience.
• Shibuya — Young, trendy, chaotic energy. Great for first-timers.
• Asakusa — Old Tokyo vibes. Temples, traditional shops, slower pace.
• Shimokitazawa — Indie, vintage, artistic. Best coffee shops.
• Roppongi — Expat nightlife and Mori Art Museum. Can feel touristy.
• Akihabara — Otaku culture central. Niche but fascinating.
• Nakameguro — Canal-side cafes, boutiques. Chill and photogenic.

Packing Tips

• Comfortable walking shoes — You’ll walk 15,000-25,000 steps daily.
• Pocket Wi-Fi or eSIM — Essential. Rent at the airport or get an eSIM before you go.
• Small towel — Many restrooms don’t have hand dryers or paper towels.
• Cash — Japan is still cash-heavy outside major chains. ATMs at 7-Eleven accept foreign cards.
• Light layers — Weather changes fast, especially in spring and fall.
• Coin purse — You’ll accumulate ¥1, ¥5, ¥10, ¥50, ¥100, and ¥500 coins fast.