Tokyo

The Greater Tokyo Area is the most populous metropolitan area in the world. Anyone claiming you can do Tokyo in a few days is skimming the surface of what this city has to offer. If you’re able to spend 5+ days in Tokyo, I would recommend staying in 2 hotels and scaling up from there based on your length of stay. These hotels should be located in different areas of the city and will help plan your trip based on neighborhoods instead of spending more time in transit.

Eat & Drink

Come for the sushi, stay for the noodles. While in Tokyo, a few must try foods are:

• Sushi, a nigiri-style omakase

  • We had a fantastic time at Kyubey in Shinjuku, and they have a few locations across Tokyo

  • Sushi Jiro - Chuo City, a top tier foodie experience at a top tier price, we'd recommend trying it if your budget allows

  • There are plenty of more affordable yet still Michelin-star worthy options

• Udon, a thicker noodle than ramen made from wheat flour

  • One place we keep going back to is Maruka. The Jimmy Hendrix music and shrimp tempura bowl always hit the spot!

  • Another recent favorite is Udon Shin. Get the bowl with a soft egg and Hokkaido butter. It's oddly similar to cacio e pepe.

• Tsukemen, a ramen style where you dip the noodles into a concentrated broth

  • Fūunji in Shinjuku is a top spot. Line up at 4:30pm and have 1,100 Yen ($8) ready for the vending machine to purchase “Special Dipping Noodles”

  • Rokurinsha in Tokyo Station is a more toned-down flavor of dipping noodles, there’s a reason why you’ll wait over 30 minutes even during off-peak times for these perfectly cooked noodles.

• Dessert & Coffee

  • Mihashi - Taito City, best for amnitsu which is a traditional Japanese parfait-like dessert based on agar jelly, fresh fruit, and soft serve. Learn more about amnitsu.

  • Daiwa Nakameguro - Nakameguro, get one of the fruit sandwiches made with the freshest bread and sweet whipped cream.

  • Heart’s Light - Shibuya City, meticulously made lattes and the shop roasts all their own beans, we recommend the banana latte for a natural sweetness.

• Other

  • Savoy Pizza - Azabujuban, top-notch pizza in Tokyo, try the signature tuna pie

  • Suke6 Diner - Asakusa, Western-style diner serving a proper English breakfast

  • Karikari Spice - Shibuya City, around the corner from Hearts Light so a great option for lunch after your coffee fix. This spot’s curry brings the heat and delicious veggies.

  • Bar TRENCH - Renowned cocktail bar offering imaginative drinks using the highest quality ingredients

See

• Views / Sights

  • Shibuya Crossing - That magic moment when you realize this is largest street you ever crossed. Well worth experiencing and check out the statue of Hachikō, the famously loyal Akita dog who inspired the movie Hachi starring Richard Gere. While Japan is one of the safest countries you can visit, this is one of the few areas where I would recommend keeping your wallet and other valuables in front pockets since it’s so crowded. While I’ve never experienced any danger, it’s good to stay alert in large crowds.

  • Tokyo Skytree - The tallest structure in Japan and third tallest in the world. This broadcasting tower offer unparalleled view of Tokyo. Only a 20 minute walk from Sensō-ji shrine (directions).

  • Meguro River - A lovely cherry blossom viewing spot in mid-late March. It's lined with cute boutiques and cafes so we recommend taking your time to explore this charming river. The Naka-Meguro train station takes you to the center of it all. 

  • Sumida River Cruise - Weather permitting, a river cruise is one of our favorite ways to see a city, and perfect if you're planning to see the Sensō-ji Temple since it's one of the drop-off stops! Ask your hotel concierge about options and pricing. We took an open-air boat that was only 700 Yen ($5) per person.

• Temples

  • Sensō-ji - One of the most famous temples in Tokyo, expect large crowds but it's worth the trip to Asakusa. Walk down to the waterfront afterwards and check out Suke6 Diner for breakfast or lunch.

  • Zojo-ji - The main temple of Jōdo-shū Buddhism, this compound includes ornate buildings dating to the 1600s. It's also perfectly situated in front of the iconic Tokyo Tower, making for a stunning view at sunset or just afterwards.

• Parks

  • Yoyogi Park - In Shibuya and a personal favorite, it’s a breath of fresh air after experiencing the organized chaos of Shibuya Crossing. We'd recommend doing the crossing, then grabbing lunch at Afuri ramen, checking out Harajuku, and walking over (directions).