Insider's Guide to Tokyo
Curated By
Tim Russell
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Tokyo
Japan
Arts & Culture
City Travel
Luxury Travel
Sightseeing
Entertainment
Local Culture
Curator’s statement
No single guide or description can truly encapsulate what is great about Tokyo. This huge, dizzying city resists categorization and offers pretty much whatever the traveler wants. It's large, confusing and chaotic on the one hand; orderly, easy to get around and clean/safe on the other. It's a destination where you could easily spend a month and still barely scratch the surface. So this isn't an exhaustive guide; it's just "my Tokyo", based on several visits.
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Insider knowledge
Expert advice from people who’ve actually been there
Where to stay in Tokyo
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Things to do in Tokyo
SHIBUYA
Here, all of your Tokyo dreams come true. The famous crossing. The colorful advertising screens. The colorful taxis. Hachiko. Shibuya is the heart of Tokyo and a must-visit to get those essential “I was there” Insta shots.
GINZA
One of the world’s great shopping streets, Ginza is great for browsing, eating, coffee and, when the sun starts to go down late afternoon, photography. The department store food halls here are absolutely jawdropping in the range and quality of their produce.
SENSō-JI
Tokyo’s best-known and oldest temple, located in the fascinating Asakusa district. Come here for the temple itself, stay for the old-world atmosphere, amazing street food and fascinating market stalls.
MEIJI SHRINE
Meiji is one of Tokyo’s most popular Shinto shrines, and is located in a beautiful park boasting over 100,000 trees. An oasis of calm on those days when the city just gets too much.
UENO PARK
This beautiful park, one of the best places to view the autumn foliage, packs a big punch - it’s also home to the National Museum, Science Museum, Metropolitan Art Museum, Royal Museum AND the Zoological Gardens! You can easily spend a day or more here and not get bored.
TANAKA
Tanaka is a great area to experience life in old Tokyo. Narrow alleyways, street markets, tiny shrines, a surprisingly beautiful cemetery and one of the city’s best beer halls make this a great place to spend an afternoon.
GHIBLI MUSEUM
A must for all Studio Ghibli fans. This shrine to the work of the legendary anime studio was designed by Miyazaki himself and is a typically tasteful Japanese theme park in which you can immerse yourself in the world of films such as Howl’s Moving Castle and Spirited Away.
SHINJUKU GYOEN NATIONAL GARDEN
Another great autumn leaves spot, Shinjuku Gyoen is the Japanese park of your dreams, with ponds, rockeries, shrines and more. Hard to imagine you are in the busiest part of the world’s busiest city!
Places to eat & drink in Tokyo
HOPPY DORI
Japanese street food heaven. A popular post-work drinking spot for local workers, Hoppy Dori in Asakusa is lined with izakayas selling cheap and authentic Tokyo food as well as cold beers and, on a cold evening, hot sake.
AMEYOKO
This busy street in Ueno is another nightlife hotspot for local workers - there are countless bars, izakayas, sushi joints, yakitori shops and a whole lot more. Get here early though as everything closes by around 10:00 pm.
TORIJIN YAKITORI
OK so there are probably thousands of Yakitori joints in Tokyo but this cozy little place near Okachimachi Station is my personal favorite. Delicious food and a very warm welcome from the hosts.
TSUKIJI MARKET
The classic old fish market may have moved to spanking new facilities, but the old market is still the best place to go for fresh sushi and sashimi. One taste and you’ll never eat cheap sushi at home again!
FUJI YAKINIKU
Again, good yakiniku is everywhere in Tokyo but I can personally vouch for this place. The beef is top quality, the service is excellent, the ambience is lively and the prices, while not the cheapest, represent excellent value.
MENKO USHIO
Ramen is a very personal thing being everyone has their favorite style, and this unassuming little joint caters to mine. Think thick creamy chicken broth with chicken, asparagus and bacon, topped with garlic butter. Absolutely sublime.
WATERING HOLE
This grungey craft beer mecca in Shinjuku is a must-visit for hopheads, and is run by experts with an unrivaled passion for and knowledge of craft brewing.
TOWA
Tiny upstairs joint offering an incredible selection of Japanese craft whiskies. If you’re new to Japanese whisky and want to know what all the fuss is about, this place provides a great introduction.
Need to Know
For more travel tips, check out Fora Advisor Bria Rosenberg’s guide, Top 10 Things to Do in Tokyo. This guide is part of our ongoing series on travel to Tokyo.
Travel Advisor
Tim Russell
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