Your First Week in Tokyo: The Can’t-Miss Experiences

Tokyo Skytree

We took the train to Tokyo Skytree Station, which is located directly beside Skytree. Stepping outside the station at sunset, we were met with the moving colors lighting up the tower as we tilted our necks back to see the top. The tower is the tallest structure in Japan and the centerpiece of a massive shopping and entertainment district. We spent several hours here exploring all of the stores and restaurants. However, the best part is to go to the top of the Skytree, where you can see panoramic views of the city, the Pacific Ocean, and the iconic peak of Mount Fuji.

Asakusa

I had watched many travel videos about Tokyo before my trip and Asakusa was a must-see! It serves as a captivating window into Tokyo’s Edo-period heritage. At its center stands Senso-ji, the city’s oldest temple. The Kaminarimon (thunder gate) is a global icon of Tokyo. The gate connects to a historic market street where we browsed traditional souvenirs and sampled authentic local street foods. I would recommend exploring the side streets as the restaurants are less busy than the ones on the main road.

We ended up going to Asakusa twice, once in the middle of the day and then again in the evening. Seeing all of the lights and lanterns lit up gives it a completely different feel! It’s also way less crowded as it gets later in the day—but some of the vendors and shops did close early.

Capybaraonsen Moffu Tokyo

I knew that Tokyo was known for its unique cafés, specifically animal cafes. So I was thrilled when I found one that allowed you to pet capybaras. They were so cute and really enjoyed the attention. They had different enclosures set up for them to play in, including their own onsen! The café itself offered several coffee and pastry options, but obviously the star of the show was the capybaras!

Team Lab Planets

I was originally hesitant about Team Lab Planets because it seemed like an over hyped experience online and I wasn’t sure if it was worth going to. However, I am here to tell you that this is a must-do! This museum redefines what it means to experience art. You will be fully transported into a dreamlike world, wading through warm water filled with digital koi fish and wandering through a dazzling, infinite crystal universe. I had such a great time here and got incredible photos in the exhibits. It was one of the best museums I have ever been to.

Imperial Palace

I hadn’t originally planned on going to the Imperial Palace—we kind of stumbled into it during our between-meal walks! We walked through the East Gardens, which held traditional Japanese landscapes and historic Edo Castle ruins. It was beautiful and definitely worth seeing. The gardens led us to Nijubashi Bridge, which is the iconic entrance to the Imperial Family’s inner grounds. This bridge is a very popular photo spot, but it wasn’t over-crowded. I was told that you can book a tour guide to walk you around the property, but the actual palace itself is closed to the public.

Gigo Akihabara

I grew up watching anime and playing video games, so naturally I had to spend time in Akihabara. I was shocked when I saw the six story arcade Gigo has. They have vintage classics and brand-new modern games. I spent way too many coins on the crane machine trying to win a Naruto plushie. I was redeemed by “winning” a cup of instant ramen from a vending machine. There were a lot of street vendors within walking distance of Gigo and probably twenty more arcades if you don’t find the game you are looking for.

Sushisho Masa

This Omakase in Minato is a hidden gem—we almost walked right past it. Reservations are required and I recommend booking a few weeks in advance due to their growing popularity and limited seating. When we arrived, we waited on the staircase leading down to the restaurant and then a staff member came to get us once they were ready.

The chef masterfully curated each sushi piece using hand-picked cuts of world-class fish. He presented everything with meticulous craftsmanship and the staff provided highly attentive service. Most of the staff spoke English, so it was easy to communicate with them and listen to the descriptions of the different fish we were served. They were very helpful to the people sitting near us who had never experienced an Omakase before.

Wagyu Yakiniku PANGA Asakusa

This Japanese Yakiniku restaurant exclusively uses A5-ranked Kuroge Wagyu beef and is halal certified. I was able to get in without a reservation, but they did get very busy later in the evening so I would still recommend making one. They had amazing views of the Sumida River that we could see from our table. Everything was delicious, but my favorite course was the thin-sliced sirloin with truffle egg mousse. We finished the meal with their matcha ice cream, which was the perfect treat before walking back to Asakusa station.

Kura Revolving Sushi

I had such a great experience at Kura that we decided to go a second time! They have multiple locations throughout Tokyo and offer an interactive dining experience that blends traditional Japanese flavors with modern automation. Think conveyor belt sushi, tablet ordering, and robots bringing you drinks. I loved that it was a casual dining experience but still provided top-tier sushi. They were also open really late, which was so nice to stop for dinner before heading back to the hotel.

Chotto Matcha Asakusa

This is a perfect cafe to hit up before a long day of walking through Asakusa. They have picture-perfect lattes with flavor profiles for every taste bud. My favorite was the Ube matcha latte paired with the matcha cream croissant. They offer coffee and other teas as well, but when in Japan, you have to get the matcha! They had plenty of space for us to sit and enjoy our drink while we planned our day.

Udon Shin

Rainy days in Tokyo only mean one thing: piping hot udon. I instantly knew why this cozy restaurant had become so well-known, so I didn’t mind waiting in line. I was told on really busy days they use a number-pulling system to get in the queue, so be sure to check what the instructions are when you arrive. I dove straight into my steaming bowl of house-made udon. Honestly, I wish I ate it slower so it would have lasted longer! We also ordered their vegetable tempura, which went great with the udon broth I had left. It was the perfect comfort meal for a day spent inside.