Curator’s statement
Traveling alone can be intimidating, but I think it’s really important to do things that push you outside your comfort zone. Trust me, it doesn’t take long for you to realize that you are your own favorite travel buddy!
If you’ve never taken a solo trip before, Tokyo is the perfect place to start. Not only is it incredibly safe, but it’s also full of things to keep you occupied. And as a bonus, Japanese restaurants are basically built for solo diners! This guide is designed to help you prepare for a trip to Tokyo on your own, pointing out all the best things to see, do and eat by yourself.
P.s. If you’re still on the fence about a solo trip to Tokyo, check out the show “Old Enough” on Netflix. It's a Japanese reality show where parents send their young children on errands by themselves. If a four-year-old can navigate the city on their own, you can too!
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Where to stay in Tokyo
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Things to do in Tokyo
Sensō-Ji Shrine: This is one of the most popular Shinto shrines in the city, which means it gets really crowded during the day. So the best time to visit is at night. Not only will you avoid the crowds, but you’ll also get to see it all lit up, which looks so cool. Then you can grab dinner on Hoppy Street, a nearby street full of izakayas.
Meiji Jingu: This shrine was built in honor of the Meji emperor, who ruled Japan during its most prosperous era. It’s located in a large, beautiful park, so be prepared to walk! I really enjoyed visiting at Golden Hour, with the soft yellow light on the wooden gates.
Tokyo National Museum: This is a great place to learn more about Japanese history and culture. The museum is made up of several different buildings, so it can feel a bit overwhelming. I would focus on the Japanese Gallery, which displays art and historical artifacts from various time periods. The Samurai armor and swords are especially cool.
Zōzō-ji Temple: There's nothing spectacular about this temple itself — what makes it special is its setting. It's located right at the base of the Tokyo Tower, so it's a great way to get a good view of that iconic building. It’s neat to see such a traditional building next to a very modern structure.
Places to eat & drink in Tokyo
Tsujiki Outer Market: I cannot stress this enough — you have to go here. It’s a foodie paradise and the best way to try lots of different types of Japanese cuisine. Go early to avoid the crowds (most of the stalls open at 9 am). What better way to start the day than with a breakfast food crawl? Try the special fatty tuna sushi from Maguroya Kurogin, a wagyu beef skewer from Grilled Wagyu Beef and filled mochi from Tsukiji Iroha.
Shibuya Nonbei Yokocho: This quiet alleyway right around the corner from the Shibuya Scramble Crossing is full of tiny izakayas. Izakayas are basically pubs, and they’re typically very small. The ones in this area only sit about five people each! Most are bar seating only, which makes it really easy and comfortable to eat solo.
Uogashi Nihon-Ichi: A standing-only sushi bar in Shinjuku where you can watch chefs prepare your sushi and then eat it off a banana leaf. It makes a super quick, fresh and reasonably priced lunch while you’re out sightseeing.
Fuji Ramen: Conveniently located near Sensō-Ji, this chill ramen spot is a great place to eat alone. After you order your ramen at the ticket machine (feel free to ask the friendly staff for help if you need it), you can cozy up to the counter with some sake and meet fellow travelers.
Ippodo Tea Tokyo Marunouchi: A beautiful cafe in Ginza where you can enjoy a little solo tea party. They’re known for their green tea — matcha, hojicha, sencha, etc. I recommend trying a sampler, and buying some bags to take home.
Toraya Cafe An Stand Kita-Aoyama: This sleek cafe specializes in a paste, a sweet paste made of beans. They add it to their drinks and desserts, and it’s quite tasty. This is a great place to sit with a book, or take a drink to go while you explore the trendy neighborhood.
Need to know
Here are some tips for traveling in Tokyo:
Always have cash on you. Even though it's such a high-tech country, most of the bars and restaurants are cash-only.
When you pay for something, do not hand your card or cash directly to the employee. Instead, there is usually a dish for you to place your payment in. They will return your card or your change to the dish.
If you go to a ramen restaurant, you will have to order using a machine. You'll choose the items you want, insert your cash and it will print a ticket. Hand this ticket to the person behind the counter, and they'll bring your food to you.
There are two airports in Tokyo. Narita is the larger one, but it's about an hour train ride from the city. Haneda is closer to the city, although it offers less direct international flights.
Travel Advisor
Hallie Blakey
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This guide is part of our ongoing series on travel to Tokyo. Looking for more travel inspiration? Check out my guide, Meet Your New Favorite City: Porto, Portugal.