A First Timer's Guide to Tokyo

Tsukiji Outer Market: Wandering through Tsukiji Outer Market might be my favorite activity in Tokyo. The best bite of fish I have ever had was the tuna sashimi flight from the market. It is easy to spend an entire morning wandering the stalls and sampling exceptional food, from tanghulu and mitarashi dango to wagyu beef skewers. The market is also a perfect place to purchase souvenirs such as high-quality tea and engraved chopsticks.

Shibuya Crossing: Visiting Shibuya Crossing feels undeniably touristy, but it remains a must-see spot, especially on your first visit. Crossing alongside hundreds of people and capturing the iconic photo or video feels quintessentially Tokyo. My favorite area to stay in is Shibuya, so I crossed it multiple times a day and even made a few friends while filming the classic crossing TikTok.

Don Quijote: Don Quijote is absolutely worth a visit or two. Step into the lively chaos of one of its many multi-story locations to shop for snacks, skincare, souvenirs, and nearly anything else imaginable. I purchased so much that I needed an extra suitcase to bring everything home, and many locations also offer duty-free shopping.

Shopping in Ginza: Ginza is ideal for luxury shopping, with an impressive selection of designer boutiques and department stores such as Hands and Loft. Be sure to explore a depachika—one of the gourmet department store basement food halls—for snacks or lunch. Do not miss Itoya Ginza, a 12-story stationery store offering beautifully designed cards, pens, notebooks, and stickers—it is one of my favorite stores in Tokyo.

Nakamise Shopping Street (Asakusa): Nakamise Shopping Street is one of my favorite areas to explore, lined with excellent food stalls and unique shops selling handmade goods. Walking the length of the street leads directly to Sensō-ji Temple, Tokyo’s oldest and most iconic Buddhist temple.

7-Eleven: 7-Eleven is a classic and cannot-miss stop in Japan. The egg salad sandwich became viral for a reason, and the variety of creative drink options, snacks, and meals, is surprisingly impressive. I stopped in nearly every day during my first trip.

Vintage designer shopping: Tokyo is home to an extensive selection of vintage designer stores spread throughout the city. Well-known shops include Komehyo, Nuir Vintage, and Amore, though some of the best discoveries come from lesser-known boutiques. For vintage lovers, the shopping experience here is unmatched.

Nonbei Yokocho (Shibuya): Nonbei Yokocho, often referred to as “Drunkard’s Alley,” is a narrow street of intimate bars, many of which accommodate only a handful of guests. I enjoyed a few excellent sakes here on a Saturday night, and its location just off Shibuya Station makes it an easy stop.

Omoide Yokocho (Shinjuku): Omoide Yokocho is Shinjuku’s most famous food-stall alley and well worth carving out time to visit. We created a casual meal by sampling yakitori, ramen, and gyoza from different stalls. Be sure to bring cash, as many vendors do not accept cards.

Meiji Jingu: Meiji Jingu is one of Tokyo’s most important Shinto shrines and is located near Harajuku and Shibuya. Walking through its expansive, forested grounds offers a sense of calm and provides a striking contrast to the surrounding urban energy.

Gyukatsu Motomura: Gyukatsu Motomura serves a perfectly crisp beef cutlet that you finish cooking yourself on a hot stone right at the table. I will genuinely dream about this meal until my next visit to Japan—it melts in your mouth and the side dishes are just as memorable. The menu is refreshingly simple (you just choose the number of cutlets and your drink), there are multiple locations, and meals are under $10.

Sushi Mimasu: Sushi Mimasu is one of the most unique and special dining experiences of my life. This 115 year-old sushi counter is run by an 81 year-old fourth-generation sushi master who hand-makes each piece and places it directly on the counter in front of you. It’s an intimate, unforgettable experience—and surprisingly affordable for an omakase of this caliber.

Udon Shin: Udon Shin’s carbonara udon is pure magic from the very first bite. Mixing the noodles together tableside and tasting that creamy, savory sauce for the first time is something I’ll never forget. It’s topped with a massive piece of tempura bacon, which somehow makes an already incredible dish even better. They do not take reservations, so plan to take a number and return a few hours later for your meal.

Togoshiya Onigiri Place: This small shop serves the best onigiri I have found in all of Japan. My favorite is the cured egg yolk with seasoned meat and the salmon roe onigiri, but you can’t go wrong with any order. This spot is an absolute must.

Ginza Kojyu: Ginza Kojyu is the most elevated meal I’ve had in Japan, offering a two-Michelin-starred kaiseki experience that requires reservations in advance. Each course is beautifully presented, thoughtfully composed, and tells its own story. It is the priciest meal on this list by far, but every single bite is masterful and worth it.

The Matcha Tokyo: The Matcha Tokyo serves my favorite iced matcha. I ordered the almond milk matcha, which is perfectly creamy with just the right level of sweetness. If I lived in Japan, I would drink one every single day. There are several locations, but I especially love the atmosphere at the Omotesandō location.

Harajuku Gyozarou: Harajuku Gyozarou is a casual, no-frills spot that delivers incredible gyoza. My order is a plate of gyoza with rice and bean sprouts on the side, and the entire meal comes in under $7. Simple, satisfying, and delicious.

SG Club: SG Club is widely regarded as one of the best bars in the world, regularly appearing on lists like World’s 50 Best Bars and Asia’s 50 Best Bars. If you’re lucky, you might sit at the shoe shiner booth—which sounds strange but is an intimate and special experience. Every drink is creative, unique, and absolutely delicious.

Tír na nÓg: Tír na nÓg is another standout Tokyo bar that leans into whimsy and presentation. One of their signature drinks, the Heaven Lonely Flows, arrives dramatically displayed inside a cloud of cotton candy. It’s playful, theatrical, and just as fun to drink as it is to see.