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The Mr Katz guide to Tokyo. The sushi counters, ramen bars, and neighborhood walks worth flying for. Park Hyatt, Bvlgari, Ramen Hayashida, and more.
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Where to stay in Tokyo, Japan
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Things to do in Tokyo, Japan
Sit at a proper counter: Book a small sushi, yakitori, or tempura counter and spend the meal watching a master at work. This is the core Tokyo experience, not something on a checklist.
Walk Ginza in the morning: Start at Cafe de l’ambre for old-school coffee, then wander the streets before the crowds. It’s a different city before noon.
Explore Nakameguro at night: Walk the river, then settle into a small bar with a handful of seats and a serious drinks list. This is where Tokyo slows down.
Do Toyosu properly: If fish is the point, go early and focus on the market and a proper sushi breakfast. Don’t rush it, this is about depth, not ticking a box.
Walk Yanaka: One of the few areas that survived the war, with a slower, older feel. It shows a version of Tokyo most people miss.
Meguro River to Daikanyama walk: Follow the river, then move into Daikanyama’s backstreets. It explains how locals actually live, shop, and spend time.
Coffee crawl across neighbourhoods: Pick two or three from Glitch Coffee & Roasters, Fuglen Tokyo, or Woodberry Coffee Roasters and walk between them. Tokyo does coffee at a very high level.
End a night in a six-seat bar: Find somewhere like Bar Track or Sakebaro Nakameguro and stay longer than planned. The best nights here are unstructured.
Places to eat & drink in Tokyo, Japan
Sushi Namba (Ginza): One of the best sushi counters in the city, precise, seasonal, and quietly intense. This is the benchmark for a proper Tokyo sushi experience.
Ramen Hayashida (Shinjuku): Clean, refined ramen that still has depth. It’s the current standout without feeling overhyped.
Ginza Kagari (Ginza): Known for its rich chicken paitan broth, more delicate than it looks. A good contrast to heavier ramen styles.
Jambo Hanare (Shirokane): Serious wagyu done properly, cooked in front of you with restraint. Book ahead, it’s small and in demand.
Yakitori Eiki (Minami-Aoyama): A classic yakitori counter, smoke, precision, and a tight menu. Best done late with a drink in hand.
Tempura Fukamachi (Kyobashi): Light, controlled tempura that shows how refined the style can be. This is where tempura stops being casual food.
Onigiri Bongo (Otsuka): Simple on paper, but executed perfectly. A good reminder that Tokyo does basics better than most places do fine dining.
Pizza Studio Tamaki (Higashiazabu): One of the few non-Japanese meals worth your time here. Precise, light, and consistently strong.
Glitch Coffee & Roasters (Ginza): High-end coffee with a focus on single-origin beans. Treat it like a tasting, not a quick stop.
Bar Track (Nakameguro): Tiny, vinyl-led bar with a serious drinks program. This is where nights stretch without planning to.
Need to know
Book early, especially counters: The best sushi, yakitori, and tempura spots book out 2–3 months ahead. Many don’t take walk-ins and some require a hotel or local introduction.
Respect the etiquette: Be on time, don’t wear strong perfume, and follow the flow of the meal. Small details matter and you’ll feel the difference in how you’re received.
It’s a train city: Use a Suica or Pasmo on your phone and move like a local. Taxis are clean and reliable, but slower and unnecessary most of the time.
Don’t over-schedule: One neighbourhood per day is enough. Build the day around one or two key meals and let the rest happen on foot.
Cash still helps: Most places take cards, but smaller spots, bars, and older restaurants often prefer cash. Keep some yen on you.
Language is simple if you are: Keep things polite and direct. Basic phrases go a long way, and people will meet you halfway.
Luggage logistics matter: Hotels are compact and trains get busy. Use luggage forwarding (TA-Q-BIN) so you’re not dragging bags between stops.
Seasonality changes the city: Cherry blossom and autumn foliage periods are busy for a reason. If you’re going then, lock everything in early.
Dinner starts earlier than you think: Many serious restaurants run fixed seatings around 6 p.m. or 8 p.m. Plan your day around that, not the other way around.
Skip the checklist mindset: You’re not there to “see Tokyo.” You’re there to sit in it, eat well, and walk between moments.
Travel Advisor
Mr Katz Travel
Saul Katz
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