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If you happen to’re fortunate sufficient to journey to Tokyo sooner or later, it’s seemingly that you simply’ll go away with a unique feeling than you’d count on. Little did I do know the biggest metro metropolis on the earth would train me to decelerate, savor the second, and stay with much less. I boarded the airplane dwelling with a deep reverence for the Japanese culture and lifestyle. Their potential to stability custom and modernity, a respect for and a want to stay in concord with nature, and an emphasis on politeness and moderation. Any time I’ve had the possibility to journey to one of many world’s main cities like New York Metropolis or Paris, I’ve witnessed the hustle and dwelling life at full throttle. I discovered that I returned to Austin with a definite sense of peace and rejuvenation.
Tokyo Travel Guide: 3 Days to Savor and Explore
Despite being the most densely populated city in the world, Tokyo marches to the beat of its own drum. (When you see pork cutlets paired with a yogurt parfait, you’ll know what I mean.) In terms of technology, transportation, and trends, Japan feels leaps and bounds ahead of the rest of the world.
Little did I know the largest metro city in the world would teach me to slow down, savor the moment, and live with less.
I left knowing I’d barely scratched the surface of this massive city. It’s hard to do Tokyo justice in a single travel guide, but ahead, I’m sharing the sights, eats, and activities we enjoyed plus recommendations from trusted friends that we are saving for next time.
Tips for Visiting Tokyo for the First Time
As beginners, we were surprised to find that Tokyo was fairly easy to navigate. While very few people outside the hotel spoke English, many of the signs and menus had English translations. The neighborhoods are also easy to remember because they all have their own distinct ethos.
Here are a few tips for success if you’re headed to Tokyo for the first time.
- Download Google Translate. While there was plenty of English signage and we were able to navigate the city fairly easily, Google Translate came in handy when we outside the hotel. Especially the ability to upload photos of menus, signs, etc.
- Bring cash for cabs, restaurants, etc. Credit cards are not accepted in a lot of places. It can be difficult to find ATMs, but most 7-Elevens and CitiBanks have them.
- Avoid eating and drinking on the go. It’s considered impolite to consume food or drinks while walking the streets. Plus, there are no trashcans on the streets so you’ll need to hold onto any trash.
- Leave time in your itinerary to wander. We stumbled across our favorite spots when we had time to just explore and discover. Pick a cool neighborhood to check out and see where the wind takes you.
- Tipping is not customary in Japan. Some restaurants will include a service charge on the bill.
- The taxi door will close automatically when you get out. You do not need to shut the door yourself. I had a hard time breaking this habit.
When to Visit Tokyo
- Spring (March to May). This is the most popular time to visit Tokyo when the cherry blossoms are in bloom and the weather is mild and sunny.
- Summer (June to August). Summer is hot and humid in Tokyo, but if you’re not afraid of the heat this is a great time to enjoy the city outside the busy season.
- Fall (September to November). While September is still pretty hot and humid, the weather begins to dip at the end of the month and the leaves will begin to turn.
- Winter (December to February). Winter in Tokyo can be cold, but I would love to go back to soak up the holiday season and hit up a nearby ski mountain.
Getting to Tokyo
Tokyo has two major airports: Narita International Airport (NRT) and Haneda Airport (HND). While Narita is the main international airport in the city, Haneda is closer to the city center. Both airports are well-connected to downtown Tokyo by train, bus, and taxi.
Coming from Austin, we decided to fly in and out of LAX, and then fly directly to Tokyo. Once we got to LA, we took the direct overnight flight to Haneda. Our flight took off at 12:50 am PST (which was almost 3 in the morning Austin time), but our best bet was to stay up until we could pass out on the plane. This was difficult but worth it because once we landed, it was easier to adjust to the time zone.
Where to Stay: Best Tokyo Hotels
Just like any major city, there is no shortage of amazing hotels in Tokyo. Depending on your budget and preferences, you may want to start by figuring out what neighborhood you want to be your home base and research hotels around there. If you’re looking for a more luxurious experience, consider staying in the Ginza or Shinjuku districts. If you’re looking for something on the more hipster/trendy side, the Shibuya and Asakusa districts have great hotel options.
Peninsula Hotel Tokyo
Centrally situated and solely a five-minute taxi trip from the Tokyo Central Prepare Station, the Peninsula Lodge was the best dwelling base for our keep. The workers was extremely heat and pleasant, and the 23-story lodge boasts unimaginable views of Ginza and the imperial palace. The rooms are adorned in a mixture of conventional Japanese and fashionable kinds mirroring the old-meets-new vibe of Tokyo itself.
Highlights of our keep included the expansive indoor swimming pool, health middle, and opulent spa, and the each day breakfast is a can’t-miss. We have been grateful to spend our first journey to town at such an iconic Tokyo establishment.
Trunk Hotel
This lodge got here extremely really helpful by so many pals, and once we stopped by for a espresso we might see why. The foyer is stylish and buzzing with individuals working and hanging out. It’s situated conveniently in Shibuya so that you’re steps away from a number of the most superb eating places and purchasing in all of Tokyo.
Aman Hotel Tokyo
If you happen to’re in a position to splurge, this lodge was fairly spectacular. Pals of ours who had stayed there mentioned it was an over-the-top expertise. We stopped by for afternoon tea and have been blown away by the glossy, fashionable interiors and unimaginable service. It’s situated within the Otemachi district and close to all main metro traces.
Where to Eat in Tokyo
Tokyo is a foodie’s paradise, and it’s tough to narrow down the restaurant options when you have hundreds of thousands of world-class restaurants to choose from. Definitely try to plan ahead and make reservations when you can, because a lot of the best restaurants are small and can only accommodate a few tables. If you have access to a hotel concierge, they’re a great resource for recommending spots and helping navigate reservations.
Restaurants
Seirinkan and Savoy. Didn’t anticipate finding the very best pizza of your life in Japan? Neither did we. These two pizza eating places are world-renowned and for good cause.
Eatrip. This place might be tough to search out however serves recent farm-to-table dishes in an ingenious manner. The menu modifications usually based mostly on what’s in season.
Ol by Oslo Brewing Company. If you’ve had sufficient Japanese meals and your taco cravings hit, this tiny brewery within the coronary heart of Shibuya has an unimaginable taco truck outdoors that even we Austinites have been impressed with. Plus, the beers on draft are refreshing after a day of strolling round within the solar.
Narukiyo. If you happen to’re on the lookout for enjoyable, hilarious vibes, and nice Japanese meals, that is your spot. There isn’t a menu at this restaurant and the meals is served Omakase type, in order that they’ll maintain bringing it out till you inform them you’re carried out. One of the best factor we ate was the grilled Wagyu beef.
Yakumo Saryo. Once we requested a pal who’s traveled to Tokyo many occasions what her favourite restaurant was, this was her reply. Beforehand a personal membership, this restaurant was reservation-only and Omakase type. Lots of the dishes are ready proper subsequent to the desk and the interiors are lovely.
Sushi Ginza Onodera. We didn’t get an opportunity to eat right here however we heard it is a good spot for a number of the highest-quality sushi in all of Ginza. It’s open for each lunch and dinner however reservations are required.
Tsukiji Fish Market. A worldwide hub for seafood, that is the place all the sushi cooks and five-star inns come to supply their fish. It’s one of many largest and busiest fish markets on the earth and the outside space is claimed to be an awesome place to purchase recent seafood, produce and different Japanese items.
Fuku. Positioned in Shibuya, this Michelin-starred restaurant is persistently ranked as among the finest in Tokyo. We didn’t get to eat right here however I’ve heard nice issues about their modern dishes just like the foie gras and wagyu beef tataki.
Kondo. One other Michelin-star restaurant serving a number of the greatest sushi and tempura round. The restaurant solely has 10 seats and each visitor is served by the pinnacle chef himself.
Yakumo. This restaurant within the Aoyama district is a good choice in case you’re seeking to take pleasure in conventional Japanese meals together with sushi and kaiseki delicacies.
Maisen Aoyama. This restaurant was really helpful for its high-quality tonkatsu (deep-fried pork cutlets).
Cafés and Treats
Banana Juice. After loads of Japanese meals, I used to be craving a smoothie—and banana juice was the closest factor. Cease by this tiny store tucked into an alleyway in Ginza and order one in all their banana-based blended concoctions for a wholesome milkshake-like deal with.
Path. A French café that serves espresso and pastries through the day and scrumptious European-inspired delicacies at evening. Camille liked the croissants at this little café and the girl is aware of her croissants.
Chatei Hatou. A comfortable café with espresso and pastries that provides off an old-world vibe. Come right here for the slow-drip espresso and nostalgia.
Camelback. Tiny take-out café with Brooklyn vibes and the MOST unimaginable sandwiches and low.
7-Eleven. Belief us. The 7-Elevens in Japan are spectacular. You’ll find some superb steals while you peruse the aisles.
What to Do in Tokyo: The Sights
Art Galleries
Mori Art Museum. A recent artwork museum with rotating exhibitions. It is a good one to dip your toes into the trendy artwork scene in Tokyo and might be explored in 1-2 hours.
National Museum of Modern Art. Based in 1952, this museum holds a powerful 100,000+ works of latest artwork. If you happen to’re an artwork lover it is a must-stop.
TeamLab Planets. If you happen to’re on the lookout for a extra immersive artwork expertise, TeamLab Planets is a digital artwork museum that’s enjoyable for any age. My husband and I bought to expertise artwork in an entire new manner at this museum. Strive strolling by way of the rainbow water barefoot or wading your manner by way of a room utterly made of froth.
Temples and Shrines
Meiji Shrine: Whereas Tokyo is a contemporary metropolis, it’s nonetheless crammed with wealthy historical past and historic websites. The Meiji Shrine is without doubt one of the hottest and lies in a forest within the coronary heart of town. It was accomplished in 1920 and the grounds cowl over 170 acres with lovely strolling trails. It’s the right escape from the hustle and bustle of town.
Go to a Sumo Tournament
One of my biggest regrets from the trip was not attending the Sumo national championship tournament that was going on while we were in Tokyo. I’ve heard from friends that this is an unforgettable experience and I plan on attending one next time.
Visit Shibuya Crossing
Shibuya Crossing is one of the busiest intersections in the world and lies in the middle of one of the most popular shopping districts. At any point, you can see thousands of people crossing the crosswalks at once. It’s a bit chaotic at times but a great way to experience the energy and excitement of the city.
Shopping
Daikanyama T-Site. It is a store to get misplaced in. It’s additionally an architectural gem with gorgeous design, a beautiful café, and rooms lined with books, stationery, kitchenware, and extra. I might have spent hours on this retailer.
Beams. This Japanese clothes retailer is crammed with gorgeous males’s and ladies’s choices. Camille and Adam each discovered nice items right here.
Ginza. This neighborhood is understood for high-end purchasing and luxurious items. You’ll find all the pieces from designer garments and purses to nice artwork and jewellery.
Harajuku and Shimokitazawa. Encounter classic purchasing, streetwear, and classy cafés and eating places.
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