Tokyo, Japan, is a massive city that can be daunting for first-time visitors. With so much incredible food to eat, and so many interesting sites to explore, it is hard to know where to start. The fact is, if you are only traveling to Tokyo for a short time, you simply cannot do everything! If it is your first trip to the city, we recommend starting with these three neighborhoods. You can always venture further afield on subsequent journeys.
Shibuya
The simple act of crossing a street is a spectacle in Tokyo. The Shibuya Scramble Crossing is an iconic intersection where vehicles in all directions stop at a red light, allowing pedestrians to fill the entire intersection. We recommend crossing the crowded intersection yourself (Like Scarlet Johansen did in the film Lost In Translation) and then watching the action from above at Mag’s Park rooftop lounge.
Some other memorable sites in the Shibuya neighborhood include the Meiji Jingu shrine and the Hachikō Memorial Statue. The bronze sculpture is a depiction of Hachikō, a loyal Japanese Akita dog who continued to wait over nine years for his master to come home following the owner’s death. His story was memorialized in the movie Hachi: A Dog’s Tale starring Richard Gere.
If you want to interact with live animals, there are dedicated animal cafés in Shibuya. At Mameshiba Cafe, you can cuddle and play with mini Shiba Inu dogs. To see more exotic creatures, check out Harry Harajuku Terrace, which houses otters, chinchillas, hedgehogs, and more.
The neighborhood has a variety of dining options at different price points. Gonpachi Shibuya is a great sushi restaurant. If you want to splurge on exquisite fresh fruit, visit Shibuya Nishimura. Carnivores will love the breaded steak sandwiches at Wagyumafia The Cutlet Sandwich. If you want to slurp some noodles, Ramen World is a must-visit. Even the humble egg sandwich is a work of art at eateries such as Tamago Kitchen and Kurokatsu San.
Fancy a tipple? You will be thrilled to learn that Shibuya boasts, not one, but two of The World’s 50 Best Bars: The SG Club and The Bellwood.
Ginza
The elegant Ginza neighborhood is a well-known culinary hotspot in Tokyo. So, if you are a foodie, it should be high on your bucket list.
Those that follow the Michelin guide, may want to check out starred Japanese restaurants such as Ginza Kojyu, Sushi Yoshitake, and Ginza Okuda. On a short vacation, we recommend trying as many Japanese delicacies as you can. However, Ginza is also home to some outstanding European restaurants; many of which are run by famous French chefs. L’Effervescence, La Table de Joël Robuchon, and Beige Alain Ducasse are a few options if you love French cuisine.
Another approach is to dine at restaurants that specialize in a particular dish. For example, pork tonkatsu fans should visit eateries such as Ginza Katsukami or Tonkatsu Aoki Ginza. Tempura lovers should consider dining at Tempura Kondo or Tempura Abe Hacchometen. Noodle aficionados may enjoy Teuchisoba Narutomi or Ginza Kagari.
As meat eaters, our must-try food experience in Japan is a multi-course beef tasting. After all, the country is known the world over for its delicious Kobe and Wagyu steaks. Idea Ginza, Oniku Karyu, Ginza Ishizaki, and Kobe Steak Ishida Ginza Honten are some of the highly-rated restaurants with set menus focused on perfectly-marbled beef. With an omakase experience, you are subject to the whims of the chef. However, you will likely get to devour treats like Wagyu nigiri, steak tartare, and beef tataki, before cutting into an impressive piece of sirloin or châteaubriand.
If you are too full to keep eating, perhaps it is time for some retail therapy. Ginza is home to numerous designer boutiques, including the flagship store of the fashion label Uniqlo. Shopaholics will also love Ginza Six, a luxury shopping complex with over 200 stores. The mall itself is beautiful, with ever-changing art installations and a tranquil rooftop garden.
As far as sightseeing in Ginza, we recommend visiting the Kabukiza Theatre. It is Tokyo’s principal venue for kabuki dramas and has an eye-catching facade in the traditional Japanese architectural style. Next, you should visit the Art Aquarium Museum. It has colorful displays full of swimming goldfish. Finally, Ginza is not too far from the Imperial Palace, where Japanese emperors have resided since 1868. You can arrange a one-hour tour of the palace to learn more about its history.
Shinjuku
Shinjuku is a hip, modern area with some historic touches. If you want panoramic views, climb up the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building and take some photos from its free observatory.
Movie-buffs on the look-out for Japan’s most famous monster will find him here. Atop the Toho Cinema sits a gigantic Godzilla head. You can get a closer look by visiting Hotel Gracery. The statue sits on the hotel’s 8th floor terrace, and you can get a great view by grabbing a snack at the hotel’s Café Terrace Bonjour.
Among Shinjuku’s skyscrapers lie two ancient alleyways, Omoide Yokochō and Golden Gai. Omoide Yokochō, also known as “Memory Lane” and “Piss Alley” is a haven for street food lovers. It is a series of narrow pedestrian-only streets full of tiny izakayas (taverns or food stalls). The tiny eateries rarely have doors, and fit only a few customers, so you will need to be patient. You will find lots of vendors selling Yakitori (meat skewers grilled over an open flame), as well as soba noodles, okonomiyaki (a savory pancake), and sushi.
Golden Gai has the same historic alley concept, but focuses on drinks. One of our favorite miniature pubs is Bar Albatross, where you can drink cocktails under antique chandeliers. Please note, if you are a true cocktail aficionado, you may prefer a classier venue. Shinjuku’s Bar Benfiddich is #37 on The World’s 50 Best Bars list.
If you are looking for a really quirky dining experience, head to Maidcafe Maidreamin Shinjuku. Maid cafés (themed cosplay restaurants) are typically found in the Akihabara district of Tokyo, but you can find a couple in Shinjuku. Waitresses dressed in French maid costumes serve coffee, entrees, and desserts. At your table, the maids often draw cute designs on your food.
We chose the foregoing neighborhoods, because once you choose a hotel, there is a lot to see within walking distance. Keep in mind that Tokyo has an impeccable metro system. You can certainly choose a base and take a train to various attractions. For example, from Ginza you can easily take the subway to famous landmarks such as Tokyo Tower, Sensō-ji, and Tokyo Skytree.
Tokyo is a city you can visit again and again. If you fall in love with Japan you will always find new areas to explore in Tokyo, or you can take a bullet train to other popular cities such as Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka. We wish you luck with your Japanese adventures!
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