I am sure you’ve heard a lot about Tokyo and there is so many adjectives that could describe it. I would say there is no city like it. It’s simply so unique you have to experience it to understand it. I visited Tokyo last year in November and I had three full days to enjoy this Japanese metropole. So here is my long overdue guide and impressions from the trip with updates for this year.
We started our trip with my friend and fellow content creator @magdajano in Tokyo. Although it was already November, autumn had only started in the capital city of Japan and we could still enjoy pretty mild temperatures and sunny weather. I had visited Japan before with my job as a flight attendant but never made it to Tokyo. So this was my first time and let me tell you, it was everything I thought and more. Young, cosmopolitan, neon-lighted, intense and extremely busy. Sometimes even overwhelming.
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Where to stay?
We stayed three nights in Tokyo and our accommodation for the first two nights was a hotel in Shinjuku. I thought I knew what a tiny hotel room is from NYC, and I definitely didn’t expect a hall, but oh boy, this was challenging. With two suitcases it got so cramped that it was hard not to trip over something.
Japan is known for its downsized living and Tokyo has it all. One of the options are capsule hotels so obviously, we had to “upgrade” ourselves on the last night and we transferred to 9 hours in North Shinjuku. And if you want to try a capsule hotel (which you absolutely should), I can’t but recommend this one. Modern, super clean and with English speaking staff. Above all, it’s also in a great and lively area just a few meters from Shinjuku train station.
How to move?
Tokyo is the largest city in the world and if you want to see a plenty of sights, prepare to spend some time in the metro. It can take even an 1,5 hr to get somewhere so plan your day accordingly. And buy a proper metro card. We didn’t and learnt the hard way. By paying more money. The Tokyo Subway has different lines and trains and “a” ticket cannot be used for everything. You need to get a PASMO card to be able to use all Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway lines.
JR Train
And then there’s also the JR train which runs through the city. If you come to Japan and plan to travel for a week or more, I’d highly recommend to buy this Japan Railway Pass ahead online. Once arrived in Japan, you’d need to go to a designated train station to pick it up and they will confirm its validity and stamp it. Last year we purchased it online and then we received a paper order confirmation to our home address which we exchanged for the JR pass at Shinjuku train station. It is costly. This year even more than the last. For a 7-day JR pass you spend 44810 yen which is 363 euro. But trust me, if you plan to visit other cities in Japan, it is worth it. Hassle free and you’d spend much more on single train tickets.
What to see?
Deciding what to do and see in Tokyo depends on how much time you have. And I hope you have a month. Haha. Tokyo has so much going on, that it can be overwhelming, so a few words of advice: Arrive with a plan and prepare to get a bit lost along the way, in a good way. Here, the best things to do in Tokyo to jumpstart your planning.
Temples
There’s many temples in Tokyo and we managed to visit two of them. Sensō-ji, located in Asakusa, is the oldest buddhist temple in Tokyo and probably the most important one. It is also the most photographed temple in Tokyo but don’t forget it’s a place of worship. There are many tourists and many Japanese coming to pray.
Meiji Jingu shrine, located in Shibuya, is another popular temple and it’s surrounded by the lush Yoyogi park. We loved walking around there and we even saw a traditional Japanese wedding.
Harajuku girls
Just a a short walk from Meiji shrine you’ll reach the most hip area of Tokyo. The famous Harajuku neighborhood is best known for its bright colors, kawaii culture, cosplay, expensive boutiques and trendy cafes. We started in Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku, a shopping complex famous for its escalator at the entrance surrounded by mirrors. This makes the building and especially the escalator a popular spot to take photos.
We loved Harajuku especially at night. Takeshita is best known shopping street in Harajuku and here you can find everything for cosplay, afforda
bly-priced shops with trendy clothing but also shops like Daiso. We didn’t buy anything but surprisingly enjoyed the crowds and used them for these cool shots which are still my favorite.
Shibuya crossing
Did you even visit Tokyo if you didn’t join the thousands of people that cross Shibuya crossing every day? Don’t forget to have a look at the statue of Hachiko and then you can escape from the crowds and watch them from above in one of the most famous Starbucks in the world. Magda and I have one special memory connected with this iconic place. We met our Instagram idols Yana Leventseva and Sergey Sukhov here. Imagine, in the busiest place in the world.
TeamLab Borderless
Tokyo is full of museum and galleries and one of them is especially famous. TeamLab Borderless is an artistic paradise, word without boundaries created by art collective teamLab. It’s located in MORI Building Digital Art Museum and it’ huge. The installations are astonishing and crowds are large. Which spoilt the whole experience for me but it is definitely worth seeing.
What and where to eat?
Would you be surprised if I told you I was living solely on ramen while we were in Tokyo? There’s a lot of places to eat ramen in Tokyo but only one so legendary and popular. Ichirian ramen is a chain with restaurants all over Japan and they concentrate only on Tonkotsu ramen and they do it well. Plus the concept of solo dining is what makes these restaurants so special. Ramen is served in individual booths behind a curtain so you can focus and enjoy the taste to the fullest.
Night life
There’s no party like a party in Tokyo..I guess. To be honest, we were so tired every day that we didn’t really go into any club. However, we couldn’t miss the Robot show in Kabukicho. Words can hardly describe how crazy but fun this colorful, neon-lighted show is. It is a bit pricey and food is not included, but it is so absurd that you have to see it. Lol.
Kabukicho is full of bars and clubs and just across the road, outside the gate of Shinjuku, there is the famous “Piss Alley” or Omoide Yokocho (Memory Lane). This collection of small bars, yakitori grill and food stalls started out in the 1940’s as an illegal drinking quarter. We are in postwar, impoverished Japan and locals come here for social drinking and to enjoy luxuries they now couldn’t afford, like meat. In 1999, most of the bars and restaurants were destroyed by fire but the government decided to rebuilt the area exactly as it was. A visit to Piss Alley is still an experience and looks absolutely amazing in photos.
Words can hardly describe how awesome Tokyo is and how much fun I had. You simply need to see it and I hope this guide helps you in planning your trip. Don’t hesitate to drop a comment or e-mail if you have any further questions.
Xoxo,
Beata
