FACT: at a very young age, I have stumbled into the bemusing world of anime (Japanese animations) and manga (Japanese comics). Right then and there, I have become deeply enraptured with Japan’s culture and customs, and then over the years, my love for this wonderful yet often eccentric country continued to grow. So when I finally saw an opportunity to go on a trip to Japan last March of this year, you could just imagine how ecstatic I was as I booked my plane ticket!
For thee said trip, I’ve set it to last for a span of 2 weeks with a huge chunk of my days (5) wholly dedicated to the bustling and dynamic city of Tokyo… YES, that long (and I still felt like it wasn’t enough). You see, it IS a really massive city, and if you’re really pressed on time, I believe that in order for you to at least get a good “feel” of it, you need to be there for at least 3 days.
TRIVIA: With over 13.5+ million people across an area of 2,000+ km2, Tokyo — which is officially called as the Tokyo Metropolis — actually comprises of: 23 special wards, 26 cities (Tama Area), 3 towns + 1 village (Nishi-Tama District), and several outlying islands. Not a lot of people know this… but the core or most populous part of Tokyo (which us, travelers, typically go off to) mainly comprises of the 23 special wards.
As seen above, the purple area in Tokyo is where the 23 special wards are found. (Image from Wikipedia)
Each of these special wards have their own major districts, and traveling from one district to another can take an hour — or more! Once you take all of these facts (the size, the travel time, and the complexity of the metropolis) into consideration, you should get an idea by now that it could be a stressful task for you to research and organize your itinerary.
BUT fret not. Luckily for you, I’m here to lighten your task as I give you the ultimate lowdown of the TOP things to do in Tokyo — as grouped by the most popular special wards and then further sub-divided by major districts!
Through this way, you can surely streamline your Tokyo trip easily and in no time.
…You can thank me later. *wink*
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Things to Do in Tokyo
Translated as “field of a thousand generations“, Chiyoda is named as the political center of Tokyo. After all, it is here where you can find many of the main government institutions of Japan such as the Emperor’s seat at the Imperial Palace, the Supreme Court, and more.
On the other hand of the spectrum though, you’ll also find a quirky side to Chiyoda via Akihabara (ordinarily called as Akiba).
Where to eat in Chiyoda?
Other than going to the area of Yurakucho, go to…
Themed restaurant: Ninja Akasaka
Seafood: Andy’s Shin Hinomoto
Tonkatsu: Marugo Tonkatsu
Where to sleep in Chiyoda?
Luxury: Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo
Mid-Range: Hotel Grand Arc Hanzomon or AirBnB
Budget: Grids Hostel Lounge Akihabara
» Akihabara
Dubbed as the otaku* cultural center and tech shopping district of Japan, walking through Akihabara’s main street called as Chuo-dori will already give you an idea of what this district is all about. You see, Japan may have an amazing olden culture, BUT it has also developed an equally amazing modern culture over the recent years, and it is in Akihabara that you can get a glimpse of this somewhat wacky ‘evolution’.
*Japanese term for people who have obsessive interests commonly towards anime and manga. A synonymous word in English would be ‘geeks’.
Some of the top things to do in Tokyo’s famed Akihabara are the following:
– Play in the video game arcades –
We have tons of video game arcades in the Philippines — HOWEVER, they’re not as insanely amazing, bright, exciting, and numerous like what Tokyo has! The first time that I saw these rows of neon infernos in Akihabara, I was floored. I glanced to my right and there were girls joyfully hitting big drums to some hip beat, I looked to my left and there were guys jovially punching away at buttons playing Tekken, I looked up and there were several more floors of this
madness
‘happiness’! I whispered, “I wanna live here.” Seriously, this was a gamer’s dream! …Though even if you’re not into games, this spectacle is something that I think you must absolutely witness and try. (One of the most known gaming arcades in Tokyo would be Taito Station.)
– Visit a Maid café (Meido kissa) –
A lot of people in Tokyo love to cosplay — a form of roleplaying where people wear costumes to represent a character (often found in animes and mangas). One of the good ol’ favorites of the Japanese when it comes to cosplaying or ‘dressing up’ are waitresses dressed in those frilly Victorian maid costumes. In line with their ‘character’, they will even act as if they’re servants and then treat others as their masters. Now apply that idea to a café, splash it with small games, cutesy demeanor, brief performances and picture-taking with ‘customers’ and that’s where you get the famed maid cafés of Japan. It’s quite an experience, I’m telling you! (There are plenty of them spread out across Tokyo. In Akihabara check out Maidreamin or Schatzkiste). NOTE: On the other hand, there are also butlers cafe in Tokyo! (A well-liked one is located in Shibuya).
– Shop or window shop for otaku merch –
No matter if you’re not an otaku, it’s quite nice to do a quick stop by places like Mandarake or Tokyo Anime Center in order to get a closer look into the lifestyle. Mandarake, a gigantic 8-floor complex that is full of merchandise related to anime and manga, is the best go-to space if you’re a hardcore otaku or at least a knowledgeable one at that; whereas I believe that a visit to the Tokyo Anime Center is best done first by people who have no idea of the otaku scene in order to gain a better understanding of it.
– Eat at the Gundam cafe (for the Gundam fans!) –
If you know what Gundam is and you’re a fan, surely a stopover here needs to be included in your things to do in Tokyo! However, be advised that the waiting time can take a while since there are a lot of other fans, just like you, who want to try out this themed cafe. If otherwise you have no idea what Gundam is, it’s a popular mecca anime series back in the 70s that lead on to generate billions of profit and which eventually become one of the well-known icons of Japan. In fact, a life-sized version of a Gundam robot has been erected in one of the major districts: Odaiba (discussed below).
– Purchase cheap tech gadgets at Yodobashi –
Other than being the otaku culture that’s rampant in Akihabara, there’s also an ongoing craze for home electronics here! The perfect site to shop for such things? Yodobashi! I’ve proven that the items here are cheaper than in Europe or even in the Philippines; but for sure, there are other cheaper smaller stores around. But the thing is: if you have time to visit only 1 tech store in the district, then this 9-storey building is your best bet!
– See the Kanda Myojin Shrine –
Amidst the sea of ‘weirdness’ and tech advancements, you can escape to the Shinto shrine of Kanda Myojin that has enshrined 3 major kami (spirits) — two of which belongs to Japan’s Seven Gods of Fortune who, as the title goes, bring luck and success. Still and the same, since it’s nearby Akihabara, it promotes itself as a protector of gadgets too. Truth be told, they hold ceremonies to ‘secure’ electronics, and the shrine even provides charms for such.
» Marunouchi
As I’ve stated earlier, Chiyoda is referred to as the political center of Tokyo and it is here in Marunouchi where you will see the aforementioned government institutions. (Apart from this fact, Marunouchi is also one of Japan’s great business districts).
– Imperial Palace –
This is the main residence of the Emperor of Japan and it’s actually a massive park surrounded by moats. It contains buildings including the palace, private residences of the Imperial Family, offices, museums, and more. Currently, the Imperial Palace is open to the public except on Mondays, Fridays, and special occassions; however, no buildings can be entered.
– Chidorigafuchi –
Located just at the northwest section of the Imperial Palace is this moat section that’s commonly called as Chidorigafuchi Park. This area is highly recommended during sakura (cherry blossoms) season as it is one of the best spots for hanami (cherry blossom viewing). To add: they regularly light up the trees at night during that period and then you can even rent boats there!
– Tokyo Central Railway Station –
This is the busiest railway station in Japan in terms of number of trains per day and it’s quite a sight to see! For starters, you’ll instantly find this building because of its red brick appearance — a look that survived from when it was first opened in 1914.
– Tokyo International Forum –
With its sleek curves of steel and glass, this is but one of the many architectural wonders in Tokyo that I recommend that you must see! As the name suggests, the Tokyo International Forum is a multi-purpose hall venue that houses concerts, exhibitions, and more.
» Yūrakuchō
Yurakucho is a striking yet relaxing contrast to the nearby upscale Ginza district, mainly because of its traditional-looking restaurants that are built beneath the train tracks of the JR Yamanote Line — called as Gado-shita (which literally means: below the girders). As a visitor, I assure you that one look at Yurakucho will make you feel as if you’ve taken a trip back in time during Japan’s early postwar period! Nowadays, a lot of Japanese salarymen have made this location as their favorite dining place after work as they flock to izakaya (Japanese-style bars highlighted by their red lanters called as akachochin) and yakitori (grilled skewered chicken dishes) restaurants.
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In English, Chuo means “Central Ward” and it was given this name because of how it has been the main commercial center of Tokyo as per history — but of course, these days, this is being challenged by the mammoth: Shinjuku. Nevertheless, the most well-known major district of Chuo would be Ginza which is quite a favorite of shopaholics!
Where to eat in Chuo?
Sushi: Sukiyabashi Jiro or Shutoku 2-Goten or Sushizanmai Tsukijiekimae
Kobe beef: Gyuan
Where to sleep in Chuo?
Luxury: Mandarion Oriental Tokyo
Mid-Range: Tokyo Stay Nihombashi or AirBnB
Budget: Emblem Hostel Nishiarai
» Ginza
Regarded as one of the most luxurious shopping districts in the world, Ginza is a heavenly location for shoppers because of its upscale shopping scene full of virtually every big international brand that exists. The icing to the cake? These brands are often housed in such ostentatious-looking structures that can make your eyes drop in amazement and wonder!
– Walk and shop through Chuo Dori –
As the main shopping street in Ginza, you will find here all the major brand shops, department stores, and restaurants possible. Come night time, you will definitely be feasting upon its blinding yet beautiful neon lights. Some of the notable buildings here would be that of Hermes, Dior, and Zara among many others. But if you want the best ‘festive’ experience of this street, I suggest walking through here on weekends from 12PM to 5PM (until 6PM during April to September) because it is customarily closed to automobile traffic — an event known as ‘Pedestrians’ Paradise’.
– Come across a depachika –
Depachika is a combination of the words depato (department store) and chika (basement). In Japan, most of the big department stores such as that of Mitsukoshi have their basement floor made into some sort of food market — but actually, if I have to describe it myself, I will call it as a ‘food theme park’ because you can get to have a fun yet quick introduction into the VAST variety of Japanese food there. Besides, the stalls are very generous with giving away samples too; so if you’re on a budget, you really don’t have to buy something (though it will be respectful to do so, naturally).
– Nakagin Capsule Tower –
Have you watched the Wolverine movie made in 2013? Filmed in Japan, there was one structure there that caught my eye and it was a building that looked like it was made of stacked washing machines! This was apparently inspired by the existing Nakagin Capsule Tower in Ginza which is basically a rare example of the architectural ‘Japanese Metabolism’ style. Originally a residential area, the rooms here are like tiny pods — much like the famous cramped Japanese capsule hotel rooms: designed for a single person with a built-in bed and TV. Regrettably, the building is slowly deteriorating and it might soon be up for demolition; that’s why, I suggest sighting this unique structure before it gets taken down.
– Watch a kabuki show at the Kabuki-za Theater –
Kabuki is a classical Japanese dance-drama best known for its elaborate costumes, eye-catching make-up, and exaggerated movements. As one of the 3 major classical theatre art forms in Japan, it would be a pleasant thing for you to witness a kabuki play as a part of your ‘things to do in Tokyo’. And where best to watch it other than in its principal Tokyo theater, right? Kabuki-za Theater has plays almost every day and regular tickets for a single act can cost around 2,000 yen ($20~). If you want to watch an entire play, it will cost more of course; but a single act should be a nice initial immersion.
– Dine at Sukiyabashi Jiro –
There are several Michelin restaurants in Ginza and one of the 3-star ones is Sukiyabashi Jiro which is arguably one of the best sushi restaurants in the world. Run by sushi master Jiro Ono who has been featured in the world-known documentary film: Jiro Dreams of Sushi, securing a reservation here can be extremely difficult — apart from the fact that eating here can be pricey (their omakase course menu is around 30,000 yen or $300~). However: the experience will be WORTH IT. Tips for reservations? Best to do a phone reservation a month before your intended visit; but, do it at the 1st day of that month. Furthermore, it’s easier or preferable to book via a local, a regular (it’s really great if you have connections), or a prestigious hotel (case by case).
» Tsukiji
Translated to: “reclaimed land”, Tsukiji is best known for its fish market which is said to be the largest in the world, considering that it handles more than 2,000 tons of 450 seafood types daily.
– Visit Tsukiji Market –
Fish is a big business in Japan and the Tsukiji Market is a marvelous point for observing this lively industry. It has an inner section where most of the wholesale proceedings take place, and then an inner section where retail shops and restaurants exist. As a tourist, there are three things you can do here: attend the tuna auction, walk around the market, or eat the freshest sushi (or seafood) that you can ever taste. For the auction, there are only 120 limited spots available and you can apply at the Osakana Fukyu Center at Kachidoki Gate from 5AM (it’s a 1st come, 1st serve basis). For a more detailed guide on this as well as proper etiquette — since this is a professional business environment — read this guide. But in my opinion, you really don’t need to visit the auction. It’s best to leave the spots for the locals who really want to do business. Besides, strolling around the market is already a great way to enjoy it all. Meanwhile, for tasting excellent and fresh sushi, I would recommend Shutoku 2-Goten (apart from the popular Sushi Dai which can get really long queues). NOTE: By November 2016, the fish market is set to relocate to Odaiba’s Tosoyu.
– Lounge around Hama Rikyu –
Situated beside Tokyo Bay, Hama Rikyu is a lovely traditional-style garden that features picturesque ponds and a teahouse. It’s a nice venue to relax in after you are done with the hustle and bustle of the Tsukiji Fish Market.
The best part? If you want a more immersive affair, there are FREE English audio guides you can avail of which already includes self-guided walking courses throughout the garden. (You can pick these guides at the entrances: Otemon and Nakanogomon Gate).
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Minato is mainly packed with various embassies and multi-national firms; yet it does have 2 major districts that are a must-see on your list of things to do in Tokyo!
Where to eat in Minato?
Traditional Japanese: Tokyo Shiba Tofuya Ukai
Kaiseki style: Kobe Beef Kaiseki 511
Sushi (Inspiration for Kill Bill Movie): Gonpachi Nishiazabu
Where to sleep in Minato?
Luxury: Conrad Tokyo
Mid-Range: Hotel Monterey Akasaka or AirBnB
Budget: Kaisu Hostel
» Odaiba
As a man-made island, it was orginally built to protect the city against possible sea attacks; today however, the island transformed into a futuristic business and residential area. In here, you can find…
– Fuji TV Area –
This is called as such because of how the Fuji TV Building (one of Japan’s biggest TV stations) towers above everything else. As a visitor, you could definitely go into Fuji TV’s observatory deck that’s located in the circular portion of the establishment. Other things to see around here would be the shopping mall Decks Tokyo Beach, the plaza of DiverCity Tokyo Plaza where the giant Gundam robot is displayed, and the scenic Rainbow Bridge (which looks dashing at night, and where you can also find a replica of the Statue of Liberty.)
– Palette Town –
If you’re up for some serious entertainment and shopping spree activities, I suggest that you head on to Palette Town! In here, you can find the following venues: Venus Fort (a mall that looks like a European town), Toyota Mega Web (car showroom where you can test drive cars), and Leisureland (large gaming complex).
» Roppongi
Are you up for partying?! If your answer is a resounding YES, then you should come dive into the best night club scene over at Roppongi! This district is famous among locals and expats alike — which is not surprising given how Roppongi Hills is one of Japan’s richest and largest property developments.
– Drop by the Mori Tower and Tokyo Midtown –
As the centerpiece of Roppongi, Mori Tower is primarily an office building; but its lower floors are filled by more than 200 shops and restaurants and its top floor has an observation deck that will give you a glorious view of Tokyo (entrance is at 1,800 yen ($18~) that’s open from 10AM to 11PM (1AM on Fridays and Saturdays). Below Mori Tower, you will find a giant spider sculpture called Maman which means ‘mother’ in French. This is made by the artist Louise Bourgeois. NOTE: Tokyo Midtown is yet another building that you can go into if you’re up for more shopping and entertainment!
– Appreciate Japanese art and culture in the district’s museums –
There are 3 museums in Roppongi that are worth your time. First and foremost would be the National Art Center (Kokuritsu Shin-Bijutsukan) which is Japan’s largest art museum. The quirky thing about this is that it’s an ’empty museum’ — meaning that it does not have permanent exhibitions; yet it permits any temporary exhibitions, and this set-up has been successful so far. Next would be the Mori Art Museum in Mori Tower that showcases both contemporary and internatonal modern art. Lastly is Suntory Museum of Art in Tokyo Midtown which focuses more on traditional Japanese art.
– See the Tokyo Tower –
At a height of 333 meters, this nearby tower is like a replica of the Eiffel Tower. Made after Japan’s post-war rebirth, this used to be the country’s tallest tower — until Tokyo Skytree was made in 2012. Despite this fact, the tower’s prime location is still a splendid place to see a panoramic view of the city. There are 2 observatories here: the main one at 150m high and the special one at 250m high. Entrance is at 900 yen ($9~) for main observation deck and 1,600 ($16~) yen for both decks.
– Go crazy at Roppongi’s nightclubs –
The strip full of clubs and bars in Roppongi can be a dizzying encounter for a first-timer such as you; so it’s actually best if you visit this with a local. Otherwise, just a bit of advice: avoid the men (generally African men) who would try to push you into going to their clubs! More often than not, those are seedy ones and later on, they might even overcharge you. For the best clubs to go to, I suggest Jumanji55, V2 Tokyo, or Club Brand Tokyo which all have a good mix of locals and foreigners. Now, like any other night out that you may do, always keep your wits with you and be vigilant — but, above all: have fun! NOTE: The legal drinking age in Japan is 20.
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As a major city center, Shinjuku has the busiest train station in the world (Shinjuku Station), it houses the administration center for the Tokyo government, and holds a plethora of amazing thing to do in Tokyo!
Where to eat in Shinjuku?
Other than going to areas of Golden Gai, Omoide Yokocho or Shin-Okubo Koreatown, go to…
Ramen: Ichiran Shinjuku
Yakiniku: Rokkasen
Teppanyaki: Teppan Baby
Where to sleep in Shinjuku?
Luxury: Hilton Tokyo
Mid-Range: Hotel Sunroute Higashi Shinjuku or AirBnB
Budget: Imano Tokyo Hostel
» Shinjuku
– Have a picnic at Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden –
Best visited during sakura and fall season, Shinjuku Gyoen is just a stone’s throw away from Shinjuku station and it is surely one of the city’s largest and most favoured parks. In here, you will find three different gardens, a traditional Japanese landscape garden, a French garden, and an English landscape garden. There is even a lovely greenhouse near Okido Gate that you can visit.
– Go on top of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building –
Towering at 243m, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building has two towers and each of these have an observatory which visitors can visit for FREE in order to get a bird’s eyeview of Tokyo. I personally recommend the southern tower since it shows a better ‘side’ of Tokyo (closes at 5:30PM), whereas the northern tower is best for night shots since it closes later into the night (until 11PM).
– Walk around Kabukichō –
This is the entertainment and red-light district in Shinjuku which is sometimes called as the “Sleepless Town”. Unlike Amsterdam though that features prostitutes on the windows of their buildings, Kabukicho has a more subdued collection as it only includes hostess clubs, love hotels, massage parlours and more. Unless you want to avail these kinds of services, as a regular tourist, I just find this as an interesting place to see in Tokyo. Rest assured, I felt entirely safe walking around here as it didn’t feel too seedy. Truth be told, one particular thing about Kabukicho that I best liked to see or observe were the pachinko parlors. Pachinko is an insanely popular game in Japan that somehow resembles pinball. FACT: gambling for cash is illegal in Japan, and as a way to somehow ‘appease’ gamblers, pachinko is what they resort to. Balls won from pachinko are NOT exchanged directly for money at the parlor; but instead, are exchanged for prizes or tokens. Certainly, it was VERY captivating to see this as rows and rows of machines and people are in constant motion. I would even often wonder how long a person has been playing there if I see containers full of balls beside him/her!
– Drink your fill at Golden Gai –
Made up of a network of 6 narrow alleys connected with even smaller passageways, Golden Gai is a fascinating site to go to for a drink. With over 200 tiny bars and eateries, it can undoubtedly provide you a glimpse of Tokyo’s past when it used to be filled by more narrow lanes and such. However, don’t let the looks of these bars fool you; though they are small (fitting only around 5 customers), the prices are not exactly cheap. After all, they typically serve well-off clients such as celebrities, musicians, artists, etc. But don’t back out just yet because even if most bars only welcome their ‘regulars‘, you as a foreigner can still get to experience the glory of Golden Gai because there are those who welcome non-regulars — this is best signified by the English menus that they would display outside their bar. (Take note that these bars don’t open until around 9 or 10PM).
– Better yet, eat and be entertained at Robot Restaurant! –
Tokyo, the land of the weird (as some would say), lives up to its name because it does offer several themed restaurants like that of The LockUp (prison-like), Zauo (fish for your own food), and Alice in Wonderland Restaurant (self-explanatory). But the most entertaining and bizarre themed restaurant I’ve visited? That would be Robot Restaurant! A structure of glitz, lasers, and robots, my ‘ordeal’ in this restaurant was… undescribable — in a good way! More than the simple bento boxes that they serve, what you actually should be here for is the entertainment show that they offer. It is just so eclectic that it will blow your mind away (again, hopefully in a good way, haha).
READ: My Crazy Robot Restaurant Experience in Tokyo
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– Eat at Omoide Yokocho or at Shin-Okubo Koreatown –
Omoide Yokocho or more commonly called as “Piss Alley” is not as disgusting as it sounds. Based right next to the train on the west side of Shinjuku Station, this is a place that’s almost similar to Yurakucho near Ginza — except that Omoide Yokocho features more varied tiny eateries that serve ramen (Japanese noodle dish), sushi, kushiyaki (skewered grilled meat), among many others. The shops predominantly only speak Japanese; but as a foreigner, it’s not hard to just point your order to them.
– Shop at Don Quijote –
Don Quijote or ‘Donki’ for short is a discount chain store in Tokyo that is iconic not only for its normal items (that can be very cheap) but also for its whole range of amusing products that can border on unique or absurd… think cosplaying costumes, breast-shaped pillows, eccentric eyewear, NSFW products, etc. For one thing, these can all make for funny gifts or souvenirs to take home! (By the way, all of their products are sectioned per theme by floor — which can reach up to 9 floors.)
– Catch sight of a life-sized Godzilla –
Japan’s famous giant monster and pop culture icon, Godzilla, can be seen in Shinjuku atop Toho Cinemas. It’s a nice spectacle because he looks like he’s taking a peak from the building above — seconds away from wreaking utter havoc. Now, he is easy to spot since he is positioned in Kabukicho and even near the Don Quijote shop at Yasukuni Dori street. But I did notice that not a lot of people would notice him at first because the individuals around me only started taking photos of him when they saw me taking shots over his direction. So… keep your eyes peeled!
– Stop by the Samurai Museum –
As a Japanophile, I have also been enchanted by the culture and history of the samurai (or bushi) — Japan’s notable military warriors. Their noble era may have ended in 1868 but their story lives on in places like the Samurai Museum in Shinjuku. Adults can enter for a fee of 1,800 yen ($18~) in order to see the impressive exhibits; but the highlight of this place are probably the experiences that you can try: photo shoot with basic samurai gear (500 yen $5), sword battle performance with an actor (free), samurai calligraphy lesson (500 yen or $5~), and professional photo shoot with full samurai gear (starts at 32,000 yen or $320~).
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<img src="http://iamaileen.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/cat-cafe-tokyo-japan.jpg" alt="Cat Cafe" width="200" height="200" class