My introduction to Japan was the sprawling metropolis of Tokyo. Since the majority of Japan’s international flights arrive there, you might start there too. But with so many things to do in Tokyo, how should a first-time visitor approach it?
Tokyo is a huge city, and you can feel totally overwhelmed by the possibilities. With limited time, it’s best to pick a few areas of town and seek out experiences that make Tokyo a unique place. So in no particular order, here’s what I would do.
Visit Meiji Jingu Shrine
Meiji Jingu is a peaceful area that stands in dramatic contrast to the modern city outside. It’s a Shinto shrine dedicated to the spirits of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, so it’s an important place in traditional Japanese culture.
You’ll walk beneath massive torii gates and along a wooded path to the main shrine area where Japanese people pray to the deities. Take your time and be observant. Meiji Jingu welcomes all visitors, but you’ll want to be respectfully quiet by the main shrine area.
The grounds of the shrine are a beautiful forest in the middle of the city. They make for a peaceful walk if you have time.
Ready to plan your trip to Japan? Check out my 10-day itinerary here.
Eat and Drink in a Food Alleyway
Tokyo is home to many traditional alleyways (yokocho) filled with tiny restaurants and bars. These tightly packed warrens began as seedy black market areas, but today they are simply places for excellent food and drink in a casual atmosphere.
Most restaurants in a yokocho are izakaya restaurants that specialize in a handful of street food items like yakitori (grilled meat skewers) or tempura (battered and fried meat and/or veggies). And of course, there is plenty to drink. I recommend a beer or a mixed drink like a highball (whiskey and soda.
On my trip, I enjoyed visiting Omoide Yokocho near Shinjuku Station. There are many other good options like Nonbei Yokocho in Shibuya and Hoppy Dori in Asakusa.
Wander Shinjuku at Night
Wandering the streets of Shinjuku is one of those experiences that is hard to sum up. It’s a place of wonder that could only exist in Tokyo, and its hyper-urban cityscape is something I think every first-time visitor should seek out.
Bright neon signs, food and drink everywhere, crowds of locals and tourists heading off for an evening of fun. This version of Tokyo is a bit of a stereotype, but it’s also a real place. Eat yakitori in the aforementioned Omoide Yokocho, drink highballs in a tiny bar, find the famous statue of Godzilla, and maybe go out for karaoke.
The “red light district” of Kabukicho is the heart of the entertainment area. While it’s an excellent place to explore and generally safe, avoid following anyone into the various hostess and host clubs.
Go Somewhere with a Great View
Tokyo is a massive city, and the best way to appreciate its vast skyline is to seek out one of the many observation decks in the city. I went with a traditional option at Tokyo Tower. It’s a symbol of the city, modeled after the Eiffel Tower and constructed during Tokyo’s post-war recovery. At 250 meters high, the view from the Top Deck is wonderful!
Of course, there are other options. Tokyo Skytree is one of the tallest structures in the world, with a full height of 634 meters and observation decks at 350m and 450m. There’s also Shibuya Sky, an open-air observation deck on the rooftop of Shibuya Scramble Square, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, which has free observation decks on the 45th floor of both of its towers.
On a clear day you’ll be able to see Mt. Fuji in the distance, but consider dropping by at night to see Tokyo in its illuminated majesty.
Eat Seafood at Tsukiji Outer Market
Once the site of a wholesale fish market and tuna auction, Tsujiki Outer Market has an incredible selection food stalls that continue today. Seafood is the main attraction, with great sushi and sashimi (slices of raw fish), grilled unagi (eel), and torched scallops to name a few options. Be sure to try tamagoyaki, a sweet and savory Japanese omelette. My favorite had to be a sashimi and rice bowl that included sea urchin, salmon roe, and fatty tuna. Unbelievably good!
It’s best to get to the market early, as things can get crowded by around 9:00 am. Don’t be afraid to stand in lines–they typically move fast. Sit or stand to eat in the designated areas at each vendor, and avoid walking around with food.
Explore Takeshita Street
The neighborhood of Harajuku is famous as a center of fashion and youth culture. Takeshita Street (Takeshita-dori) puts you on the middle of it all. Stroll by the quirky boutiques and browse the kawaii (cute) fashion. Even if you’re just window shopping, it’s worth the trip to admire the unique culture of Harajuku.
And if shopping isn’t your thing, Takeshita Street still has some tasty offerings. Grab a fancy crepe or some candied fruit for a sugar-coated snack break. Sweet treats abound in this rainbow colored dreamworld of a street.
For more Japan inspiration, you can read my trip report here.
Visit One of Tokyo’s Museums
One of my favorite things about visiting a big city is museums, and Tokyo has plenty to choose from. If you’re into history, check out the Tokyo National Museum. It’s a huge museum complex with art and artifacts representing every era of Japan’s history. For something more modern, consider the Mori Art Museum in Roppongi. Housed on the 53rd floor of a huge skyscraper, the museum features a changing collection of contemporary art amid impressive views of the city.
For me, I had to check out the unique exhibitions at teamlab Planets. It’s a whimsical, immersive art experience that surrounds you with scenes inspired by the natural world. You walk through the museum barefoot across the varying floor textures and even into a room with knee deep water! Colors swirl around you from vivid projections and thousands of LED lights. It was a really unique experience.
These are only a few of the many possibilities. Embrace your inner nerd and pick a museum that interests you!
Scramble Through Shibuya Crossing
Outside of Shibuya Station is an iconic intersection known as Shibuya Crossing that’s one of the busiest intersections in the world. Nicknamed the “Shibuya Scramble,” it’s an amazing scene when traffic stops and huge crowds of pedestrians cross in every direction simultaneously.
Shibuya Crossing is fascinating to watch from above. There are a few good viewing options around the intersection: Starbucks, Magnet by Shibuya 109, or high atop a building at Shibuya Sky. You can also watch for free from a few of the walkways.
After you’ve seen the scramble from above, make sure to join crowd yourself! If you need a direction, head towards Center Gai for a huge selection of shops and restaurants.
Eat at a Convenience Store
Americans may laugh at the idea of eating at a convenience store, but hear me out. Convenience stores (konbini) are everywhere in Tokyo, and they are not filled with the boring potato chips and forgotten roller grill hot dogs of their overseas counterparts.
For breakfast, you can find great onigiri, rice balls with delicious fillings like tuna and mayo or salmon. If that sounds a bit too adventurous, try a sweet pastry instead. And grab a can of cold Boss Coffee for your caffeine fix.
Convenience stores are also perfect for a late night stop. You can pick up a canned highball to cap your night out or grab a quick snack.
The three major convenience store chains are 7-Eleven, Lawson, and Family Mart. Try them all and decide your favorite!
Ride the Rails Everywhere
Navigating Tokyo’s public transportation can be intimidating. There are a lot of trains! Stay calm and embrace the chance to experience one of the world’s great rail systems.
You can mostly split Tokyo’s trains into two systems, the Japan Rail (JR) lines that run above ground and the subway. One of the most helpful JR routes is the Yamanote Line, which runs in a big loop around the main urban centers. There’s also the Chuo Line, which runs east-west through the middle.
The subway technically has two different systems, but they both use the same ticketing. Trust in Google Maps to help you navigate the correct lines, stops, and transfers to reach your destination.
Make sure to get a Suica or Pasmo IC Card to make your life easier. It’s a refillable tap card that automatically deducts the cost of each rail journey as you go. If you have an iPhone, it’s also possible to set up a Suica card on your phone.
Take a Walking Tour
Visiting Tokyo for the first time, it’s easy to feel lost in the hugeness of everything. Get a more personal introduction to the city by joining a walking tour. Like everything in Tokyo, there are many options from bar hopping tours to anime and gaming tours.
My advice is to check out a site like GetYourGuide or TripAdvisor to compare your options. Look for recent, positive reviews more than just the number of stars a tour has overall. If people are enjoying the tour enough to write a review, you probably will too!
Personally, I can recommend the company MagicalTrip. I went on a food tour with them and everything was great. We visited a hidden sushi place, tried out some yakiniku (do-it-yourself grilled meat), and learned a lot about Tokyo in the process.
There is 1 comment