Ahhhhh Japan. If you haven’t yet had the pleasure of visiting Japan, I highly recommend it! Japan is beautiful, clean, the people are very friendly, and there is so much to see and do! And most importantly, the food is some of the best in the world (Tokyo currently has the most Michelin stars of any city). I love it so much that I’m currently on my third visit to Japan in a month!

TOKYO

One of my favorite things about Tokyo is the wide variety of activities. If you’re into museums, there are plenty of those. Like the outdoors? There are parks and gardens galore. And if you’re more of a foodie, there are endless amounts of fresh fish, vibrant vegetables, and let’s not forget the buttery Japanese pastries!

Given the aforementioned, I narrowed down a list of my 5 favorite things to do on a trip to Tokyo.

1. Take a cooking class at Tsukiji Outer Market

This is probably my favorite thing I’ve done in Tokyo to date. Along with a small group of fellow travelers, I signed up for a unique Japanese cooking class at the famous Tsukiji Market. We spent an hour walking around the fish market and purchasing some items for our class, then proceeded to learn how to make a traditional Japanese stew, miso soup, and a few types of sushi!

2. Explore Meiji Shrine and Yoyogi Park

The grounds that the Shrine occupy are xxx acres of beautiful lush forest that are fun to explore. Nearby you will find Yoyogi Park, a great place for an afternoon picnic or a bike ride!

3. Walk down Shinbashi (Harajuku) Street and Omotesando Boulevard in SHIBUYA

Shinbashi Street is known as the birthplace of the Harajuku style (and inspired Gwen Stefani’s song “Harajuku Girls”). It’s a quick [yet crowded] walk down the street but makes for some excellent people watching and window shopping. You will end in a beautiful luxury shopping district called Omotesando, the second most popular shopping destination behind Ginza. This is a great area to walk around and take in the views as it is home to some stunning modern architecture. If you like sweets, be sure to make a pit stop at Number Sugar caramel shop and factory. They make the most delicious caramel candies you will ever taste - they’re buttery soft, melt in your mouth, and come in more than a dozen flavors! I absolutely regretted not buying more of these life-changing caramels.

4. Visit Tokyo Tower

Though Tokyo Tower isn’t the tallest or the oldest building in the city, it’s certainly the most unique. From the observation deck located at 250 meters, you get excellent 360 degree views of the city. Although it costs $30 USD, the perfect birds-eye view is well worth it! I highly recommend renting the audio guide as well as it describes everything you can see in all directions, a great way to learn about the city and the various neighborhoods you’ve been exploring!

5. Explore Ginza and take a stroll down MarUnouchi

Ginza is my favorite (and the most popular) district in Tokyo. The area is home to upscale boutiques, luxury department stores and chic eateries.

6. BONUS – Eat LOTS of sushi (and Ramen, of course)!!!

Sushizanmai is a local sushi chain that serves excellent fish. If you’re looking for more of an upscale experience, I’d recommend Kyubey in Ginza.

3 Helpful Tips for traveling In Tokyo

Getting Around - Taxis in Japan are VERY expensive. If you fly into Narita Airport, expect to pay at least $250 USD for a taxi into the city. There is a good bus system from the airport (Haneda and Narita) to the city. If you’re planning to explore more of Japan via high speed rail, I recommend purchasing a JR pass at the airport as this is much more economical. As far as getting around the city during your visit, subway is the best affordable option. Although it is confusing at first given there are various lines operated by different companies, I recommend referencing the station numbers (instead of the station names) as it will more easily help you navigate your way around the city.
WiFi – You can rent mobile WiFi boxes (half the size of your cellphone) that cost anywhere from $5-$15 USD per day for unlimited data. I got mine at the airport, but you can also reserve them ahead of time and they will be mailed directly to your hotel. This was a bonus as I didn’t have to activate a mobile data plan during my stay in Japan nor worry about using up my data allowance each day.
Rubbish – Yes, as in trash. Quite possibly the weirdest part about Tokyo specifically (haven’t quite vetted the rest of Japan yet) is the lack of trash cans. For it being the cleanest city I’ve ever visited, there are ZERO trash cans. Weird, right? I find myself carrying trash around for hours until I can find a trash can!

An Introduction to Japan via Tokyo