Here is our ultimate Tokyo city travel guide – it has our favourite places to eat and things to do in Tokyo! We start with a short list of things we deem absolutely necessary in Tokyo followed by our recommendations grouped by location.
Must Do
Toyosu Fish Market
Replacing the Tsukiji Fish Market, Toyosu Market is worth a visit. Though the up-close tuna auction is now a glass observation deck, it is still worth the sacrifice of sleep since it starts at around 5:30 and 6:30 am. When planning your visit, keep in mind that Toyosu Market is closed Sundays, some Wednesdays, and on holidays. You can find the business day calendar here to see when it’s open and closed.
Just looking for the best omakase meals that were offered at Tsukiji before? The most famous restaurants are Sushi Dai and Daiwa Sushi – expect lines way earlier than the opening time of 5:30 am.
100 Yen Shops
100 Yen shops are Japan’s higher quality versions of the North American dollar store. You can find almost anything at these stores and they are the perfect place to get souvenirs (such as Japanese tableware and stationary), crafts supplies, and snacks! One of the most popular is Daiso, with the biggest 100 yen shop in Tokyo in the Ikebukero Tobu. I would advise you to stock up on drinks like Pocari Sweat and Calpis here, as they are the cheapest compared to other retailers.
Don Quijote
So famous that Bruno Mars created a song for and starred in their commercial, Don Quijote is Japan’s biggest discount store chain. Open 24/7, it’s the perfect place to buy late-night snacks. These multi-level stores are a stimulating sensory experience that sells everything from skincare to souvenirs to designer items.
Department Stores: Tokyu Hands, Loft, & Muji
Tokyu Hands and Loft are famous Japanese stores that sell everyday lifestyle items that are similar to Muji. Though not as concentrated on minimalism as Muji, these two stores are always fun and entertaining to walk through, whether you’re looking for something specific or just window shopping. There are a variety of locations across Japan and you can often find them located nearby each other within a shopping centre.
Japanese Discount Retailers: Uniqlo & GU
Everyone is aware of Uniqlo and their great quality at a good price; however, many are less familiar with their little brother GU. GU, which is a pun of the word free in Japan, is actually cheaper than Uniqlo and offers more seasonal trend pieces. Chances are there’s a GU nearby if you see a Uniqlo.
Ichiran & Vending Machine Restaurants
Ramen chain Ichiran is a very unique Japanese experience. Famous for having singular booths, Ichiran’s limits the interaction between shop workers and customers. You simply order and pay (cash) at the vending machine, find a seat, hand your ticket to the staff, and wait to be served. Most of the vending machine restaurants are very similar and known for being fast. If you’re looking for a quick bite, don’t be alarmed if there is a line and be ready to have the most comfortable – table for one – experience.
Tokyo DisneySea
Unlike any other Disney theme park in the world, I found DisneySea was designed for an adult audience. With versions of the Disney’s best rides (like Toy Story Mania, Indiana Jones Adventure, and Journey to the Centre of the Earth), amazing food, and meticulous detail, DisneySea truly transports you into a magical world. They also recently opened Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival from Tangled! Be sure to go on a weekday, buy your tickets online (where you can print ahead of time), and arrive early to take advantage of the free Priority Pass. In addition, check the weather (as some rides close with rain) and this Crowd Calendar to help you pick the perfect date to go!
Ghibli Museum
The Ghibli Museum brings you into the land of Ghibli; however, don’t even think about going to this renowned animation studio unless you buy your ticket a month in advance. International tickets open on the 10th at 10 am JST the month before here and it’s a bloodbath. For best chances, enter the site’s waiting room on multiple devices before 10 am to be randomly put into the queue. If you enter at or after 10 am, you will be placed at the back of the virtual line. Book an earlier ticket if you want to see the short film.
Shinjuku
To Do
- Free Observatory: Tokyo Metropolitan Building
- See the Godzilla head
- Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
To Eat
- Izakaya Alley: Omoide Yokocho
- Tempura House: Tsunahachi
- Cheapest Michelin-Star Restaurant: Nakajimi – 900 yen lunch specials
- Ramen: Ramen Nagi – famous for sardine-based broth
- Tonkatsu: Wako Shinjuku i-Land Tower
Shibuya
To Do
- Shibuya Sky
- Shibuya Crossing
- Hachiko Statue
- Omote-Sando – Champ Elysees of Tokyo
- Shop: Shibuya 109
To Eat
- Udon: Shin Udon
- Kobe Beef: Yakiniku Mochio
- Tonkatsu: Maisen
- Sushi: Umegaoka Sushino Midori
- Matcha Ice Cream: Nanaya Aoyama
- Strawberry Shortcake: Harbs
- Coffee: The Roastery by Nozy Coffee
- Coffee: Little Nap Coffee Stand
- Coffee: Koffee Mameya (an “omakase” coffee experience)
Harajuku
To Do
- Meiji Shrine
- Walk around Harajuku
- Mirror Entranceway & Shop: Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku
To Eat
- Roast Beef/Steak Bowls: Red Rock
- Rainbow Cotton Candy: Totti Candy Factory
- Pancakes/Breakfast: Eggs N Things Harajuku
Ikebukuro
To Do
- Pokemon Mega Centre (biggest Pokemon Centre in Tokyo)
- Sunshine City
To Eat
- Stone Grilled Steak Katsu: Gyukatsu Motomura (multiple locations but this one has shorter lines and is well-ventilated)
Asakusa
To Do
- Senso-ji Temple
- View from top floor of Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center
- Close enough: Kappabashi Street (shopping for kitchen tools)
To Eat
- Onigiri: Onigiri Asakusa Yadoroku (oldest rice ball restaurant)
- Coffee: Tabi To Coffee
Sumida
To Do
- Skytree – go up the Skytree, Pokemon Centre
- Shop: Daiso (biggest flagship is in Tobu with sub-brands)
- Shop: Animate (anime store)
To Eat
- Chirashi: Noguchi Sengyoten
- Conveyor Belt Sushi: Toriton Solamanchi (in Skytree)
- Green Tea House: Nana’s Green Tea (multiple locations)
Ginza
To Do
- Uniqlo Flagship
- Art Aquarium Museum
- Ginza Six
- Close enough: Tsukiji Outer Market, teamLab Planets
To Eat
- Tonkatsu: Ginza Bairin
- Coffee: Glitch Coffee
Roppongi
To Do
- teamLab Borderless
- Azabudai Hills
- The National Art Centre
To Eat
- Izakaya: Gonpachi
- Udon: Tsurutontan (multiple locations)
- Matcha: Nakamura Tokichi Honten
- Coffee: Ogawa Coffee Laboratory (multiple locations)
Odaiba
To Do
- Miraikan (National Museum of Emerging Science & Innovation)
- Gundam Statue & Gundam Front Tokyo
- Tokyo Trick Art Museum
Other
To Do
- Ueno – Ueno Zoo, Ueno Park, walk around Tokyo University
- Katsu: Tompachitei (Michelin Bib Gourmand)
- Chiyoda – Tokyo Imperial Palace, Akihabara (anime & manga, shopping for electronics)
- Nakano – Nakano Broadway (shopping)
- Tuna: Maguro Mart
- Nihonbashi – Pokemon Cafe (resos needed)
Day Trips from Tokyo
Yokohama
- Cup Noodle Museum
- Chinatown
- Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse
- Yamashita Park
- Osanbashi Pier
- Zoorasia
- Kirin Beer Factory – free brewery tours
Kamakura & Enoshima
Something missing from our Tokyo city travel guide? Visited one of these places and want to write about it? Have some more questions? Leave us a comment below!
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Stone & Fern is a travel and lifestyle blog started by friends who have a passion for exploring cities, capturing moments, and trying new food. This is part of our Check In city guides series.