Guide to Cultural Exploration in Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo is a city that is very well-connected. You can get almost anywhere using the subway/local train lines and trust that they will always be on time. If you choose to, cycling is a great way to get around the city and see even more at your own pace. This is a great way to sneak a better glimpse of daily life.

Cultural Sites

Over on the east side of Tokyo in Taito Ward is the Historical district of Asakusa, and there you will find Sensō-ji temple, Tokyo's oldest temple founded in 645 AD. Gently Bow and enter through the Kaminarimon gate (Thunder Gate) south of the main temple and walk along Nakamise Dori, while sampling the delicious street food and shopping for exquisite local goods. Be sure to bow again and head on through the Hozomon Gate and into the main shrine grounds with the five-story Pagoda. Pray at the temple and don't forget to get your fortune read (Omikuji).

Street Food

Sampling street food at Ameyoko market is an experience that one must have in order to get the authentic feel of Tokyo's food scene. What used to be a black market hawking American goods during the years following WWII is now a bustling market full of the city's best street food, clothing, cosmetics, fresh fish and more! Located between Okachimachi and Ueno stations, running parallel to the Yamanote line and close to both Sensō-ji temple and Ueno Park, this is definitely one of the most unique spots in the city that hasn't changed much over the decades. Try the delicious skewered yakitori (grilled beef).

Pop Culture

The Mecca of Anime and the latest pop culture trends in Japan originated in Akihabara. Anime, Manga, Video Games, Cosplay and the most modern electronics, had all come from this central Tokyo district. Akihabara is probably the loudest and craziest place in the city. Bright lights and lots of color! Grab some anime merch at COSPA, have some crane game and gachapon fun at the SEGA arcade, take selfies with maids in front of Maid Dreamin cafe and junk shop at Don Quijote, a one-of-a-kind over-stocked convenience shop that even makes NYC bodegas look bare.

Fashion

Experience world-class shopping on the east side of central Tokyo in the Shibuya and Harajuku districts. From Shibuya station, cross the world-famous Shibuya crossing and venture into Center Gai, the birthplace of many Japanese fashion trends, and get some new kicks at ABC Mart Grand Stage. Check out some of the latest music at Tower Records and then head over to Harajuku's Takeshita Street to see the emerging fashions that draw the young and hip. For a high-end fashion adventure, stroll into the Champs-Élysées of Tokyo known as Omotesando, a beautiful kilometer-long tree-lined avenue with the leading fashion brands and high-end shopping complexes like "With Harajuku" and "Omotesando Hills".

Art

Teamlab Planets is a one-of-a-kind museum that all travelers should consider experiencing on their first trip to Tokyo. Launched in 2018 with the goal of blurring the boundary between the body and art, visitors go through a "body immersive" experience where one takes off their shoes and socks and throws themselves into ethereal massive art spaces alongside others. Easily one of the most Instagrammable spaces in Tokyo, where every photograph becomes food for the eyes.

Breakfast in Tokyo

Path (Shibuya): Start the morning right by hitting up this industrial-chic french cafe, located within walking distance from Yoyogi park in Shibuya. Known for their famous, super-fluffy dutch pancake, an oven-baked delicacy, served piping hot and topped with uncured ham, burrata and copious amounts of maple syrup!

Ginza Asashoku Labo: Not sure what you want in the morning? The "small bowl" buffet style here has a tantalizing curated spread showcasing a mix of Japanese breakfast dishes and deluxe western options. The dishes of this "Ginza Breakfast Lab" are handcrafted, use only seasonal ingredients and guests experience the fun of eating a variety of things little by little through the use of a tic-tac-toe-designed 9 Sho tray (9-square tray with a different dish in each square)

Kojo (Ueno): Step into the past at one of Japan's most unique Kissatens (Japanese-style coffee Houses), an underground retro European-influenced cafe with a Showa-era ambiance. This space in particular incorporates the extravagance of the 1920s and features ornate lighting fixtures, European art and a massive Art Deco-style stained glass window. Enjoy a cappuccino and pork cutlet sandwich while listening to the classical museum being pumped out of a Yamaha electronic organ.

Lunch in Tokyo

UnagiArai (Chitose-Karasuyama): Eel is a must-have when in Tokyo. Treat yourself to a very special version of it at a spot most tourists would never find. Tucked away in a really cool underground-level space, to the west of Shibuya is a really cozy space offering private/semi-private rooms with tatami seating to enjoy the special eel on rice that comes in a very special Arita-yaki (porcelain box from Kyushu).

Kooriya Peace (Kichijoji): If you are in Tokyo during the summer months, you'll definitely want something to cool you down and maybe satisfy your sweet tooth cravings at the same time. The Kakigori (shaved ice) here takes food art to a whole new level. With fine, fluffy shards of ice as a canvas for flavor, the seasonally inspired syrups and toppings transform this simple delicacy into a creation almost too beautiful to eat!

Pro Tip: Reserve early! Due to the small shop only serving 8 at a time and its popularity from the 2017 Japanese Netflix series "Kantaro: The Sweet Tooth Salaryman", it's not easy getting a seat. If you do, consider yourself lucky!

Dinner in Tokyo

Oreryu Shio Ramen Jingu-Mae (Harajuku): At one point or another you're going to crave some ramen. Even though Tokyo is home to some 20,000 ramen shops, finding one that delivers on quality, is mouth-wateringly tasteful and easy to order without knowing the language is a tougher task. Take a break from shopping in Omotesando, head into the narrow streets of Harajuku and make your way here for an amazing dinner! Munch on the Oreryu Otokomori-Ramen (with karage chicken) and some of the best gyoza in Tokyo. The taste is too good for words.

Mutenka Yakisoba Bar Celona (Shirokane): Here you will find the most photogenic yakisoba you have ever seen. The highly trained chefs at Celona transform what's typically seen as a humble, cheap festival food into a luxury yakisoba that is completely additive-free. Try the delicious, perfectly grilled A5 Wagyu steak paired with a glass of wine. All of the food is cooked in front of you, Teppanyaki style. Everything tastes as good as it looks.

Drinks in Tokyo

Tir na nÓg (Ginza): Its name derived from Celtic mythology and translated as ‘Land of Youth', the bar transports visitors to a fairy-tale world hidden in the streets of Ginza. Descend the narrow stairwell to find hundreds of butterflies and fairy figurines hanging from the ceiling, while the shelves along the walls are filled with tiny glass bottles of shimmery pixie dust. The dim lighting, Celtic/fairy themes present all over and the music makes this a fun night out, or great for date night. Try the Mocktail (macaron cocktail) with a cotton candy straw. The hand-crafted fairy figurines make a great take-home gift!

Science Bar INCUBATOR (Shinjuku): Started by an owner who studied developmental biology, the concept behind this avant-garde bar is to enjoy science while having some drinks. Even without fully comprehending the ideas behind it, the theme is quite fun, with many contraptions lying around to spark curiosity and create conversation. Take shots from a test tube, sip cocktails in an Erlenmeyer flask and enjoy appetizers heated with a bunsen burner. The bartenders don cool lab coats (some of them are actual scientists) and the underlying jazz music create a chill ambiance.

Here are a few places accessible within two hours of Tokyo. They are entirely outside the city, but still within reach of the train/bus. Below are three highlights for each location.

Nikko, Tochigi Japan (two hours from Tokyo Station in central Tokyo)

1. Edo Wonderland: go back in time to the Edo period (1603–1867) in this smaller Disney-like theme park where the staff dresses up in various edo style outfits (think samurai, feudal lords and women wearing kimonos) and guests get the choice to change into an edo style outfit as well so you can play your part too.

2. Canyoning and water activities on Kinugawa river. Ran by the adventure company "Nikko Jumbo", full-scale canyoning is available during the summer season (late April to early October). 2 half-day courses per day (3 hours long). Family/chiled-friendly. Beginner to advanced courses.

3. Nikkō Tōshō-gū shrine: world heritage site and memorial to Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of Japan. By far the most lavishly decorated shrine complex in the country, with more than a dozen buildings set in a beautiful forest. On foggy mornings, the energy and atmosphere in the shrine is mystifying.

Kawagoe, Saitama Japan (30 minutes from Ikebukuro station)

This charming former castle town known as "Little Edo" features streets lined with centuries-old buildings and vendors selling traditional street food and crafts, located 30 minutes north of Tokyo. For those interested in experiencing the history and traditional culture of Japan (and on a time crunch) this is definitely the place to add to your list.

Tip: be sure to pick up a Kawagoe discount pass at Ikebukuro station that covers the round-trip train fare and offers discounts at select merchants.

1. Warehouse District & Candy Alley: the shop-lined streets and alleys of central Kawagoe are an architectural wonder! Nostalgic Edo-era (1603–1867) buildings in a traditional clay-walled warehouse style. Walk the streets and then head over to dip your toes in the therapeutic waters of the Tsubakiya Foot Spa Tearoom and try a variety of drinks and snacks while enjoying the seasonally decorated space! Afterward, head over to Candy Alley and try the delicious warabi mochi at Kashofumon Kashiyayokochoten.

2. Enjoy a boat ride under cherry blossoms on the Shingashi River behind Kawagoe’s Hikawa Shrine! Lined by over 100 beautiful cherry trees on a 500-meter stretch, you'll have a paddle boat master (donning edo period festive wear) steer you through a river of pink cherry petals — a stunning visual experience perfect for that Instagram story!

3. Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine: nearly 1500 years old, this beautiful shrine built on the banks of the Shingashi River is truly majestic and revered throughout the area. Known by many as the ”shrine with the blessing of love”, it draws women from around the country who wish to improve their luck in love! Grab a Yukata and follow a procession of rituals that will grant you such luck, which includes an Instagram-worthy ema tunnel (small wooden prayer plaques) and fishing for carp-shaped omikuji (fortune slip). Don’t forget to grab the red pencil matchmaking charm symbolizing the red string of fate: the shorter the pencil, the closer you are to your desired partner.