Tokyo at a Glance
Tokyo Skytree
While there are plenty of articles on things to do in Tokyo, this one aims to share unique ideas and places that might not be covered elsewhere.
Where to stay?
I prefer to stay in the Ikejiri neighborhood in an Airbnb - it’s a quiet yet central spot, within walking distance of the Shibuya, Daikan-yama, and Naka Meguro neighborhood or just one subway stop from Shibuya.
For first time visitors, I recommend staying near the Japan Rail Yamanote Line for easy and convenient access to all the sights.
If you prefer to stay in a hotel, I can only recommend that you avoid staying in Shinjuku or Roppongi.
Where to visit around Shibuya?
Don Quijote Nakameguro and Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo - famous discount store and it’s headquarters that’s right next to one of the six Starbucks Reserve stores in the world. Located right next to the Meguro River, famous for it’s cherry blossoms in the spring
Tsutaya Books in the Daikan-yama neighborhood - right next to Naka Meguro, this famous Japanese bookstore is located in a modern shopping complex. I find it to be a charming area to walk around
Miyashita Park - park and shopping center that opened a few years ago in the Shibuya neighborhood and offers a wide variety of restaurants and stores. Within walking distance to the Harajuku neighborhood
Shibuya Sky - one of the best city skyline views in Tokyo alongside the Tokyo City View shared below. You have to reserve a ticket to enter and the prime spot is the time around sunset. For more information on the different city skyline views, view the Tokyo’s Best Skyline Views article
Yoyogi Park - beautiful public park in Shibuya that is ideal for jogging and is right next to the Meiji Jingu shrine
Where else to visit?
Gashapon Ikebukuro Main Store - largest collection of capsule toy machines in the world and is a great place to get a small souvenir from Japan
Ichigaya Fish Center - unique urban fishing spot
Meiji Jingu Gaien Batting Practice Range - simple batting cage for a quick activity
teamLab Borderless: MORI Building DIGITAL ART MUSEUM - this is the new permanent teamLab Borderless exhibit that opened in Azabudai Hills earlier this year in February 2024. I’m sure you’ve seen all the Instagram posts from the other teamLab exhibits and I would highly recommend you visit this one
Tokyo City View - great city skyline view in Tokyo if the outdoor observation deck on top of the building is open so make sure to check if it is before you head there. In the same building you can find the Mori Art Museum. For more information on the different city skyline views, view the Tokyo’s Best Skyline Views article
Ushinokura - I always recommend is Ushinokura, a Japanese BBQ place in the upscale Azabu-Juban neighborhood due to the scenic neighborhood, high quality food, English menus, and easy online reservations
Other areas in Tokyo?
Ebisu - or Yebisu, is an area in Tokyo that is the home of Yebisu beer. In addition, you can find the Yebisu Garden Place Tower shopping center which has nice restaurants on the top floor overlooking the city. Within the same center, you can find the Tokyo Photographic Art Museum
Ginza - regarded as the upscale shopping district of Tokyo. Not only can you find the usual luxury brands, you can also find both the flagship Uniqlo and MUJI store. In addition, the famous theatre called Kabuki-za can be found here
Harajuku - one of the more famous fashion districts in the world. The famous Takeshita Street houses many unique fashion stores but the whole street can be packed full of visitors. I would recommend avoiding that street and taking a walk around Omotesando Hills
Ueno - few stops north of Ginza and Tokyo station. I’m not the biggest fan of this area but it has the largest concentration of jeans, specifically raw denim, stores in Tokyo
What to avoid?
As mentioned before, avoid staying in Shinjuku or Roppongi - it’s souless, crowded, and there are many other areas where you could stay
Don’t bother going up the Tokyo Skytree. The view is nothing special and not as impressive as the two city views I mentioned above. However, the tower itself is quite impressive and I would recommend viewing it from the Asakusa neighborhood, specifically around Sensō-ji temple, a famous tourist attraction in Tokyo
Feel free to reach out if you have any questions!