This page contains links to Third Party websites. Clicking on the Third Party links within will transfer you to their websites and may result in commission paid to Gwen's Getaways. Gwen's Getaways does not warrant or guarantee the products, services, or information provided on their websites. Purchasing decisions should be made at the purchaser's discretion.
Tokyo
The Most Populous City in the World
Where Old meets New
Why
The Why, When & How to visit...
The most populous city in the world is an interesting sight to see where order is maintained despite the tens of millions of people. An extensive rail system makes it seamless to get around to experience all the sights & sounds that Tokyo has to offer from towers to temples, shrines and seafood markets.
When
How
Tokyo has two international airports - Haneda (HND), which takes about 30 minutes to reach central Tokyo via rail, and Narita (NRT), which takes about an hour to reach. There are direct flights to Tokyo from major cities across the US, Canada, Europe, etc. A flight from Chicago to Tokyo for example takes 13 hours + a 14 hour time difference adds up 27 hours. Once there, the rail system throughout Japan makes it easy to get around Tokyo and beyond and easy to navigate using Google Maps for public transit directions.
Spring is a popular time to visit Japan when the famous sakuras (cherry blossom trees) start to bloom at the end of March into early April. However, this is a small window and can be accompanied by rain and overcast skies. Fall is another highlight when Fall Foliage occurs starting mid-October through early December typically peaking in November. Winter is another popular time to visit Japan in general for winter sports. Summer is the rainy season from June through mid-July with a fair amount in September too.
General Tidbits:
-
Japanese Yen is the currency, which at the time of writing 1,000 Yen = ~USD$7.50.
-
Cash is widely required, including paying for the rail system and most smaller restaurants, bars and shops. We used on average USD$60 of cash / day.
-
English is not widely spoken, but was able to get by as needed. Google Translate Lens is helpful to translate words on menus and products.
-
The Japan Rail (JR) Pass is a convenient and potentially cost effective way of traveling throughout the country using the rail system. It is sold in 7-day increments and includes unlimited travel on most JR Rails (which is not all rail systems in Japan). Importantly, it does not include the Nozomi express train, which runs more frequently from Tokyo to Kyoto, Osaka, and on to Okayamaha. The Hikari train covering this main route is included, however it takes ~ 30 minutes longer from Tokyo to Kyoto or Osaka, but still operates every ~30 minutes during peak times.
-
Train cards called SUICA and Passmo can be purchased for a 500 yen deposit and loaded with cash to pay for the intercity trains to avoid needing to purchase a train ticket each time. The card can be returned to a train office after the final use to receive the 500 yen deposit back.
Where
to stay...
Frankly, the hotels in Tokyo have a similar look and feel to me, so would choose one based on cost and location. All the luxury hotel brand usual suspects have hotels here, like the Mandarin Oriental, Peninsula, Park Hyatt, Four Seasons (x 2), Shangri-La, and newest and most luxe (and expensive) Bulgari Hotel all for typically over $1,000 / night.
For mid-price 4+ star hotels, I chose:
1) Mitsui Garden Hotel Nihonbashi Premier Tokyo - I chose to stay at the Misui Garden Hotel Nihonbashi Premier for a low to moderate priced 4-star option within walking distance of Tokyo Station. The hotel has a hidden gem, intimate bar with terrace and restaurant serving traditional Japanese food for all three meals, including a breakfast buffet. There are also separate public baths for men and women, which are common in Japan. Rooms are compact ranging in size from tight to cozy and come equipped with pajamas, slippers, and toiletries. The bathroom space is nicely spaced with a separate sink, toilet, and shower space, including an entire spacious shower room sometimes containing a bathtub too. For more information and the ability to book, click here.
2) Hotel New Otani Tokyo The Main - I like this next option, because it's bringing sixties back with its revolving restaurant and Trader Vic's tiki bar & restaurant (that are becoming a dying breed). The hotel has a whopping 20 restaurants and 4 bars for endless options to start and end your day. The crown jewel of the property is the extensive Japanese garden complete with a waterfall that can be admired from one of the 20 restaurants. The waterfall gives me Wynn Las Vegas vibes, while one of the bars has cool Art Deco murals that remind me of the St. Regis King Cole Bar. The hotel is located in its own little oasis, fairly centrally located near a park and the Imperial Palace. Rooms are spacious with floor-to-ceiling windows providing ample natural light. More details on the hotel, along with the ability to book is accessible here.
3) mesm Tokyo - mesm Tokyo is a newly built hotel that opened in April 2020 as part of Marriott's Autograph Collection. It's a 4.5-star luxury hotel that IMO looks comparable (if not better) for half the price (or less) of the luxury 5-star big brands. The hotel is located on the edge of the city on a pier along the Sumida River with views of the skyline and water and parks below. Rooms are more spacious with floor-to-ceiling windows, and bathrooms featuring marble walls and floors. There's a gorgeous two-story restaurant & bar showcasing great views of the city. More details on the hotel and the ability to book is accessible here.
What
to...
Do
1) Explore the Sights & Sounds - To experience the sights and sounds of Tokyo, head to the Shinjuku area for bright lights in the big city, where Godzilla roams and billboards are 3-D. Enjoy bites in the narrow alleyways of Omoide Yokocho, followed by drinks in nearby Golden Gai. Lost in Translation fans should head to the New York Bar featuring nightly jazz in the Park Hyatt Tokyo, where most of the movie was filmed. Further south is Shibuya containing Shibuya Crossing, the busiest street crossing in the world and Shibuya Sky to observe it high in the sky from the 14-18th floors above.
The Asakusa area of Taito City was another highlight, where the Senso-ji (discussed below) is located, along with fun F&B options. This includes food stalls surrounding the temple and Asakusa Yokocho, a modern neon food court. There's a Sushi Making Class nearby offering classes 3 times a day overlooking the Sumida River with a rooftop to enjoy your creations. Purchase some of their amazing miso balls to enjoy more miso soup when you get home. Then head around the corner to enjoy a Denki Bran brandy cocktail paired with sliced octopus from Kamiya Bar dating back to 1880.
The world's tallest tower at 634 meters (and 3rd tallest structure) - the Tokyo Skytree is located a short walk across the Sumida River in Sumida City. It's open 10 am-9 pm providing both day and night views of Tokyo with a restaurant and cafe to enjoy. The second tallest tower in Tokyo is the Tokyo Tower. Built in 1958, it closely mirrors the Eiffel Tower, only painted international orange and is conveniently 3 meters taller. It also has observation decks - one at 150 meters and the other at 250 meters above ground, along with a F&B garden and "foot town" filled with restaurants and shops on the ground level. The Tokyo Tower lights up every night from sunset to midnight with a diamond veil every Monday reflecting a different color symbolizing each month.
Heading back NE, there is a seafood market called Tsukiji Outer Market open everyday, but Sunday to enjoy some fresh seafood and other bites. Enjoy some dessert at Hekkelun open M-F (8am-7pm) where the ~80-year-old owner serves his famous Japanese flan. Stop by a department store like Mitsukoshi, which is Japan's first department store with roots dating back to 1673, for its extensive food hall. It has a location in Ginza and the Main Store in Nihombashi that reminds me of the Harrod's Food Hall.
2) Experience the Temples & Shrines - A highlight of Japan is experiencing the temples and shrines. In Tokyo, I recommend visiting Senso-ji (a Buddhist Temple) and Meiji Jingu (a Shinto Shrine).
Senso-ji was the most opulent temple I saw in Japan decorated with bright red paint, gold accents, and massive lanterns. It is Tokyo's oldest temple completed in 645 to honor Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy. It's located in the Asakusa area of Taito City within Tokyo. Walkways leading to the temple are lined with stalls selling souvenirs and food. Go early in the morning to avoid the crowds and enjoy some melon bread from Asakusa Kagetsudo that opens at 10am.
Meiji Jingu is a Shinto shrine that opened in 1920 dedicated to Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shōken. It is located in the Shibuya area of Tokyo surrounded by a mature sacred forest covering 70 hectares (173 acres) providing a sanctuary in an otherwise hectic part of town. There's a wall of beautiful sake barrels near the south entrance to admire. It is open from sunrise to sunset and within walking distance of Shibuya and Shinjuku and nearby Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden.
3) Explore the Surrounding Sights - One of the top sights of Japan is Mount Fuji, which is accessible on a day trip from Tokyo. The two places I recommend to view Mount Fuji are from the Chureito Pagoda viewing point and the Fuji Motosuko Resort. The Chureito Pagoda is a 5 level pagoda (temple) that provides a special viewpoint with the pagoda in the forefront and Mt. Fuji in the background. The Fuji Motosuko Resort is a flower garden providing a beautiful viewpoint with the bright colorful flowers in the forefront and Mt. Fuji in the background.
There are a few ways to get there, so best to check Google Maps for directions from your location. The Chureito Pagoda is a short walk followed by a lot of stairs (or winding road) from Shimoyoshida Station. The Fuji Motosuko Resort is further along the same train route followed by a 40+ minute bus ride from the Kawaguchiko Station. Bus and admission tickets are available on the website in advance or at the ticket stand at the Kawaguchiko Station. The gardens are likely only open seasonally, so check website for access in advance.
Eat
Sushi. When in Tokyo....it would be difficult not to experience sushi from the sushi masters themselves. Personally, I love good a novelty, so I enjoyed sushi on display rotating around a conveyor belt to grab whatever looked appealing or order straight off the menu. I also enjoyed making sushi myself and eating it from a rooftop overlooking the Sumida River at this Sushi Making Class. Then eating sliced octopus paired with its famous brandy cocktail at nearby Kamiya Bar.
Drink
Highball, preferably from a can. A F&B highlight for me was discovering Highballs. Broadly speaking, highballs are liquor with a carbonated mixer, like a Gin & Tonic. In Japan, it typically refers to Japanese Whiskey mixed with soda water or ginger ale. Suntory makes a great Highball that comes in a can available at convenience stores and liquor vending machines. *If of legal drinking age to drink responsibly
Wear
Nice Neutrals
Watch
Adrift in Tokyo by
Satoshi Miki
Listen
"Sky Over Tokyo"
by RADWIMPS
Gift
Click here for Gift ideas