City Guide - Tokyo
Japan is almost the same size as California. It’s a small country. Tokyo is tiny, but the population is huge and we have too many fun things in Tokyo. If I try to make a where-you-should-go-in-Tokyo list, it would be super long. I picked some places/areas/stores that I like and I think you can enjoy.
Check them out!
SIGHTSEEING
＊Asakusa –Senso-ji
Asakusa is one of the must-go places in Tokyo. It is famous for the Senso-ji Temple. At the entrance of the shrine, there is the Furai jin-mon, Gate of Wind God and Thunder God. A huge red paper lantern which reads “Kaminari-mon" (Thunder Gate) is hung from the top of the entrance gate. On the approach way to Senso-ji, there are a lot of shops on both sides: traditional fan shop, souvenir shops, Japanese traditional sweets shop, ice-cream shop and so on. You can feel “Japanese” atmosphere there. Once you reach the temple, there is a place to wash your hands and mouth (there is a direction of how to do it, so please check it). After you wash them, put a coin (5 yen is good!) in a big box and make a wish.
Adress
2-3-1 Asakusa, Taito, Tokyo
FOOD
＊Uobei Shibuya
There are many sushi places in the States. If you want good quality ones, they cost you a lot. The good thing is you can eat very good sushi at very reasonable prices in Japan. Uobei is conveyor belt sushi, not an authentic sushi restaurant. However, sushi is not simply going around on the conveyor belt. You order what you want on a tablet, and then what you ordered comes to you on the belt. They serve 2 pieces on one plate. All plates are about $1!
Address
2-29-11 Dogenzaka, Shibuya, Tokyo
＊Napule Minami Aoyama
This is one of the best pizza restaurants I have been to in several years. The location is very good; it’s just 2 minutes from Omotesando crossing. It is hard to find, and the entrance is small. Once you get into the restaurant, they take you upstairs, where the wall is white and Italian plates are on it. I have never been to Italy, but the atmosphere at the restaurant makes me feel like I came somewhere romantic. The pizza is so good. My friend and I started with a glass of champagne and Carpaccio. Then we got a margherita and a pizza with pork fritto, and finished with Tiramisu. You will enjoy the atmosphere and food.
Adress
5-6-24 Minami Aoyama, Minato, Tokyo
SHOPPING
＊STUDIOUS
My favorite clothing store! They have multi-brand items from shoes to accessories like the store Ron Herman. What I like about STUDIOUS is their concept: “From JAPAN to THE WORLD”. They only collect Tokyo-based designer’s brands, which is pretty rare in Tokyo because we tend to think other culture/brands are cool. So, you can find things that others don’t have. The price is basically over $200, but if you find something you really like, it’s worth it. Japanese quality never lets you down. There are 17 STUDIOUS stores in Japan, and 10 of them are in the Tokyo area. These are some of items I got from STUDIOUS.
Address
- Men’s: STUDIOUS HARAJUKU MENS FLAGSHIP: 4-26-32 Jingumae, Shibuya
- Women’s: STUDIOUS WOMEN SHINJUKU: 3 -38-1 Shinjuku, Tokyo
＊Omotesando and Harajuku Area
Omotesando has many high-end boutiques such as Chanel and Louis Vuitton, but there are also many multi-brand stores, and cafes. Omotesando Hills, which is a symbol of Omodesando, has high-end brands such as Valentino, Bottega Veneta and Balmain. The design of the building is interesting. If you go there during the holiday season, they have a big Christmas tree and some illuminating lights.
There is a street called Cat Street. I don’t know why it’s called that because there aren’t ant cats at all. But this street is pretty cool and not very crowded, so I really love the atmosphere. It is a small street, which is next to Delvaux. On that street, you can find many clothing stores including Columbia, Allsaints, Opening Ceremony, and Journal Standard, which is one of the biggest multi-brand clothing stores in Japan.
At the Harajuku crossing, there is one big store whose main entrance looks like a big mirror: This is Tokyu Plaza Omotesando-Harajuku This is new and has many stores inside. You will be impressed by the building itself.
As you know, Harajuku is an interesting and inspiring place to go for foreigners. There are many Vintage clothing stores, chain used clothing stores, and also good boutiques. You will enjoy people on the street who dress very interestingly.
Addresses
- Omotesando Hills: 4-12-10 Jingumae, Shibuya
- Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku: 4-30-3, Jungumae, Shibuya
- Journal Standard Omotesando: 6-7-1 Jingumae, Shibuya
＊Tokyu Hands Shibuya
This is very fun place, even for me. Tokyu Hands is a chain store, but I think the Shibuya store is the best because it is very big. Also, Shibuya is one of the hottest places in Tokyo. They have everything. Literally. Japanese souvenirs, craft goods, kitchen goods, bath goods, travel goods, stationeries, and such. There is a café on the top floor, so when you get tired you can get some coffee too. You will definitely get tired after you look around the store. Japan often sells very practical and useful things at reasonable costs, so you will find something new to you wherever you are.
Adress
12-18 Udagawacho, Shibuya
NIGHTLIFE- Shibuya and Roppongi
Many of you have heard of “Izakaya” before. I would say it is a Japanese bar, but the style is totally different from bars in America. You get a table and order food and drinks at the table. Many of Izakaya have an “all you can drink” system for a few hours at $15-40. Izakaya is the most popular hang-out place for students and business men/women. Shibuya has a lot of izakaya, so I’d like to introduce to you one which I think is good.
For bars and nightclubs, I really recommend that you to go to Roppongi. It’s the place to go out at night on the weekend for me! Roppongi is actually a very nice and fancy place during day time too. Roppongi Hills, the symbol of Roppoji, has clothing stores and good restaurants. But at night, it’s way more fun because there are many bars and nightclubs. Drinking age is 20 and over in Japan. You should bring your ID.
＊Torikizoku Shibuya Center-Gai
There are several Torikizoku even in Shibuya, but I think this is good one to go to because Center-Gai (Center Street), is very busy and iconic street in Shibuya. What they have is basically Yakitori (barbecued chicken) which is a very popular Japanese food. It goes very well with beer. Actually, Torikizoku doesn’t have an all-you-can-drink menu, but all plates are 280 yen, which is less than $3. Their yakitori is of high quality, and you can enjoy appetizing food and Japanese drinking style.
Adress
25-5 Udagawa-cho Center Building 4F, Shibuya
＊Rigoletto Bar and Grill Roppongi
This is on the 5th floor in Roppongi Hills. This is a Spanish restaurants but they also have a standing bar area. If you get a table and have dinner, you can see vivid view of Roppongi from the huge window. They have many kinds of drinks, and the food is delectable. There are always a lot of people the on weekends, so you should better go there earlier.
Address
6-10-1 Roppongi, Roppongi Hills West Walk 5F, Minato
＊New Lex Tokyo
This is a very famous club in Ropponji. Many celebrities such as Miranda Kerr have visited here before. The floor is not big, but the music is good: they play a mix of trendy songssuring operating hours
Address
5-5-1 Roppongi Roi Building B1F, Minato
＊V2 Tokyo
This is a clean and beautiful nightclub. Everything is very new and modern. This nightclub is on the 13th floor, so you can enjoy an exciting view while you are dancing. The entrance fee is free for women. I think there are many girls there because of that. Even the bathroom is like a hotel’s bathroom. It’s always packed and sometimes hard to move around in, which means this club is very popular!
Address
5-5-1 Roppongi, Roi Building F13, Minato
photo credit:
1) http://metrocosm.com/how-many-u-s-cities-can-you-fit-inside-tokyo/
3&5) http://napule-pizza.com/minamiaoyama/photo/
6) http://omohara.tokyu-plaza.com/en/
7) https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1066451-d1373795-Reviews-Roppongi-Minato_Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto.html
8) https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1066451-d1373795-Reviews-Roppongi-Minato_Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto.html
9) http://www.v2tokyo.com/nightclub/
2,4 and 6) Provided by Megumi Hiramoto for 6 + done., 2016. Please do not use it without permission.
