I once heard being in Tokyo feels like a fever dream, an analogy I didn’t quite understand prior to visiting. The world’s largest city is vibrant, immaculately clean, contradictory, awe-inspiring, and at times, dizzying. Throw a fourteen-hour time change into the mix, and you’ll feel like your head is spinning (but in a good way). There’s honestly so much to take in, experience, and explore, and with 48 hours, it’s hard to know where to begin. Pack some comfortable sneakers, grab your Suica card, and prepare for an unforgettable experience.
Things to Know When Traveling in Tokyo
- Tokyo’s subway system is clean, reliable, and affordable. I’m not one to opt for public transit while traveling abroad and found the process seamless and enjoyable.
- Bring good walking shoes! Although we used the subway to navigate the city, we spent much time exploring each neighborhood on foot. On average, we walked about six miles a day.
- Purchase a Suica card. These pay-as-you-go cards can be used on everything from the subway to local convenience stores.
- Most hotels, restaurants, bars, and activities accept credit cards. Having some local currency on hand is helpful if you’re planning to visit street markets or vendors.
- It’s helpful to know basic phrases in Japanese. We occasionally encountered a language barrier during our time in the city, but luckily, I had the necessities down. When all else fails, Google Translate will be your friend.
- Ubers and taxis are available in Tokyo, however they’re expensive and less convenient with city traffic.
- Tipping isn’t customary and can even be seen as rude.
- Tokyo’s crime rate is relatively low and we felt safe there!
Where to Stay
OMO5 Tokyo – Accommodations in Toyko are expensive. This can be said for most major cities, although we were repeatedly warned about hotel prices in Tokyo. Wanting to save money where possible, we chose to stay at the OMO5 Tokyo. On a scale from 1 – 10, I’d rate the hotel a 6. Our room was very small and had a bunk-bed layout, which we thought we wouldn’t mind, but in retrospect, we wish it was larger. The hotel was clean and conveniently located close to the subway though. Overall, the experience was fine, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it.
Things to Do
The Infamous, Yet Touristy, Attractions
Yoyogi Park
The lush, serene pathways of Yoyogi Park are a strong contrast to the surrounding busy streets of downtown Tokyo. Whether looking for a contemplative stroll in the park or to gaze at the impressive Meiji-Jingu Shrine, Yoyogi Park has a little something for everyone.
Golden Gai
You’ve seen the pictures – small brick-lined backstreets filled with hundreds of bars. Most pubs don’t open until the evening, making Shinjuku’s Golden Gai district a popular destination for late-night drinks and light bites. If you’re looking for karaoke, look no further than the Golden Gai district.
Sensoji Temple
The oldest temple in Tokyo was completed in 645 and is one of the more popular attractions in the area given its vibrant exterior. We actually didn’t make it to Sensoji, but it felt wrong to exclude from the list.
Shibuya Crossing
Shibuya Crossing is the world’s most popular pedestrian intersection. During peak times it’s estimated that between 1,000 to 2,500 people push and prod their way across. The crossing is representative of the organized chaos that is Toyko and has drawn people from across the world after appearing in famous films such as Lost in Translation and Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift. It’s not necessarily worth going out of your way for, but it’s a quick and memorable experience if you’re in the area.
Tsukiji Fish Market
Wandering through the Tsukiji Fish Market was one of my favorite parts of the trip, a must for any seafood lover. We visited first thing in the morning to avoid large crowds and even caught a glimpse of a local fisherman carrying in his daily catch. I usually don’t eat seafood for breakfast, but there’s a time and place for everything.
Imperial Palace
The Imperial Palace is built on former Edo Castle grounds and is the residence for, you guessed it, Japan’s Imperial Family. Tours are available, although we just strolled by to view for ourselves and continued to the East Gardens around the bend. We were warned the tour isn’t worth it for what you can access.
Shop in Ginza
Tokyo’s upscale neighborhood is best known for its luxury shops, although it’s also filled with doting cafes, upscale dining, and a vibrant art scene. After window shopping in Ginza, I wished we stayed in this area.
Local Recommendations
Udatsu Sushi
Udatsu Sushi is a Michelin-star omakase restaurant with a nine-person sushi counter. We knew we had chosen wisely after being seated with a former sumo wrestler who told us Udatsu is a standout restaurant in the city. Go hungry – there were about twenty courses and we left surprisingly full for an omakase!
Naka-Meguro
If you make a reservation at Udatsu Sushi take the subway there and get off at the Naka-Meguro stop. Udatsu is a short fifteen-minute walk away and we were pleasantly surprised by the artistic and laidback nature of the neighborhood. We went back the next day and strolled along the Meguro River as well, which is allegedly beautiful during cherry blossom season.
Visit an Izakaya
Belly up to the bar at one of Tokyo’s many izakayas, or quintessential Japanese pubs. Something worth noting – it’s customary to order a drink and light bite while visiting an izakaya. Even if you don’t drink alcohol, ordering a soda, tea, etc is the polite option. We visited several and had everything from fresh, melt-in-your-mouth sashimi to sizzling yakitori. Tokyo’s izakayas are a cultural experience and a great way to experience Japanese hospitality firsthand.
Daikanyama
Much like Naka-Meguro, Daikanyama is a less touristy neighborhood in Tokyo. It’s a great area for those looking to shop at smaller boutiques and vintage shops versus the expensive luxury options in Ginza. There are also great cafes, speakeasies, and brunch options throughout the district’s windy back streets. A nice break from the hustle and bustle in downtown Tokyo!
Until next time, Tokyo!