Having lived in quiet a handful of cities all over the world (Seattle, Seoul, Helsinki, Mexico City, Shanghai, Osaka, Suwon, and now Tokyo) Tokyo is definitely one of my favorites. There are so much to explore both modern and historical, food is amazing and you can easily explore Cities near by.

I have been requested to make recommendations to colleagues, friends and family since I have moved to Tokyo in 2022 and have been updating the list over and over. This post will be my main reference to re-visit when planning for another friend's Tokyo trip.

Please use the post like a buffet, look at the TOC on the left and pick whichever that seems helpful.

Tokyo_local guide2024 · Deok Yeop Kim

0 places -

Tokyo_local guide2024 · Deok Yeop Kim

Where to stay

I highly recommend east side of Tokyo.
Easy access to every where, not crazy crowded like shinjuku or shibuya, and less touristy.

Stations to search for hotels, hostels near-by

• Asakusabashi https://maps.app.goo.gl/LQi3pbF1Cg4G4UTa6
• Kuramae https://maps.app.goo.gl/6CZguYrhdM1fjRU18
• Ueno https://maps.app.goo.gl/iVsp35RWEZQdNe9N6
• Nihonbashi https://maps.app.goo.gl/Pb3SJt8Vb4V391Ez9

Eat and drink

Well priorities isn't it? I have to say my wife and I appreciate Japanese food scene even more after our honey moon in Paris, Florence and Rome. You will be pleasantly surprised with high quality and relatively low price. Also, tokyo has amazing Korean food, Chinese food, Thai food and western cuisine in Japanese style.

Sushi

Sushi can come in a VERY wide range of pricing. The low price options are surprisingly good as well.

Hama sushi
https://maps.app.goo.gl/oPsY2KZ1vD99Wmui9
Ok quality sushi for low price. Usually less than 3,000 JPY per person.
This is a chain, so other branches in other locations is also an option.
! Caution: Always very crowded.

Sushi-ko
https://maps.app.goo.gl/uE3EaNNfMWi5DBh76
Good quality sushi for less than 5,000 JPY per person.
This is a chain, so other branches in other locations is also an option.

Kaitenzushi Nemuro Hanamaru KITTE Marunouchi
https://maps.app.goo.gl/wbn86GVd8fE7FHcN6
Great quality sushi for reasonable price.
! Cation: Always very crowded

Sushiya kanroku
https://maps.app.goo.gl/n2oQoaaz6adhE6Yu5
High quality, high price (10,000-20,000 JPY per person)
This is where you have the OMAKASE option, which means you just let the chef take care of the menu and enjoy what he or she gives you. It is quite an experience and for me was worth the price.

Soba

100 Soba
https://maps.app.goo.gl/5NvaJYMoPUqjebiq5
Amazing quality, low price(1000-2000 JPY) local soba store

Ishi Zuki
https://maps.app.goo.gl/3apoNPM8NcxxS8L67
Soba is good, the view you get at the terrace area where you can eat it amazing.

Udon

Tsuru TonTan UDON NOODLE Brasserie MARYNA
https://maps.app.goo.gl/cDRjbKBrFx88GEox9
amazing udon with so many options to choose from

Tonkatsu

Katsukichi Shin-Marunouchi Building
https://maps.app.goo.gl/gR4RPW4FzZnFXJLS7

Sukiyaki

Sukiyaki usually is quite pricey, but is worth the experience if you find the right place. The two recommendations below can be booked via google reservations so I recommend you book it if you plan to visit.

Imahan nihonbashi
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Arr8BV4p5uKEfdMi6

Imahan ningyocho
https://maps.app.goo.gl/QVKAYhW42kKUdgAq6

Tendon

Might not be the first thing that comes up to your mind when you are making a food wish-list. However, tendon definitely worth a try. Assuming Asakusa will likely be in your visit list please check out the following shop.

Amairo
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ALwhh7DQUHnPsNsi9
2000 JPY and 3000 JPY tendon set are both recommended.
Their kaisen-don(rice bowl with a few types of sashimi on it) is great too

Tendon Tenya(chain with many shops all around Tokyo)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/eLHSZJSct1zP17Wz7
Highly recommended if your budget it tight.

Yakitori (chicken skewers)

You might not be happy with the small skewers depending on where you are coming from. (Japanese skewers are usually smaller than what you get in china or middle asia countries) However, the taste speaks for itself. Also vegetable skewers are surprisingly good. My favorites are ENOKI mushroom, ginnan, negi

Gonpachi
https://maps.app.goo.gl/wQtWyGTu3C6ZpUZr7
Very foreigner friendly. Has a great view of the Sumida river.

Chicken Place
https://maps.app.goo.gl/5zyVAii1qM8oxght6
More local option. I recommend you start with the 5 skewer set.

Sakanaya-Shirushi (Izakaya)

I had one of the best food experience here. They had excellent food, atmosphere and service. Choosing from a full Japanese menu might be a challenge, in that case just go for 'Omakase' Course.

Price is surprisingly around 4000-5000 JPY even with one or two drinks.

*Reservation is a must.

魚や しるし · Japan, 〒160-0004 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Yotsuya, 2 Chome−10−5 八ツ橋ビル 2階

★★★★★ · Izakaya-restaurant

魚や しるし · Japan, 〒160-0004 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Yotsuya, 2 Chome−10−5 八ツ橋ビル 2階

Fishing izakaya ZAUO

I visited this place with two colleagues, and ever since love to recommend it to all who like seafood and are traveling to Tokyo. You can fish in a in-house pond(usually takes 5-10minutes), request what type of dish you would like with the catch.(sashimi, sushi, hot pot and so on)

@Meguro
https://maps.app.goo.gl/wBjLMPM1d24zzjQq9

Activity

Night view of Tokyo

Finishing the day with a beautiful view has always been a delight for me while traveling. Even if some small details went wrong, a good view can make it all feel like a process to get there and enjoy what is in front. That being said, here are a few of my recommendations.

Rigoletto Wine and Bar @ Tokyo station front

https://maps.app.goo.gl/WMPXVfyQgs7L3beE9
The whole 7th floor where Rigoletto is located is a gem in the center of Tokyo. (5 minute walk from Tokyo station)
Please find a seat at the wide terrace. There are 5-6 different bars restaurants to choose from.
Both the view of the station and the Japanese palace are amazing so make sure to take a small round walk around the terrace before you choose where to have enjoy the view.

R Restaurant & Bar Asakusa

https://maps.app.goo.gl/vhmiz8KgxJMP4WEZA
Amazing view of Skytree, Sumida river and Sensoji.
It's a gem in asakusa. Highly recommended.
Their cocktail and wine list is quite vast and will be a pleasant surprise.
Assorted cheese is also recommended if you want some finger food to go with drinks.
A brief walk along the sumida river after some drinks with great view is a wonderful way to close the day.

Peak Lounge and New York Bar @ Park Hayatt Shinjuku

Peak Lounge_41F
https://maps.app.goo.gl/34pFiZB3jAo68Lut8
It is quiet, classy, and the drink is great. Nothing like super crowded high towers like sky-tree, tokyo tower and the likes. You can enjoy Tokyo's night view while nursing a nice drink.

New York Bar_52F
https://maps.app.goo.gl/edKbiYYS6c82jZu88
! Temporarily closed as of 2024 Mar 24th.
Featured in Lost in Translation. Often has live music. Smoking allowed.
Although this is the famous option I prefer the quiet and smoke free environment at Peak Lounge.

Exhibitions, Museums

teamLab Borderless: Digital Art Museum

https://maps.app.goo.gl/nkbvDqWSXka8dKk66
This is the place to easily take a hundred photos in 2 hours.
Entertaining many senses at the same time, quite the experience.

Artizon Museum

https://www.artizon.museum/en/
Located in the heart of Tokyo, they have wonderful collections with extremly well organized gallery.
If you are interested in art, do take a look at what is the ongoing exhibition and pay a visit.
Only 5-10 minute walk from Tokyo station.

Tokyo National Museum

https://maps.app.goo.gl/bgb6i1YUH1ABZFqq9
There are several museums in this area, so please check out and choose the one that has the exhibition that interests you.

Seasonal

Hanami(cherry blossom)

Spring(Mar- Apr)

Matsuri(Japanese festivals)

Summer(July-August)

Other areas to explore near Tokyo

Kamakura

Kamakura recommendations in one-map

Yeop’s Kamakura recommendations · Deok Yeop Kim

14 places -

Yeop's Kamakura recommendations · Deok Yeop Kim

First, get to Kamakura station.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Qh1FNb8JBhbrcEREA

Walk through Komachi street and do window shopping and street food hunt
https://maps.app.goo.gl/3jSDhuWNv7ezazAGA

Climb up the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu and take in the view of Kamakura
https://maps.app.goo.gl/jc9zFJ3BdUSv6X979

Have some tea with dango if you have time
https://maps.app.goo.gl/4GwH4wgywLb4Qh2J9

Beautiful Temple with small bamboo forest and a green tea house
https://maps.app.goo.gl/QSkEmUv8tTyV4uEC9

Go back to Kamakura station and take Enoden to Shichirigahama station
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Cw1caRPi1yMVT5h8A
It is worth getting off the station and waking a breif walk along the beach.

(A Must)Finish the Kamakura day-trip with Onsen
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Qh1FNb8JBhbrcEREA
The view is magnificent on a good day, you can see the ocean, enoshima and also mt fuji.
Even if you are too shy to get naked, they have a foot onsen option where you can rest your hard worked foot in onsen while enjoying a cocktail, tea or dinner

Hakone

Hakone is a beautiful place, known for the volcanic terrain and onsen.
One of the most famous onsen areas in Kanto, and you could definitely do it as a day-trip or a night-trip depending on your schedule.

My personal recommendation is to start early in the morning and end around 17-18:00.
The easiest and most economic option to travel to Hakone is using Hakone free pass.

Purchase Hakone free pass

This gives you access for the round trip to Hakone from Tokyo with all transportation you need to move around Hakone.

Kawaguchi-ko

To be updated

Sample trip plan

3.5-day Family Trip Planned for my parents

Hotel: MONday Asakusabashi
https://maps.app.goo.gl/wYovYq3QNFKzC4a88

Miscellaneous tips

To be updated