Experience the Magic of Tokyo in Just 36 Hours
Embarking on a whirlwind adventure through Tokyo may seem daunting, but fear not! This captivating city boasts a myriad of neighborhoods that perfectly encapsulate the city's vibrant art scene, thrilling nightlife, and delectable cuisine.
Prepare to be amazed by the vast expanse of Tokyo's urban landscape. With no obvious central hub, towering skyscrapers scattered throughout the city challenge the traditional concept of a downtown core. While the bustling areas of Shibuya and Ginza pulsate with energy, it's important to resist the allure of the mesmerizing multi-story video screens and instead focus on a select few districts that truly showcase the heart and soul of this remarkable capital.
Start your journey in the tranquility of Nakameguro, a neighborhood brimming with charm and peaceful ambiance. Stroll along the serene streets lined with cherry blossom trees, explore the quaint boutiques, or indulge in a traditional tea ceremony. For a truly unique experience, head to Koenji, a bohemian enclave renowned for its offbeat vintage stores and vibrant music scene.
Don't miss the chance to witness the juxtaposition of ancient traditions and modern innovation that Tokyo embodies. Immerse yourself in the eclectic mix of old and new that awaits you at every turn. Let Tokyo's magnetic allure captivate your senses, leaving you yearning for more.
Want to explore Tokyo's bustling streets from the comfort of your own home? Try our street view feature to get a taste of what this incredible city has to offer. Start planning your unforgettable 36-hour Tokyo adventure now!
New Fact 1: Did you know that Nakameguro is renowned for its mesmerizing cherry blossom festival, attracting visitors from all over the world?
New Fact 2: Koenji's vibrant music scene owes its fame to being the birthplace of numerous influential Japanese punk and indie bands.
Friday
1) 3:30 P.M. Experiencing Aoyama's Architectural Grandeur
Aoyama is the perfect place to commence your Tokyo adventure for two distinct reasons. One, it grants you the opportunity to observe the latest surge of high-end boutiques, flaunting imaginative exteriors conceptualized by the luminaries of architectural world, for instance, stores of Prada and Miu Miu brought to life by Herzog & de Meuron. Secondly, Aoyama is also the home to the Nezu Museum. Nestled in a sublime, contemporary structure crafted by the heralded Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, the museum's expansive form hosts six galleries. These galleries showcase antique Japanese and East Asian art, ranging from the subtle opulence of gold-foil artworks from the Edo era to the melancholic splendor of 15th-century ink landscapes that appear to be spontaneously splattered. The museum's exterior isn’t any less picturesque, with a garden featuring stone paths and a pond teeming with carp, beautifully framing seasonal displays - the vibrant red maples in the fall and radiant irises come spring. Entrance fee is reasonably priced at 1,100 Japanese yen, which approximately equals $10.
2) 6 P.M. Unwind at Gen's Refuge
Discerning gourmands seeking a genuine encounter with the art of thoughtful consumption will find their nirvana nestled amongst the eight carefully laid out seating positions at the authentically austere, Zen-tinged cocoon of cocktails, Gen Yamamoto. Behind the bar, which gracefully manifests as a single piece of Japanese oak, stands the bar's namesake, invariably attired in a spotless white coat, crafting his liquid masterpieces with exceptional attentiveness. The drinks are aesthetically served in elegant glassware, with a harmonious blend of liquor and crisp, unique seasonal components like Kagawa's kumquats or Kagoshima's fresh fava beans. A tasting selection of four tailor-made cocktails can be enjoyed for 4,500 yen.
3) 9 P.M. Skewered Supper
Wander through the narrow lanes of Nakameguro, a laid-back neighborhood bisected by the leafy canal of the Meguro River, to dinner at Nakameguro Iguchi, a stylish second-floor yakitori restaurant. A single bonsai serves as décor behind the 10-seat bar, where the friendly chef twirls skewers over the charcoal grill. The set menu, nearly two-dozen courses, recently included the usual chicken bits — tail, heart, wing — and creative offerings like grilled caciocavallo cheese from Hokkaido and refreshing chawanmushi (egg custard) with avocado, seasonal asparagus and lemon peel. Dinner for two, about 15,000 yen.
4) 11 P.M. Discover the Soul of Tokyo
Move away from the city's technicolor hubbub in Shibuya, favoring instead an exploration of night life in Shimokitazawa, a laid-back borough just two miles west. This trend-setting enclave is rich in petite music venues, affectionately coined “live houses,” that exhibit performances spanning genres from experimental pop to grassroots punk. At Shelter, a transformed bomb shelter, you can watch the stirring performances of Tokyo's most promising rock bands on the evocative, checkerboard-patterned stage. This area is known for inciting artistic revolutions, further shaping Tokyo's vibrant music landscape.
5) 10 A.M. Explore the Cultural Hub
Opt for a daytime visit to the lively Roppongi district, avoiding the boisterous nightlife scene that tends to lure inebriated expatriates. Begin your voyage of discovery at the National Art Center, renown as one of Asia's largest artistic showrooms. Framed by a remarkable fusion of glass and steel, it houses exceptional collections - which include, for a limited time, an exhibit by the extraordinary Yayoi Kusama (available until the 22nd of May; the price of entry varies). A short walk away, find yourself immersed in the avant-garde surroundings of the 21_21 Design Sight. This remarkable edifice, the cross-pollination of ingenious minds - designer Issey Miyake and architect Tadao Ando, houses numerous subterranean galleries. Its enlightening exhibits reveal the intricate web of connections between everyday existence and design principles (entrance fee, 1,100 yen).
Bringing a touch of trivia to your tour: the National Art Center stunningly houses around 600 artworks at a time. While at the 21_21 Design Sight, you'd be standing over the vestiges of the Tokyo Olympic swimming pool complex.
6) 1 P.M. The Perfect Sushi Lunch
Indulging in Tokyo's renowned sushi bars can often lead to a hefty bill, but there's a delightful solution for sushi lovers on a budget. Why not satisfy your sushi cravings during lunchtime at Sushi Rin? Tucked away on the second floor in Kagurazaka, this tranquil restaurant boasts a modest-sized bar with about a dozen seats.
Instead of a lengthy omakase feast, opt for their lunchtime offering priced at just 4,000 yen. While the number of courses may be reduced, the same level of meticulous craftsmanship and premium ingredients shines through. Experience an array of flavorful bites, from the briny pop of roe on vinegared rice to a succession of nigiri showcasing delicacies like red snapper, kohada fish, and delectable tuna belly glazed with soy sauce. The dining experience is further elevated by the exquisite presentation on striking plates paired with elegant crimson cut-glass sake sets.
7) 3:30 P.M. Fashion Tour
Embark on an exploration of Tokyo's fashionable retail scene in two distinct shopping locales, each representative of unique style concepts. Start your adventure in Kagurazaka's La Kagu. This former library storage system morphed into a shopper's haven, café, and bookshop in 2014, seamlessly connected by a serpent-like construct of timber and steel steps, thanks to renowned architect Kengo Kuma. This breezy bi-level establishment offers an array of stylish attire and home décor items, including meticulously tailored silk pants, Danish teak drinks trolleys, and handcrafted pint-sized wooden creamers. From here, journey towards the west, to the eccentric and eclectic Kitakore building in Koenji. Step into a maze of diminutive stores packed to the brim with extraordinary clothing customizations and unfindable-anywhere-else labels. Craving an 80s Mickey Mouse sweatshirt with lacy edges? Or maybe a motley amethyst biker jacket complete with shimmering studs, reflective pieces, and a primate-inspired hologram? You've come to the right place for such unexpected finds.
8) 6 P.M. Nakano Brew
Take the train one stop east to Nakano, a neighborhood favored by otaku (young pop-culture fanatics), to find a pair of drinking spots worth obsessing over. Hidden amid the manga stores and costume shops in a labyrinthine subculture shopping complex is Bar Zingaro, a cafe that fuses Norwegian exports — midcentury Scandinavian furnishings, Fuglen coffee — with the colorful art of Takashi Murakami. Tucked down a nearby alley, Nakano Beer Kobo is a tiny bar that feels like a treehouse with particleboard walls and lofts that you can climb into with plates of fried chicken thighs and mugs of cold beer brewed on site.
9) 9 P.M. Picture Perfect Moment
While karaoke might be the stereotypical Japanese pastime, the advent of Snapchat and Instagram has necessitated a fresh form of amusement: purikura. These innovative photo kiosks allow you and your comrades to strike a pose, personalize the resultant snapshots with doodles and emblems, and even transform your physical features - such as enlarging eyes or changing hair color - reminiscent of a character from a Walt Disney movie. If you're after variety, visit Purikura Shop Noa. Situated underneath Harajuku's bustling streets, this location offers booths designed to craft bespoke memento that could only be sourced from Japan.
10) 10:30 P.M. Adventurous Expedition in Ebisu
In the evening, immerse yourself in the local culture of Tokyo by mingling with the locals at Ebisu Yokocho. This enthralling location is a bustling indoor alleyway, densely packed with vivacious stalls serving mouth-watering cuisines, particularly invigorating as night befalls. Ambush any available seat you stumble upon as they're in high demand here. Experience diverse Japanese delicacies including okonomiyaki, a delectably savoury pancake, or kushikatsu, skewers that are deep-fried and bursting with flavours, such as lotus root or shishito peppers.
Continue the night by sliding into Bar Tram, an elegant and sophisticated cocktail bar renowned for skillfully incorporating absinthe into their drinks. One must-try is the effervescent Blanche Neige; a tantalising mix of G’Vine gin, vermouth, refreshing apple syrup and citrusy lemon, all for 1,300 yen. Shishito pepper, commonly used in kushikatsu, is native to eastern Asia, particularly Japan and offers a unique mildly sweet flavor. The use of this in local cuisine signifies the Japanese love for seasonal and regional ingredients.
Finally, wind down by unwinding at Bar Track, a humble music bar renowned for its eclectic music selections. Here, resident D.J.s spin captivating tunes, everything from the timeless works of Miles Davis to the seldom-heard B-sides of Prince, all on original vinyl records, while you enjoy expertly mixed whiskey highballs. This showcases Tokyo's rich music culture, with the presence of vinyl records indicating the city's appreciation for classic sound systems in the digital age.
11) Kicking off the morning at 10 A.M. with a Caffeine Boost
Saturating Tokyo's cityscape are countless superior coffee haunts, but the one that deserves a jaunt is Onibus Coffee Nakameguro, which found its roots just the previous year, thanks to a lauded hometown roaster. The coffee shop is nestled in a cozy stucco microhome adjacent to a scenic city park. The ideally located outdoor patio is the optimum place to enjoy a silky smooth, rich double-shot latte (priced at 500 yen). The patio, stationed beside the Diedrich roaster, is frequently bathed in an irresistibly warm and toasty scent that enhances the coffee-drinking experience.
12) 11:30 A.M. Exploring Daikanyama's Unique Offerings
Immerse yourself in the sophisticated aura of Daikanyama, a district well-loved by the city's stylish denizens. Take a virtual tour of the stunningly structured Daikanyama T-Site. This encompassing complex, blanketed in a distinctive white lattice, stands as possibly the globe's most aesthetically pleasing bookstore. Its diverse sections cater to various domains such as music, cinema, travel, and photography, among others. Post this visual feast, make your way to Harcoza, a boutique that exudes glamour and eccentricity. Here, you can try on over-the-top blouses with puff sleeves and asymmetrical skirts in bright shades of pink against a whimsical, fairy-tale-themed fitting room backdrop.
13) 2:30 P.M. A Whole New Ballgame
In Japanese baseball, the rules are the same (mostly), but the experience for fans is not. Snag tickets at the Tokyo Dome, the home stadium of the Yomiuri Giants, to encounter concession-stand takoyaki (octopus balls), coordinated cheering (and a ban on booing), and beer poured by salesgirls with kegs strapped to their backs. In the off-season, visit the stadium’s Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, which explores America’s pastime on the other side of the Pacific. Then check out the adjacent Edo-era park Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens (300 yen).
Lodging
The Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills (1-23-4 Toranomon, Minato-ku; 81-3-6830-1234; tokyo.andaz.hyatt.com; from about 45,000 yen) opened in 2014 on the top six floors of a new 52-story skyscraper. Expect Zen-like interiors and up-in-the-clouds views everywhere from the spa with multiple pools and the open-air rooftop bar to the 164 rooms and suites with wall-to-wall windows.
After a complete overhaul, the Capitol Hotel Tokyu (2-10-3 Nagata-cho, Chiyoda-ku; 81-3-3503-0109; www.capitolhoteltokyu.com; from about 35,000 yen) reopened in 2010 in a 29-story, latticed-steel tower designed by the architect Kengo Kuma. The landmark property has three restaurants, a multilane lap pool and 251 rooms with rice-paper screens and views of the neighboring Imperial Palace or Akasaka skyline.
If you're looking for a more intimate and personal lodging experience, Tokyo has a wide variety of bed-and-breakfast options available. Ranging from the traditional Japanese family experience, to the more modern and sleek accomodations, you're sure to find something that suits your needs. For a comprehensive listing of bed-and-breakfasts in Tokyo, you can visit http://www.tokyo-hotels-stay.com/en/type/bed-and-breakfasts-4/.