So you have made the decision to visit Japan. Although this is a very exciting choice, this can be a little overwhelming too. Japan is known for its own unique culture (which if you are visiting for the first time takes some time to adjust too) so you want to ensure that you can embrace that, right? Furthermore, Japan is filled with various famous landmarks and attractions to see. How will you have time for it all?
Today I am going to be providing a list of the places and things I highly recommend seeing and doing, the first time you visit Japan. The reason I love Japan (especially Tokyo) is because there is something for everyone as there are so many aspects of Japanese culture to explore. Whether you are into recent culture such as anime and gaming or into the more interested in the rich history of the once isolated country, there are places scattered around Tokyo which will facilitate you to your needs and wants.
Mainly, I will be focusing on things to do around Tokyo (as stereotypically this is the place most people will visit on their first time to Japan) or places which you can easily visit in a day and are easily accessible from Tokyo (districts near to Tokyo). I will cover the more touristy places and in addition to this, add a few little gems which I found along the way which are not as touristy or busy. I am going to lay this post out in terms of a person staying in Tokyo for a week and how they could potentially structure each day. I will try my best to provide the most detail possible so if you guys ever decide to go to Japan then you have a rough guide if needed. So let’s get started.
Sunday: Arrive in Japan, Tokyo.
Monday: Akihabara & Harajuku.
The reason I have started with these two places is because nowadays when you mention Tokyo these are the types of topics which spring to mind: anime, manga and fashion. It’s sometimes quite nice to ease yourself in and what I mean by that is, although these places can get hectic its nice to do something universal (shopping) which is easily accessible and enjoyable. Both Akihabara and Harajuku are the epitome of these topics. When visiting these two places you will see everything you expected Japan to be. Since these two places are now two of the most popular tourist destinations in Tokyo, you will find it very easy to navigate yourself around as the majority of workers will speak English. Additionally, they will give you a ‘real-feel’ to what the modern Japanese culture is like and you can be introduced to the hustle and bustle of the city.
In the morning I would suggest first going to Akihabara (just because I believe there is less to do here). Akihabara is known as the ‘electric city’ and here you will find endless amounts of anime and manga shops and also tax free electrical shops. There are many of the well-known maid cafes around this area and (just like everywhere else in Tokyo) you won’t struggle to find a place to eat. Personally, I just enjoy walking around Akihabara because of the vibrant feel it delivers and the fact it gives you the realisation that you are in a completely different type of culture, although I don’t really find much there for myself if it the perfect spot if you are looking for collectables or are after a certain Manga. As mentioned, since Akihabara is a tourist destination, it can get quite crowded however normally a Monday should be a little calmer than the weekends. A quick tip I have is that a lot of the shops in Akihabara such as the Anime and Manga shops seem to be quite small and narrow so it may be a bit difficult to go through them if you have a mass amount of belongings with you.
Alternative choice: Now if you are one of those people (a little like me) that like to go places which aren’t as touristy to escape the crowds Nakano Broadway may be a good alternative for you. Nakano Sunmall (located near Nakano Broadway station) also has an array of shops which stock anime and manga goods however they tend be either second hand or ‘vintage’ collectable goods. I visited Nakano Broadway for the first time this year and a little like Akihabara, you could not spend a whole day here so a morning may to enough. Another thing which is important to remember is that in Japan shops in general open quite late in the morning, shops normally open around 11am and shut around 9pm so if you are an early-riser like me and like to get out early, remember not to expect to start shopping any earlier than 11am. Me and my friend Mercer actually went to Nakano Broadway earlier than 11am as we purely forgot that shops opened so late and there was nothing really else to there so it is best to plan to go after 11am.
What I really liked about Nakano Broadway was the character behind the place. Nakano Sunmall is the covered shopping street where all the vintage and collectable shops are located. You can find anything from figurines, magazines, mangas and more. Every good/collectable has a bit more life to it and a story behind it and that’s what I really enjoyed about the place. You are certain to find a one-off or something really unique and its really fun to sieve through the different collectables to see what you can find. If you ever go down Nakano Broadway, there is the cutest Koloa March cake shop there, I am not sure if this is a temporary or promotional pop-up shop however if it is still there, I highly recommend you visit. There are three different flavours: custard, red-bean and chocolate and are sold for ¥150.
So after you have visited Akihabara, you can take the Yamamoto Line straight to Harajuku (38 minute journey for ¥170). If you have decided to go to Nakano Broadway, you can take the Chou-Sobu Line and then the Yamamoto Line (21 minutes for also ¥170).
Pretty much everyone has heard of Harajuku, the heart of modern Japanese culture. Honestly, your first time there you could easily spend a whole afternoon there. One of the shops you must visit is ‘Kiddy Land’ which is a character goods department store. Furthermore, Takeshita Dori Street is the most famous and well-known in terms of tourists, so going down there is a must. You will find the most trendiest high street shops down there and you will also find a number of crepe shops. Harajuku is famous for its crepes and they have a whole choice so its also always good to try one of these as well. However, even on a Monday if can get packed down there in the afternoon however as I said this is part of embracing the hustle and bustle of the city.
Another thing which you must try when in Japan is visiting a character café. Before this time, I had never been to one before so it was really high on my priority list this time. Character cafes are a fun experience as you can choose from an array of cute dishes and be surrounded by your favourite characters. The majority of these cafes will also have a gift shop too where you can purchase the character goods. Although I really loved the Alice in Wonderland Café in Shibuya also, I am recommending to visit the Pompompurin Café in Harajuku. Located in Cute Cube Harajuku (next to Spinns clothing shop) the Pompompurin café is a small café based on the lovable Saniro character. The price of the different dishes were actually quite reasonable and there was a good selection. They also had a cute collection of drinks and desserts. I got the cutest dish on Pompompurin wrapped in a Futon and it was a little like Omurice, this was ¥1400 (£9.45) which was not badly priced considering I got a free mug with it as well.
Tuesday: Gotokuji Temple & Kawagoe (Traditional)
So now you have seen some of the more modern aspects of Tokyo, it is time to see some of the traditional and truly beautiful side of Japan. This little gem I am about to tell you is a place I actually didn’t know about myself however Becky told me about it. It is a local shrine called Gotokuji Temple which is located Setagaya. The Gotokuji Temple which also known as the ‘Cat Temple’ and the picture below will explain why…
The Gotokuji Temple is a gorgeous local temple and because of it being local, it means it is not crowded nor busy. It is a tranquil and quiet place where you can admire the beauty of Japanese nature. The day we went it was actually pouring it down with rain however it was still a beautiful sight to see. In terms of all the Cat statutes, this is fascinating to see as there is not much else like it and you can even purchase your own one in the little hut located on the grounds. Locals actually purchase one of these cats and leave with it the rest as a hope of good luck.
The Gotokuji Temple is quite small so at most, it will probably take 1/2- 1 hour to look around. The only problem with this area is that there is not a lot else to do there as it is basically just a local neighbourhood. However, that’s what is really nice about it, that you feel you can immerse yourself into the daily lives of the citizens. On the walk back to the train station from this temple, try a delicious iced coffee at the stylish coffee hut ‘Iron Coffee’. They not only have tasty iced coffees but have an array of coffees to choose from and you can really taste the richness of it. Just as a side note, there is not any real seating inside this hut so it is more of a takeaway type of place.
To continue your exploration of traditional Japanese culture and to further immerse yourself into the history of the country, you could visit Kawagoe (official tourist website link). From Gotokuji Station, it is 4 train changes and an 1 hour 42 minute ride (for ¥940) to Kawagoe so if you leave around lunch time, you can spend a good afternoon walking around. Kawagoe is an Edo style town Northwest of Tokyo. Filled with many traditional sweet shops, craft shops and also a large amount of shrines to visit, you are able to experience what an Edo town would have been liked as the buildings are in the style of the Edo period architect.
Along the main street, there was a lot to see and try. Me and Becky tried some handmade and large size senbei. Additionally, we also tried some unique flavoured ice creams. Becky tried the matcha and I tried sweet potato (which the area is famous for), it was actually really delicious. There was plenty of shopping to be done, there was a variety of shops that sold handmade crafts and traditional ornaments.
As mentioned, there is quite a few shrines you can walk around in Kawagoe. Some of the well-known ones include Hikawa Shrine, Semba Toshogu Shrine and Renkeiji Temple . They are all scattered around the area meaning that you are able to walk and discover more.
Kawagoe is really worth a visit, luckily it is not that touristy so you can really get a sense of Japanese lifestyle. Kawagoe gives you a little taste of what Japan was once like and allows you to see Tokyo from another perspective and allows you to appreciate its beauty and culture much more.
Wednesday: Asakusa, Tokyo Tower & Shibuya (Mix of Old & New)
Sadly, I was unable to visit this place this time around however back in 2009 (scarily, 8 years ago) I visited with my family. Asakusa is another favourite for tourists and its main attraction, the Senso-ji Temple is viewed by many each day. Similarly to Kawagoe, Asakusa is a traditional district in Tokyo with many street stalls and because of its tourist nature, a lot of souvenir shops as well. Furthermore, there are plenty of museums in the area to visit such as the Traditional Crafts Museum and Amuse Museum. If you into your thrills, then visit Hanayashiki an amusement park located in Asakusa providing rides for anyone of any age.
After you have visited the main area of Asakusa, later on you could visit the Tokyo Skytree, the tallest viewing tower now in Tokyo. This is a hit with tourists however personally I did not go to Skytree this time, purely because of the price (¥3000 to get to the top floor). However, I have had many good things about Skytree and I have been around the area where there is a massive shopping complex underneath, so you can easily spend your afternoon there.
In spite of Skytree’s popularity, I would still say Tokyo Tower is not a bad alternative. From Asakusa Station, it is straightforward as you just need to hop on the Asakusa Line to Daimon Station (26 minute ride for ¥220) and walk. Me, Becky and Alex went there one evening and for ¥900, we got to the second highest viewing platform (as the top one was under refurbishment) and we still got an incredible view of Tokyo. The best time to go is around just before 6pm because this is when the sun sets and you can take some beautiful photos of the gorgeous pink tone sky and as a bonus, you even get to see the breath-taking night view of Tokyo with its amount of neon lights. It was actual quite emotional standing there looking at the night view and taking it all in. You really do realise, how much of a beautiful place Tokyo really is. It made me fall even more in love.
After you have admired the beautiful Tokyo skyline, it is now time to enjoy your evening in it. Just a short 25 minute train ride (2 train changes and a ¥310 train fee) you can head to one of the most famous places in Tokyo and arguably the most magical at night. Shibuya. Most known for its ‘scramble crossing’ Shibuya is filled with masses of shopping complexes, restaurants and has a lively nightlife. Shibuya is also home to the Hachiko statue, the famous Shiba Inu who waited everyday at the station for his master to return.
If you are feeling a bit peckish, Shibuya is the perfect spot to find some delicious Japanese food. Genkisushi is a chain sushi restaurant which is very popular with tourists in Shibuya, however when visiting there I was not overly impressed just because it wasn’t true Japanese style sushi but it is quite a fun place to eat as the conveyor belt system is really entertaining. One place which all three of us loved was a Tonkatsu restaurant in Mark City. It is part of a famous chain of Tonkatsu shops in Japan and has a variety of amazing dishes for affordable prices alongside having large portions, so if you are looking for a good meal out. Try tonkatsu in Shibuya!
Want to enjoy the Japanese nightlife? Look no further, there are many bars in Shibuya. The one I highly suggest visiting is a Movie Themed Cocktail Bar called ‘Whales of August’ which is tucked away down the backstreets of Shibuya. It is located near Inokashira Dori Street (precisely near the Mcdonalds). It is pretty tucked away and is in the basement level. I honestly loved going there so much. The atmosphere was lovely as the interior makes you feel like you are miles are from Shibuya and are chilling in a old-style bar. It felt almost classic. The way they make and name the cocktails are really clever, the more action packed or gory a film is, the stronger that alcohol in the drink is. If you request a film to the bartender, to can make you a special cocktail (the majority of the time) to do with that film. Films they have on their cocktail list include Titanic, Saving Private Ryan and many more. If you can, order the ‘Totoro’ it was a cocktail which took forever for them to make and they can only create a few per night but it was one of the most creative and tastiest cocktails I have ever seen. Just as a side note, this cocktail bar is not a tourist destination so staff members speak limited English. If you have a certain film you want a cocktail of, I would try to find out the Japanese translation first. On top of this, there is also a ¥500 table charge fee. Defiently worth the visit, this was my favourite place to go to in the evening.
Thursday: Yokohama (Seeing something different)
I have already written a blog post about what you can do in Sakuragicho, Yokohama so I am not going to go too much into depth about how you can spend your day here. Nevertheless, when visiting Japan for the first time, I think Yokohama is an essential place to visit. It is becoming more of a tourist hub and it has much there to keep you busy for a whole day. Furthermore, it is nice to get out Tokyo sometimes and just refresh yourself with the cool port breeze that Yokohama has. There is something for everyone in Yokohama whether you want to walk down to the Port or go shopping in the large variety of shopping complexes, visit the Cup Noodle Museum or go to the aquarium there is something for all ages and interests. As mentioned previously, it is one of the most beautiful places to see at night because of the illuminations. Yokohama is easily accessible by train from Tokyo so you can happily spend a day here without worrying too much about returning back to Tokyo.
Friday: Visit Ueno (Traditional)
A quick 5 minute train ride on the Takasaki Line/Utsunomiya Line (¥160) from Tokyo Station leads you straight to the district of Ueno. Another part of Tokyo which is popular among tourists because its array of things to do and see.
Ueno is famous for its zoo (and its panda), park and array of museums and in springtime is one of the prime locations to this if you want to the Sakura. The Sakura blooms beautifully in this spacious area and Ueno park is one of the best areas to view them when they are in full bloom. Unfortunately, this time when I visited Ueno, it was raining quite a bit however when walking through, it still had this very gorgeous feel to it with all the historical statues and the everlasting row of cherry blossom trees. There are many chances to go shopping here also however I believe that one of the places you must visit in your first time in Japan is the Tokyo National Museum. This museum was for sure on of the highlights of my trip as I spent a good 4 hours looking and studying all the incredible artefacts the museum offered. The entrance fee for the museum is ¥600 (£4.22) an agreeable price for what you get to see. If you are interested in how the artwork of Japan shows the rich history of the country, this museum the place for you. It is in fact the oldest nation museum in Japan so holds quite a strong reputation as an essential place to visit. As a recommendation, I would say try to get to the museum as early as possible as the line to buy your tickets can get busy very quickly. I arrived around 10:30 and there was already quite a queue to get in. The museum is highly facilitated to English speakers as all information is also noted in English.
Other museums in the Ueno area which are worth a visit are the National Museum of Nature and Science and the National Museum of Art.
Following your sight-seeing in Ueno, you can take a 17 minute journey on the Yamanote Line for ¥170 and go to Ikebukuro. Distinguished by its ‘Sunshine City’ and other excellent shopping facilities, Ikebukuro is a good place to go to gain the true essence of the metropolis city. Ikebukuro has a number of electrical shops and fashion shops however Sunshine City is where you will find the best choice of restaurants and different types of shops. This is where the world famous Pokémon Centre is and there are plenty of other shops which stock other anime goods. Tokyu Hands department store (located next to Sunshine City) is additionally a really good place to shop. Take some time and chill in the large array of game centres which are in Ikebukuro and remember to have a go on one of Japan’s most famous game centre games, Taiko: Drum Master.
Sadly, I was unable to try these things myself this time (as I was on budget). The Sky Circus in Sunshine60 Observatory looks a fun place to visit for all ages as it is laid out like a amusement park and is a virtual inspired experience. Furthermore, the Manten Planetarium is another place which I was really gutted that I could not visit this time but it looks so wonderful and would be a good place to check out.
Saturday: Disneysea
I think everyone saw this coming on the list. I don’t want to go too much into detail now as I want to do a more detailed blog post later on, on how to plan your day in Disneysea but I would say going to visit Disneysea instead of Disneyland, for the pure reason that there is no other Disneysea anywhere in the world.
Disneysea is located near Chiba, Tokyo so is conveniently accessible by the subway. You can purchase tickets from a variety of different places including the Disney stores located around Tokyo. The day pass ticket is actually quite affordable and decently priced. I must admit if you are into thrills and big rides then sadly Disneysea can’t provide that for you as it does have two big rides that are not that ‘adrenaline providing’ however it is the atmosphere of Disneysea which makes it worth going. The Japanese are crazy for everything Disney so all around Tokyo you will see bag amounts of Disney products but to get the cutest and the best Disney merchandise, it has to be Disneysea.
Sunday (embrace the tradition of the city one last time)
I have left this day pretty relaxed and open in the fact that during the week, a lot of Tokyo and its culture was covered so on Sunday you could potential do a bit of a ‘temple hop’ as I call it and/or visit different parks.
Some of the parks you could potentially visit around the Tokyo area include Yoyogi Park or Shinjuku Gyoen. Yoyogi Park is located near Shibuya/Harajuku is one of the most beautiful places to go and see the Sakura when they are in full bloom, it is also one of the largest city parks. Shinjuku Goyen located in Shinjuku is known for its array of beautiful flowers and its historical significance. It has an entrance fee of ¥200 and has a closing time of 4pm and renound as a National Garden. I highly suggest if you visit Tokyo around the Sakura season to check both of these places out.
In addition to this, it may be a good idea to do what I termed a ‘temple hop’ where you visit as many shrines/temples you can around Tokyo. Each one is completely different and each have their own unique architect and history behind them. They also have their own symbol which represents their shrine/temple. I am going to write a more detailed post in the future about the ’10 shrines of Tokyo’ as this a rewarding little gem which we found during our trip. Although there is not a lot of information about these 10 shrines online, if you search deep enough you can find where they are located for sure. If you are able to visit a couple of these, you really should. When visiting Yoyogi, you must also visit Tokyo’s most famous and popular shrine Meji-Jingu. Located about 5 minutes away from Harajuku’s Takeshita Dori street, this shrine is surrounded by the beautiful, tall greenery towering over you and has a sense of tranquillity and peace.
Another place which you could visit is Kabuki-za, the principal Kabuki Theatre located in Ginza. If you don’t know what Kabuki is, it is a traditional form of Japanese Theatre which tells stories from Japan’s past and is a prime asset of Japanese culture. If you are able to, I would say to try and see one of the shows however the price of tickets can get very expensive so if you are not able too, the other alternative is to pay a small admission fee to the Kabuki Museum and then see a preview of a Kabuki performance. The museum is quite small but interesting as you are able to see the props used for the performances and learn the history of the art style.
So there you have it, a fun-filled (and for sure busy) week spent in Tokyo. I hope this blog was useful in giving a rough idea of how you could structure your first time in Tokyo. If there is one thing I want you guys to take away from this, it is that you should try to fit as much as you can in each day. Tokyo has a very good transport access so you can get to places around Tokyo pretty quickly. There is so much life in the vibrant city and it is really important to capture the essence of both new and old and make the most of your time. You will never see a city quite like Tokyo.
Life in Japan 