A browser's trap in the best way — you'll leave with more than you came for.

Tiny yakitori counter up the hill in Gōra, run by the couple grilling in front of you.

Thatched tea house on the old Tōkaidō, serving the same sweet amazake for four centuries.

Food stall village with a boating river cruise

Spacious, shoe-box style hall hosting classical music concerts, as well as opera & ballet.

Kappabashi: workshop to make tempura and lettuce models

Setagaya miya-zukuri classic

Setagaya: quintessential retro exterior with chimney

Nerima: smokestack and double-gabled miya-zukuri facade

Hot spring hostel in Gōra with its own bathhouse, bar and restaurant.

A browser's trap in the best way — you'll leave with more than you came for.

Studio Ghibli's museum — advance tickets essential

The lantern gate to Sensō-ji; Tokyo's most photographed landmark

'Memory Lane': tiny post-war yakitori alleys

634m — the tallest tower in the world, twin observation decks

Museum district, Shinobazu Pond and 1,000 cherry trees

Tokugawa family temple framed against Tokyo Tower

The world's busiest pedestrian crossing

The Imperial Palace on the former Edo Castle grounds

Post-war black-market alley, now a chaotic food bazaar

An easy bar to lose a few hours over drinks and small plates with friends.

Kaiseki and bento in serene dining room with garden views

Basement food hall with hundreds of fancy stands

Tonkatsu with free refills of rice, salad, and picked vegetables

8th floor: free art gallery by Renzo Piano (2001)

Open-air rooftop deck 229m above Shibuya Crossing

Forest shrine to Emperor Meiji; 70ha of woodland inside the city

teamLab Planets: barefoot, water-and-light installations

Tokyo's oldest temple (645 AD) and its single most visited sight

Guinness World Record: 9 floors of anime, manga and merch

An easy bar to lose a few hours over drinks and small plates with friends.

Japan’s oldest underground street, damp, low-ceilinged time capsule

Unique space, eccentric owner, David Bowie on the playlist

Huge eight-floor electronics store directly connected to Yurakucho Station

1958 Eiffel-inspired icon, still the classic Tokyo skyline shot

Popular, easygoing Japanese restaurant with an open kitchen specializing in tonkatsu.

The maneki-neko temple: hundreds of white beckoning cats

1914 red-brick station restored to its original domes

1911 stone bridge; kilometre zero for every road in Japan

Free East Gardens: Edo Castle keep foundations and moats

1,300-year-old shrine, patron of Akihabara and its tech businesses

Edo-era approach to Sensō-ji, ~250m of traditional stalls

Burial place of the 47 rōnin

Rafael Viñoly's glass ship's-hull atrium

1934 Indian-influenced stone temple, unlike anything else in Tokyo

An easy izakaya to lose a few hours over drinks and small plates with friends.

Meiji-era pond garden built from famous stones nationwide

Tokyo's oldest surviving Edo garden (1629)

Pre-modern Asian art in a Kuma building with a hillside garden

1702 strolling garden, celebrated weeping cherry and autumn maples

teamLab Borderless: room-scale immersive digital art

Kurokawa's undulating glass facade; no permanent collection

Japan's oldest and largest museum; the national art collection

Broad lawns beside Meiji Jingū; weekend performers

The outer market: Tokyo's best-known street-food grazing

Nails the details — good beans, warm light, and just the right amount of quiet.

Open-air museum of relocated historic buildings; a Ghibli inspiration

Zelkova-lined boulevard of flagship architecture

Kitchenware street — knives and plastic food samples

Tokyo's principal kabuki theatre, single-act tickets available

The national sumo stadium; three Tokyo tournaments a year

Aquarium in the Skytree complex; open-plan penguin pool

Japan's oldest zoo (1882), giant pandas

Old-Tokyo shopping street in the shitamachi survivor district

599m mountain an hour from Shinjuku; the world's busiest hiking peak

A standout spot that turns a quick stop into a proper afternoon.

One of the area's easiest wins: open, green, and genuinely restorative.

Shinjuku: 21-year-old bar with English-speaking owner

Japanese sushi, sashimi, and vegetable entrees in a tapas setting

Vinyl records and whiskey; owner enforces silence rules

19.7m Unicorn Gundam that transforms on a schedule

City pop record shop, owner is a fashion designer

Reliably excellent and always a little busy — worth building an afternoon around.

Coffee, cocktails, and Norwegian waffles with brown cheese

Tsukiji: Tiny old house, traditional wooden ryokan with tatami

Small, intimate bar, ceiling full of dried, edible flowers

Creative shaved ice with multiple flavors and a hand-painted cookie

Old Japanese house cafe with a view of a peaceful garden

Equal parts practical and fun, it's an easy place to lose track of time.

1967, appears in Murakami's Norwegian Wood; run by a jazz photographer

1978, vintage cinema projection equipment repurposed as sound gear

1,500 European jazz records, no-request policy, casual mood

Hardline silence rule: 'listen for the musician's soul'

800-disc rotation, McIntosh tube amp, owner's 130,000-record home archive

Vintage white interior, earphones banned, frequent record rotation

Successor to legendary MEG; famed red horn speakers

An easy bar to lose a few hours over drinks and small plates with friends.

Relaxed multi-generational jazz kissa, no silence rules

12 floors of Uniqlo, cafe on the top floor

4-floor flagship in Marronnier Gate Ginza 2

Vintage tube amps, weekend live sets, homemade cheesecake

Sunflower-yellow door, enthusiast crowd, homemade scones

Jazz-curry hybrid, signature red chicken curry, JBL speakers

Named after Boris Vian's novel, French-classical mood

A local favorite where the food does the talking and the queue moves fast.

One of the area's easiest wins: open, green, and genuinely restorative.

Seven-floor Shibuya retailer, closing soon for a new hotel

Multi-level store (B1-4F) for Sanrio, Pokémon, and Ghibli goods

Multi-floor store for stationery, homeware, and unique Japanese finds

6th floor flagship store in Shibuya Parco

Shibuya: often crowded, long lines to pay

Japan's largest Yodobashi, batting cage on the top floor

The reset button you didn't know you needed.

Rooftop garden with city views, luxury brands and 6th floor dining

Curry dishes delivered on railroad by model trains

A breath of fresh air — go for the views, stay for the calm.

Tsukiji Market: freshly grilled beef at great prices

Kappabashi: impressive selection of ceramics over two floors

Minamiaoyama: Herzog & de Meuron's 2003 crystalline glass tower

Black-water onsen with Skytree view, barrier-free floors

A standout spot that turns a quick stop into a proper afternoon.

Good Design Award winner, projection mapping, natural onsen

Beloved 1933 classic, milk baths; the heart of Koenji sento culture

Kosugi-yu's 2024 Harajuku branch inside Harakado

Typical Greek appetizers, mixed grills & set lunches, plus a Greek wine list, in a relaxed venue.

Tokyo's largest bathhouse, stadium sauna, restaurant

Taishō-roman interior inspired by Dōgo Onsen

Rooftop rotenburo above Nakameguro

Torii-gate entrance, elegant modern renovation

Space-themed ceiling art, rotating herbal baths

2023 renovation, tatami-floored bathing hall

1927 'king of engawa': Japanese garden with koi pond

Specialty bar for rare tequilas and mezcals

Tatsumi Shindo: tiny standing bar, 5-6 people, 8 dishes

Whole tuna bone served; use a shell to scrape the meat yourself

Sleek soft-water sento steps from Omotesando

Nakano, since 1936: polished retro tile murals in a miya-zukuri hall

Nakano's grand karahafu-roofed miya-zukuri, retro-modern renewal 2023

Under railway tracks: packed eateries, local workers, live guitar

Weirder laden

Specializing in tuna directly from Toyosu Market

Shibuya: leafy poolside terrace with lounge seating

Chuo: warm, narrow counter bar with Czech pilsner styles

Live-butchered unagi, steamed then grilled at 1st-floor counter

April 2025 opening, thick firm noodles, rich broth

Monzen-Nakacho: 20-sake tasting set in a multi-floor sake building

Natural hot spring with a rustic, old-fashioned feel, offering indoor & outdoor pools & saunas.

Gets going after dark — tight space, good drinks, and a crowd that knows it.

1926 Shibuya classical kissa, hardline silence rule

Ueno Park pond with summer lotus flowers and Bentendo Temple

Chuo: renowned for its exceptionally creamy sea urchin

"Banana Old Fashioned" cocktail is a standout drink

Specialises in tuna, selling whole slabs for sashimi

Traditional-style sukiyaki dinner in private rooms near Sensō-ji temple

A calm corner sweets shop for slow mornings, strong coffee, and a seat you won't want to give up.

Asakusa: Bar with daily live jazz, cover charge ¥2000-4000

Izakaya with an owner who is also a Shizuoka tea farmer

Founded 1801: dozeu loach fish in miso broth, Edo-period feel

Steaming volcanic valley reached by ropeway — black eggs boiled in the springs, Fuji behind.

Industrial space with huge roasters for ground-to-order drip coffee

An easy bar to lose a few hours over drinks and small plates with friends.

Kitchenwares store on Kappabashi Street, wide selection

Taito: baking supplies shop, thousands of cookie cutters

Over 100 year old restaurant, known for its thick batter

10th-floor brewery using all Tokyo raw ingredients

1632 temple with an iconic circular 'moon' pine tree

Nails the details — good beans, warm light, and just the right amount of quiet.

1980 garden, winter peonies under straw warabocchi covers

Reliably excellent and always a little busy — worth building an afternoon around.

A local favorite where the food does the talking and the queue moves fast.

Owner-chef yakitori omakase with an intimate vibe and Belgian beers

Taito: a store with a festival-like environment

Asakusa: Hamburg steak cooked in a variety of styles

Azumabashi: Japanese Hamburger Steak in four variations

Wide selection of whisky, yakitori and oysters

Small fresh chicken shop, butchered and served on street

Reliably excellent and always a little busy — worth building an afternoon around.

Indie record shop with a craft beer & coffee bar in Harajuku District

13-seat restaurant for freshly made maitake tempura

Easy to order in English, with brilliant tempura

Shibuya izakaya: lively, cheap happy hour drinks, monja

An easy izakaya to lose a few hours over drinks and small plates with friends.

A local pick worth knowing about — small on the map, big on the day.

69th floor observation deck with 360° views, including Skytree

A no-frills spot that punches well above its weight — regulars swear by it.

Reliably excellent and always a little busy — worth building an afternoon around.

Kawai Gyokudō permanent exhibition with an exceptional Japanese garden

¥200 sake tasting with souvenir cup, near Okutama hike

Modern, refined izakaya with traditional Japanese techniques

Reliably excellent and always a little busy — worth building an afternoon around.

Shinjuku: open since 1958, traditional one-by-one taiyaki

Chinese herb liquor bar with shochu sours and snake sake

Gets going after dark — tight space, good drinks, and a crowd that knows it.

An easy izakaya to lose a few hours over drinks and small plates with friends.

Gets going after dark — tight space, good drinks, and a crowd that knows it.

Free museum opened 2020, history of Japanese letterpress printing

Kawagoe: tiny coffee shop, roasts own beans

Equal parts practical and fun, it's an easy place to lose track of time.

Cozy candle-lit environment after exiting the elevator

Cafe in a beautifully renovated old sento bathhouse

One of those quietly great spots that makes a trip feel local.

A local favorite where the food does the talking and the queue moves fast.

Nihonbashi sake specialty shop for tastings by the glass

Unagi served in a fancy lacquer bento box

Modern tea house with city skyscraper views

Kabuki actor Ennosuke Ichikawa III produced, Kyushu cuisine

Ginza: 8-seat ramen shop, strong kelp flavor, open to 6 AM

Gets going after dark — tight space, good drinks, and a crowd that knows it.

Shinbashi: 1970s building with unique honeycomb facade

Dimly lit home to deep sea creatures, coelacanth section

Gets going after dark — tight space, good drinks, and a crowd that knows it.

Standing izakaya for yakitori and affordable drinks

Established 1940, honoring Admiral Tōgō Heihachirō

Showa era hotel with an infinity open-air ocean view onsen

Beautiful Temple

Cafe: elaborate kakigori, 2-3x the average size

Nakameguro: natural wood cafe with views of passing trains

Cozy French bistro with homemade pate and an excellent cellar

Tsukiji Market: small, old-school shop with 850 yen chahan

Tsukiji Market: good value omakase without long queues

Oimachi: former butcher shop, retro Showa-era standing bar

A local pick worth knowing about — small on the map, big on the day.

An easy izakaya to lose a few hours over drinks and small plates with friends.

A local favorite where the food does the talking and the queue moves fast.

Izakaya with a chef with a huge presence

Hole-in-the-wall: 20 daily limited tuna cheek donburi

Asakusa: long-established, one reservation group per day

Early morning sumo practice, watched from outside tinted windows

FREE observation deck on the 46th floor with a cafe

Post-war alley with old-fashioned snack bars and pubs

Public park featuring a pond with a quaint watermill & cherry blossoms, plus kids' play equipment.

A local favorite where the food does the talking and the queue moves fast.

Bookstore inside CABO with a small and stylish cafe/bar

Tsukiji Market: famous for its horumon and beef bowls

A local favorite where the food does the talking and the queue moves fast.

Odakyu Dept. Store mezzanine: affordable afternoon tea set

Nakano: counter seats watch chefs grill fish over charcoal

Shinjuku: old standing bar for bargain sake, swarmed by salarymen

This 2,550-meter-tall, active volcano offers summit treks passing meadows, trees & a waterfall.

Tsukiji Market: tiny bar with sake flights and knowledgeable staff

Wide, shallow falls that break into a thousand threads over a mossy ledge.

12-seat counter; reservations take up to 10 months to arrive

Minato: fried chicken wings and various chicken parts

Raised 13.75 million yen through crowdfunding for its sushi concept

Ningyocho: long-established whale meat restaurant, whale sashimi

A local favorite where the food does the talking and the queue moves fast.

Lively, noisy, smoky indoor street packed with small bars

Tiny joint with okonomiyaki prepared right in front of you

Shibuya: smoking standing bar with MEGA size whisky sodas

A standout spot that turns a quick stop into a proper afternoon.

Shinjuku: Bar run by Kyoko-sensei from Double Kyoko

Modern Japanese izakaya in a renovated shoe shop

Worth the detour — thoughtfully done and bigger than it looks from outside.

Slip in, exhale, and let the hot spring do its work — exactly what a long travel day calls for.

A local favorite where the food does the talking and the queue moves fast.

Hole-in-the-wall kushiage omakase of deep-fried skewers

2nd floor of a wholesale fish market

Golden Gai: Japanese natural wines, owner 10+ years

Art books, design, and a record shop with listening stations

Best video arcade old school

New Year's Eve: taiko, sake ceremony, mochi pounding

Suginami: unique vintage clothing and remade fashion stores

Ginza standing bar, Sapporo beer with 2-glass limit

One of those quietly great spots that makes a trip feel local.

Neighbourhood spot: cash only, menu only in Japanese

The reset button you didn't know you needed.

Shibuya: izakaya with many types of sake and food pairings

Museum dedicated to the history & techniques of printing in the HQ building of Toppan Printing.

Oldschool Shinjuku izakaya with yakitori platter, smoking allowed

Traditional Ginza wagyu spot, remove shoes before entering

Yakitori restaurant in a 1921 Japanese-style building

Shinjuku: Wagyu sukiyaki on 53rd floor with city views

Rooftop with stunning urban oasis views and smooth shisha

One of the area's easiest wins: open, green, and genuinely restorative.