Words and photographs by Jolene Koh of Cupcake Weekend
On the last week of May I treaded on nippon ground despite the many incessant warnings of radiation scares and it was a risk well taken. If a city could be a person then I was extremely impressed by Tokyo. She is indeed very magical with so much to explore, taste & feel. Tokyo is undoubtedly my Paris in Asia.
Here’s a quick travel guide on Things to do in Tokyo for five days.
The first thing to do in right after you get off your plane is to purchase a subway pass. The next thing not to do : take a cab (unless you really have to). Not only is it ridiculously expensive, you miss out on alot when you travel via taxi. Though the subway map can be pretty taunting, I assure you that you will get the hang of it within a day or two.
Shibuya
Shibuya is known for shopping and it’s famous scramble crossing. I would recommend having a meal at L’occitane Cafe (directly across the road from Shibuya Station, Hachiko exit). This place not only serves really healthy, wholesome food but also has a great view.
Lined up along the main street and alleys of Shibuya Center Town are a number of music & fashion stores as well as their local fast food restaurants. Shibuya 109 is for the ladies and houses a large variety of fashion goods, similar to Far East Square in Singapore.
Take a walk towards Kamiyama-cho and you’ll pass by a four-storey H&M and further down is the bakery, Viron, that has amazing freshly baked bread & french pastries. The nature lover will enjoy the spacious Yoyogi park that has a central square with beautiful lawn, lush fountains and bird sanctuaries.
Omotesando, Harajuku & Aoyama
Omotesando is the place to get lost, to get found. What I mean is that it’s like a maze in a pretty garden dotted with many quaint cafes and concept stores hidden behind the main road.
If you’re into organic and vegan food you will love Brown Rice Café (5-1-17 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku). Coffee addicts will find much joy at Streamer Coffee Company (3-28-19, Jingumae, Shibuya-ku), home to one of the world’s best latte artisans. Takeshita Pedestrian Street is best to head to during the weekend because it’s when you will see locals in their anime get-ups and costumes. Ice cream crepes and freshly fried calbee chips are junk food must-haves.
End your day with a walk through the gorgeous Meiji-jingu that is just two minutes away from Harajuku station. 100,00o donated trees at the time of enshrinement form the solemn forest that is crowded with visitors all year round. If you happen to visit this area on a Sunday, make a trip Marche Japon, Tokyo’s best new farmer’s market located at Aoyama, in front of the United Nations University.
Ginza
Your Chanel, Balmain, Issey & LV can all be found at Ginza. This sophisticated area is lined up with departmental stores, luxurious boutiques and high-end flagship shops. Pop by the twelve-story Uniqlo (5-7-7, Ginza, Chuo-ku), even if not to buy anything just to have a look. It is afterall the biggest Uniqlo in the world.
Once you’re done with the excruciatingly tiring task of shopping, have tea Ladureé cafe (2F Mitsukoshi Ginza) or head to Henri Charpentier (2-8-20 Ginza, Chuo-ku) for their to-die-for lemon tart and fine madeleines.
If you are the kind to venture out of the way for fine pastries and sweets, then you should definitely make a trip to Hidemi Sugino (3-6-17 Kyobashi, Chuo-ku). He is Tokyo’s Pierre Herme and his delectable desserts are as good as a queue forming outside his store an hour before they open.
Roppongi
Roppongi Hills (just above Roppongi Station) is the the more cosmopolitan side of Tokyo that has over 200 stores and restaurants, an observatory, an art museum and residential apartments. It’s best to shop, eat and explore the area in the day and leave Mori Tower (the observatory) for the evening so that you can appreciate the sun’s gradual setting over the whole city. (Note that the observatory ticket does not allow re-entry to the sky deck).
There are many good restaurants in Roppongi Hills but one that I would really recommend is Robuchon L’atelier (Mori Tower, 2/F Hillside, Roppongi Hills). Sit at the bar for a semi-casual, interactive dining experience and watch the chefs prepare your meal right in front of you. They offer set lunches/dinners from ¥4,200 (S$67) onwards.
Also in the vicinity is the beautiful Arisugawanomiya Memorial Park where the Tokyo Central Library is located. Azabu Juban Shopping Town is another popular destination and has many attractions such as antique flea markets, rakugo shows and summer-end festivals.
Shinjuku
One of the highlights in Shinjuku is Takashimaya Times Square. It is a shopping/amusement zone that has a wide array of brands, a seven storey Tokyu Hands, the famous Kinokuniya bookstore and many good restaurants.
If you love wagyu beef, be sure to have a meal at Imahan (Times Square Bldg 14F (Shinjuku Takashimaya) that serves amazing cuts which can be enjoyed shabu-shabu or suki-yaki style. Just a five minute walk away from Takashimaya is Lumine 2 (the latest extension of Lumine 1) where Tokyo’s second Laduree cafe (that serves macaron flavoured ice-cream) and Dean & Deluca is located. This new wing stocks current labels like Opening Ceremony, Lanvin en Bleu, Jill Stuart and United Arrows.
Other major departmental stores in Shinjuku include Isetan (you can’t say you’ve been in Shinjuku if you haven’t been to Isetan’s Food Hall), Marui, Keio, Mitsukoshi and Odakyu.
One of the latest additions to Tokyo’s skyline is Tokyo Sky Tree, the world’s tallest tower at 634 meters. A panoramic view of Tokyo can be seen from the 450-meter high observation deck. Tickets were sold out for two weeks when it was launched so if you plan to visit it, you should purchase your tickets in advance online.
The Tsujiki Fish Market, Ueno Onshi Park, Nijubashi (Imperial Palace), Ghibli Museum, Disneysea & Disneyland are other popular tourist attractions in Tokyo.
how do you get around in Tokyo, do they understand English? I’m thinking of exploring Japan without joining a Tour..
Sounds fun!
I actually would consider Daikanyama to be included as one of the must-gos in Tokyo – unpretentious and tranquil, it’s one of my personal favorites.
Monica: learn some basic Japanese phrases (they should have such a booklet at the tourist counter at Narita Airport) and that would do the job well – I traveled alone in Tokyo and I know nuts about Japanese. Good luck!
Hello! Found your blog entry about Tokyo via Google. Would like to find out if we can buy the Japan subway pass in Japan itself or we have to get it like the JR Pass (in Singapore)
@Jasmine You can actually get the Japan subway passes in Japan itself, it is very easy to get it : )
Hey, I came upon your blog while google-ing on what to do in Tokyo. I’m actually going to Tokyo in 6 month time and I’m wondering how we can go about getting the data sim there? I’m currently using an iphone, would really love to have access to the net while on the go. Also, I hope it don’t cost me a bomb. Would really appreciate if you could just advice on this! Thank you so much =)
Nice post. Tokyo is a good place. Also heard about kyoto, a historical city, I asssume.
xiu yi, you can purchase a nano sim with data plan in advance and they can send it to the hotel you stayed. i purchased one for my ipad mini so that i can get translation and GPS for my maps.
came across this post too late… i just went on my trip april/may 2013.
To Monica, it is possible to go there even if you know nothing about japanese… i survived and even ventured as far as ATami (where people there barely speak a word of english) at the whim of the moment.
I found your article really interesting. What about Ueno area? There are many things to do there, partly traditional, partly modern, partly Japanese, partly foreign. This is a cool thing to do in tokyo for a fewhours visit.