Tokyo is a bustling city that never sleeps and is one that never grows stale no matter how many times you visit. There’s always something new to look forward to, be it a new place to visit or a new restaurant to try.

To fully experience the modern, urban city of Tokyo, Japan, you will need at least a full week but that’s provided you’re in it for the whole package which includes eating, drinking, sightseeing, shopping and the likes. But if you’re more of a touch-and-go sort of traveller then 3 full days is all you need.

From the crucial must-eats to the places that simply cannot be missed, here is our guide on the places that you absolutely must visit if you’re strapped for time in Tokyo but want to make the most out of your stay. Take your pick or visit them all if you can!

MUST-TRY FOOD PLACES

GRAM

Famous for their jiggly soufflé pancakes that almost broke social media for a period of time, Gram is a must-visit if you’re planning to up your Instagram game, and of course, to luxuriate in quite possibly, one of the fluffiest pancakes in the world.

The soufflé pancakes come in a stack of three thick pieces. The cream-coloured goodie is cooked to order and served warm, and freshness is guaranteed. Due to its overwhelming popularity, queues are often long and they only cater a few time slots for these pancakes a day —11am, 3pm & 6pm.

GYUKATSU MOTOMURA

Gyukatsu, which is essentially a deep-fried breaded beef cutlet, is very much similar to the tonkatsu (deep-fried breaded pork cutlet) that we are all familiar with. The only exception being the superior, snowflake-like marbling that comes with every piece.

Gyukatsu Motomura is arguably the most popular restaurant in Tokyo for gyukatsu and for good reason. Their gyukatsu brims with an intense beefy flavour that is nicely wrapped in a layer of buttery, delicious fat. Dab over a smidgen of wasabi, along with a dip of soy sauce and be prepared for your mind to be blown.

ICHIRAN RAMEN

Offering diners one of the absolute best bowls of ramen in the world as well as a unique dining experience all rolled out into one, Ichiran Ramen is a must to visit when in Tokyo. Period.

At Ichiran Ramen, you first place your orders via machines and paper forms to indicate your preferences. It might seem daunting at first but English versions of either are also available. After which, you’ll be allocated a booth where you get to enjoy your ramen in peace sans any distractions. It’s just you and your bowl of piping-hot, delicious ramen.

If you would like a refill of noodles, soup or whatever, feel free to ask without feeling embarrassed—we always do.

MAISEN TONKATSU

Landing yourself in joint that sells decent tonkatsu is almost as easy as finding a FamilyMart every few blocks, but if you’re only going to be staying for a few days, you’ll want to nail down one of Tokyo’s best, and really, there are few that have been able to match up with Maisen Tonkatsu.

Preferably the main outlet at Aoyama in Shibuya, this retro-toned restaurant specialises in 5 different types of breaded pork cutlet but the one we always opt for is the Amri Yuwaku, a variety of pork that is exclusive only to Maisen. Crispy, succulent and robust, every bite promises a long, pleasurable journey to flavour town.

WAGYU MAFIA THE CUTLET SANDWICH

Slap on a hunk of some of Japan’s finest Wagyu beef in-between two slices of lightly buttered and grilled Whitbread and what do you get? An orgasm-inducing experience that’s what.

At Wagyu Mafia The Cutlet Sandwich, luxuriate in some of the most premium quality Wagyu beef, prepared the same way a gyukatsu would, but in a sandwich. The result is a lot more impressionable than the idea of it and trust us when we say that it’s worth the splurge.

YOSHINOYA

No, this isn’t a prank. We’re serious when we say that Yoshinioya is a place worth visiting when in Tokyo, either for breakfast or as a midday snack.

Despite having multiple outlets back home, neither can compete in terms of variety and quality of their food. Everything is next-level, from the tender slices of beef to the sauce that goes over your rice—they nail it down perfectly.

PLACES TO GET SLOSHED

NONBEI YOKOCHO (SHIBUYA)

Nonbei Yokocho, also referred to as Drunkard’s Alley lies down an innocuous passage just a stone’s throw from Shibuya Crossing. At first glance, the alleyway may seem to lead you nowhere, but a few steps down the same direction and you’ll be greeted with rows upon rows of izakaya, yakitori stalls and bars.

OMOIDE YOKOCHO (SHINJUKU)

Shinjuku is known to be Tokyo’s party capital with its near-countless entertainment venues which open until late daily. If you’re out to drink and feast on some solid street food while you’re at it, we suggest heading down to Omoide Yokocho.

Upon exiting the West Exit of Shinjuku Station, follow the road into a narrow alley where you’ll be fumbling around a maze littered with endless rows of small bars and eateries. The establishments are pretty run-down and the stalls are as traditional as they get. But if all you’re pining for is cheap beer and decent grub, what’s there to complain about?

FANCY COCKTAIL BARS IN GINZA

Feeling a little fancy? Then you should definitely hit up a swanky, speakeasy in Ginza. Scattered all over this upmarket district are a host of speakeasy cocktail bars that, by themselves, are pristine institutions that have preserved their art from as early as the 1920s—think places such as Bar High Five, Lupin, Bar Musashi and Gaslight Eve.

Drinks at one of these establishments are by no means cheap with a separate cover charge just for entering the premise, but what you do get is professionally crafted cocktails that you are both delicious and elegant.

TOURISTY THINGS

AKIHABARA – ELECTRONICS & ANIME PARADISE

Akihabara is a buzzing shopping hub famed for its electronics retailers, ranging from tiny stalls to vast department stores like Yodobashi Multimedia Akiba.

It is also a haven for anime fans because literally every street you turn into, you’re bound to wind up at a venue specialising in manga, anime and video games. Massive superstores include Tokyo Anime Center that boasts a wide array of exhibits and souvenirs and Radio Kaikan that has 10 floors full of toys, trading cards and collectables. Don’t be surprised to see young girls dressed as maids handing out flyers on the street because Akihabara is also home to many maid cafes.

MEIJI SHRINE

Meiji Shrine is a stone’s throw away from the bustling shopping district of Harajuku and is a must-visit if you’re keen on soaking up and learning about the ancient Japanese tradition of shrine culture.

The walk from the main entrance to the shrine itself will take you about 10 minutes and before entering the sacred site’s main hall, you are expected to wash your hands and mouth as a form of purification at the troughs located right outside. At the shrine, you can write down your wishes on a wooden plate at a fee of ¥500 before hanging them on one of the two divine trees.

After you’re done, head over to Harajuku’s shopping street where you can shop for the latest trends in clothing, cosmetics and more!

TSUKIJI FISH MARKET

A huge, quintessential part of the market may have shifted to a new location but the area is still bustling with plenty of street food stalls selling anything from freshly-cooked tamago to fresh sashimi. The streets are bustling and besides tasty nosh, you can also land yourself some pretty interesting souvenirs to take home.

The item that definitely warrants a try, but is extremely hard to find—because it’s that popular—is the uni bun. This charcoal-black bun comes generously filled with fresh uni and an orangey custard that’s made with—you guessed it—uni.

SHIBUYA CROSSING + SHOPPING IN SHIBUYA

It’s official, no one ever travels to Tokyo without paying a visit to the Shibuya Crossing in Shibuya.  During weekends, the Shibuya intersection can see up to 3000 people crossing simultaneously.

Apart from the iconic intersection, Shibuya is a neighbourhood that’s dominated by fashion which makes it a shopping haven for tourists and locals alike. And if you’re a young group, you’ll be happy to know that nestled in and around Shibuya are a host of pubs, clubs and cool bars waiting to be explored

SAMURAI MUSEUM IN SHINJUKU

A place that definitely warrants a visit if you’re a fan of the historically badass samurai, the Samurai Museum located in Shinjuku expresses the culture of these ancient warriors and the spirit behind them.

On display, you can expect rows and rows of armour and swords from the Kamakura to Edo Eras as well as those created by contemporary artisans. You can even experience donning the samurai outfits for a commemorative photo.

DON QUIJOTE

The departmental store of sorts that houses literally anything and everything, the iconic Don Quijote is not to be missed. If you thought the double-storey outlet in Orchard Central was huge, you seriously have no idea. In Tokyo, we’re talking about 8 to 10-floor buildings dedicated to a wide array of goods ranging from household products, clothing to food and liquor as well.

VISIT A THEMED OR ANIMAL CAFE

In Tokyo, themed cafes are a popular draw and you can find anything from robot cafes—where everyone and everything is operated using artificial intelligence—maid cafes, vampire cafes (we’re serious), owl cafes and so much more!

They typically serve food there as well but they probably will not impress you as much as the atmosphere and the experience will.

Ginza in Tokyo is regarded by many as a cocktail bar mecca. In fact, the majority of the cocktail bars you can find in Tokyo’s kaleidoscopic capital are pristine institutions that have stood the test of time since the early days where aperitifs and cocktails were not even popular.

The bartenders who helm these joints take their craft very seriously, from making their own liqueurs and bitters from scratch to carving their own ice. So whether you’re seeking a minty mojito or a sophisticated martini, here are 8 best cocktail bars in Ginza to visit when the sun goes down and the neon lights light up.

#1 ALBATROSS

Set in the heart of Shinjuku, Albatross is a two-storey bar that serves a variety of sake, shochu, beer and handcrafted cocktail options. Here is where you can find a trendy ambience to kick back, relax and soak up Tokyo’s night vibes.

The bar is located along a walkway just next to a train track. You won’t miss it because also located along the same stretch, there brims a variety of vibrant bars and restaurants that often sees a bustling crowd.

1-2-11 Nishi-Shinjuku,
Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Sun to Thu: 5pm – 2am
Fri & Sat: 5pm – 5am
Nearest Station: Shinjuku Station

Photo Credit: Bar High Five

#2 BAR HIGH FIVE

Boasting an impressive back bar wall of spirits, Bar High Five serves up the most creatively tailored cocktails just for you. Don’t expect to be handed a menu because there is none. Instead, just let the bartenders know what your palate craves whether it is sweet, sour or strong and watch as they expertly mix a cocktail for you based on your suggestion—feel free to tell them what you want as a garnish because your wish is their every command.

Here is where you will find the legendary Hidetsuga Ueno, the man with the Elvis haircut who has a very impressive talent of carving blocks of ice into diamonds.

Efflore Ginza5 Bldg. B1F,
5-4-15 Ginza, Tokyo, Japan
(Closed on Sundays)
Mon to Sat: 5pm – 11.30pm
Nearest Station: Yurakucho

#3 BAR MUSASHI

In the sea of old-school bars in Ginza, Musashi is probably the youngest having only been established in 2000. Hiding out in the basement on a side street in the direction of Shinbashi, this upscale bar cum yakiniku restaurant serves up a stellar variety of cocktails, some beer and sake along with a selection of food to pair with your grog.

Tosei Bldg B1F, 8-10-7 Ginza,
Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Daily: 6pm – 2am
Nearest Station: Shinbushi Station

Photo Credit: Gaslight Eve

#4 GASLIGHT EVE

Established in 2015, Gaslight Eve is one of the rarities in Ginza in that the bar is run by a lady, Naomi Takahashi. Not long after she won the grand prize in the 2013 IBA World Cocktail Championships for her Wisteria cocktail, Naomi saw fit to open up her very own bar.

Whether it’s a plain-old martini with something a little fancier, you can bet that whatever concoction is mixed here, you will leave delighted.

Ginza Fujii Bldg 3F, 8-4-24
Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
(Closed on Sundays)
Mon to Fri: 6pm – 3am
Sat: 5pm – 11pm

Photo Credit: Lupin

#5 LUPIN

Lupin can be considered a veteran in Ginza’s dynamic cocktail bar scene, having been around since 1928. In fact, this particular haunt was high frequented by many of Japan’s most esteemed authors during the Showa period—nothing inspires a writer more than a grog for the noggin.

The bar itself offers curious tipplers a blast to the past with many portraits of said authors adorning the walls, a relaxed and slow-paced vibe as well as a myriad of classic, properly mixed cocktails such as the Moscow Mule or an Old Fashioned.

B1F, 5-5-11 Ginza,
Chuo-ku, Tokyo
(Closed on Sundays & Mondays)
Tue to Sat: 5pm – 11.30pm
Nearest Station: Ginza

#6 STAR BAR

Compared to Bar High Five where tipplers are given full liberty to decide exactly what goes into their cocktails, Star Bar is slightly less flexible. Simply pick out a spirit and a fruit—the bar prides itself on only using fresh fruit—and the bartenders will whip something up for you.

B1F, 1-5-13 Ginza,
Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Daily: 5pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Ginza

#7 TWENTYEIGHT

Located on the 28th floor of hotel Conrad, Tokyo, bar Twenty Eight is a perhaps one of the best places to visit that will guarantee spot-on cocktails, great service as well as a spectacular view of Tokyo Bay. Comfortable seats and a fireplace set the scene for a rustic yet cosy spot to have a drink at after hours.

Whisky aficionados can find comfort in knowing that their range of the stuff is boundless.

Conrad Tokyo 28F,
1-9-1 Higashi-Shinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Daily: 9am – 12am
Nearest Station: Shiodome

Photo Credit: Two Rooms Grill & Bar

#8 TWO ROOMS GRILL & BAR

Two Rooms is a Tokyo cocktail spot which offers a Western-style dining experience and their frog’s legs and lamb chops come highly recommended. Choose from a variety of different settings here which includes a sophisticated indoor section, a lively bar as well as a spacious terrace, the perfect vibe to accompany your tipple of choice.

5F Ao Bldg, 3-11-7 Kita-Aoyama,
Minato-ku, Tokyo
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 2am
Sun: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Omotesando