Tokyo, Japan is a dream destination for me. My grandparents lived in Japan for a few years and always spoke of its rich culture. One day, I would love to explore Japan’s ancient and modern marvels and partake in its many culinary delights!

Things to Know about Tokyo:

• Proper bowing is important
• No shoes inside, no bare feet in homes or tatami-style restaurant 
• Use the back end of chopsticks for shared food
• Bring small bowls close to you to eat
• Don’t go to temples/shrines if sick or in mourning 
• No shoes in temples, pray in front of sacred objects, and toss coins in offering box
• Shrines: ladle water on your hands to wash, not contaminating the communal water with yours, place a coin in the offering box, bow twice, clap your hands twice, bow again, and pray
• Follow signs regarding pictures, normally not inside temples and shrines 
• Study some basic Japanese phrases 
• Carry some yen just in case, get it at 7/11
• Need passport and return ticket
• No vaccinations necessary 
• Wear comfortable shoes and plan some downtime
• Spring: April-May, temperate
• Summer: June-August, starts with rain then hot and humid
• Fall: September-November, occasional typhoons
• Winter: December-March, somewhat cold

Transportation: in Japan

• Metro and Toei Subway 
  • Takes Apple and Google Pay
  • Tokyo Subway App to help navigate 
•  Stand on the left, walk on the right
• Walking friendly
• Bike rental

Where to Stay in Tokyo:

• Dormy Inn Premium Shibuya $
• Park Hotels Tokyo, Minato $-$$
• Shiba Park Hotel Minato $-$$
• Mercure Hotel Ginza $$$
• The Gate Hotel Kaminarimon Asakusa $-$$
• Miramu Tokyo Asakusa Station Apartment Hotel $$$
• Yokohama Bay Hotel $
• Shibuya Excel Hotel $$
• Hilton Tokyo $$$

Tokyo Activities:

• Senso-ji (temple) free
• Tokyo Sky Tree (building) free-$18 depending on if seeing from afar or purchasing tickets
• Koganeyu (Japanese bath) $5
• Sakurai Tea Experience or Masudaya ~$40
• Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden $4
• Yoyogi Park free
• Kuge Crafts $73 (fixing broken pottery with lacquer and metallic powder)
• Nihon Minka-en Japan Open-air Folk House Museum $4
• Oedo Antique Market
• teamLab Borderless $26+ (digital immersive experience)
• Meiji Jingu free (shrine)
• Hamarikyu Gardens
• Imperial Palace free
• Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building South Observation Deck free
• Olympic Stadium $10
• Gotokuji Temple free
• Meguro Sky Garden free
• 21_21 Design Sight $10
• Miraikan (robot science) $4
• Sunshine Aquarium $18
• Kimono Hazuki
• Econeco (rescue cats)
• Saya no Yudokoro (hot spring) $6
• Ferry to Ogasawara island paradise
• Tsukishima (man-made island in Tokyo Bay)
• Shibuya crossing

Day trips: (Follow links for more information)

• Kamakura: Seaside Japanese City, Buddhist Zen temples, and Shinto shrine
• Hitachi Seaside Park: flower fields
• Arakurayama Scenic Park: Iconic views of Mt. Fuji, cherry blossoms, and crimson pagoda
• Chichibu: Mountains, rocky cliffs, river, temples, night festival and colorful fields
• Hakone: hot springs, natural beauty, lake with views of Mt. Fuji
• Nikko: lavish shrine, bridge, mountains, lakes, waterfalls, hot springs, wild monkeys and hiking trails
• Okutama: lush mountains, beautiful lakes, and a limestone cave

*Consider a trip to Osaka, it’s only 3 hours away via train

Restaurants:

• Azuki to Kouri (shaved Ice) $-$$
• The Bellwood (bar) $$
• Tsukiji Market 
• Sushi Tokyo Ten $$$
• Den (Kaiseki dinner) $$$$
• Shin Udon $$-$$$
• Tempu (takoyaki) $
• Parfaiteria bel (dessert) $
• Florilège (French/Japanese) $$$$
• Uogashi Nihon-ichi Shibuya Dogenzaka (sushi) $-$$
• Dawn Avatar Robot Café $
• Sobahouse Konjiki Hototogisu (ramen) $
• Ichounoki (kakigori) $
• Flipper’s (fluffy pancakes) $-$$
• Konbini (convenience store)
• Sawanoi (sake)

Foods to Try: 

• Sushi
• Ramen 
• Tempora (fried vegetables, crab, etc.)
• Yakitori (chicken skewer)
• Okonomiyaki (savory pancake)
• Takoyaki (ball-shaped snack)
• Wagyu Beef
• Taiyaki (fish-shaped pastry)
• Melonpan (Japanese sweet bun)
• Soba (noodle)
• Sukiyaki (a broth-based dish with meat etc)
• Udon (noodle)
• Yakiniku (grilled meat)
• Shabu Shabu (hot pot)
• Teppanyaki (iron plate)
• Grab-and-Go Sandwiches 

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Sources

“10 Best Day Trips from Tokyo: Travel Japan: Jnto.” Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO). Accessed April 5, 2024. https://www.japan.travel/en/ca/inspiration/10-best-day-trips-from-tokyo/.

“All You Need to Know about Traveling to Japan for the First Time.” WorldTrips. Accessed April 5, 2024. https://www.worldtrips.com/japan/traveling-to-japan-for-the-first-time?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=BL+%7C+Search+%7C+PRP+%7C+NonBrand+%7C+Travel-Medical+%7C+US&utm_keyword=&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw_LOwBhBFEiwAmSEQAUNRK6azAdjnNkSny2esz_sTbVLXRPVd_Z-clzGOOSiLY55XB1A7DBoCs4oQAvD_BwE.

JOC, Mr. “Ultimate Tokyo Food Guide: Top Best Foods to Eat in Tokyo.” Just One Cookbook, August 1, 2023. https://www.justonecookbook.com/ultimate-tokyo-food-guide-top-best-foods-to-eat-in-tokyo/.

Melinda Joe, Anna Chittenden. “27 Best Things to Do in Tokyo for Every Type of Traveler.” Condé Nast Traveler, August 25, 2023. https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-things-to-do-in-tokyo.

“Tokyo’s Subway and Trains: How to Confidently Navigate the Tokyo Metro System.” Tokyo’s Trains and Subway: How to Confidently Navigate the Tokyo Metro System – Context Travel, May 27, 2023. https://www.contexttravel.com/blog/articles/tokyos-subway-and-trains-how-to-confidently-navigate-the-tokyo-metro-system.