A beginners guide to Tokyo.
Hello again from a very hot, very humid Japan. My weather app tells me it's currently 32 degrees outside at 8.49am, with a forecast high of 36... How people survived before air conditioning is beyond me. Anyhow, having spent 6 months in Tokyo and explored a fair bit of this overwhelming, mindblowing city, I thought it was about time I wrote a bit about some of the tourist spots, and also it's hidden gems you don't know about unless you live here. I remember first arriving in Tokyo and not really having any idea where to start, and just being generally overwhelmed, but now it all feels so familiar to me. For each area, I'll be giving an overview of the vibe of the area, and a rating from 1 to 10, so without further ado, let's get started!
Koiwa: Koiwa is where I live, so I thought I'd start there. It's on the border of Tokyo prefecture and Chiba prefecture, heading towards Narita airport, so you're definitely on the outskirts of the city. It's very residential, and a lot more quiet than areas like Shibuya, Shinjuku or Ikebukuro. There are actually quite a few restaurants, bars and shops around, even just inside the station. In terms of convenience to the inner city, Shibuya is 45 minutes away and Shinjuku is 35 minutes, but places like Ueno and Asakusa/Oshiage are only 20/25 minutes away, so they're a bit easier to get to. Overall, I like living in an area that's not super crowded and busy all the time. I feel like I can escape at the end of the day and not battle my way through the crowds just to get out of the station, so that's good, but sometimes it feels like a hassle if I want to go to Shibuya or Shinjuku as I have to spend a fair bit of time on the train just to get there, but some people here commute for hours every day, so I can't complain too much! Rating: 6/10.
Shibuya: Next on the list is the tourist hotspot of Shibuya! There's so much shopping to be done here, it's crazy! It's home to Shibuya 109, and 109 Mens which are two giant malls, and two very iconic buildings in the area. There's also the world-famous scramble crossing, which is amazing at night time. I remember the first time I saw this crossing during the day and I thought it was just another crossing. But once night time rolls around, it changes completely, and it looks unreal all lit up. There are also heaps of interesting restaurants and bars here to check out. It's one area of Tokyo that never really sleeps. However, the one downside is obviously the crowds. Getting into and out of the JR station entrance/exit is a mission and a half, and walking down the streets is not for you if you're in any way claustrophobic. It is a must visit spot if you're in Tokyo though, so don't let the crowds put you off! It's great to visit Shibuya every now and again, or if there's a specific restaurant you want to check out, but spending an extended period of time here is draining, just because of the crowds. Rating 8.5/10.
Shinjuku: Up next we have Shinjuku! Shinjuku station is the worlds' busiest station and it's confusing af. I'm slowly getting better at navigating Shinjuku, but the first few times I was like a kid looking for their mother in a grocery store. There are a million different exits and so many different train lines that leave from this station, so you really have to be careful and read the signs!!!! Can't stress this enough. Aside from that, Shinjuku is home to the Metropolitan Government Buildings, which offer some amazing (and free) views of the city if you don't want to spend your life savings going up the Skytree. There's also some good shopping here, as well as many bars and restaurants, most notably an area called Golden Gai. Golden Gai has many small Japanese style bars, most of which hold up to around 10 people, and the atmosphere is very cosy. You can chat to the owners, and other people from all over the world. In recent times, it's become more and more touristy, but I still enjoyed it and would recommend it, especially if you can speak a bit of Japanese to the owners. They're all very friendly! Another area similar to Golden Gai is Kabukicho, but I've heard it's a bit dodgy, and I definitely would not walk around there by myself late at night. There's also Shinjuku Gyoen, which is a beautiful big park right in the middle of Tokyo, who would've thought? Although you have to pay to enter, it's cheap, and you can easily spend a couple of hours wandering around. Overall, I give Shinjuku a 9 out of 10.
Harajuku: Where do I start with Harajuku? It's a teenage girl's dream, with all the cute, colourful fashion you could ask for, as well as delicious crepe stands all the way down the famous Takeshita street. But there's more to Harajuku than just the shopping and crepes. The stunning Yoyogi Park is right behind Harajuku Station and within Yoyogi park is Meiji-Jingu shrine, which is a must-see in my books. There are also some great cafes and restaurants in Harajuku, and for my kiwi friends, there's a Cookie Time cookie bar! A taste of NZ here in Tokyo. Next to Harajuku is Omote Sando, which has all the high end fashion your heart desires, but only if you have the bank balance to match. Again, be prepared for crowds, especially walking down Takeshita street. Rating: 8/10.
Odaiba: Odaiba is a man-made island in Tokyo Bay, and you can get there via a train called the Yurikamome line, which goes over a bridge called the Rainbow Bridge. In Odaiba, there are five different shopping areas, as well as an small amusement park called Joyopolis. There's also a giant ferris wheel you can go on, and an onsen. I've visited Odaiba twice, once during the day and once at night, and I'd recommend the night time view, it really is spectacular! I'd love to go to the onsen one day too. There's a small beach here too to walk along, and you can go on a cruise around Tokyo Bay.
Odaiba offers a nice change of pace from the hustle and bustle of downtown Tokyo, and the foodcourts in the shopping areas offer a surprising variety of food options. It really is a beautiful spot, even though it's kind of hard to get to. Rating 8/10
Ueno: I love Ueno!!! I spend so much time in this area. For one, I work here once a week, and it's also super convenient to meet with friends here as it's not too far for most people. There are so many good bars, restaurants and cafes here! Sushi, ramen, yakiniku, desserts-you name it you can probably find it here. There's also Ameyoko street market, where you can find a variety of street food and market stalls selling everything from bags to shoes and souvenirs. There's also Ueno park, which is really pretty any time of year, but especially cherry blossom season. Within the park there are several different museums, which are all interesting. It is definitely a cultural hub where you can learn about the history of Japan, it's culture and, of course, try the food. Ueno feels like a less busy Shinjuku or Shibuya with the added cultural vibe. Rating 9/10.
Asakusa: Tokyo's biggest temple is Sensoji, located in Asakusa. Definitely worth a look, and there are kimonos for hire that you can wear as you wander around the temple and take photos. There's also lots of street food along a shopping street called Nakamise. The view of the Skytree and Sumida river is beautiful, too. It is however very touristy and busy because it is so famous and iconic. Rating 8/10
Those are my picks of the more touristy places in Tokyo, so now it's time for some of the hidden gems that you discover and explore the longer you live here.
Shimokitazawa: I visited Shimokitazawa the other day for the first time, and really liked the vibe of this area. There are many thrift shops (or op-shops as us kiwis call them) and second hand book stores here, as well as good cafes and restaurants. It feels super laid back, and nowhere near as crowded and touristy as other parts of Tokyo. You can explore many hidden back alleys and get off the beaten track. Would recommend a wander around here. Rating: 8/10.
Shin-Okubo: Shin-Okubo is a mini Korean town with many Korean restaurants and shops to purchase Korean fashion and skincare products, which are supposed to be amazing. With Japan being so close to Korea, the variety of Korean food available here is really diverse. Coming from New Zealand, where we don't have a huge variety of authentic Asian cuisine, being able to try new dishes and flavours is great. I'll just say it's not that we don't have Asian restaurants, they're just not quite as authentic as in Asia, obviously. There are also karaoke bars dedicated to K-pop. So if you're a fan of Korean food, Korean skincare, and K-pop, then Shin-Okubo is for you! Rating 7/10.
Kiyosumi Shirakawa: This is a cafe lovers heaven! So many good cafes around here, two of which serve Allpress coffee from New Zealand! This is my go-to if I need a decent coffee, because as a New Zealander, Starbucks sometimes just doesn't cut it. I can also find New Zealand baking like ANZAC biscuits and banana bread! There is also a park here, which I am yet to check out because I'm too busy at the cafes haha. Would recommend if you are a coffee fan, or just want to chill out in a nice cafe. It has kind of a business district feel, and is very urban and kind of bland in terms of the buildings. Many parts of Tokyo are quite colourful, such as Shibuya or Akihabara, but here all you see are grey buildings, so that's kind of a negative, but a nice break for the senses. Rating 8.5/10.
So that's I guess my insiders guide to Tokyo! Hopefully this has given you an insight into this insane city and its' must sees and its' secret spots. Tokyo is an overload for the senses. It's busy, it's vibrant, and it's colourful, but it can be a very draining place to live. However, I have come to love this city. You never run out of new places to see, and I feel like I've only just scratched the surface after six months. I have to sometimes remind myself that I'm living in Tokyo, one of the biggest cities in the world, and certainly one of the most densely populated, and it feels kind of surreal. So far, it's definitely been an eye-opening experience, and I sometimes wonder if my impression of Japan and Japanese people would be different if I'd been placed somewhere else, for example, Osaka. I've heard the people in Osaka are far more friendly and relaxed than people here in Tokyo. Here in Tokyo, it does feel like everyone is constantly on the go, they are totally focussed on themselves and their work is their life, and coming from New Zealand where everyone is super chill, it would be nice to have a more relaxed vibe, but I'm definitely getting the full Japanese work experience. It will be interesting to compare Osaka and Tokyo when I visit Osaka in September. Anyway, enough of me rambling on... I hope you enjoyed this post, and I'll be updating again soon!
From Japan, with love,
Hannah. x
Koiwa: Koiwa is where I live, so I thought I'd start there. It's on the border of Tokyo prefecture and Chiba prefecture, heading towards Narita airport, so you're definitely on the outskirts of the city. It's very residential, and a lot more quiet than areas like Shibuya, Shinjuku or Ikebukuro. There are actually quite a few restaurants, bars and shops around, even just inside the station. In terms of convenience to the inner city, Shibuya is 45 minutes away and Shinjuku is 35 minutes, but places like Ueno and Asakusa/Oshiage are only 20/25 minutes away, so they're a bit easier to get to. Overall, I like living in an area that's not super crowded and busy all the time. I feel like I can escape at the end of the day and not battle my way through the crowds just to get out of the station, so that's good, but sometimes it feels like a hassle if I want to go to Shibuya or Shinjuku as I have to spend a fair bit of time on the train just to get there, but some people here commute for hours every day, so I can't complain too much! Rating: 6/10.
Shibuya: Next on the list is the tourist hotspot of Shibuya! There's so much shopping to be done here, it's crazy! It's home to Shibuya 109, and 109 Mens which are two giant malls, and two very iconic buildings in the area. There's also the world-famous scramble crossing, which is amazing at night time. I remember the first time I saw this crossing during the day and I thought it was just another crossing. But once night time rolls around, it changes completely, and it looks unreal all lit up. There are also heaps of interesting restaurants and bars here to check out. It's one area of Tokyo that never really sleeps. However, the one downside is obviously the crowds. Getting into and out of the JR station entrance/exit is a mission and a half, and walking down the streets is not for you if you're in any way claustrophobic. It is a must visit spot if you're in Tokyo though, so don't let the crowds put you off! It's great to visit Shibuya every now and again, or if there's a specific restaurant you want to check out, but spending an extended period of time here is draining, just because of the crowds. Rating 8.5/10.
Shinjuku: Up next we have Shinjuku! Shinjuku station is the worlds' busiest station and it's confusing af. I'm slowly getting better at navigating Shinjuku, but the first few times I was like a kid looking for their mother in a grocery store. There are a million different exits and so many different train lines that leave from this station, so you really have to be careful and read the signs!!!! Can't stress this enough. Aside from that, Shinjuku is home to the Metropolitan Government Buildings, which offer some amazing (and free) views of the city if you don't want to spend your life savings going up the Skytree. There's also some good shopping here, as well as many bars and restaurants, most notably an area called Golden Gai. Golden Gai has many small Japanese style bars, most of which hold up to around 10 people, and the atmosphere is very cosy. You can chat to the owners, and other people from all over the world. In recent times, it's become more and more touristy, but I still enjoyed it and would recommend it, especially if you can speak a bit of Japanese to the owners. They're all very friendly! Another area similar to Golden Gai is Kabukicho, but I've heard it's a bit dodgy, and I definitely would not walk around there by myself late at night. There's also Shinjuku Gyoen, which is a beautiful big park right in the middle of Tokyo, who would've thought? Although you have to pay to enter, it's cheap, and you can easily spend a couple of hours wandering around. Overall, I give Shinjuku a 9 out of 10.
Harajuku: Where do I start with Harajuku? It's a teenage girl's dream, with all the cute, colourful fashion you could ask for, as well as delicious crepe stands all the way down the famous Takeshita street. But there's more to Harajuku than just the shopping and crepes. The stunning Yoyogi Park is right behind Harajuku Station and within Yoyogi park is Meiji-Jingu shrine, which is a must-see in my books. There are also some great cafes and restaurants in Harajuku, and for my kiwi friends, there's a Cookie Time cookie bar! A taste of NZ here in Tokyo. Next to Harajuku is Omote Sando, which has all the high end fashion your heart desires, but only if you have the bank balance to match. Again, be prepared for crowds, especially walking down Takeshita street. Rating: 8/10.
Odaiba: Odaiba is a man-made island in Tokyo Bay, and you can get there via a train called the Yurikamome line, which goes over a bridge called the Rainbow Bridge. In Odaiba, there are five different shopping areas, as well as an small amusement park called Joyopolis. There's also a giant ferris wheel you can go on, and an onsen. I've visited Odaiba twice, once during the day and once at night, and I'd recommend the night time view, it really is spectacular! I'd love to go to the onsen one day too. There's a small beach here too to walk along, and you can go on a cruise around Tokyo Bay.
Odaiba offers a nice change of pace from the hustle and bustle of downtown Tokyo, and the foodcourts in the shopping areas offer a surprising variety of food options. It really is a beautiful spot, even though it's kind of hard to get to. Rating 8/10
Ueno: I love Ueno!!! I spend so much time in this area. For one, I work here once a week, and it's also super convenient to meet with friends here as it's not too far for most people. There are so many good bars, restaurants and cafes here! Sushi, ramen, yakiniku, desserts-you name it you can probably find it here. There's also Ameyoko street market, where you can find a variety of street food and market stalls selling everything from bags to shoes and souvenirs. There's also Ueno park, which is really pretty any time of year, but especially cherry blossom season. Within the park there are several different museums, which are all interesting. It is definitely a cultural hub where you can learn about the history of Japan, it's culture and, of course, try the food. Ueno feels like a less busy Shinjuku or Shibuya with the added cultural vibe. Rating 9/10.
Asakusa: Tokyo's biggest temple is Sensoji, located in Asakusa. Definitely worth a look, and there are kimonos for hire that you can wear as you wander around the temple and take photos. There's also lots of street food along a shopping street called Nakamise. The view of the Skytree and Sumida river is beautiful, too. It is however very touristy and busy because it is so famous and iconic. Rating 8/10
Those are my picks of the more touristy places in Tokyo, so now it's time for some of the hidden gems that you discover and explore the longer you live here.
Shimokitazawa: I visited Shimokitazawa the other day for the first time, and really liked the vibe of this area. There are many thrift shops (or op-shops as us kiwis call them) and second hand book stores here, as well as good cafes and restaurants. It feels super laid back, and nowhere near as crowded and touristy as other parts of Tokyo. You can explore many hidden back alleys and get off the beaten track. Would recommend a wander around here. Rating: 8/10.
Shin-Okubo: Shin-Okubo is a mini Korean town with many Korean restaurants and shops to purchase Korean fashion and skincare products, which are supposed to be amazing. With Japan being so close to Korea, the variety of Korean food available here is really diverse. Coming from New Zealand, where we don't have a huge variety of authentic Asian cuisine, being able to try new dishes and flavours is great. I'll just say it's not that we don't have Asian restaurants, they're just not quite as authentic as in Asia, obviously. There are also karaoke bars dedicated to K-pop. So if you're a fan of Korean food, Korean skincare, and K-pop, then Shin-Okubo is for you! Rating 7/10.
Kiyosumi Shirakawa: This is a cafe lovers heaven! So many good cafes around here, two of which serve Allpress coffee from New Zealand! This is my go-to if I need a decent coffee, because as a New Zealander, Starbucks sometimes just doesn't cut it. I can also find New Zealand baking like ANZAC biscuits and banana bread! There is also a park here, which I am yet to check out because I'm too busy at the cafes haha. Would recommend if you are a coffee fan, or just want to chill out in a nice cafe. It has kind of a business district feel, and is very urban and kind of bland in terms of the buildings. Many parts of Tokyo are quite colourful, such as Shibuya or Akihabara, but here all you see are grey buildings, so that's kind of a negative, but a nice break for the senses. Rating 8.5/10.
So that's I guess my insiders guide to Tokyo! Hopefully this has given you an insight into this insane city and its' must sees and its' secret spots. Tokyo is an overload for the senses. It's busy, it's vibrant, and it's colourful, but it can be a very draining place to live. However, I have come to love this city. You never run out of new places to see, and I feel like I've only just scratched the surface after six months. I have to sometimes remind myself that I'm living in Tokyo, one of the biggest cities in the world, and certainly one of the most densely populated, and it feels kind of surreal. So far, it's definitely been an eye-opening experience, and I sometimes wonder if my impression of Japan and Japanese people would be different if I'd been placed somewhere else, for example, Osaka. I've heard the people in Osaka are far more friendly and relaxed than people here in Tokyo. Here in Tokyo, it does feel like everyone is constantly on the go, they are totally focussed on themselves and their work is their life, and coming from New Zealand where everyone is super chill, it would be nice to have a more relaxed vibe, but I'm definitely getting the full Japanese work experience. It will be interesting to compare Osaka and Tokyo when I visit Osaka in September. Anyway, enough of me rambling on... I hope you enjoyed this post, and I'll be updating again soon!
From Japan, with love,
Hannah. x
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