Tokyo Mini-Guide

So you’ve saved for the trip of a lifetime, booked your flights and now you’re ready to get planning! This guide will help both first time visitors to Tokyo and even those who have been in the past.

The first thing you usually want to check out is accommodation. There are many different districts you can choose in Tokyo but which is the best? It’s really all down to what you’re looking for! Here’s a break down of each district and the attractions close by:

• Shibuya - probably one of the most popular choices for staying due to it being packed with restaurants, shopping, and the famous Shibuya “scramble” crossing. It’s pretty central and it’s a short metro ride away to Asakusa and Shinjuku.

• Asakusa - if you’re looking for a place close to the heart of Japanese culture, this is a great choice. Asakusa is home to Tokyo’s oldest temple Senso-Ji!

• Shinjuku - I would say this is up there in the top 3 of the best places to stay if you’re a first time visitor. Within this ward is the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building with an incredible sky deck, the Gyoen National Garden, plus it's alongside easy and accessible transport links to the rest of the city.

• Akihabara - one for the anime and gaming lovers! The “electric town” is filled with arcades, claw machines, electrical shops and home to Super Potato (an extremely popular retro gaming shop with an 80’s feel!)

• Minato - now, this one isn’t on a lot of people’s list but it’s the ward I stayed on when I first visited. It’s actually a business district, but it has the super affordable but grandly named “Tokyo Grand Hotel”. It was an absolute bargain staying here, had close metro links to everywhere we needed and has affordable diners close by for breakfast.

Realistically, there is no 'bad' place to stay in Tokyo. Each ward has its own quirks and must-see places, and the transport between each place is affordable and convenient. We use booking.com to search for the cheapest places and you can often reserve in advance and pay on the day. The plus with this too is genius discounts! If you keep booking through booking.com you end up getting 20 and even 30% off future hotels which is great for those who travel often. We stayed in the Tokyo Grand Hotel which was quite basic but had everything we needed. Don't expect huge rooms in Japan either, as the standard is quite small, but most people use it for a place to stay only which is exactly what we did. :)

Now you’ve got your hotel, what do you plan into your itinerary? It can be overwhelming to think of just how much there is to do and see here, but fear not, I’ve created a handy guide of the main attractions and my honest reviews.

Visit Senso-Ji - this beautiful ancient temple is an absolute must-see when in Tokyo. It’s located in Asakusa and it’s the most widely visited religious site in the world bringing in over 30 million visitors annually. On the lead up to the temple, you’ll find long stretches of stalls which sell food, souvenirs and even doggy kimonos! Once you approach the temple the first thing you’ll see is the Thunder Gate which has a huge paper lantern hanging in the middle of it and not far from this you’ll see the huge five level pagoda towering in front of you and you’ll know you’re there! Best times to visit are in the early morning and on a weekday where crowds will be significantly less.

Hit the shops in Harajuku - I LOVE Harajuku! Approaching Takeshita street may seem overwhelming at first as it does tend to get extremely busy, but it’s absolutely worth it. Down the Main Street you’ll find crepe stands, giant candy floss stalls, themed cafes, Harajuku style shops and much more. This district is well-known for its bold fashion and “kawaii” culture.

Enjoy the entertainment at Odaiba - you can access Odaiba via rainbow bridge (yes, Mario Kart fans, it’s real!) or train. It’s a man-made island in Tokyo bay, and it’s a great place to go for a day out. When we visited, the first thing we saw was the huge Gundam robot which has now been replaced by an even bigger robot - you really have to see this to believe it! Aside from giant robots, Odaiba also has the National Museum for Emerging science, Tokyo’s Madame Tussaud’s, a ferris wheel and Tokyo Joyopolis meaning it’s a perfect trip for solo, couple and family travellers.

Check out the themed cafes
There are so many different themed cafes in Tokyo, whether it’s the Pokémon, Pompompurin, Harry Potter or a Peanuts cafe they’re well worth a visit! Japan does themed food extremely well, so it’s always a unique experience. It’s worth booking in advance where you can, as these can often get booked up quickly!

Take a day trip to Mt Fuji

Admittedly one I missed last time, but on our trip in May it will be top of the list! Mt Fuji is an active volcano just south of Tokyo. You can get there by train in just over an hour, or book day trips with transportation which takes around 2 hours. Visibility can sometimes be an issue if it’s cloudy or overcast and it’s recommended that visiting in winter months will give you the best odds of seeing it in all of its glory. Around Fuji-san are some hot springs and beautiful lakes, it’s definitely somewhere you can spend a whole day.

Go for drinks at the Golden Gai

A short walk from most places in Shinjuku is the popular nightlife of the Golden Gai area. Perfect for bar hopping and experiencing its narrow alleyways filled with drinking spots.

Visit the Pokemon Centre
This has got to be top of the list for Pokemon fans. Tokyo's largest Pokemon Centre resides in Tokyo's Sunshine City Mall, and it's called the "mega store" for a reason!

Tokyo Disneyland

Just 15 minutes away by train from Tokyo station is the magical Disneyland! Tokyo Disneyland has seven different areas, Adventureland, Westernland, Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, Critter Country, Mickey's Toontown, and the World Bazaar. It has so many ride options and also the best food! You can get little alien dumplings, so many flavours of popcorn (including curry?) or a Mickey waffle. The food is stand out, as always!

Culture and things to know before you go

Safety - Japan is well known for being one of the safest countries on the planet. Crime rates are extremely low, and you may have even seen videos of people leaving their backpacks and walking off to experiment how safe it can be!

As a female traveller, I would happily walk alone at night in Tokyo with little concern, especially compared to other countries I’ve visited. This doesn't mean don't be careful as you would in any other country though.

Tipping etiquette and culture - tipping generally isn’t a thing in Japan, or at least it is not expected. It sometimes may even be turned down by the recipient because they believe that the service is part of the price you have already paid. It is more important to express gratitude (“Arigato Gozaimasu” comes in handy and goes a long way!) and be kind/polite to staff in shops, restaurants etc.

Japanese culture is heavily centred on mutual respect and residents of Japan are super welcoming to tourists and visitors. I found that people really appreciate you practicing even the most basic Japanese phrases and making an effort to speak their language.

This is just a very high level guide but I’ll be going into more detail on food spots, budget and travel over a few more posts! I’ll link them back here. We are also taking another trip early next year so I will update the guide as we go!