Eleven days goes quickly in Japan, and when you split that between Tokyo and Kyoto it flies by. On the first leg of the trip we only had three days in Tokyo, before moving on to Kyoto. It is safe to say we could have used more time in Tokyo. There is a ton to do in this city, if you had a month you wouldn’t scratch the surface, thus, we needed to set up our Tokyo itinerary to maximize our time. It is handy to have a few ideas as to what you will do in Tokyo at night as well..
We didn’t (and couldn’t) visit all Tokyo attractions in the city, but we did what we could with the first three days in Tokyo. There were somethings we wished we could have gotten to, a few we could have missed. Nothing disappointed, but when trying to maximize time, you want to be selective. First things first, you need your home base to be in a prime location. The city is big enough; you want to stay in a place where you can walk to Tokyo attractions as there is plenty to see.
Yes, there are aquariums, amusement parks, museums, hell there is even a Tokyo Disney. I skipped the ordinary Tokyo attractions in the interest of time. If you are like me and from the United States, you can go to Disney at home. I tried to concentrate on unique things not found in most places and of course eating…
Where to Stay in Tokyo
Location is key if you want to keep your Tokyo itinerary tight. There is no point in staying on the outskirts of the city. I was only in a few sections in my three days in Tokyo, but there are two I would stay in for certain simply based on volume of Tokyo attractions as well as ease of getting to the public transport system.
Shinjuku
Our hotel was in Shinjuku, this is more of a party atmosphere than other areas, loaded with bars and restaurants. We were a ten-minute walk from the main action, which wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. I couldn’t imagine sleeping if we were in the center of the busiest areas. Tokyo at night can be crazy, and Shinjuku is one of the crazier spots. Our hotel was the Citadines Shinjuku Tokyo, a great utility hotel that was well situated.
Again, Shinjuku is home to many interesting Tokyo attractions. It also has one of the biggest rail stations in the world, making it convenient to not only explore Tokyo, but all of Japan. If you stay here, you can spend the day walking this neighborhood, soaking up the utterly bizarre world around you.. Shinjuku was also our preferred spot to enjoy Tokyo at night.
Ginza
If you’re looking for a more upscale experience, the Ginza neighborhood is a better choice, this is where the money is (not to say the other areas are poor). Ginza is also close to a lot of Tokyo attractions as well and you are about a ten-minute walk from Tokyo Station. Either location is great for just walking around and both have tons of things to do and see.
I am sure there are other great places to stay, Shibuya and Roppongi come to mind, but if you are spending a short time in Tokyo, Ginza and Shinjuku just feel more central. It doesn’t hurt that you can get a direct train into Shinjuku from Narita airport.
Tokyo Itinerary Day 1: Explore Shinjuku
I am going to keep this somewhat aggressive; I will assume you have three days in Tokyo like us. Whether you have more or less, is not really relevant, what is relevant are the things that should be seen! Assuming you’re staying in Shinjuku, you might as well explore the area. Below are some of the best Shinjuku tourist attractions.
Shinjuku National Garden
You are probably thinking, “who wants to walk around a park in Tokyo?” The area is worth the time spent. The place makes Central Park look like a prison flower garden… It might be the most peaceful of all the Tokyo attractions. It is a reprieve in a city of madness and sensory overload. There must be an army of people set up to keep this thing so immaculate. Every bush is perfectly cut, and the place was spotless.
Of course, it is complete with an amazing Koi pond. This is the type of place that I would make a monthly visit if it were near my home. It is a good way to spend a part of your morning. If it is the summer, the heat could get bad, getting to the park when it opens at 9AM is probably a good idea.
Samurai Museum
The museum is a bit expensive at around $40/person, but the experience was worth it, to say the least. What is great about it is that they provided a guided tour, with tour guides that know what they are talking about and love what they do, our guide was a collegiate historian with a wealth of knowledge. The tour isn’t long, at about an hour and 15 minutes . If you have an interest in Samurai’s, GO, when will you get another chance to learn about them in Japan? The museum is open at 10:30AM every morning until 9PM, this makes it incredibly convenient; you can go in the day or add it to your Tokyo itinerary at night.
A Late Lunch at Ichiran Ramen (or any Ramen place with a line)
Ironically, there is an Ichiran in New York, although according to Strictly Dumpling the New York version was a hair worse, for more than double the price. Don’t worry that it is a chain (..you know how I feel about going to chain restaurants while on vacation..), this place is as authentic as it gets. I say this because A) There is a line out the door until the wee hours of the night and B) I tried a lot of ramen in Tokyo, all (but one) were amazing, and Ichiran holds its own against all others I have had.
This Tokyo attraction is open 24 hours, so don’t worry about coming too late. We can vouch for this; my wife and I were here on our third night at 3:30am. I still see the beautiful pork, perfectly firm noodles, rich broth ..and hear the creepy music that is played. What is so great about this spot is that your ramen is completely customizable: the firmness of your noodles, the spice, the richness of your broth… Just sit back and enjoy the one of the tastiest Tokyo attractions, in your own private booth.
Walk the Streets of Shinjuku
Considering this is your first day, I think it is wise to just walk around the area. Just walking the streets of Shinjuku is an experience and helps you get a vibe for the city. Yes, Shinjuku is a great way to spend Tokyo at night, but there is enough to see during the day to kill a couple of hours. There is a ton in this area, and with a short time in Tokyo, you should explore each nook to the best of your ability.
Stop and get a drink at the New York Bar, a place featured in the movie Lost in Translation or if you want the heights without the alcohol the Government building has a free observation deck. There is at least one onsen in the area (which we didn’t try) Thermae-Yu. I know of this one because we wanted to go about a million times…but as always, eating got in the way.
Dinner: Himawari Sushi Shintoshin
You are in Tokyo, so it would be a shame not to try sushi…What better way to have sushi then to indulge in countless plates coming at you via conveyer belt? Admittedly, at first I thought this was a novelty. After the twenty fifth plate (…seriously, my inner glutton cannot go into how many more plates after that initial 25, were taken to task…..) I was convinced this place was legit.
The fatty tuna was so succulent we thought it was rare A5 beef. I still have dreams about the eel and the crab… Really, I just want a place that has millions of plates coming at me. I know a true sushi purest might turn their nose up at a sushi conveyer belt, but we had sushi both ways on our journey and this place was up there with the best.
If you aren’t in the mood for sushi yet, there are plenty of tempura shops in the area. I personally don’t like tempura, but we had it for dinner once anyway. I am just not a fan of fried food, but if it is your thing let me recommend Tenkane, the service was excellent and before the heaviness got to me, it was very tasty…they even provide salt dipping instructions (yes, salt…).
Before I get to Tokyo at night, let’s move on to your second day…
Tokyo Itinerary Day 2: Ginza Area
Hopefully you are well rested from the Tokyo attractions of Shinjuku, because you may be doing a lot of walking. We walked from Shinjuku to Ginza, an almost two-hour trek. We took a cab on the way back, as I’m not a sadist. There is plenty of transportation if you want to save some time. Before you even get to Ginza, there are a couple of Tokyo attractions that you can’t miss.
Imperial Palace
The Tokyo Imperial Palace is the residence of the Emperor of Japan, located in Chiyoda and it is a huge complex. If you want a more in-depth view of this Tokyo attraction you will need to get a tour.
Even if you decide to opt out of the tour, the grounds are free. I think we got lucky, because I believe there is a charge for the eastern garden, but we went on a day that there was no cost. The buildings are grand and the gardens are beautiful. The site should find a place in your Tokyo itinerary…
Tsukiji Outer Market
OH Sh*t…you haven’t eaten…I can’t encourage my readers to starve! Well then, it is time to go to a food market where you can eat until you get heart disease. The Tsukiji market is one of my favorite Tokyo attractions, because well, it’s a food market! This is a great place to dabble in Japanese cuisine. If you are hungry there are seafood stalls, matcha ice cream booths, fried noodles, and of course sushi. You can even get King crab legs or A5 Waygu beef…(sorry, salivating at the thought..)
We loved the sushi so much in Tokyo, that both times we went to the Tsukiji market we had sushi. That is not to say that’s all I ate; I tried a lot of weird / interesting culinary delights… most of which I don’t know the names… My favorite was the black sesame ice cream, this and the matcha, which has a strong green tea taste…
Window Shop Around Ginza
Given you have been eating so much, it is probably a good idea to take a walk around Ginza. I said window shopping because I believe the prices here are three times as expensive as at home: Coach bags that sell for $200 in the United States are going for $1000….yeah.
This is due to the fact that this is the ritzier side of Tokyo. I feel like every Bond Villain would hatch his evil plan here; there are plenty of Tokyo attractions in the area. You can find your way to one of the many gigantic malls, such as Matsuya department store. Just be prepared to be humbled by their sizes. I am 5’9 and I couldn’t fit into their largest shoe size or their extra-large jackets…damn Ramen!
Have a Drink at the Top of the Peninsula Hotel
We loved the bar/restaurant Peter so much we went twice. The drinks were unique and outstanding. The service was excellent, but the best part was the view. The bar has a 360 degree window for one of the best views in the city.
If you can afford it, stay here at the Peninsula Hotel, if not, the next best thing is to visit the bar. There is a restaurant as well, but since you only have three days in Tokyo, save your hunger for meat.
Dinner at Ginza Steak
If I have one regret from our trip it is that we didn’t go to this ALL YOU CAN EAT A5 Wagyu Beef establishment. We had A5 Wagyu numerous times in Japan. My advice is when you get a chance to eat this heavenly cow…take it, run with it..! If my Tokyo itinerary consisted of only eating, I would eat A5 Wagyu every night. Pretty sure there is a time limit at Ginza Steak, so go in with a plan… and stay away from the sides!
I won’t bore you with all the varieties Wagyu beef. I will tell you, that the steak liquifies in your mouth, there is no ‘gristle’… Japan has the best meat I have ever tasted. I used to think the United States was the best spot for beef, that all changed when I took my first bite (sorry Texas). Ginza Steak offers you all you can eat of this blissful meat. Don’t be like me…go to Ginza Steak! It is the perfect way to start Tokyo at night.
Tokyo Itinerary Day 3: Anything Goes
I know the theme of this post is to guide you to the best Tokyo attractions, but with one day left, there are too many options. Tokyo is not Split Croatia, you can’t see it in a weekend, month, or even a year but you can get a feel for the city in this short time. Instead of mapping out your exact Tokyo itinerary…let me give you some guidance.
Visit Harajuku
Harajuku has somewhat of a carnival feel, but it is fun. The area is a bit crowded (to say the least…link arms or hands..or determine the meet up spot); the streets are lined with art and fashion. It has a quirky vibe, complete with ice cream and candy shaped like cartoons. Like everywhere in Japan, there are a ton of places to eat. With all the flare this is a good place to beef up your Instagram account. We didn’t eat here when we visited, we just had Afuri Ramen, another top notch ramen place. If you haven’t gorged yourself prior to coming, there are plenty of options to do so along the street. I liked the area, but this is one of the Tokyo attractions you can miss if it is too far away.
Meiji Shrine
Built in 1912, dedicated to Emperor Meiji, it is a rather impressive location. The shrine itself paled in comparison to the ones in Kyoto, but still better than any temple I have seen in Charlotte….yeah. If you are in Tokyo for a short time and are close I say take a look. I would say exclude this from your Tokyo itinerary if you spent any decent time in Kyoto or if you can’t stomach another temple.
I am only saying this if you are short on time. The structure is still fantastic. The trails walking up to the shrine were impressive, although, it felt like it took ten minutes just to get to the main part. It is close to Harajuku, so if you are visiting that area, take a walk to the Meiji Shrine.
Other Temples
If you aren’t done with history go on a temple splurge; the most visited one is Sensoji. Still if you only have three days in Tokyo make time to see these when you can. We visited a lot of the smaller ones in Tokyo. They are all over, there is one right outside of the Tsukiji market (Tsukiji Hongwanji).
I was never disappointed by visiting a temple, they are like churches in Europe all uniquely beautiful. Sometimes though, you hit your threshold and you won’t want to go out of your way to see another one…
The Tokyo tower, judo matches, sumo matches, Tokyo Disney, Shibuya crossing, the area of Roppongi… there is a never ending list of Tokyo attractions, and I haven’t even gotten to Tokyo at night. This is why I say you need to reserve time and energy when setting your Tokyo itinerary…
Tokyo at Night
What are some of the things to do in Tokyo at night? Well I liked to end it where I started. All of Tokyo is crazy at night, but I loved Shinjuku at night. It was like Times Square in a good way ( I think in a good way). It definitely had better restaurants. There is so much happening in Tokyo at Night, but I spent my time doing the below in Shinjuku.
Omoide Yokocho (or Memory Lane)
This place was right up my alley (pun intended). A mish mash of bars/eateries down small pathways, there are foods smells all around. Each one specializes in one or two things, some of them rather unusual. Think raw chicken, horse hearts, and raw pork. I have nothing to prove. I have done horse and insects before so I stuck with pork, squid, and chicken (all cooked).
You do have to be careful; I had a ramen so bad here that it made Cup of Noodles look like Michelin star quality. Plus, the bathrooms are some of the worst in the city. I would rather use a diaper than the hole they provided. My wife also pointed out that not all of the eateries had a sink…do what you will with that information… Still it is fun as hell, drink, eat, repeat. Dodge the dirtier places and beware of the small cover charge. It is the perfect way to spend Tokyo at night.
Shinjuku Golden Gai
If the trip down Memory Lane didn’t provide enough small alleys or shops with fire hazards, take a stroll to the Golden Gai. We liked the Golden Gai a little more than Memory Lane, not sure why (perhaps it was the ability to wash one’s hands..), we just had a better time that night. The Golden Gai is more drinking than eating than Memory Lane, but you can do both in both…
There are three downsides 1) Many (but not all) charge a cover of up to $10/person. 2) The places fill up quickly 3) Some places don’t allow tourists (and they provide clear signage telling you to go elsewhere..)…that is ok, there are a ton to choose from. If one is crowded or has a high cover, move on to the next. Our favorite bar in the Golden Gai was Bar Lonely, kind of a sad name, but they treat tourists nicely and they had fantastic music (who doesn’t like Sam Cooke?!). These are the type of places that fill up with four people coming into the door…
Kabukichō
Tokyo at night wouldn’t be complete without an “entertainment” district. If you are a single man on vacation in Tokyo this seems like the place to be. Be warned, Tokyo at night may bring out some unsavory characters, so be wary about which bar you go into. The men who will find you are mostly foreigners, who may or may not work for the Japanese Mafia, but remained very respectful if you appeared ‘coupled.’
Now, I am a very happily married man (whose wife edits this blog)…so I have no interest in such distractions. Never fear, although it is a “Red Light District,” most of the bad stuff is done behind closed doors.
The streets on the other hand are lit up with just the craziest iconographic atmosphere you could hope for, it is really is something to be seen. The lights and the noise provide a sensory overload, but a really fun way to spend Tokyo at night.
Late Night Ramen or Raid a 7-Eleven/Lawsons
I know what you are thinking; this guy is telling me to go to a 7-Eleven, why not Olive Garden in Florence next. Before you poo-poo the idea hear me out. A nightly stop at Lawsons or 7-Eleven was a tradition for us. Even if we hit the ramen on the way out, we would grab every weird thing we could find in 7-Eleven. The stores had great egg sandwiches, with the fluffiest bread that words could not do justice. I could do an entire post about the convenience stores alone…
Now, I already mentioned Ichiran Ramen, but if you are looking for a place to eat at 3:30 am and you missed it the first time around, go now. There is something about the place, that creepy music, seeing that bamboo curtain go up and having delicious ramen shoved in your face, when you are simultaneously wired an dead tired. Now there aren’t the lines at 4:00AM, like there are at 9PM…but it is still surprisingly crowded. Shinjuku doesn’t sleep, (in fact it makes New York look like a newborn on Ambien) which is why, if you have three days in Tokyo, I recommend really exploring the area…
Now if you have more time in your Tokyo itinerary, by all means explore the rest of the city. I heard the Sensoji Temple is beautiful at night as well. There are also onsens open all night and other neighborhoods to explore. Shibuya is like a calmer (but certainly not calm) version of Shinjuku. Tokyo at night has tons to offer, it is a big city…see what you can.
Conclusion: Which Tokyo Attractions to Choose?
This is just my loose Tokyo itinerary, mainly based on the Tokyo attractions we saw. Given that we had an amazing time, this may be a good path to follow. If you set a different Tokyo itinerary, please let me know what I missed, as I will be going back to Japan to get another bite…
