a strange and beautiful contradiction
Before coming to Tokyo, think about where you will travel within Japan, whether it makes sense to get a rail pass, if you want to get a Wi-Fi rental or a local SIM card, if you need an International Driving Permit, and which essential apps you might want to download:
Japan Rail Pass ▪ Mobile WiFi Rentals or SIM cards? ▪ International Driving Permit ▪ Apps & Travel Resources ▪ Tokyo American Club
Japan celebrates its four seasons: whether it's sakura in spring, fireworks of summer, autumn foliage, wintry landscapes, there is a lot to see throughout the year.
Heritage sightseeing in Japan means shrines, museums, gardens, and cityscapes that fold time into the everyday. A walk through Tokyo might skim Edo, Meiji, and bubble-era corners in ten minutes. The culture isn’t behind glass—it’s still on the street.
Imperial Palace ▪ Temples & Shrines ▪ Museums ▪ Panoramic Views ▪ Parks & Gardens (TBD)
The act of watching becomes its own ritual. Watch sumo, kabuki, and baseball in Japan not just for the thing itself but for the layers—ceremony nested in performance nested in history.
Kabuki ▪ Sumo Grand Tournaments ▪ Watch Baseball ▪ Watch the Horses
Dive into Japan’s food culture from from the market floor to the kitchen counter: tuna auctions at the famous fish market,Kappabashi for everything a cook could need, hands-on cooking class that make it all more personal and lasting.
Tokyo is a paradise for for the homely and crafty. Learn the art of hand-dyed aizome indigo, stitch temari, or browse wall-to-wall art supplies. Book lovers get lost in Jimbocho or curl up with a novel at the Murakami Library. Blend incense or explore naturals or niche bottles. Every corner offers a workshop, a craft, or a sensory rabbit hole to fall into.
Indigo Dyeing ▪ Fabric Town ▪ Temari, Sashiko, Knitting ▪ Pen and Ink ▪ Art Supplies ▪ Jimbocho ▪ Book Shops ▪ Murakami Library ▪ Incense ▪ Perfumes
A soak, steam, or scrub in Tokyo isn’t just about relaxation—it’s about ritual and reset. Options range from traditional hot baths and meditative saunas to quirky sento with projection art or DJs, and private sauna rooms for solo downtime. Whether you're after stillness, sweat, or skincare, there’s a place for it—just check the fine print on tattoos and booking systems.
Onsen, Sento, Sauna ▪ Massage, Spas
For people who’d rather move than queue. See the neighborhoods by food, hike trails kayak s hidden canals, cycle riverside paths, or explore technology and the natural world.
Tea and coffee, places for matcha or single-origin pour-over. From kissaten nostalgia to third-wave minimalism, it’s about the mood, the pour, and the people watching. For those who eschew caffeine, there’s also art of kakigori shaved ice and fruit parlors.
Tea Experiences ▪ Tea Houses ▪ Tea Cocktails ▪ Kissaten ▪ Coffee ▪ Kakigori ▪ Fruit Parlors
Fast, easy, and delicious — food that fuels the city. From glossy department store food markets to beloved chain restaurants and konbini snacks. It’s comfort food on demand, crafted with care, often better than it needs to be.
Dining scene that’s a little unusual, where solo booths, smoky alleyways, train-track izakaya, and character cafés redefine what a night out looks like. It’s a dive into the places where atmosphere is half the menu, and the rules are rewritten.
Yokocho (alleyways) ▪ Gado-Shita (under-track) ▪ Solo Dining ▪ Animal & Character Cafes
Mapping the city’s nighttime rhythm—where high-concept cocktails, listening bars, karaoke clubs, and live houses create a scene that’s more than just drinking.
From furoshiki wraps to hand-carved kokeshi dolls, bring back gifts that aren’t just keepsakes—but can be a part of daily life. Whether it's a towel that travels with you, a charm that carries a wish, or a glass that changes how sake tastes, each piece reflects Japanese craft, culture, and quiet design.
A list of souvenirs that are practical, personal, and rooted in tradition.
