a strange and beautiful contradiction
a strange and beautiful contradiction
Every Tokyo expat has their list—the one you build over the years for when people visit. This is mine. It’s not meant to be comprehensive, and not for everyone, just my catalog which started as a humble Google Doc ten years ago, and then was passed around. It was so outdated, and after enough requests and accidental deletions, I figured I’d update and give it a proper home. Now the list lives here. I did my best to organize it, first by category, and then later below by neighborhood. I’ll update with photos soon.
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.
A district for the well-heeled offering chic boutiques alongside one of Tokyo's most exquisite museums.
Yoyogi-Uehara, Yoyogi-Hachiman, and Nishihara form a triangle west of Yoyogi Park, a residential corner that feels tucked away.
A hidden gem off of Shibuya, a community of small cafés, independent boutiques, and creative studios.
Redevelopment brought rooftop parks and slicker signage, but Shibuya’s backstreets still hum with old bars and vinyl.
Low buildings, leafy streets, and elegant boutiques, its a curated, quietly stylish area popular with expats and well-heeled Tokyoites.
A little retro, a little refined. Calm streets, curated corners, and river sounds underfoot.
Meguro’s understated and a little odd in a good way—forests, parasite museums, quiet bars in converted garages.
An easygoing version of neighboring Shibuya, with side streets full of bars on a quieter setting.
Hiroo, Minami- and Nishi Azabu are residential neighborhoods dotted with embassies, elegant cafes and discreet restaurants.
Famous nightlife district—flashy, chaotic, a bit sleazy—but packed with hidden charm and unexpected fun.
Somewhat like the Village, a neighborhood of old shops, cute cafes, leans western, eclectic, and quietly cool.
Azabudai, Shibakoen, Kamiyacho, Toranomon are clustered business and embassy districts in central Tokyo.
Old-school charm with polished modernity, catering to diplomats, creatives, and regulars alike.
A lively business district where Tokyo’s salarymen wind down over yakitori and highballs after work
Between the banks and offices are pockets of calm: sleek museums, curated shops, tree-lined promenades, and rooftop gardens.
Ueno walks the line between tourist trap and cultural core—busy, a bit frayed, but undeniably rich in history.
A part of Tokyo that seems to have been spared the advances of time, only the slow drift of history. settling in narrow alleys and wooden houses
Home to approximately 176 bookstores, Jinbocho is a neighborhood devoted new, used, and rare books.
Touristy but layered, the city’s oldest temple, souvenir stalls, and quieter Kuramae next door.
Edo-era gardens and a coffee scene that snuck in while no one was looking. The vibe is calm, creative, and just a little caffeinated.
Hipster enclave of punk, vintage aesthetic, and live music. A little gritty, a little unfiltered
Tokyo’s outer edges and nearby prefectures offer everything from suburban quirk to scenic coastlines.
Just Outside Tokyo. Suburbs like Jiyugaoka, Shimokitazawa, and Kichijoji trade high-rise pace for vintage shops, desserts, and indie culture.
Agricultural Fun. For nature and fresh air, head to temple towns like Jindaiji or experiences in Chiba and Shizuoka with fruit picking, tea fields, and sake tours.
Further Afield. Options range from hot springs in Hakone and coastal hikes in Jogashima to modern-art immersion at Enoura Observatory. More…
