TOKYO

STAY

Hoshinoya Tokyo

From the moment we stepped through the grand cypress doors, the bustling noise of Tokyo faded into a sense of calm. Embracing tradition, we wandered barefoot on smooth tatami floors throughout the property feeling every thread of Japanese culture woven into our path. Our room — a blend of simplicity and elegance, featured a platform bed and shoji doors that transitioned from a daylight filter to a nighttime glow. Experiencing a ryokan is an essential part of visiting Japan and our stay at this haven for our first three days in Japan couldn't have been better.
 

FOOD

Maz

Elevated Peruvian dining experience, part of our top 3 food experiences ever 

Arva

Italian 

Downtown B’s Indian Kitchen

Cozy Indian spot

PST (Pizza Studio Tamaki)

Artisan pizza

Tori No Ana 

Local ramen spot. Tip: Check the menu online beforehand and note the price of your dish. Before sitting down, you’ll need to purchase a meal ticket from a vending machine, which only displays the menu in Japanese. It’s cash only, so come prepared. Arrive early and line up before it opens to secure a spot as it fills up so fast. 

Shodai

Soba noodle shop

Tsuta Ramen

 Michelin-starred ramen

QUICK BITES + CAFES


 7-Eleven — Perfect for snacks and light meals 

 Cafe Kitsune — Trendy coffee and treats

 I’m Donut? — Fresh, fluffy donuts

 Chop Coffee Omotesando — Great specialty coffee

 Excelsior Coffee — Reliable coffee chain, try the cremia ice cream cone here

BARS

 SG Club — Speakeasy-style cocktails. Pictured above is their LET IT SNOW cocktail with parmesan cheese. Insanely good!

 Centifolia — Craft cocktails with unique flavors

THINGS TO DO

 TeamLabs Planets — Immersive art experience

 Loft Gonzaga — Creative lifestyle store

 Disney Sea — A must for Disney fans

 Hedgehog Cafe — Cute experience

 Harajuku District — Trendy shopping & fashion

 Ginza District — High-end shopping & dining

SHOPPING

 Komehyo — Thrift shopping for luxury goods

 Shimokitazawa District — Vintage and thrift shopping

 Don Quixote — Spend hours discovering quirky finds

 Maison Kitsune — Chic fashion

 Beams — Trendy streetwear and basics

 Cene — Costume jewelry store

 Harajuku District — Japanese street wear and more

 Hour Glass Ginza — Luxury watch shopping

 Itoya — Iconic stationery store

CULTURAL EXPERIENCES

 Tea Ceremony  Participate in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony at a tea house in Asakusa or Omotesando.

 Sushi Making Class   Learn from sushi masters in Tsukiji or Toyosu Market.

 Kimono Experience  Rent a kimono and explore historic districts like Asakusa or Yanaka.

 Sumo Wrestling  Watch a sumo tournament in Ryogoku (January, May, and September).

 Traditional Onsen  Experience a Japanese hot spring at Oedo Onsen Monogatari or nearby Hakone.

 Temple Visits  Visit iconic temples like Senso-ji in Asakusa or Meiji Shrine in Harajuku.

 Ikebana (Flower Arrangement)  Take a class in traditional Japanese floral art.

ETIQUETTE

 Mind the Lines  People line up for trains, elevators, and even at restaurants. Always wait your turn.

 Be Quiet on Public Transport  Avoid talking loudly on trains and buses; phone calls are a big no.

 Cash is Still King  While cards are widely accepted, having cash (Yen) is helpful for small shops and food stalls.

  Don’t Eat While Walking  It’s considered rude to eat on the go—finish your food near the stall or at designated areas.

 No Tipping  Tipping is not customary and can even be considered impolite. Service charges are included in the bill.

 Shoes Off Indoors  Remove your shoes when entering homes, ryokans, and even some restaurants and temples.

 Clean Up After Yourself  Be prepared to carry trash with you since public bins are rare.

 Politeness is Key  Bow slightly when greeting or thanking someone, and use polite phrases like “Arigato gozaimasu” (thank you very much).

TIPS

 Plan for Late Openings  Many places open late, so stock up on snacks from 7-Eleven in case of early morning hunger from jet lag.

 Digital Suica Card  Add it to your iPhone for easy public transit access.

 Google Maps Tip  Use it for public transit—it shows which train car to sit in for faster entry/exit.

 Luggage Lockers  Major train stations have lockers for storing luggage, making city exploration easier. (We did this in Kobe!)

 Bullet Train Tip  When traveling from Tokyo to Osaka, sit on the right side for a view of Mt. Fuji on clear days. On the return to Tokyo, choose the left side.

 Souvenir Space  Be ready to bring back snacks and gifts—we ended up buying another suitcase at Don Quixote!

*Every trip I take to a new country, I choose a new fragrance to wear throughout the trip. It becomes intertwined with the places, moments, and memories of that adventure. Whenever I wear it again, I’m instantly transported back to the travel memories. For this trip, I wore Delina Exclusif by Parfums De Marly  — a scent that will forever remind me of Japan