Tokyo, a city that is equal parts chaos and order, loud and tranquil, urban and rural, historic and new. From the infinite rows of bright neon signs, to the nature-centric parks, there is something for everyone in Tokyo, Japan. It is the one city in the world I recommend everyone visit once, and we really only scratched the surface over our five day trip.

Stay

Park Hyatt Tokyo

If I had to describe this incredibly gorgeous and hospitable oasis in one word it would be “WOW!” No wonder it was the main setting for the movie "Lost in Translation" starring Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson. Located at the top of one of the tallest buildings in Tokyo, we were welcomed by a guest representative at the opening of the elevator, our bags were taken away, and we were given a tour of the hotel. Upon entering our room, we knew we'd never want to leave. Sleek furniture, awesome mini-bar, cozy robes and views to-die-for are just a few of the things we loved about the accommodations. There was a gym, indoor Olympic-sized swimming pool, restaurant, and bakery on the premise, as well. Our four night stay here exceeded all of our expectations and we would recommend anyone traveling to Japan splurge for even just one night here.

Hilton Tokyo

We stayed at the Hilton Tokyo on the last night of our trip (read about our three day excursion to Kyoto - link coming soon). Through Hilton Honors points I had accrued over the past year or so, we were able to upgrade to the King Executive Suite at the top floor of the hotel. The room was huge with a full living room, dining area, master bedroom and bathroom with sinks for two. Right off the main lobby was a buffet that was stocked with beautifully designed desserts and a lavish morning brunch.

Eat & Drink

Sukiyabashi Jiro

Jiro Dreams of Sushi, and believe me, so do we. We decided if we were going to Tokyo, we HAD to stop into the world renowned sushi chef’s restaurant. Unlike most countries, restaurants nearest the subway in Japan are often the most notable, and the same goes for the reservation-only Sukiyabashi Jiro. Reservations are hard to come by, and must be made the first day of the month, a month prior to your visit, and it's best to have your hotel concierge try to make the reservation for you. The restaurant is so quiet that you can hear a pin drop, and if you did your research, you’ll know the many rules that come along with this meal (including no photography). The ten seat sushi counter was a little intimidating so be sure to brush up on sushi etiquette! If you’ve seen the Netflix documentary and are willing to pay the huge sticker price, give it a try. Although the sushi was great, it was not the best we had in Tokyo.

Ten-ichi

Tempura is another traditional Japanese cuisine that’s so easy to love. We settled into this underground restaurant for a full-blown tempura omakase. Everything from the fish, to the meat and vegetables is lightly battered, fried, and served with a special dipping sauce. Everything at Ten-ichi was light, delicious and savory and prepared right before us which was half the fun! Once dinner was over, they escorted us to a garden room where we had melon. I highly recommend this spot.

Gen Yamamoto

There is certainly no shortage of omakase seatings throughout Tokyo, so as you could imagine, cocktails would not be any different. On a quaint block in Ginsa sits an omakase cocktail bar owned and entirely run by one man. Gen Yamamoto provides eight seats around a beautiful, 500-year-old oak bar for an incredible experience of fresh produce, world-class alcohol, and an intimate performance of cocktail mixology. We watched in amazement as Gen thoughtfully crafted each and every cocktail with true appreciation for his artform.

Iwasa-Zushi

You can and will find the best sushi in Tokyo right at the Tsukiji Market. Talk about “farm-to-table,” the sushi served at any of the restaurants on the market grounds are sourced directly from the market and provide the most fresh, authentic omakase experiences in the city. We had the pleasure of having a ¥30 omakase at Iwasa-Zushi which is off the main strip of restaurants, and was not only the best sushi we had on our 8 day stay in Japan, but, ever! (See Things to Do for more on the Tsukiji Market)

Kazami

This ramen spot was hidden in a quiet alley behind a main street in Ginza. There were about five counter seats and we had to order from a register that looked a bit like a slot machine. We each ordered soba noodles which is Kazami's specialty. The local sake and beer options were great and the soba was fantastic.

Shima

Wagyu beef is the meat dish to splurge on when in Tokyo. We had reservations at Shima, a world renowned restaurant for its gourmet sandwiches. We decided to split a wagyu sandwich and a charcoal grilled wagyu steak, and were offered a great wine to pair with them both. The steak was cooked to perfection and melted in our mouths like butter.

Vending Machines

As a New Yorker, it’s hard for me to say this, but Tokyo vending machines > your favorite bodega. Located on every train platform and street corner are vending machines pumping out hot and cold coffees and teas, with or without milk and sugar, as well as other popular Japanese snack brands. This was a lifesaver when we were pressed for time and really needed a good cup of coffee.

Sushi

Eat sushi pretty much anywhere and everywhere; I promise it won’t be a let down.

Things to Do

Explore Neighborhoods

Shinjuku

If you’ve ever seen a picture of Tokyo, it’s likely of Shinjuku Crossing. Shinjuku is the Times Square of Japan, boasting tons of neon lights, sky scraping towers, and a plethora of high-end retail. You can find anything from clothing stores to gift shops, dessert palaces, arcades, casinos, sushi, and more along the vast streets of this neighborhood.

Golden Gai

Tokyo would be too similar to any other metropolis around the world if it weren’t for Golden Gai. This alley of miniature bars and restaurants brings a diverse level of intimacy and friendship to this ginormous city. Most bars only fit around five to eight people and honestly, we liked it that way! We met some really awesome Tokyo residents and learned so much about the lifestyle and culture by having drinks and appetizers with close-knit natives. Our favorite bar was Piano Bar, a dimly lit speakeasy with red lights and cocktails served in chalices. The ladder leading up to the attic was a bit frightening, but leads to a really sexy space with art covered walls.

Harajuku

Coming out of the subway in Harajuku was a sight I will never forget. Just like any great Gwen Stefani music video, Harajuku was covered in pink, glitter and Hello Kitty! The streets were mobbed with young women wearing pig tails, pink highlights in their hair, schoolgirl skirts, knee-high socks and flatform shoes. I honestly wish I had done my best and played the part of a Harajuku Girl because I felt a little out of place in my everyday attire. There are retail windows displaying belgian waffle ice-cream cones, huge lollipops, and other treats that are just too hard to say no to, so bring your sweet tooth.

Ginsa

We spent a lot of time in Ginsa mainly because most of the restaurants we booked and nightlife were located here. It's also a great place to window shop and explore the unique architecture.

Uenu Park

We went to Ueno Park in hopes of seeing some cherry blossoms as it was just the beginning of the season, and although not much had budded by that point, we had an awesome day exploring the park grounds. There were rows of street-food vendors where we tried crab sticks, sweet bread shaped like pandas, noodles and ice cold Sapporos. We also got to see a few temples and shrines along the way including the Ueno Toshogu Shrine. There is a zoo and several museums on the premise, as well.

Afternoon Tea

Afternoon tea is a regular daily occurance in Japan and we were ALL about it. The Park Hyatt had a lovely afternoon tea that could be attended by hotel guests or passersby. We ordered two pots of tea, as there were so many great flavors to choose from, and a tower of delicate snacks (you can usually choose between sweet, savory, or both!). We also enjoyed an afternoon tea at the Conrad Tokyo which was on a rooftop overlooking the waterfront and a lot of the city. Super relaxing and just what you need mid-exploration.

Robot Restaurant

Tourist trap or not (I'll leave that to you to decide), Robot Restaurant is a totally-Tokyo experience that you just can't leave Japan without. Buy your tickets in advance; although they do sell them at the door, it's often cheaper and secures a seat upon arrival. Walk through the doors and queue the lights, mirrors, and pop-band singing in the lobby. You can grab drinks before the show, which you'll need for what's about to come next. Guests are ushered into the basement of the building for the real fun - Harajuku girls and guys amidst a robot musical/battle royale on robotic floats, performing to the beats of intense Tokyo pop music.

The Tsukiji Market

Quite possibly my favorite attraction in this sprawling city is the Tsujiki Market. World-renowned for its fish market and astronimical tuna auctions, the Tsujiki Market also provides access to auctions of other fish, meats, fruits and vegetables. There are even small vendors throughout the market selling herbs, spices, and cooking supplies like infamous Japanese stainless steel knives. We explored the market with a private tour guide, Kiyoshi, whom I highly recommend booking through Voyagin. Kiyoshi took us through the market, explained the market etiquette and happenings, and passed lines of people waiting to enter sushi restaurants. With our "insider scoop," Kiyoshi took us to a sushi restaurant on the other side of the market away from the crowds. Low and behold, this was where we had the BEST sushi we have ever had in our lives, and the cheapest on our trip.

Along the outskirts of the market are also smaller markets with household items, gifts and trinkets that are certainly worth exploring. We even got to taste cherry blossom chocolates and candied cricket; hey, don't knock it 'til you try it!

(Note: The Tsukiji Market will be closing and changed to the Toyasu Market on October 11, 2018, so please look into this before traveling.)

Transportation

Flights

If you can do it, I highly recommend flying business class to Tokyo. We flew China Eastern Airlines with a stop-over in Shanghai. The airport was awesome, and the China Eastern lounge was stocked with a great buffet and plenty of beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic). We may have had a few helpings of noodles... just saying. The 20 hours of traveling can really wear on you and the jet lag could really hinder a trip to Asia. We were able to sleep for the duration of the ride and were very comfortable on the airline, arriving to Japan bright-eyed and bushy tailed.

Trains

We used the Tokyo metro system to get around mostly everywhere within the city. It was very to easy to navigate, easier than NYC, and very clean. The trains are all perfectly scheduled by the minute and you will never be waiting longer than anticipated for the next train. It's very seamless to plan a trip and arrive at the station just in time for your ride.

After four days in Tokyo, we took a Bullet Train, or Shinkansen, to and from Kyoto. The ride was about two and a half hours and extremely comfortable. Servers come through the carts offering beverages and snacks. We also opted for business class here, but all the cart options seemed rather comfortable. It's certainly a great, reliable and easy way to travel long distances.

Uber

Tokyo has Uber and it's priced rather reasonably. This is a good way to get somewhere if you're in a hurry and don't want to deal with public transit.