November 22, 2023

TOKYO

STAY

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. 

We absolutely love The Edition hotels! They are consistent all around the world, making them a reliable choice every time. During our trip to Japan, we spent 3 nights in Tokyo, followed by 3 nights in Kyoto, 3 nights in Osaka, and concluded with another 4 nights back in Tokyo at The Edition hotel, which was the perfect way to wrap up our trip!

FOOD

Maz — Elevated Peruvian dining experience, part of our top 3 food experiences ever! Absolutely divine.

Arva — Italian at The Aman Tokyo. One of our favorite italian places, ever. 

Downtown B’s Indian Kitchen — tiny garage but mighty taste. The owner is so sweet and the food is so good that we went twice. Once right before heading to the airport. 

PST (Pizza Studio Tamaki) — our favorite pizza spot in Tokyo, if you like spicy, ask for the whole dried diavalo peppers. Not only are they flavorful but also packed with a punch!

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. You will want to 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. We found ourselves here basically every night before heading to the airport. The to go pancakes with butter and maple syrup pictured above is a must!

Cafe Kitsune — Trendy coffee and treats

I’m Donut? — Multiple locations. Fresh, fluffy donuts

Chop Coffee Omotesando — Great specialty coffee

Excelsior Coffee — Multiple Locations. Reliable coffee chain but 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!

Bar 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 because Tokyo is the only city that has Disney Sea. Highly recommend going on a weekday if your schedule permits and arrive before the park opens because it was pretty busy. The theme park culture in Japan is so so cute, everybody dresses up so join in and buy some Disney merch.

Hedgehog Cafe — Super cute experience, highly recommend

Harajuku District — Trendy shopping for cute accessories, clothing, and for your pups! Also, people watching here is a must.

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