Tokyo - West districts

Shibuya - Marked location on the map

Iconic scramble crossing, modern shopping (towering malls, new developments), great food options that are cheap, coffee.

Harajuku / Omotesando - Just right of Meiji Jingu on the map, north of the marker

Youthful, fashion trends, one street has seemingly endless stores of sweets… Omotesando has higher end shopping.

Shinjuku - Look for the blue colored Shinjuku just north of Meiji Jingu

A 24-hour entertainment district, Tokyo Cheapo calls it Shibuya’s “rougher, older brother” and “gritty.” Don’t follow solicitors into bars.

Nakameguro / Ebisu / Other - A short train ride south, not as far as Meguro City on the map

I’ve mostly gone here for specific cafes and restaurants, would love to see cherry blossoms along Meguro River. Ebisu is more residential.

 

Shibuya

Shibuya Crossing

Shibuya - Hotels

Recommended
Highly

Notes
Pricier but my favorite place to stay in Tokyo; super easy access to the subway. There is an Airport Limousine (bus) shuttle from Haneda that drops directly here. Err, likely from Narita, too but I forget.

Shibuya - Coffee

Recommended
Highly

Notes
Not as foreigner friendly, but not rude. Chiffon cake is what people come here for; need to order a beverage.

Friendly with great coffee. Good for a walk from Shibuya, shopping on Cat St, on the way to Harajuku.

If time allows

Shibuya - Restaurants

Recommended
Highly

Notes
SO good (if you eat meat), small-ish place so maybe try a weekday at lunch? Cash only, last I was there.

Cheap, very good ramen, open 24 hours. Buy a ticket at the machine, sit at individual booths, eat, leave. Can be quite busy so avoid peak. Many locations throughout Tokyo so don't need to go to this one, specifically.

Highly

Haven't been to this location but been to 2 in Shinjuku. Such good sushi for a very reasonable price, imo.

Highly

Grilled meat, very tasty. Have had mixed customer experience but still good. I think they have other locations.

If time allows

Individual booths (small tables too, I think) for grilling meat, a fun experience. Your clothes will smell like it, FYI.

If time allows

Basement of Shibuya Parco, kushikatsu place (fried, breaded skewers) with electronic ordering screen and English. Iced daifuku mochi is recommended!

If time allows

Great for kids chain, good quality, so cheap in terms of price. Conveyor belt with touch screen order and English, every 5 plates (or you can pay to get a win every 3) you slide down into this tray will get you a play in the gashapon at each table. Also went to one at Shinagawa Station.

Highly

Shibuya - Scenic

Recommended
Highly

Notes
Buy ticket for the observation deck in advance, check out food / shops in Scramble Square.

Shopping mall but the rooftop park is a chill place to go. Quiet but has beach volleyball and skate park up top.

If time allows

Shibuya - Shopping

Recommended
Highly

Notes
Pretty iconic shopping mall. Haven’t been recently but trendy fashion? Stop here.

Google Maps calls it a “sleek mall offering trendy shops.” Pretty accurate. Love the clothes I’ve bought here.

Highly

If you haven't been to a MUJI, stop by. Household items, stationary, clothes, dried goods, luggage. Great quality, inexpensive. I put this under shopping but the cafe is great for lunch.

Highly

There are shops but check out the department store style of food shops, and go to Shibuya Sky.

Highly

Shopping mall that has the Nintendo store, Shibuya Pokemon center where you can design custom tees, and food options on the basement level.

Highly

Getting its own call out. If you're a Nintendo fan, stop by here!

If time allows

Glasses can be made within hours, stylish frames with good options < US$100. Plan for it to take half a day (to be safe); easier if you bring your glasses prescription, though you can get one here. I think they have stores in NY and SF.

If time allows

Shopping mall I go to browse all the sweets and food shops, right by Shibuya Excel. Convenient but prioritize department stores in Ginza or Shibuya Scramble Square.

If time allows

Casual clothes, fairly inexpensive. Various themed tees.

If time allows

Discount store that you should experience. It is a bit chaotic, ngl.

Highly

Gashapon (capsule machine) store that my nephew and I stumbled across.

If time allows

The fact there is still a Tower Records may be worth a visit. Pretty iconic store. What’s a CD?

If time allows

Shibuya - Touristy

Recommended
Highly

Notes
Can't miss it. Be mindful of people if you film while walking. If jet-lagged, check it out when it’s eerily empty. But see it when it’s busy, too.

You kind of have to see it. Shibuya station, quite famous, guaranteed to have lots of people waiting to meet others there.

Highly

Harajuku / Omotesando

Tokyu Plaza

Harajuku - Hotels

Name
-

Recommended
-

Notes
Not an area one would stay in. Visit and enjoy!

Harajuku - Coffee

Recommended
Highly

Notes
Amazing 3D latte art; very IG. Expect to get put on a waitlist and cash only.

On my list; haven't been yet... a bit far north so may not technically be Harajuku but walkable imo.

If time allows

This is a bit far tbh but I met a girl here and it was a chill place with good coffee.

If time allows

Harajuku - Restaurants

Recommended
Highly

Notes
Gyoza place (potstickers) that can get quite crowded; last I was here it was cash only.

Ramen right by the station; small, counter space (I think, been a while). Select from a ticket machine outside.

If time allows

Harajuku - Scenic

Recommended
Highly

Notes
One of the more famous shrines in Tokyo. More on goshuin (stamps you can collect) in my blog. Will put a link to it here once I actually write it. The place to get goshuin is past a small wall / gate on the right as you face the main shrine (then on the left after you walk through the small gate).

Shopping mall but does IG op count as scenic? Looking down the escalator. Technically Omotesando but if you're walking Harajuku, it's right there.

If time allows

It’s in the name, it’s in Yoyogi. But if you’re in Harajuku, you’re also likely going to see Meiji Jingu shrine. A good park to wander, especially if you head to Fuglen Coffee.

If time allows

Harajuku - Shopping

Recommended
If time allows

Notes
The link is to a store I go to on Cat Street for reference. A small section of shops I enjoy walking through.

Must stop if you have kids. I always stop here; it's 4-5 stories of toys, plushies, Studio Ghibli, Minecraft, Mario, Rilakkuma.

If time allows

Directly across from station exit, more food / confectionary shops than shopping but lots of sweets!

If time allows

Shinjuku

Hotel Gracery & Godzilla

Shinjuku - Hotels

Recommended
Sure :)

Notes
Not as nice as Shibuya Excel but not as expensive. I tend to stay here so that I can stay in Tokyo longer. Easy access to Shinjuku station. Airport shuttle drop-off / pick-up is a short walk north. Rooms are smaller, walls are thinner but I haven't had noise issues.

Shinjuku - Coffee

Recommended
If time allows

Notes
Apparently I don’t get coffee in Shinjuku much. Haven't been yet. Stopped by once and line to get in was really long.

Shinjuku - Restaurants

Recommended
Highly

Notes
Select from a machine, get a ticket, wait for your spot. Small, friendly... same "sit down, slurp, leave" efficiency... very tasty.

Cute bakery with tasty pastries, sandwiches, simple coffee options. More east, but will definitely go back.

Highly

Small soba stall in Omoide Yokocho; went here at 10:45 am and had a simple bowl of soba and tempura for about US$3.45. English on the menu; maybe avoid peak times; pay after you order, not when you're done. Plan on bringing cash.

Highly

Same chain as the one I listed in Shibuya; a little hard to find, elevator in obscure building.

If time allows

Easier to find than above, but further north and don't know what else is up that far. Lots of seating though; have been twice!

If time allows

Shinjuku - Scenic

Recommended
Highly

Notes
You'll likely see it coming out of the station, towards the main area of Shinjuku. Giant digital billboard with a huge cat that's just fun to watch... maybe more touristy / IG than scenic.

10-15 min (?) walk east from Shinjuku station. Cost US$5 (?), I just swiped my Suica. Large park with a busy Starbucks in it, a greenhouse, and just good to meander.

If time allows

Shinjuku - Shopping

Name
-

Recommended
-

Notes
Apparently I don’t shop in Shinjuku… sorry!

Shinjuku - Touristy

Recommended
Highly

Notes
Small alleyway with food stalls. I expect you’ll recognize it from photos? Maybe go off-peak.

Small crowded street with tiny bars; often can hear drunk English-speakers singing.

If time allows

Karaokekan locations are EVERYWHERE. This is the only one I’ve been to. Karaoke is part of the experience, imo! Bring some form of ID. Will need to order at least 1 drink per person. Don’t remember if you get the choice, but Joysound has more Japanese songs, LiveDAM has more guided vocals and English songs. English (music) menu option.

If time allows

I'm biased but these 1-person karaoke rooms were a blast. Many call outs here:

  • I went solo, 2 people in a room would be very cramped.

  • Unlimited drinks from soda machines (included) to keep your throat from drying out… alcoholic for added charge.

  • Soundproof rooms where doors lock behind you so don't have to worry about weirdos coming in.

  • Fancy mic set up, can rent headphones or BYO (need headphone cable, no bluetooth).

  • Registration could be tough if you don't speak basic Japanese; need to bring passport or photo of.

  • Person who helped me was nice, but some reviews said they were rude to foreigners.

  • Joysound has more Japanese songs, LiveDAM has more guided vocals and English songs. English (music) menu option.

If time allows

Google Maps says temporarily closed. May be the most touristy thing to do in Japan, in a negative sense imo. Haven’t been. People will approach you to get you to go into bars. Ignore them.

Not my cup of tea

Nakameguro / Ebisu / Other

Happy Pudding

Nakameguro / Ebisu / Other - Hotels

Recommended
Sure :)

Notes
As a hotel, it was nice. Pricey, but was there for work. Not an area I would choose to stay in on my vacation (just personal preference), in terms of things to see in the immediate area. If you can use points…

Nakameguro / Ebisu / Other - Restaurants

Recommended
Highly

Notes
I rarely do this, but this place is expensive. Almost US$100 for one sandwich. BUT one of the tastiest meals I've ever had. Truffle fries were good; staff were super nice and the ones I met spoke English. You can make reservations online; not needed but may be best to do (must be 1 day in advance).

Cute tiny dessert shop with small jars of pudding. They also have dog treats so just pay attention to packaging if you don't speak basic Japanese.

Highly

Dessert pancakes that are rather monstrous, even the single order (you can order double). Line at lunch on a weekend was long so go another time. Ebisu is a 10-15 min walk from Meguro station, or 1 stop between Meguro and Shibuya.

Highly

Nakameguro / Ebisu / Other - Touristy

Recommended
If time allows

Notes
If you like the Miyazaki films (Totoro, Spirited Away), you probably should visit. Very cool, just that it’s about 40 min west of Shinjuku. The biggest hurdle is you have to buy tickets while in Japan at a Lawson convenience store at a kiosk, last I checked. I believe they have English menus at the kiosk. There is a Ghibli Amusement Park but it's in a different part of Japan and sells out months in advance, as it’s fairly new.