My 10 Favorite Spots in Tokyo

When on a round-the-world backpacking trip, I really said f*ck it after running out of space on my passport (forcing me to travel slow), and rented an apartment in Tokyo for 6 weeks. The apartment was located just outside of the city in a neighborhood called Katsushika, and nearly everyday for 6 weeks, I went out on some wild Japanese venture. Tokyo is a vibrant city, often described as the busiest city you’ve ever seen on steroids, and narrowing down what to do can be harrowing. I re-visited several places in my 6-week span there, and after hitting most of the touristic spots, along with finding some hidden gems, here are my top 10 favorite spots in Tokyo.

1. Takeshita Dori

Takeshita Dori is a street (street = “dori”) in the fun neighborhood of Harajuku filled with shops, restaurants, themed cafes, crepe shops, beauty and pet stores, and more. It is by far my favorite street in Tokyo. It’s where all of the Japanese school girls shop, and the fashion is bright, funky, colorful, youthful, and truly like nowhere else in this world. Even if you don’t think you’d wear any of the clothes, it’s still incredibly fun to walk around and take in all the sights. The general aesthetic screams “PINK!” loudly in your face. You can even buy rainbow cotton candy and rainbow ice cream rolls.

2. Tokyo Tower

Cliche as it is, Tokyo Tower is really a requirement when visiting Tokyo. It’s the second tallest tower in the world, after Burj Khalifa in Dubai. You have the option to go to the top, and though I admittedly found that part to be less impressive, if you’re stunned by city views, you should go for it. You can even send a postcard from the top to anyone in the world! Tokyo Tower is a replica of Eiffel Tower, which you will notice quickly in its shape and structure. After the devastation caused by WWII, Japan rebuilt, drawing inspiration from famous sites all over the world. Thus, in 1958, Tokyo Tower was born.

3. Yoyogi Park

Believe it or not, but it’s possible to find peace and quiet in the midst of chaotic Tokyo. Closely situated between the buzzing neighborhoods of Shibuya and Harajuku is Yoyogi Park, a lush green park covering a massive area, making you feel completely removed from the city. When I lived in Tokyo, I’d venture to this park often just to get a slice of quiet. Yoyogi Park often holds events, such as Gay Pride, Earth Day Festival, and if you’re there during sakura season, it is a perfect spot to catch sight of Japan’s most famous flower.

4. Gotokuji Temple

Japan is full of temples, and it can be hard to choose which one to see. Temple-hopping can sometimes feel redundant, despite them all being beautiful in their own right. If there’s one temple that you want to visit that’s truly unlike anywhere else in the world, a visit to Gotokuji Temple should be added to your Tokyo itinerary. A little outside of the city, Gotokuji is in a quiet suburb of Tokyo, with a lot of great street food options (you must get some takoyaki!). Gotokuji tells the story of that famous white cat that often greets us at the front of Japanese restaurants. The cat’s name is Maneki Nekio, or “the beckoning cat.” The story behind Maneki Nekio is that a Lord from Hinoke had passed by a temple, and met a cat that beckoned him to come inside, so he followed its lead. As soon as the Lord followed this cat indoors, a thunderstorm broke out, and he was able to take shelter at the temple thanks to the cat that led him there. He rebuilt Gotokuji Temple after the storm. It is filled with thousands of these cats. You’ll see many of them shattered, but they are literally everywhere.

5. Sushi Conveyer Belt

Have you ever heard someone say they visited Japan, and now can no longer eat Japanese food because nothing will compare to the real deal? I empathized with them, but it is especially true for the sushi. The sushi in Japan is incomparable. The rice is warm, the fish is at a perfect temperature, there’s a small dollop of wasabi between the two, and there really are just no words to describe how fresh and delicious sushi in Japan is. One of the most fun ways to eat sushi is by going to a sushi conveyer belt. I don’t have a particular recommendation because I’ve never been to a bad one, and you’re bound to see them all over Tokyo (especially in the Harajuku area). Each plate is color-coated, with each color representing a different price point. You simply sit down at the sushi counter, take whichever plates you want off of the conveyer belt, and when you’re done, an employee comes over, adds up the stack of plates based on the color, and you pay. It’s a fun experience with a great treat of eating fresh Japanese sushi.

6. Private Karaoke Room in Ginza

Similarly to seeing sushi conveyer belts everywhere, you’re also going to see karaoke rooms everywhere. I found the cheapest ones are in Ginza. I would go to karaoke rooms by myself just to sing and let it all out. Japan was lonely to travel through at times, and somehow, singing alone in a karaoke room helped it feel more comforting. Whether you’re alone or with friends, karaoke in Japan is a necessity. Some even offer costumes, so you and your friends (or just you) can dress up as Sailor Moon or Pikachu or even Hello Kitty while you belt out T-Swift and Beyonce tunes.

7. Ninja Class with Ninja-Samurai Experiences

One of the more unique activities to do in Tokyo is to take a ninja class! The ninja class lasted around 90 minutes, and I gained skills such as quietly tiptoeing over “atomic devices,” how to throw a shuriken (a Japanese hidden hand blade), and how to avoid getting caught when intruding. I also learned about how in ninja world, superpowers such as invisibility, flight, and even splitting into multiple bodies are alive and real. To ensure your superpowers work, you must have control over the classic five elements: wind, fire, sky, water, and earth. Each force needs to be in perfect balance with the other. Another key factor in being a great ninja is letting go of fear and anxiety. It’s safe to say this quirky experience is unlike anything you’ll find anywhere else in the world!

8. Video Games in Akihabara

Some of our favorite video game characters and video games in general come from Japan: Pikachu, Pokemon, Mario Brothers, Pacman, Sonic the Hedgehog, Zelda, and more. If you’re interested in playing video games from the land they originated from, head to Akihabara, Tokyo’s most electric neighborhood. You’ll find plenty of underground arcades, as well as an extremely large Sega store where you can buy games, consoles, and even little action figures to take home.

9. Shibuya Crossing

The world’s largest pedestrian crosswalk exists in Tokyo. It’s in a central area and only takes five minutes to cross, so why not tick it from your bucket list? This crosswalk is called Shibuya Crossing. I thought I’d go there, cross, say I did it, and then that would be the end of that, but it’s so fun! I ended up crossing it several times. You’ll see people doing all types of things: some are dancers taking awesome photos, some are models (also taking awesome photos), and many are just business people moving along with their day.

10. Omoiode Yokocho

There’s a place in Tokyo called omoiode-yokocho, which is also known as “piss alley.” The theory is that Japanese business men used to work extremely long hours and then head to omoiode-yokocho, drink a lot of beer, eat yakitori, and would piss all over the street. Lovely, right? Well, it remains one of the coolest little alleyways in Japan where you can try tons of treats, and of course, drink tons of beer. It’s located near Shinjuku, one of Tokyo’s seedier neighborhoods with a whole lot of charm.