Tokyo

Asakusa

Sensō-ji

Enter by the Kaminarimon gate, walk Nakamise-dori to the main hall and the five-storey pagoda. Come early, before the Nakamise stalls open, when the approach is almost empty.

Morning · ~75 min

Harajuku / Yoyogi

Meiji Jingu

The shrine to Emperor Meiji and his empress sits inside a forest of about 70 hectares. Walk the gravel approach from Harajuku early, before the crowds; opening times change by month.

Morning · ~75 min

Shibuya Scramble Square

SHIBUYA SKY

An open-air rooftop above Shibuya Station looking straight down on the crossing. Book a time slot online (cheaper than the counter); bags, hats and tripods go in lockers before the roof.

Evening · ~75 min · ¥2700–3700 per ticket

Tsukiji

Tsukiji Outer Market

Wholesale and retail lanes that grew up beside the old fish market: ingredients, kitchen tools and counters selling sushi in visitor-size portions. Go in the morning, when the lanes are busiest.

Morning · ~90 min

Ueno Park

Tokyo National Museum

Japanese art in the Honkan, Asian collections in the Tōyōkan and the Gallery of Hōryū-ji Treasures. Buy online: the gate queue can pass 30 minutes; the Tōyōkan is closed 30 Nov-31 Dec 2026.

Afternoon · ~150 min · ¥1000 per ticket

Kanda Sudachō

Kanda Matsuya

A long-established soba house near Awajichō whose interior keeps the look of its early days; the soba flour is specially milled for the house. Expect a short queue at lunch.

Afternoon · ~45 min

Yoyogi 2-chōme, south of Shinjuku Station

Fuunji

A small tsukemen shop: thick noodles dipped in a rich broth topped with fish powder. Expect a queue; it closes between lunch (11:00-15:00) and dinner (17:00-21:00).

Afternoon · ~45 min

Komagata (Asakusa)

Komagata Dozeu Honten

Loach hot-pot (dozeu nabe), served here since 1801. Order the nabe set with dengaku, loach soup and rice for the full meal; book online.

Afternoon · ~75 min · ¥3480–5000 per dish

Kabukichō

Shinjuku Golden Gai

About two hundred tiny bars packed into six alleys, many seating fewer than ten. Look for bars posting a cover charge and a welcome for visitors on the door, and move on after a drink or two.

Evening · ~120 min

Asakusa

Kamiya Bar

Asakusa's historic bar near Azuma-bashi, known for Denki Bran, its house liqueur, drunk with draught beer. It closes early (last order 19:30), so go before dinner.

Afternoon · ~60 min

Shibuya Station, Hachikō exit

Shibuya Scramble Crossing

Up to a thousand people cross at once when all signals turn red for traffic. Watch one cycle from above, then walk it yourself; after dark the screens light the whole junction.

Blue hour, 20-30 min after sunset, when the screens are brighter than the sky · from SHIBUYA SKY rooftop (north-west side, looking down) or a station-building window above the Hachikō side

Evening · ~30 min

Nishi-Shinjuku

Omoide Yokocho

Narrow lanes of tiny bars and grill counters by Shinjuku Station's west exit, rooted in a post-war street market. Come at dusk when the lanterns come on, then take a seat for skewers.

Just after dusk, when the lanterns are lit and the sky is still blue · from Station-side entrance of the main lane, looking along it; ask before photographing people inside stalls

Evening · ~60 min

Shiba Park

Zōjō-ji

The Tokugawa family temple, founded in 1393 and moved here in 1598, with Tokyo Tower rising behind the main hall. Enter through the vermilion main gate.

Morning, when the east-facing main hall is lit; or blue hour with the tower illuminated · from Just inside the main gate on the stone approach, looking west to the main hall with the tower behind

Morning · ~45 min

Yanaka

Kayaba Coffee

A 1916 corner building, first a milk bar and sweets shop, that has been Yanaka's coffee house since 1938. Stop here on a Yanaka and Ueno walk.

Morning · ~45 min