Tips for Tokyo
Essentials
eConnect Pocket WiFi
Tokyo free/municipal WiFi isn’t the best, still. Rent a pocket WiFi from eConnect and enjoy domestic 5G connection wherever you go, no roaming charges needed. Book as early as possible for better discounts. Can be ordered to your hotel or picked up at the airport post office (both HND and NRT). A pre-paid return envelope is included, so just drop it in a post box before you board the plane back home!
Tokyo Metro subway
Tokyo Metro has discontinued their phone app for the subway map, so use their official website instead. Get a PASMO Passport IC card at your arrival airport. This is an IC card that you charge with money, then just tap it at the ticket barriers for easy entry and transfers. The Passport version is a specific version for tourists that lets you skip the 500 yen deposition fee.
JR East commuter lines
Main commuter network for the Tokyo area. Can be faster to use to get crosstown (or around the perimeter with the Yamanote line), but try to avoid rush hour times on weekdays, as the trains can be VERY crowded.
Sights and activities
Golden Gai, Shinjuku
The very tourist-heavy but still legendary bar street area. Looks incredible after dark. Well worth a visit even if you’re not out drinking.
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, Shinjuku
Tokyo City Hall. Second tallest building in Tokyo. Free observation levels in both towers, although both are not always open at the same time. Incredible view of the Tokyo area. On a really clear day (usually morning time), you can see all the way to Mount Fuji. Nice to combine with a walk to Yoyogi Park.
Yoyogi Park + Meiji Jingu, Harajuku/Shibuya
My favorite Tokyo park. Nice to walk here from West Shinjuku, or you can take the main path into the big temple Meiji Jingu if you go to Harajuku station.
Tokyo National Museum, Ueno
If you’re only going to one museum in Tokyo, this one is well worth it. Japanese history in the massive main building, some various other asian collections in the annexes. The surrounding Ueno Park is also very lovely.
Skytree, Asakusa/Sumida
Tokyo’s tallest structure. Crazy views from the observatory. Possibly worth the wait and the 2700 yen ticket. A nice walk from the Asakusa area.
Tokyo Cruise, Asakusa
Right next to the very obvious tourist destination, Sensouji temple in Asakusa, you can take a very chill boat ride from the foot of Azumabashi bridge (right across from the Asahi Brewing headquarters) underneath 14 bridges all the way to Tokyo Bay. Really recommended for a relaxing and different way to see the city. You can either go via the imperial Hamarikyu Gardens to Hinode Pier, or go the whole route via Hinode Pier to Odaiba, under the mighty Rainbow Bridge.
National Museum of Modern Art, Chiyoda
Beautiful gallery building from 1969 sitting right next to the moat around the imperial palace gardens. Houses a fixed exhibition of Japanese art created since the start of the Meiji period, and usually interesting temporary exhibitions.
National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, Odaiba
If you do end up taking the cruise to Odaiba, this is a cool museum to go to. Kind of like Gothenburg’s Universeum but on steroids, showcasing all kinds of Japanese technological innovations in robotics, transportation and aerospace.
21_21 Design Sight, Roppongi/Akasaka
Small but very pretty museum featuring modern Japanese design. Very high level exhibits and an architectural favorite. Right next door to the Tokyo Midtown towers. If you go here, also check out the crazy upscale supermarket in the basement floor of Midtown.
Eats and drinks
This is a tougher one since the Tokyo food scene moves incredibly fast and I haven’t been in town since 2017. The general level of food is incredible, and you can go into almost any random ramen/tonkatsu/sushi place and have the best lunch ever. So I’m going to list some random favorites. For most smaller places, you can just drop in spontaneously, especially on weeknights. For more serious restaurants, and on weekends, it is a good idea to go in and reserve a day or two in advance.
Hitachino Brewing Lab, Akihabara/Kanda
Possibly the nicest beer destination in central Tokyo? Hitachino is a legendary ale brewery from Ibaraki prefecture, and this is their flagship spot in Tokyo. There’s even an option to brew custom beer here, if you want, but it’s also very interesting to try their various beers with the interesting range of pairings that the chefs have picked out and prepared.
Nagi Shokudo, Shibuya
Fully organic and vegan restaurant, quite a rare thing in Japan. The restaurant grows a lot of its own herbs and vegetables and serves a multitude of gorgeously presented dishes.
Goodbeer Faucets, Shibuya
Cute taproom on top of a FamilyMart convenience store. Good food too, of course.
PIZZA SLICE, Shibuya
Supposedly the best NYC style pizza in Tokyo. Haven’t had a chance to try this myself but my very good NYC friend swears by it.
Fuglen Tokyo, Shibuya
Might seem silly to go to a Tokyo chapter of an Oslo-founded coffee/cocktail bar, but it is very very good.
Craft Beer Market, Nihombashi
If you’re in the area around Tokyo station, this is another beer hangout that’s worth visiting for the amazing snack food, probably the best I’ve ever had in a bar.
DevilCraft, Kanda + Hamamatsuchou
Craft beer hangout that’s been around for a long time, still very popular. Their Chicago style deep dish pizzas are legendary! They also have a location in Hamamatsuchou. The Kanda one is a bit more of a natural destination since the area is filled with other bars and restaurants (and used bookstores), but the Hamamatsuchou one can be less busy, being a bit out of the way.
T.Y. Harbor Brewing, Shinagawa
Located on Tennozu island by Tokyo Bay, this is a proper harbor warehouse brewery restaurant operating since 1997. Good, superfresh seasonal ales, amazing views and great food. Slightly more on the fancy side compared to the other beer places on this list. A nice walk from the east exit of Shinagawa station.
ØL Tokyo, Shibuya
I think this is a fun visit since it’s a Japanese take on a Scandinavian taproom. You might see familiar breweries here, but half the taps are usually local breweries too. Tap takeovers happen often! Great food!
Watering Hole, Yoyogi
Founded in 1998 by Ichiri Fujiura, the first non-American to win the Homebrewer of the Year award (back when homebrewing was still illegal in Japan). Small, cosy, a part of Tokyo beer history. Microbrews are the selection here, some hand-pumped.
Brussels Beer Project, Shinjuku
Belgian ale joint, meticulously constructed to mirror a true Brussels beer bar (including the food). Lots of Belgian beers here but also collabos with Japanese breweries!
Popeye, Ryougoku
Started out as a western-style izakaya but has now morphed into a crazy craft beer destination. 60-70 beers on tap, usually.
Shimokitazawa area
An incredibly dense and rich area for bars, small restaurants and cafés. Popular student area, so quite young and fairly inexpensive for the most part. Take the Keio Inokashira line from Shibuya to the station and just walk around and get a bit lost.
Nakameguro area
Great area in general for bars and restaurants. Take the Hibiya line to the station, just walk around, look at the Meguro river, get a bit lost and try something that looks nice. I will give two specific tips though.
Wagyumafia The Cutlet Sandwich
Wagyumafia are a gang of legendary, excentric beef chefs. This is their steak sando place. Very good, but beware the prices of the most exclusive stuff.
Baird Beer Taproom
Brew pub started by the Japanese/American brewery Baird. Very nice beers.