Best Hotels, Restaurants & Things to Do in Tokyo, Japan

Book well in advance to get a tour of the elegant inner grounds of the Imperial Palace and stroll along the moat (gorgeous during cherry blossom season) and the beautifully manicured East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, which is open to the public.

Visit the Senso-Ji temple in Asakusa and Nakamise shopping street in front of the temple for Japanese crafts, snacks and souvenirs, then try some delicious Japanese street food at the stalls on the outside of the main shopping street. The Tokyo Skytree is nearby and offers stunning views of Tokyo and even Mt. Fuji on a clear day.

Head to Chuo Dori street in Ginza and you’ll find luxury shopping, department stores, restaurants and cafes and it's closed to cars on weekend afternoons. Don’t miss the basement levels of Japan’s first department store, Mitsukoshi, to pick up some treats or a meal in the enormous food halls.

Visit the teamLab Planets Tokyo for Instagrammable and immersive digital art in Toyosu through the end of 2023.

Spend a morning in Yoyogi Park in Shibuya passing through the immense Cypress Torii gates and walking the forested areas with a stop at the Meiji Shrine, then walk to Takeshita street in Harajuku to snack on crepes and check out the cosplay and rockabilly fashion trends and to Omotesando for more avant-garde and timeless fashion and upscale vintage shops.

Get your art & culture fix by heading to Roppongi in the late afternoon to check out the Mori Art Museum, Suntory Museum of Art, National Museum of Art and stay late to enjoy the many upscale restaurants, clubs and bars in this popular entertainment hub.

Breakfast in Tokyo

Tsumugi is a Japanese cafe within walking distance of Ginza known for its 18-dish Japanese breakfast.

Most luxury hotels offer a Japanese breakfast and I highly recommend you try it at least one morning of your stay. If you are staying in a hotel that doesn’t offer one, the Japanese breakfast at the Park Hyatt Tokyo is refined and delicious.

Lunch in Tokyo

Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama in Omotesando is the original Maisen, built partially in an old Japanese bathhouse. The Kurobuta pork and oyster tonkatsu set meals are amazing!

If the weather is nice, grab a picnic lunch in the basement at Mitsukoshi and head to the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace for a lovely lunch outdoors.

Dinner in Tokyo

I always go to Sato Yosuke Ginza Inaniwa when in Tokyo for their super high-quality noodles. The glistening cold udon with sesame and soy dipping sauces with tempura set is perfection. The hot is very good as well.

Ginza Kyubey is a Tokyo institution, with a five-story main shop and annex, and it’s not your typical small counter sushi place. Great for sushi omakase in a lively atmosphere. The chefs are highly skilled and the service is excellent.