Tokyo has something for everyone. Sometimes that something is way out there. We spent two days in the city during our trip around Japan, and it was easily our favorite destination. With all sorts of entertainment and truly fantastic food, Tokyo should be at the top of everyone’s travel list.
If you’re a first-time visitor and need help deciding what to do and where to eat, you’re in the right place! Below are our favorite stops in Tokyo.
Robot Restaurant
The title is a misnomer. Yes, there are robots. Yes, there is food. But the tourist attraction is more of a show, a spectacle. It reminded us of something you might see in Las Vegas, with over-the-top visuals and wildly entertaining gimmicks. The robots are more like floats in a Thanksgiving Day parade, but with moving appendages and smoke machines aplenty. The performers are talented for sure, but almost overshadowed by the ridiculous plot of the show and entirely extra outfits. Even before the show begins, there is a delightful gentleman selling giant lollipops in a sing-song voice. Words really don’t do the experience justice.
In terms of logistics – make sure you get to the show early. We encountered a line out the building, even though we got there 10 minutes before the doors were set to open. Getting there early isn’t just to secure seats – it’s to enjoy the pre-show lounge that is an experience in itself. There is a “robot” band (aka people in robot costumes) with a lead singer in an old-fashioned, up-scale setting. Here you can enjoy drinks and snacks before the show, as well as restrooms coated in gold paint / wall paper from ceiling to floor. The lounge does a great job of setting the mood for the ridiculousness that is about to follow.
MariCar
Probably our favorite experience in Japan. Without a doubt, it is super touristy, but it is pure, nostalgic fun. The experience starts at a small shop, where you can choose your driving outfit (i.e., your cartoon character onesie). There are a lot of options to choose from, ranging from Pokémon to Olaf from Frozen. A quick note: Mario characters are no longer available at the shop. We think this is due to copyright issues and/or a potential lawsuit, but we can’t say for sure. Regardless, if you’re intent on wearing a Mario costume while riding your Mario Cart MariCar, we recommend contacting the shop to see if you can bring your own costume. There are plenty available for cheap at stores around Tokyo like Don Quijote.
Once you have your costume on, it’s time to ride. You’ll get a brief lesson on how to ride the go-karts safely, so no need to worry about that. From there, you hop into your go-karts and set off through the streets of Tokyo. To be clear, the streets aren’t reserved for you and your guide. You’ll be in authentic Tokyo traffic. This only adds to the experience, and the go-karts have no problem keeping up with the cars on the road! The best part though might be the pedestrian onlookers, who seem genuinely excited to watch tourists make fools of themselves and drive around town in costumes. If you want to capture the experience properly, make sure you bring your own GoPro or rent an action camera from MariCar.
Please note MariCar is available in a number of locations around Tokyo and even around Japan. Our experience was with MariCar Shibuya, and at the time, there was only one route option for this location.
teamLab Borderless (Digital Art Museum)
The teamLab project has to be one of the coolest museums we have ever visited. As soon as you walk in, you are completely immersed in beautiful digital displays that are constantly changing and adapting. Some of the exhibits are even interactive and respond to your touch. We have never seen anything like it before. Two pieces of advice: bring your camera, and do your research. The camera part is obvious, as there are a ton of really cool photo opportunities. Regarding your research, make sure you understand what exhibits are available and of interest. The museum is very dark and hard to navigate (they don’t provide maps to avoid distracting from the immersive experience), so you may miss some of the coolest exhibits if you aren’t looking for them. Also, there will likely be a huge line out the door that may take over an hour to get through, so be sure to budget your time accordingly.
Tokyo Tower / Metropolitan Government Building Observation Deck
Although these two tourist attractions are geographically distant, they offer a similar experience. Both are known for sweeping panoramic views of Tokyo, but there are some key differences.
The Tokyo Tower is definitely more beautiful on the exterior, as it resembles the famed Eiffel Tower in Paris. There are two observation areas in the tower: one at about the midway point, and one towards the top. There is an entrance fee for each level, and as you would expect it is more expensive to get to the very top. The views from the midway observation deck were nice, but nothing special. We unfortunately did not go all the way to the top, but we’re sure the views from that height are more impressive and likely more worth the entrance fee.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observation Deck, on the other hand, is free. Another point in its favor: its height (243 meters) is almost as tall as the top observation area in the Tokyo Tower (250 meters). The views are more restricted, as the observatory floor doesn’t have panoramic windows, but you can still get a nice view of many of Tokyo’s most famous buildings. Overall, we think the Metropolitan Government Building Observation Deck is likely a better deal if you can only visit one, but pictures outside the Tokyo Tower are also nice. We don’t consider either a “must do” if you’re pressed for time.
Notable Temples
We had the opportunity to visit quite a few temples in Kyoto but were more limited on the temples we visited in Tokyo. We decided to visit Sensō-ji and Meiji Jingu per the recommendations of various friends and travel websites. Sensō-ji is a very popular temple to visit and has a wide array of shops and food vendors lining the way up to the temple. It’s the most popular temple in Tokyo for a reason.
The trek to Meiji Jingu was much less overwhelming and was actually pretty quaint. Be prepared once you enter the park surrounding the shrine, as you will need to dispose of any open food and beverages. The path leading up to the temple has some very cool displays of sake barrels, so be sure to stop for a photo.
Karaoke
Stereotypical nighttime activity for the area? Sure. But still so fun. We went to Joysound in Shinjuku with a group of friends, and it was a great time. There is a huge song selection in English, and the staff kept the drink and food orders coming throughout the night. Depending on the type of room you book, you can easily fit 20-25 people in your private room, so you’ll have plenty of space to sing your hearts out without scaring away any strangers.
Where to Eat
- Yajima Sushi: Easily the best sushi we have ever had. The only option is the chef’s omakase, so be prepared to bring your adventurous appetite and a decent chunk of cash (about $40 per person). Everything is absolutely delicious. Sometimes we didn’t know what we were eating, but that’s okay. No questions means no food phobias. The service is also incredibly friendly, and the chef will likely ask to take a photo with you. Make sure to make a reservation though, as there are only eight seats around the chef’s serving area. Overall just a fantastic experience.
- Fūunji: Easily the best ramen we have ever had (noticing a trend here?). Unlike our new favorite sushi restaurant, this place does not take reservations. Instead, be prepared to wait in a line out the door for at least 30 minutes. Once you make it inside, the waiting isn’t done, but you at least get to place your order on the menu machine (for lack of a better term), which is cash only. Everything seemed delicious, but we highly recommend the special dipping noodles. (Note that if you get the special dipping noodle you will have the choice between the smaller or larger plate of noodles, which are the same price. In addition, the machine includes a bunch of add-ons, but they aren’t necessary if you are getting the special dipping noodle.) Once it is your turn to sit down at the counter, all you need to do is hand your order slip from the menu machine to the server who comes to you. The wait for your food won’t be long, and you get to enjoy the show that the master noodle chef puts on. I have no idea if his cooking methods were necessary or designed for entertainment, but we weren’t complaining. He very obviously had it down to a dexterous science. All of this at a reasonable price (about $10 per person) – we can’t recommend this place highly enough.
- Various Bakeries: We tried our fair share of bakeries across Japan for breakfast and various snacks. While we never stumbled across a bakery that was bad, we did have some favorites. I will say the bakery selection in Tokyo was nothing compared to the quality and selection in Kyoto, but it was still good. In Tokyo we tried the following: Dean & Deluca, Morethan Bakery, and a couple places on and near the Nakamise shopping street in Asakusa. The latter two were reasonably priced, but the first two were very overpriced and somewhat disappointing after visiting Kyoto and enjoying the delicacies there. Overall, we do recommend trying the bakeries for breakfast, but do some research before choosing which one to enjoy in Tokyo.
Other Tips & Tricks
- Vending Machines: Be sure to check out one, two, or many of the vending machines you will see across Japan! Each machine is themed, and some have a special culinary twist.
- Takeshita Street and Harijuku: These two areas are amazing places to experience the outrageous in Tokyo. They have themed shops of all kinds, crazy food options (enormous cotton candy, crepes, and more), and a bunch of interesting cafes. Our tour guide mentioned it was a pre-teen’s paradise, and we definitely agree.
- Planning Your Trip: Because Tokyo is so large and a few of the areas may take close to an hour to travel between, we highly recommend choosing activities to enjoy in one area per day. Unfortunately, we were pressed for time and found ourselves spending more time in transit than we would have liked. However, there are plenty of sights to see, foods to enjoy, and shops to shop in each area. You won’t have any trouble filling a day or two at each area.
- Kit-Kats: Across Japan you will find wild and crazy flavors of Kit-Kats. While some flavors may only be available in specific areas of Japan, others mostly can be found in the Narita Airport or Don Quijote in Tokyo. If you are looking for a particular flavor, be sure to check these two locations. They have all of the flavors that are likely only produced for tourists to bring home as gifts (rum raisin, Tokyo Banana, sake, wasabi, and more).
Happy traveling!
Kitrina & Jordan
