Tokyo is one of my favorite cities. And, from time to time, people who are heading over there ask me where I like to go, eat, and shop. Here’s an abbreviated list of the places I always hit every time I’m in town.
This list is current as of my last visit, which was September 2013.
HOTEL
Century Southern Tower. (Bare bones, but great location, price.)
IPHONE APPS
Tokyo Rail Map
superfuture Guide
GREAT GUIDE FOR WHAT’S NEW
superfuture
COCKTAILS
New York Bar at the Park Hyatt
Tender Bar
Polestar
Jus de Pesch
MEN’S SHOPPING
Isetan Men (Best department store)
Lovelesss & Guild Prime
Beams
Uniqlo Flagship
White Mountaineering
Tomorrowland
Ato
OTHER SHOPPING
Solakzade (Vintage Eyewear)
CDG Good Design Shop
Lisn & Shoyeido (Incense)
Muji Flagship
Tokyu Hands (Shinjuku)
Porter (Bags)
Ranking Ranqueen
Tanagokoro (Charcoal)
Takashimaya Times Square
RESTAURANTS I ALWAYS HIT
Two Rooms Bar
Din Tai Feng (Takashimaya Times Square)
Pierre Hermé
OTHER THOUGHTS
Credit cards aren’t as widely accepted as you’d think. And not every ATM accepts foreign cards to get cash.
Bring your passport with you and always ask if they have tax free shopping.
There’s very little free Wi-Fi (consider renting a hotspot).
That fish market? You can totally skip it.
Kabuki: Surprisingly worth it.
Sumo: Definitely worth it.
Bear Pond Espresso (Pop by if you’re in that neighborhood.)
Shiseido Parlour (The Japanese Ladies who Lunch)
KYOTO BONUS
Kaikado (Canisters)
Ichizawa Hanpu (Sailcloth Bags)