Tokyo - City Guide
NEW SPOTS
HOTELS / ACCOMMONDATION
Citan / Modern hostel with functional dorms & rooms. Great location in a trendy neighborhood, vibrant atmosphere and warm hospitality / Chou
Minimal Hotel Our Our / Nice hostel with a great location in a quiet area / Taito
Trunk Hotel Yoyogi Park / Unique boutique hotel with pool and rooftop bar / Shibuya
K5-Tokyo / Hotel K5 offers accommodation in a renovated historical building that is built in 1924 / Chou
Hotel Toranomon Hills / All the luxuries of a high-end Tokyo hotel, but at midrange prices / Minato
Janu Tokyo / Located in Azabudai Hills, the city's most exciting new district. An area alive with creativity, exceptional bars and eateries / Minato
Aman Tokyo / Exceptional luxury hotel / Chiyoda
Cocoshuku Premium / Modern, clean and quiet hotels with reasonable prices / Minato + Shinjuku
Yuen Bettei Daita / A relaxing experience like visiting a countryside hot springs area just 10 minutes from city center / Setagaya
Onsen Ryokan Yuen Shinjuku / It is a calm, quiet space, born of an austere and simple design, possessed of a minimalist beauty, that welcomes all five senses across all four seasons / Shinjuku
All Day Place Shibuya / A modern hotel with a great location just an easy walk from Harajuku, Aoyama and Omotesando / Shibuya
Hamacho Hotel / Tokyo's Nihonbashi Hamacho combines the elegance of Edo with a friendly downtown atmosphere / Chou
Hotel Niwa Tokyo / Enjoy charming seasonal gardens, comfortable and relaxing facilities, and the harmony of nature with our beautiful interior / Chiyoda
Nohga Hotel Ueno Tokyo / Ueno’s culture is still very much alive, and one of deepest and richest cultural areas gathering with Ueno Park, museums, local restaurants and traditional shops / Taito
The Edition Hotel Ginza / Clean and amazing design hotel with a small roof / Chou
Royal Park Hotel / CH / Good location and often very reasonable prices / Chou
BAKERIES
Et Nunc / Offers a wide variety of breads that are perfect for everyday life / Shibuya
Boulangerie Sudo / Quality bread and pastries / Setagaya
Pelican / Renowned for white toast bread and rolls. Has been selling only two items on the menu for over 70 years / Taito
BREAKFAST / BRUNCH
Parklet Bakery / Naturally leavened breads along with breakfast and lunch / Chou
Locale / A farm to table spot. Buying directly from small farmers and producers around Japan / Open for brunch: Saturday & Sundays from 9.30am / Meguro
Hekkelun / The pudding’s recipe hasn’t changed since the coffee shop first opened more than 50 years ago and features a wonderfully smooth steamed custard topped with a homemade bitter caramel / Minato
CAFÉS
Sputnik / Café and bar run by Tamaki Ito. Standing style / Cash only / Shibuya
Shashokudo / The cafeteria offers not only food for daily life, but also well-stocked bookshelves to feed the mind / Shibuya
ALL DAY DINING
PATH / Popular bistro beside Yoyogi Koen Station. From morning to dinner, enjoy authentic flavors in a casual setting / Shibuya
CAFE DANCE / The menu features homemade waffles for breakfast and brunch, and natural wines and tapas for all-day dining in the evening / Located: Hotel K5 / Chou
LUNCH / DINNER
Nihonbashi Kaisen Donburi Tsujihan Nihonbashi / Kaisendon is pretty much the only dish on the menu at this Nihonbashi restaurant. Tsujihan isn’t exactly a well-kept secret anymore, so expect to queue - sometimes up to two hours - for a seat / Chou
Yogoro / The spinach curry with braised chicken thighs served in an iron pot is spicy yet mild and moreish and keeps regulars coming back. Expect to queue / Shibuya
Grigio / A small cozy Italian restaurant with a Japanese touch / Shibuya
Maruyama / “Japanese bar”. Izakaya in a unique setting / Located: Hotel K5 / Chou
Harajuku Gyozarou / Counter-serve boiled and fried gyoza. Expect to queue / Cash only / Shibuya
Freeman Shokudo / Unmistakably authentic NY BBQ dishes are paired with craft beers / Shibuya
Sue zen / Eat "grilled mackerel set meal" or "sashimi set meal" / Shibuya
Goloso / Italien cuisine with a casual vibe. Nice spot for lunch / Taito
Gifuya / Great lowkey Japanese food and vibrant atmosphere / Open from 9am until late / Located: Omoide Yokocho / Shinjuku
Chao Chao bamboo / Cute little Thai cuisine / Shibuya
DINNER ONLY
Narukiyo / Super cool Izakaya with funny atmosphere - reserved seats at the counter / Reservation is needed / Shibuya
Le Cabaret / Parisian bistro vibe and great natural wine / Shibuya
Nihao / Just tasteful gyoza and lots of dimsum / Shibuya
Aurelio / Handmade pasta and natural wine / Shibuya
NEWPORT / Restaurant serving vegetarian dishes with seasonal vegetables and natural wines. Falafel sandwiches are also available for take-out / Shibuya
bhive / Nothing fancy, just really good braised beef shank / Chou
MICHELIN / FINE DINING
Tempura Kondo / One of the most renowned and distinguished Tempura restaurants in Tokyo / Two-star Michelin / Reservation is needed / Chou
Sushi Shin by Miyakawa / A world-class sushi experience with the most amazing view over Tokyo / Three-star Michelin / Located: Mandarin Oriental Hotel / Reservation is needed / Chou
Sukiyabashi Jiro / Owned by sushi master Jiro Ono / Two-star Michelin / Reservation is needed by phone / Chou + Minato
Sushi Mizukami / Chef Mizukami honed his skills for 16 years at the renowned Sukiyabashi Jiro before venturing out to start his own business - reservations are very difficult to make / Reservation is needed / Chiyoda
Sushi Masunaga / Eight-seat counter. Watch one of the best sushi craftsmen prepare it all in front of you while providing authentic traditional service with the finest ingredients / Reservation is needed / Chou
SUSHI
Chiyoda Sushi Ningyocho / Sushi stand with takeout-only / Chou
TONKATSU
Nihonbashi Tonkatsu Hajime / Popular Tonkatsu restaurant, be aware they have two restaurants and they are almost the same name. But this one is just a slightly better / Chou
Wagokoro Tonkatsu Anzu Hanare / Serves premium Miyazaki beef cutlets and Joshu pork cutlets / Chou
Katsudon-ya Zuicho / This small family-run restaurant serves only one dish Katsudon / Shibuya
Tonkatsu Nanaido / Gently deep-fried Tonkatsu served on gorgeous Imari porcelain plates / Only open monday to wednesday from 11am to 1.30pm / Shibuya
Tonkatsu Takeshin / Good spot for Tonkatsu / Shibuya
Butagumi Shokudo / Rappongi eatery with good Tonkatsu. The lunch deal, available daily until 3.15pm / Minato
Hashiya Bakurochō Shop / Delicious, crispy, golden and tender chicken Tonkatsu / Chou
Happiness is Katsudon / Must-try Tonkatsu with fluffy eggs. Takeaway is also recommended since all items are available for takeout. Just buy a meal ticket upfront, and then you're in / Chou + Minato + Minato + Chiyoda
YAKITORI
Ginza Yakitoryki Take-chan / Family-run hole in the wall restaurant with great Yakitori and warm service / Chou
Fuku Yakitori / Small Yakitori joint with outstanding quality / Shibuya
Yakitori Ogawa / A cozy 15-seat grilled chicken restaurant located in the streets of Arakicho / Shinjuku
TEMPURA
Daikokuya Tempura / Specialising in deep-fried tempura shrimp / Minato
Tempura Akimitsu / Chef Akimitsu Tanihara he has mastered making tempura / Minato
Kaneko Hannosuke Nihonbashi Ningyocho Branch / Renowned restaurant known for its specialty dish, tendon, which features a delectable combination of tempura and rice / Chou
RAMEN
Ginza Kagari - Soba / Very successful ramen store in the heart of Ginza. Expect to queue / Chou
Chūka Soba Ginza Hachigo / A 6-seat counter eatery known for thin noodles in a golden duck and chicken broth / Chou
Chūkamenten Kiraku / This 68-year-old ramen shop has been serving up Tokyo-style noodles since 1952 / Shibuya
Nara Seimen / A simple, elegant ramen that some people don’t even consider to be proper ramen / Shibuya
Namiki Yabusoba / One of the most historical soba stores in Japan / Taito
Hashigo Ginza Hon-ten / A favourite ramen place for tantanmen. Go early if you want to avoid long lineups. They also do great gyoza / Chou
Sato Yosuke Ginza Inaniwa Udon / They serve a uniquely thin Inaniwa-style udon, and it's incredible / Chou
Godaime Hanayama Udon / This unique udon restaurant specialises in extra-wide noodles, otherwise known as Himokawa udon. Expect to queue / Chou + Chou
Udon Shin / This little udon shop, with six seats at the counter and just two tables, serves freshly made noodles. Try the signature 'carbonara udon' and expect to queue for long time / Shibuya
Afuri / A modest ramen empire on the back of its popular shio ramen with yuzu citrus / Many Locations
BURGERS
McLean Old Fashioned Diner / American diner, serving authentic burgers and shakes / Taito
McLean Old Burger Stand / Good burgers for take-out / Taito
Burger Police / A natural wine bar that also serves perfectly grilled wagyu beef burgers / Meguro
418KAMIYAMA / Run by a proprietor who has lived in the U.S. for a long time. Two types of buns: regular and brioche / Shibuya
SWEET TREATS
La Patisserie by Aman Tokyo / A selection of spectacular culinary creations, off homemade breads and traditional French pastries / Located: Aman Tokyo / Chiyoda
Kabuki / Pursuing "The essential Japanese taste" in coffee and chocolate / Taito
Pâtisserie ease / The owner-chef Keisuke Oyama, is a renowned pastry chef who has studied in France and worked at several Michelin-starred restaurants / Chou
Paysage / Paysage, a sweets brand created by up-and-coming pâtissier Hideki Eto. Eat-in and takeaway / Shibuya
The Mandarin Oriental Gourmet Shop / Offering artisanal sweets and savouries. Located: Mandarin Oriental Hotel / Chou
Kashiya Shinonome / A daily backery that use natual and organic ingredients, within the counter there are plenty of choices for you. The store is decorated into antique style wich is fantastic / Taito
Higuma Doughnuts × Coffee Wrights / Doughnuts and juicy coffee / Shibuya
ICE CREAM
Floto / Seasonal gelato / Shibuya
Harlow Ice Cream / All the selections here are made in-house using premium Hokkaido milk / Shibuya
HiO Ice Cream Atelier / Ice Cream made with premium ingredients handpicked from producers in 50 different locations across Japan / Setagaya
Kasiki / Artisanal ice creams with new and refreshing flavour combinations such as pineapple and green tea and more / Shibuya
Chavaty / Matcha soft serve / Shibuya
COFFEE
Leaves Coffee Roasters / In a class of its own. The shop is only open four days a week, leaving the rest of the week for roasting. It is also possible to buy beans in their vending machine two streets further down on the right side in the direction away from the city center / Sumida
Koffee Mameya OMOTESANDO / Perfection of every cup. Minimalist and elegant coffee shop only serve take-out / Shibuya
Koffee Mameya KAKERU / A stylish coffee haven with carefully selected coffee from all over the world / Reservation is needed via Google Maps reservation link / Koko
Light Up Coffee Shimokitazawa / The owner's desire to make the barista coffee experience more accessible and personal. One of my favorite coffee shops in Tokyo / Setagaya
Lonich / Offering various tasting courses as well as a premium range of coffee beans including rare single origins / Taito
First Crop Coffee Japan Roastery / Clean and beautiful coffee spot / Koko
Glitch Coffee & Roasters / Glitch is known for its light-roast, single-origin coffee beans that are all roasted in-house / Chiyoda
Saladday coffee / Beautiful little coffee shop with vinyl / Taito
nadoya no katte / Unique spot serving single-origin coffee from Glitch Coffee & Roasters / Shibuya
Pharos Coffee Jimbocho / Taiwanese roasting brand offering single-origin coffee and clean interior design / Chiyoda
Fuglen Sangūbashi / Fuglen is a Tokyo coffee institution. The space is divided into two sections: the front of the house and garden for casual sit-down and take-out, and the back counter which is dedicated to coffee tasting course (by reservation only) / Shibuya
Acid Coffee / This tiny coffee counter in Shibuya takes its brew seriously, from the origins of the beans and in-house roasting to the precision preparation by charming baristas / Shibuya
Coffee Swamp / They serve fantastic pour overs and play tasteful vinyl, what not to like / Shinjuku
Sedai Coffee and Roasters / Good speciality coffee in Harajuku / Shibuya
Paddlers Coffee / Since opening in 2015, this coffee shop has served as a hub for the local community. They open early at 7.30am, so it is perfect for an early morning coffee / Shibuya
Little Nap Coffee Stand / Little Nap is a chic hole-in-the-wall that probably fits no more than four drinkers at any given time / Shibuya
Lucent Coffee / The coffee beans here are light roasted to bring out their acidic and fruity flavours. Open from 7.30am / Taito
Passage Coffee / A coffee shop located just a few minutes walk from Tamachi and Mita stations. You can choose from several types of drip coffee / Minato
Ignis Coffee / Serious coffee drinkers will appreciate the meticulously brewed roasts at Ignis Coffee. You can always expect more or less ten single-origin beans on the menu / Bunkyo
Switch Coffee Tokyo Meguro / While roasting is done about four times a week to turn out approximately five single-origin roasts and a seasonal espresso blend / Meguro
Switch Coffee Tokyo Yoyogi-Hachiman / While roasting is done about four times a week to turn out approximately five single-origin roasts and a seasonal espresso blend / Shibuya
Bongen Coffee / Beautiful tiny coffee shop. Expect to queue / Chou
*Send e-mail for our full Tokyo coffee guide.
MATCHA & TEA
The Matcha Tokyo / Modern tea house specialises in organic matcha / Shibuya
Sakurai Japanese Tea Experience / Carefully selecting Japanese tea from various regions around the country / Minato
Nakamura / A designer share the wonders of a Japanese tea life / Taito
WINE
Ahiru Store / Everybody's favourite secret wine bar in Shibuya / Shibuya
coyacoya / A Chinese bar with a rich selection of natural wines. The creative cuisine, draws many fans / Reservations not accepted / Shibuya
Baro / Small dishes based on the theme of spices and fermented ingredients are paired perfectly with natural wines / Shibuya
Pitou / A tiny natural wine spot in Golden Gai / Shinjuku
Yose / Soba noodles and natural wines in a chic setting / Shibuya
Winebar West / Great little rare wine bar / Shinagawa
Boat / An authentic bistro bustling with natural wine lovers every day / Shibuya
Winestand Waltz / You’ll know you’re in the right place once you slide open the glass door and see the Jaques Tati posters and bottles of natural wines, largely from France and Italy / Shibuya
COCKTAILS
Bar Benfiddich / In an unfashionable corner of Tokyo’s Shinjuku district, up on the 9th floor of a slim sliver of a building, you’ll find a wooden door that creaks open to reveal the 17-seat salon of Hiroyasu Kayama / Reservation is needed via Google Maps reservation link / Shinjuku
Unknow / At this beautiful bar in Ebisu, where an impressive bonsai tree sits on a grey bar counter while ukiyoe-inspired artworks of pop culture figures adorn the walls, Japanese tea culture is combined with stylish cocktails / Shibuya
Mori Bar Gran / Try the famous Martini or to meet owner-bartender Takao Mori, an icon of Japanese bartending. Locals go there as much for the warmth of the hospitality as the quality of the drinks / Chou
Virtù / 60-seat art deco space on the 39th floor of the Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi, with double-height windows offering views of the world’s most populous metropolis / Located: Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo / Reservation is highly recommend / Chiyoda
Mixology Salon / Located on the 13th floor of Ginza Six, this small but stunning cocktail bar offers an unmissable array of teatails with housemade blends of spirits / Located: Ginza Six / Chou
Folklore / Iconic Japanese beverages like sake and shochu are traditionally not mixed into cocktails, but the cunning bar staff at Folklore are forging a fresh vision for the future of Japanese mixology as they integrate these ingredients into avant-garde creations / Chiyoda
Mixology Heritage / The intention here is to revisit the canon of classic cocktails, and then go beyond these. A curated selection of vintage bottles from days gone by, used in cocktails such as the Ultimate Martini, with gin from as far back as the 1950s, and vermouth from the 1970s / Chiyoda
Quarter Room / Helmed by bartender Soran Nomura of acclaimed Asakusa standing bar Nomura Shoten, Quarter Room is a unique fusion of art and cocktails. Drawing inspiration from Renaissance and contemporary art and translating them into experimental cocktails / Setagaya
Bar Trench / Located down a back alley near Ebisu Station. Japan’s biggest collection of bitters / Shibuya
Nakagawa / A secluded bar for grown-ups. As well as the interior design, the music is also a highlight here. The semi-private table seating is my favorite spot for a good night / Shibuya
The SG Club / The SG Club is three bars in one. The ground floor and basement offers carefully crafted cocktail soften with Japanese ingredients. Second floor is Savor, a membership cigar and cocktail lounge / Shibuya
The Bellwood / This lower-key sister to the wildly popular SG Club specializes in coffee and tea-based cocktails / Shibuya
Punch Room Tokyo / Elegantly decorated with dark walnut coffered walls and velvet-upholstered sofas / Order: Green Tea Yuzu Paloma / Located: The Tokyo Edition / Chou
APERITIVO
New York Grill / Enjoy a 360-degree view of the city from the iconic New York Grill & Bar on the 52nd floor or savor world-class, authentic Japanese cuisine overlooking Mt. Fuji at Kozue / Arrived at 6 or 7pm for pre dinner and drinks / Located: Park Hyatt Hotel / Shinjuku / TEMPORARILY CLOSED FOR RENOVATION — REOPEN AUTUMN 2025
BARS
Another8 / Located on a side street of the low-key Meguro neighborhood, Another8 is chill and stylish (like the crowd) and a relaxed place to stop in for an early evening drink / Meguro
Golden Gai / Cosy bar street with lots of tiny bars / Shinjuku
Mikkeller Kiosk/Bar / The first kiosk business in Japan by Mikkeller, a pioneer in global craft beer culture / Shibuya
Grandfather's / Old vinyl bar in a basement / Smoking allowed / Shibuya
VENUE
Bunkamura Orchard Hall / One of the world's leading concert, opera, and ballet halls / Shibuya
LIQUIDROOM / One of Tokyo's leading live music venues / Shibuya
SUPERMARKETS
Peacock Store / A chain of Japanese supermarkets found throughout Tokyo. They offer a variety of food items, snacks, and other products, and are known for their consistent quality and taste / Many Locations
DELICACY STORE
Imahan Delicatessen / Delicatessen specializing in fried stuff and Japanese side dishes, bentos, salads and hors d'oeuvres, all made with flavorful, fresh ingredients / Lunch box around ¥1500 / Chou
Yuwaeru / Delivering natural and healthy food to modern people in Kuramae / Taito
3amours / A pioneer in natural wine / Shibuya
Tokyo Camii Halal Market / This is my go-to when I'm looking for rare ingredients / Shibuya
FOOD MARKETS
Tsukji Outer Market / The “old” fish market. A visit to Tsukiji Outer Market is best combined with a fresh sushi breakfast or lunch at one of the local restaurants, which typically open from 5am in the morning to around noon or early afternoon / Chuo
Aoyama Farmers Market / Organic and local fare is readily available every Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm / Shibuya City
Marche of the sun / Japan's largest regular urban farmers' market always features more than 100 vendors from around the country. The market is held on the second Saturday and Sunday of each month from 10am to 4pm / Chou
Isetan Shinjuku / High end shopping mall. Amazing food court in the basement / Shinjuku
FLEA MARKETS
Oedo Antique Market / The largest outdoor antique market in Japan. Held twice a month, with stalls selling wonderful antique and vintage wares / Info: https://www.antique-market.jp/english/ / Chiyoda
SHOPPING
SECOND HAND
INTERIOR DESIGN
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ART GALLERIES
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