Many people have asked me where to go in Tokyo, so here’s a list of things I liked back in 2020.

Eat #

Ikebukuro 池袋: #

This area contains a bunch of different shops. It’s super nice. There’s also a lot of arcade and anime filled stuff here too. Sunshine City is also here, which is a big mall with Jump World if you’re into One Piece, Naruto, or Dragonball. Pokemon Center is also in Sunshine City.

Ramen: Mutekiya 無敵家 https://goo.gl/maps/8NviSA48tn52 Best Ramen shop I think. There’s english menus here.

Beef Tongue: Rikyu 牛たん炭焼利久エソラ池袋店 https://goo.gl/maps/ZxkBBM6KaZA2 If you never had real Beef Tongue, you gotta try it here. It’s nothing like America. It’s amazing.

XLB: Din Tai Fung https://goo.gl/maps/ien4TsN16K22 Right next door to Rikyu is Din Tai Fung. Be sure to get the Japan only XLBs like scallops, or the Tokyo only dessert like 杏仁豆腐

Ginza - 銀座 #

Ginza is high end shopping district. This is where you’ll find expensive Sushi, Sony, Mitsukoshi Shops. Walk around in the weekend and the street shuts down so people can walk in the middle of it. Uniqlo and other shops have discounts during the weekend.

Bread: Kimuraya Ginza Main Store 銀座木村屋総本店銀座三越店 https://goo.gl/maps/agJNNJuQ8rR2

Xiao Long Bao Pradise Dynasty パラダイスダイナシティ https://goo.gl/maps/2pgMhe8KKvD2 8 Color Xiao Long Bao

AKOMEYA TOKYO https://goo.gl/maps/G52jBotNkNWFFV8p8 Rice store. Go if you like rice and rice related treats. Dessert is good if you like rice related dessert like sweet rice wine (non alcoholic)

Ebisu - 恵比寿 #

Ebisu is another part of town that’s known for people to hang after work.

Ebisu Hyakuchou 恵比寿百鳥 https://goo.gl/maps/qmViECrG1x72 This is a good yakitori place.

Motsu Nabe: Aritsuki Ebisu 蟻月恵比寿店 https://goo.gl/maps/hBEoQuzTdEN2 Known for Hakata Motsu Ni type style Hot Pot

Street: Ebisu Yokocho https://goo.gl/maps/xzs1ogCv9a42 Underground Street with lots of different little shops. Has Meat Sushi is interesting. Also have plenty of BBQ places

Shinjuku　新宿: #

This area is mostly business area. There’s some nice places to go to.

Ramen: Menya Kaijin 麺屋海神 https://goo.gl/maps/yxdDA4d3YYR2

What’s really cool about this place is it’s seafood ramen, the broth is made from 4 to 5 fresh fish of the day. It’s super tasty.

Mōmō Paradise Kabukicho モーモーパラダイス歌舞伎町本店 https://goo.gl/maps/DiW6bwcgfxeQ72e16 Shabu Shabu Style Hot Pot. Japanese Wagyu Beef only $40 All You Can Eat. It’s good clean and good to tourists

Ushikane うしかね https://goo.gl/maps/qznMXA1MopoShQBg6 Japanese BBQ. Must try the beef tongue. They cook that one for you. Thick, juicy, melts in your mouth goodness. Don’t miss out.

Nightview: Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building 東京都庁展望室https://goo.gl/maps/VaJ3zeLhqW22 Free observation deck. If you don’t want to spend the money to go to Skytree, come here and see the city. It’s like Space Needle, except the city is way huge.

Meiji Shrine 明治神宮 https://goo.gl/maps/mAmu3gwJQKT2: Good place to see a famous shrine.

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden 新宿御苑 https://goo.gl/maps/kTGLeHVR12T2 Pretty cool garden.

Takadanobaba　高田馬場: #

Narikura とんかつなりくら https://goo.gl/maps/DC9qf1LhGxHoc1Xk9 Really good Tonkatsu place. The place is fairly small. Line up early. Soft and juicy

Harajuku　原宿: #

Trendy area for middle and high school students. Will see lots of cosplay

Lots of tourists, especially weekends. Walking distance to Omotesando area, which is high end shopping

GOMAYA KUKI https://g.page/GOMAYAKUKI?share Super good black sesame ice cream

Xing Fu Tang 幸福堂 https://goo.gl/maps/1dsya2aYz7Kz4aoG6 If you like bubble tea this is the ultimate place

Kagurazaka 神楽坂 #

This is a very Japanese street with Japanese shops. Right next door is also called Iidabashi 飯田橋 which lots of mom and pop shops.

Kagurazaka Gojuban Main Store 神楽坂五十番総本店🗾[日の丸]

https://goo.gl/maps/LDq2wyoFyjy My goodness this meat bun is so good. Japanese style meat bun. Try as many as you can.

Nakameguro 中目黒 #

This area is where young professionals go hang out. Think Capitol Hill

Starbucks Reserve definitely a must see if you like that type of stuff. Much bigger than the one in Seattle. Go on weekdays otherwise lines are way long, and there’s a holding building next door just for people to line up on weekends.

Happy Pudding Mahakara　うれしいプリン屋さんマハカラhttps://g.page/happypudding?share If you like pudding. Come here

Roppongi 六本木 #

This is where all the American ex-pats go. Lots of foreigners

Tokyo Tower is here.

Tsuru Ton Tan つるとんたん六本木店・琴しょう楼 https://goo.gl/maps/GvGCCmtSoEG2 This is a really good Udon shop that’s kinda fusion with Western style. Usually Udon is more cheap food, but this place has its own take on Udon.

Tokyo Station #

Gyukatsu Motomura Tokyoyaedu Store 牛かつもと村東京八重洲店https://goo.gl/maps/EmFDcygb5Sc4TeCe7

Really good beef katsu. Has a cooking station for you to put your meat onto to cook to your desired rare level. Chain store, Tokyo Station is most famous, but you can find this all over Tokyo

For Fun:

Moomin Bakery & Cafe https://goo.gl/maps/VeqkJtiV1F52 Food is not particularly good, but it’s a themed restaurant and it’s pretty fun to be. Also next to the Tokyo Dome and has a lot of different shops there.

Bath: Shimizu Yu 清水湯 https://goo.gl/maps/ZvEw6hCL9wF2