Chuo-ku, Tokyo

One of the most lavish neighborhoods in the country, Ginza is known for its upscale shopping district. With this in mind, eating in Ginza means that it comes with some of the best food but the priciest tags. It’s also right next to the world famous Tuskiji Fish market, so their sushi and seafood restaurants have the freshest seafood coming in.

Some foods that Ginza is known for:

• The high end sushi restaurants

• Japanese dumplings

• Traditional Japanese cuisines and hot pots

• Upscale cafes

Photo Credit: Culture Trip

How to get there

The Ginza Station can be accessed on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya, Ginza and Marunouchi Line.

 

Taito-ku, Tokyo

Asakusa is known for it’s famous Sensoji Temple. In fact, it’s one of the number one destinations in Tokyo for both foreign and domestic travelers. Aside from it’s rich culture, Asakusa is known to have some of the best traditional and old foods around as well. To complete your Asakusa trip, make sure to eat at some of it’s local delicious eateries.

We’ll break it down for you with a list of foods and/or restaurants to look out for in the area:

• Hoppy Street features dozens of izakayas lined up to eat yakitori and drink Japanese alcohol.

• Magurobito is a famous standing sushi restaurant. Only fits about 8 customers at once!

• Kamiya Bar is the oldest bar in Japan. Make sure to try their signature Denki Bran.

• Tempura at Daikokuya (opened 1887).

• Umezono for traditional Japanese desserts.

• Asakusa is famous for many udon/soba restaurants and Monja/Okonomiyaki restaurants.

• Ningyoyaki from Nakamise Shopping Street.

Photo Credit: JW Magazine

How to get there

The area is accessible from the Asakusa Station on the Tokyo Metro Asakusa and Ginza Lines.

 

Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Often times in Japan, the train station has some of the best food in town. Underneath Tokyo Station, there are hundreds of restaurants to choose from, but one special corner is dedicated to just ramen on Ramen Street. So, whether you are leaving Tokyo for your next destination, just arriving or passing through, who wouldn’t want a hearty bowl of ramen to amp you up.

Ramen Street has 8 of some of the best ramen shops in Japan under one roof. So, naturally you can expect longer queues, but for a very rewarding trade: delicious ramen. All the ramen shops are delicious, but one ramen shop has a particularly longer line - Rokurinsha. Rokurinsha is known for their tsukemen or dipping noodles. The noodles and broth comes separately, and you dip the noodles into the broth for a heavenly ramen experience.

While you’re in the area, be sure to check out the following:

• Tokyo Kitchen Street right next to Ramen Street. Kitchen Street features famous regional foods throughout Japan on one street

• Character Street is also nearby that features some of Japans most beloved animation characters

Photo Credit: Tokyo Cheapo

How to get there

Located right underneath Tokyo Station on the basement level floor. Take the Yaesu South Exit for the easiest access.

 

Chuo-ku, Tokyo

The Tsukiji Fish Market consists of a few blocks with narrow alleys lined up with wholesale and retail shops a long with restaurants and food stands. Within these shops, you can find fresh seafood, produce, delicious seafood and even kitchen items like knives. A visit to the Tsukiji Fish Market can include a sushi breakfast or lunch as the restaurants and shops are typically opened at 5am and opened until a little past noon. Most of the seafood sold here comes directly from the Toyosu Fish Market, making it one of the best places to enjoy fresh seafood in Tokyo.

The Tsukiji Fish Market opened up in 1935 when it replaced a different fish market in Nihonbashi that was destroyed in the Great Kanto earthquake in 1923. This market was the largest wholesale fish and seafood market in the world until it moved in 2018 to the Toyosu Fish Market which is where the current fish market is located. Although it relocated, most of the shops and stores remain in Tsukiji, making it a unique place to visit for seafood.

While you’re in the area, be sure to check out the following:

• Lots of food stalls selling fresh seafood such as fried octopus, skewered fish and fried clams

• The nearby Namiyoke Shrine that looks after the area

• Many shops selling goods such as knives and kitchen tools

• Counter style sushi restaurants

Photo Credit: Japan Guide

How to get there

A 1 minute walk from the Tsukiji Station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line or a 1 minute walk from the Tsukijishijo Station on the Tokyo Metro Toei Oedo Line.

 

Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

A small area near Kabukicho, Shinjuku Golden Gai is known for its spirited night life and unique architecture. While the surrounding areas of modern Tokyo are filled with skyscrapers and neon lights, Golden Gai cuts out a small corner of Tokyo to retain it’s post war charm. It’s a bit similar to Omoide Yokocho, except less yakitori and more bars and drinking.

Golden Gai consists of six alley ways made up with small individual bars. Each building can have a couple bars within them itself. Wandering around the area is an experience in itself and choosing a bar shouldn’t be too hard..there’s over 200 bars! Most of the bars in the area open up at 8 or 9 pm so make sure you don’t head over too early or there’ll be nothing opened. Some bars only welcome regulars as some tourists only have one drink, loiter and leave, taking spaces from regular customers. So, choose welcoming bars (some will have signs).

Know before you go:

• There are often cover charges when entering bars

• Watch out for bars not welcoming foreigners

• Area opens up at around 8pm

Photo Credit: Timeout Tokyo

How to get there

It’s about an 8 minute walk from Shinjuku Station and right next to the Kabukicho district.

 

Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

One of the most interesting places to eat in the heart of Tokyo is right next to the Yurakucho Station on the JR Line. Under the train tracks lie brick arches where storage space and warehouses use to lie. Those storage spaces were converted into restaurants in the mid to late Showa period (1950s-1980s). It’s one of the most lively restaurant districts, particularly at night when all the izakayas and restaurants open up.

These restaurants under the railroads are known as Gado Shita in Japanese. It literally means “below the girder” and has been a favorite for Japanese businessmen to come to loosen up after a long days of work. Many restaurants occupy most of the 700 meters of free space running on both sides of the train tracks from Yurakucho to Tokyo Station.

While izakayas and yakitori eateries are famous in the area, there are many other places to eat such as European bars (French, Italian, German), sushi restaurants and several noodle joints.

While you’re in the area, be sure to check out the following:

• East side of the railroad tracks for all the different izakayas

• European style bars

• Tokyo International Forum building for unique architecture

Photo Credit: Japan Guide

How to get there

Area surrounding the Yurakucho Station. Yurakucho Station is on the JR Yamanote and Keihin-Tohoku Lines. it’s one station away from Tokyo Station.

 

Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

Omoide Yokocho literally means Memory Lane. This unique area is famous for it’s old fashioned back alleys packed with very tiny noodle joints, yakitori restaurants known as izakayas where you can enjoy yakitori and Japanese alcohol and other diners. Within this tiny area you’ll find tourists, businessmen and women crowding the bars, restaurants and izakayas before they head home for the night.

Omoide Yokocho has been around since the reconstruction period in post war Japan and has maintained it’s position since. So, quite fittingly, Omoide Yokocho or Memory Lane is a good way to remember the old nostalgic past. Now, you might be wondering where Piss Alley came from. This place was notorious for having no restrooms because of how small the restaurants. Lots drinking going on with no restroom? A perfect recipe for “Piss Alley”. No worries now as they have bathrooms installed in the place to make sure no one is peeing next to the eateries…although it loses its authenticity!

While you’re in the area, be sure to check out the following:

• The many izakayas to eat yakitori and drink at. There are 16 in total

• Cheap ramen, soba and udon noodles

• Eating nikomi - another popular stew that consists of innards.

Photo Credit: Shinjuku Guide

How to get there

From the East Exit of Shinjuku Station on the JR Lines, it’s about a 2 minute walk. Take a left out the exit and continue to the passage that goes under the railroad to your left.

 

Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Harajuku might be known for shopping, but after all your shopping is conquered, you’re going to work up a serious appetite. Well luck you, because you’ll be in the midst of sweets heaven where you can try all the bizarre and unique sweets around the area. The area will be mostly centered around in and around Takeshita Street in Harajuku. At first glance, you might notice that there are crepes…LOTS of crepes. If you’re a sweet tooth then you’re in for a treat. But, aside from their crepes they have lots of other sweets and snacks to try too.

While you’re in the area, be sure to check out the following:

• All the different crepe shops on Takeshita Street

• Sesame Ice Cream at Gomaya Kuki

• Giant cotton candy at Totti

• Animal themed ice cream at Eiswelt Gelato

• Gourmet popcorn, cute cake pops and the different cafes for pancakes!

Photo Credit: Timeout Tokyo

How to get there

The main road, Takeshita Street is located right outside the JR Yamanote Lines Harajuku Station.

You can also get there by the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line or Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line by getting off at Meiji-Jingumae Station which is right in front of Takeshita Street.

 

Chuo-ku, Tokyo

Take a stroll through this lavish, downtown district for luxury brand shopping, fine dining and traditional Japanese stores. Ginza, which also incorporates the Yurakucho area, is one of the busiest shopping districts in Tokyo. Home to many department stores such as the famous Mitsukoshi Department store which has been around since 1673 and the modern Ginza Six, you’ll find yourself looking at over hundreds of shops in this district alone.

While you’re in the area, be sure to check out the following:

• Mitsukoshi Department store, Matsuya and Ginza Six

• The massive Tsukiji fish market nearby

• A walk down Chuo Dori

Photo Credit: Tsunagu Japan

How to get there

The Ginza Station can be accessed on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya, Ginza and Marunouchi Line.

 

TOKYO TOURS | SHOPPING IN NIHONBASHI

Chuo-ku, Tokyo

Nihonbashi literally means Japan Bridge and gets its name from the bridge in the area that acted as a zero kilometre marker for Japans national highway since the 1600s. Considered to be the “center” of Japan, it acts as a financial district for Tokyo but is also rooted in rich history and tradition. Much of the shops in the area have been in business for over 300 years! This classy, high-end district is a unique place to shop for old-traditional goods and foods. Ask your guide on a Tokyo tours for more.

While you’re in the area, be sure to check out the following:

• Mitsukoshi department store that has been around since 1673

• Coredo department store that holds many shops inside that’s been around for over 200-300 years.

• Bank of Japan and the Tokyo Stock Exchange

Photo Credit: Unsplash

Join our Tokyo tours for a special day in Nihonbashi

How to get there

Nihonbashi can be accessed right from the Nihonbashi Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza and Asakusa Line or directly outside the Mitsukoshi-mae Station on the Ginza Line.