HELLO! TOKYO TOURS TOP PICK | KAMIYA BAR

Kamiya Bar opened up in 1880 and is the first western style bar in Japan. Their special house drink, Denki Bran (Electric brandy), has been served here for over a century. Its a mix of brandy, gin, vodka, curacao, herbs and other secret recipes to make this tasty alcoholic drink. It use to have a 45% percent alcohol content back in the day, but has been dropped down in recent times. You can order two different Denki Brans, one with 40% or one with 30% alcohol content. But beware, its tasty and cheap (about 2 US Dollars for a generous pour) so choose wisely!

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Address: 1 Chome-1-1 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0032

Hours: Closed Tuesday, 11:30am - 10pm Monday-Saturday

Website: http://www.kamiya-bar.com/

How to get there: A 1 minute walk from Asakusa Station, Exit 3 on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line

 
JEREMIAH TOKYO

Jeremiah Tokyo is a stylish hidden bar in Shinjuku that takes you straight back to great 19th century New York. A well-known flair bar in Tokyo, the venue takes its name from Jeremiah “Jerry” Thomas himself. This iconic American bartender was known for his showmanship, and his pioneering work in popularizing cocktails across the U.S. made him known as “the father of American mixology”. Jeremiah Tokyo opened in 2018 on December 15th, the anniversary of Thomas’s passing, as a tribute to the legend’s legacy.

The cozy lounge’s old-timey decor is on point, from the shiny brass counter and shelves lining the brick back wall to the vintage framed posters, right down to the elegant engraved glasses. Comfortable, inviting and with a great atmosphere, this is the perfect spot to take your date for a memorable after dinner drink and cocktail show. The bar is headed by cocktail champion Hiroshi Ichikawa, a star mixologist in Tokyo specialized in craft flair. You won’t be able to take your eyes off of his incredible performance, it’s simply a joy to watch him work.

The impressive cocktail menu features tried and true classics as well as innovative twists and original creations. Each drink comes served with a side of background history courtesy of your bartender, which adds a special touch to the experience. For something refreshing and fruity, try the crimson-colored Story Reviver, with Monkey 47, Lillet Blanc, absinthe, prosecco cordial, fresh raspberry puree and lemon. Or let yourself be guided towards a cocktail that’s exactly to your liking. To soak everything up, don’t hesitate to order a snack or two from the delicious bar food menu.

Summary Credit: Worlds Best Bars Website

Photo Credit: Worlds Best Bars Website

Photo Credit: Zoom Life Tokyo

Address: 5-4-1 Shinjuku (1F Q Flat Building), Shinjuku-ku, 160-0022 Tokyo

Hours: Closed Sundays, 3pm - 11:30pm Monday-Saturday

Website: https://jeremiah-tokyo.business.site/

How to get there: A 6 minute walk from Shinjuku Gyoemmae Station, Exit 3 on the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line

 
HELLO! TOKYO TOURS TOP PICK | CABIN NAKAMEGURO

If you’re taking a stroll by Tokyo’s cherry tree-lined Meguro river, keep your eyes open for CABIN. This cozy bar in Nakameguro offers an incredibly wide range of whisky and delicious handcrafted cocktails in a relaxed, intimate setting.

CABIN Nakameguro is an exquisite whisky bar founded by the team behind the trendy Daikanyama eatery Cedros, The two founders and brothers grew up between the West Coast and Japan, which explains the distinctly American vibe felt throughout the lodge’s rustic interior. The dim lighting and natural wood paneling gives CABIN a warm and cozy atmosphere. The walls are decorated with artistic carved wood hunting trophies, and you’ll find many vintage trinkets and decorative objects across the space. Comfy chairs and a crackling virtual fireplace complete the setting, making us feel right at home.

The bar offers a wide variety of exceptional whiskies from around the world, with special mention for some very rare Japanese bottles. Cocktail-wise, the menu doesn’t disappoint either. Brazilian-born head bartender (and jiu jitsu fighter!) Sullivan Gouvea has been taking inspiration from Japanese culture since the moment he started his life in Tokyo. His different encounters with “Wa” (or Japanese-ness) bring an exceptional twist to his creations, borrowing from traditional ingredients such as konpeito (Japanese sugar candy), wasanbon (fine-grained Japanese sugar) or sometimes even wasabi. Whisky cocktails are obviously the focus at CABIN, but the bar also offers a wide range of other delicious options if whisky is not your thing. Like for instance their signature Wild Corpse Reviver, made with Monkey 47, Lillet, Cointreau, lemon juice and absinthe.

Great drinks, great music and a trendy international crowd, CABIN has it all. Put this stylish bar on your list for your next night out in Nakameguro.

Summary Credit: Worlds Best Bars Website

Photo Credit: Worlds Best Bars Website

Address: 1-10-23 Nakameguro (Riverside Terrace 101), Meguro-ku, 153-0061 Tokyo

Hours: Closed Sundays, 7pm -12am Monday-Thusday, until 2am Friday/Saturday

Website: http://www.cabintokyo.com/

How to get there: A 6 minute walk from Nakameguro Station, East Exit on the Toyoko Line

 
MARICAR GO KART

A very popular tourist attraction among foreigners have been the MariCar racing where you can ride around in Go Karts across Tokyo dressed up as Nintendo characters. It is an extremely popular activity, however the company has been in some legal troubles lately by raising safety traffic concerns/public disturbance. In 2018, the Japanese police had logged 50 accidents regarding Go Karts in the street. In 2020, they were sued by Nintendo for copyright issues making them uncertain whether they will continue handing out Nintendo costumes to drive in. This is not an endorsement of the MariCar experience but simply a listing as it is popular with tourists.

*A Japanese drivers license or International Drivers Permit is required to participate. Please sign up at your own risk.

Photo Credit: JW Magazine

Photo Credit: JW Magazine

Location: 15-3 Maruyamacho, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0044

Hours: 10am - 9pm

Website: https://kart.st/shibuya

How to get there: A 10 minute walk from Shibuya Station on the JR Line

 
TOKYO GUIDE | BOHEME PLUS BEAU DESSIN

Led by the leather pioneer, Tokihiko Ikushima, Boheme Plus Beau Dessin has been serving the Yanaka area for over 40 years. At Beau Dessin, everything is made in house - design, bag making process, material development, cutting and sewing - to ensure their highest quality of leather goods. Check out their unique shop to see some of Tokyo’s highest quality leather bags, wallets, goods and other specialties like their umbrellas.

Location: 7-17-9 Yanaka, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0001

Hours: Closed Monday and Tuesday, 11am - 6pm

Website: https://boheme-plus-beaudessin.com/onlinestore/index.html

How to get there: A 7 minute walk from Nippori Station on the JR Line

 
MARUGO TONKATSU | BIB GOURMAND

Marugo tonkatsu is said to be one of Japan’s finest tonkatsu and on a “another level of tonkatsu”. This thick, juicy, crispy tonkatsu has won the hearts of Michelin, enough to win a Bib Gourmand. They are quite popular during both lunch and dinner time so be ready to queue up for this delicious tonkatsu. It’s in the Akihabara region so you can also get familiar with anime and manga as you’re in the area!

Photo Credit: Tokyo Story

Photo Credit: Japan Travel

Location: 1-8-14 Sotokanda, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 101-0021

Hours: Closed Monday and Tuesday, 11:30am - 2pm, 5pm - 8pm

Review: Michelin Guide

Reservations: Walk in only

How to get there: A 3 minute walk from Akihabara Station on the JR Line

 
TEMPURA ABE HONTEN | BIB GOURMAND

Thirty years of tempura making experience at Nadaman, a well-known restaurant expertly informs this chef's decisions on which oil, and especially, which vegetables to use.
This expertise can be particularly experienced via the shrimp kakiage dish (mixed vegetables and seafood tempura) which master Abe proudly boasts of. Don't miss out on tasting this delicious dish for yourself!
Although only a small restaurant with 12 counter seats and 1 table seating 4 people, the chef doesn't shy away from showing off his expertise for the benefit of the customers.
Now also serving vegetarian courses!
*Please note that eggs are used in the tempura batter.

Summary Credit: Gurunavi

Photo Credit: Eatacity

Photo Credit: Tokyo Story

Location: 4 Chome-3-7 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0061

Hours: 11:30am - 2pm, 5pm - 9pm

Review: Michelin Guide

Reservations: Not required, but available, check here for more info: https://gurunavi.com/en/e540700/rst/

Website: https://tempura-abe-ginza.gorp.jp/

How to get there: A 6 minute walk from Higashi Ginza Station on the Tokyo Metro Asakusa Line

 
TAMAWARAI | ONE STAR

The fragrant, coarse-ground flour is made from buckwheat harvested by hand and sun-dried in a time-consuming, labour-intensive way. A full complement of shuko is available and portion sizes are small so you can try an assortment of items before the soba. The owner-chef cultivates the buckwheat himself, so at harvest time the restaurant may close on extra days. One rare dish is the ‘atsumori-seiro’, soba served with hot broth added to a beaten egg.

Summary Credit: Michelin

Photo Credit: Tabelog

Photo Credit: Eatacity

Location: 5-23-3 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Hours:

Lunch = 11:30-15:00 L.O.14:30

Saturday 11:30-16:00 L.O.15:30
Sunday 11:30-17:00 L.O.16:30
Dinner = Tuesday-Friday 18:30-21:30 L.O.21:00 or when the day’s stock runs out
Saturday 18:00-20:00 L.O.19:30 or when the day’s stock runs out

Closed Monday unless public holiday then Tuesday

Review: Michelin Guide

Reservations: Not required but available. Check here for more info: https://gurunavi.com/en/gdnp600/rst/

How to get there: A 9 minute walk from Meiji Jingumae Station on the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda or Fukutoshin Line.

 
NI HAO | BIB GOURMAND

One of the most well known and popular places to eat dumplings, Ni Hao has been a Bib Gourmand recipient for years. Their pan fried/steamed dumplings are some of the best in the biz. Once you arrive put your first couple orders of dumplings in immediately and order other small dishes to nibble on while you wait. Get some beers, shochu or sake to wash down your food and you’ve got yourself quite a lovely evening.

Photo Credit: Michelin

Photo Credit: Gurunavi

Location: 2F, Masumoto Bldg, 2-27-4 Nishihara, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Hours: Closed Sunday and Public Holiday Mondays, 5pm - 11pm

Review: Michelin Guide

Reservations: Not required but available. Check here for more info: https://gurunavi.com/en/geku600/rst/

Website: https://nihaoshibuya.owst.jp/

How to get there: A 5 minute walk from Hatagaya Station on the Keio New Line

 
SAKANARYORI AKAI | BIB GOURMAND

A small venue with only 11 seats, you can try traditional Japanese dishes called kappo - a cuisine where small dishes are served at a time, usually raw fish and seafood. What makes this cuisine unique is that presentation of the food is just as big as how it tastes. With a full meal and some drinks (usually expected) you’re looking to spend anywhere from 5000-9000 Yen (50-90 USD), which is relatively cheap for this type of food!

Photo Credit: Michelin

Photo Credit: Tabelog

Location: 4 Chome-13-16 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0061

Hours: Closed Sundays, 11:30am - 1pm, 5-10:30pm

Review: Michelin Guide

Reservations: Not required but available. Check here for more info: https://gurunavi.com/en/ge6s400/rst/

How to get there: A 4 minute walk from Higashi Ginza Station on the Tokyo Metro Asakusa Line