Everyone has heard of the Robot Restaurant in Tokyo before. If you’re looking to watch a bizarre show with robots of ninjas, dragons, dancers, drummers, neon lights and loud music, then look no further. No doubt you’ll be exploring Japan’s traditional temples and shrines and seeing the wonderful nature and culture of Japan. However, this is the “crazy and weird” side of Japan. Entrance into the restaurant is reservations only as shows start at certain times of the day.

Photo Credit: Swedish Nomad

Address: 〒160-0021 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Kabukicho, 1 Chome−7−7 新宿ロボットビル B2F

Hours: 4pm -11pm

Website: http://www.shinjuku-robot.com/pc/

How to get there: An 8 minute walk from Shinjuku Station, East Exit on the JR Line.

 

These superb quality towels has been leading the towel industry for over 120 years in Japan. The softness and ability to absorb water well has put its name in the books around the world and has also appeared in many exhibitions. The towels are produced in Imabari, Ehime Prefecture where they use the natural soft water nearby which is gentle to the yarn of the towel. Each towel goes through a 5 second test where if after 5 seconds, the towel sinks, then it passes.

Address: 2F 203, 5-3-10, Minami-aoyama, minato-ku, Tokyo 〒 107-0062

Hours: Closed every 2nd Tuesday of the month, 11:00am - 7:30pm

Tel: ＋81-3-6427-2941

Website: https://www.imabaritowel.jp/en

How to get there: A 7 minute walk from the Omotesando Station, Exit A5 on the Hanzomon or Ginza Lines.

Video Credits: Youtube

 

Omotesando is known for its unique and groovy architecture. Among these buildings, the Prada Tokyo Aoyama Store stands out. The lozenge shaped, glass building makes up the facade of the store and makes for a visually impressive building. It was completed in 2003 as was built by a Swiss architecture from the notable firm Herzog & de Meuron. even if your wallet might not be able to afford some of the products inside, you can still enjoy the view from outside!

Photo Credit: Timeout Tokyo

Address: 5 Chome-2-6 Minamiaoyama, Minato City, Tokyo 107-0062

Hours: 11am - 8pm

Website: https://www.prada.com/jp/ja.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=gmb&utm_term=S443

How to get there: A 4 minute walk from Omotesando Station, Exit A5 on the Hanzomon Line.

 

Harajuku and Omotesando are known for their funky and high end cafes, but they are also known for their animal cafes. The Tokyo craze for animal cafes started out with cat cafes but has slowly expanded to include many other domestic animals such as owls, hedgehogs, pigs and rabbits. while ethical concerns may be an issue, an easy search can tell you which cafes are popular and treat their animals humanly. A guide to all the animal cafes in Harajuku and Omtesando can be found here.

Photo Credit: Timeout Tokyo

Address: Around the Takeshita Street in Harajuku.

Hours: N/A

Website: N/A

How to get there: N/A

 

A spot for gourmet food located inside the Tokyu Toyoko Department Store, which is directly linked to Shibuya Station. It proclaims itself a ‘Theatre of Food’, and houses stalls from all over the world selling sweets, deli goods, bakery, food to eat in and wine. Among the concessions are Le Boulanger Dominique Saibron from Paris, Origines Cacao by chef Yukihiko Kawaguchi, a pioneer chocolatier in Japan, and Seijo Ishii, a high-end supermarket featuring domestic delicacies as well as imported items.

Summary Credits: Timeout Tokyo

Photo Credit: Where in Tokyo

Address: 2-24-1 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku Tokyo

Hours: 11am - 8pm

Website: https://kart.st/shibuya

How to get there: Located in the Shibuya Station, in the Tokyu Department Store.

 

Nakamise is the most famous shopping street in Asakusa. The street runs for 250 meters on the main approach to Sensoji Temple and is lined on both sides with shops selling traditional souvenirs, snacks, and sweets.

This street is actually on temple property and so it starts and ends with a temple gate: at the southern end is the outer gate of Kaminarimon, and at the northern end is the inner gate of Hozomon. Between these two gates are 89 shops, with 54 shops on the east side, and 35 shops on the west. “Nakamise” is a traditional name given to shopping streets on the grounds of temples or shrines, so this is not the only “Nakamise” in Japan, but it is one of the oldest and most famous.

Summary Credits: Asakusa Station Information

Photo Credit: JW Magazine

Address: 1 Chome-36-3 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0032

Hours: 10am - 5pm

Website: http://asakusa-nakamise.jp/e-index.html

How to get there: A 1 minute walk from Asakusa Station on the Ginza Line

 

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).

Photo Credit: Timeout Tokyo

Address: 1 Chome-1-6 Kabukicho, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0021

Hours: Typically open from 8pm until early morning.

Website: N/A

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

 

Kabukicho is a famous Red Light district of Tokyo. Especially at night, it’s a scene for the adult night life. This entertainment district is a hub for bright lights, bars, clubs, karaoke, pachinko and well..you guessed it, adult touting and hustling if you know what I mean. You do need to be extra aware in these areas. Never take an offer of anyone inviting you to a store (unless you know what you are looking for) and make sure you know what stores you are entering! Aside from the adult night scene, it’s a fun place to enjoy a night out for drinks, karaoke and good food!

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

Location: Kabukicho, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0021

Hours: N/A

Website: N/A

How to get there: An 11 minute walk from Shinjuku Station Exit B15 on the JR Line.

 

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!

Photo Credit: Shinjuku Guide

Address: 1 Chome-2 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0023

Hours: Most places are open for lunch and dinner

Website: N/A

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.

 

For cat lovers, sorry to disappoint but you won’t find cats here as the name suggests. Cat Street is a youth hip fashion center a long with Takeshita Street. It’s not as jam packed and busy like it is on Takeshita Street or even Omotesando. It’s got a more laid back, hip vibe to the area. It’s known for its shopping and food. The street is lined up with funky, hipster boutiques, shops and cafes. Some tend to be hole in the wall and low-key spots, but others are high end, well known brands.

Photo Credit: Japan Visitor

Location: 5 Chome-10-10 Jingumae, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0001

Hours: Most stores are open anywhere from 10am - 8pm

Website: N/A

How to get there: An 8 minute walk from Harajuku Station, East Exit on the JR Line.