When browsing What to do in Tokyo for a few days, you can find an infinite amount of tips and ideas.
For many people it’s hard to get more than a couple of weeks off work, especially if you have a full-time job, like me. But that doesn’t mean we need to renounce to our dream holiday.
When I planned my holidays to Japan for ten days, I knew I wasn’t going to be able to see everything. It’s all about prioritising what’s most important to you.
Well, to me, having sushi at a traditional sushi bar, sipping a Ramen in the Odaiba district and strolling around the Akihabara District was all I could ask for as a first visit to this incredible city.
Where to stay
First, accommodation is number one important as you want to feel safe and comfortable when you are abroad. We were looking for a decent hotel, no luxuries, good location and reviews. And The Sakura Ikebukuro Hotel*** was the perfect place.
The hotel is in a quiet street round the corner of the bubbly Ikebukuro district, packed with bars, shops and restaurants. There’s a train station and a tube stop.
It’s also within walking distance to the Ikebukuro train station, your departure point for Kyoto.
There is a big terrace at the entrance of the hotel where you can have your breakfast and/or your drinks in the evening. I loved the fact that the bar is very popular among locals too, every day we would see guys in suits stopping for a few Asahi beers after work.
The staff is lovely and always smiling. That’s a common thing in Japan though. Politeness is at the core of their culture.
Where to go
Akihabara
Famous for its anime, manga and video games shops and for its maid cafés, this is the most exciting district of Tokyo.
We had a bit of an adventure by going to one of the cafes. As five adult people should be, we were a bit freaked out by the time the girl offered us Hello Kitty pancakes and to sing karaoke songs for us, all this, while sitting at school-desks in this very small room. So we said thanks, sorry, but bye. It just felt wrong but it was fun to live such a different experience as well.
However weird it may feel for some of us, it’s still an incredible place to visit. And I would love to go back.
Odaiba
This artificial island in Tokyo Bay, is a major leisure centre and residential area. Packed with cafés and restaurants and a Disney Store, not to be missed. We enjoyed two of our nights drinking and eating on the terraces of these restaurants with this stunning views.
Inokashira Park – Kichijoji, Tokyo
Shibuya
Famous for its crossing, known as the busiest crossing in the world, Shibuya is a very vibrant district. Plenty of shopping centres and international restaurants, including Hooter, which we visited for fun;)
We don’t have this in Europe, please don’t judge us 😉
Shinjuku
In Shinjuku there’s one of the most beautiful gardens of Tokyo, the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden.
Tsukiji Market
Sadly I just read this market has now closed and relocated. It was an experience walking through the small lanes and tasting all the incredible street food. The article below has more info about the new market.
Tales from a Red Suitcase 