Tokyo

A city with unparalleled culture, food and service

Tokyo was on my list for decades and yet for some reason it took me a long time to go. I've always loved Japanese food, culture and even took years of lessons learning the language. What stood out to me in going was the level of courtesy, customer service and experience in every detail and interaction. But there is so much to see and do. Traveling to Tokyo isn't the cheapest trip, but it is worth it to do it right. While you can also get a taste in just a few days, it can easily be a longer trip to get a more complete experience.

Duration: 4 full days

Budget: $2,500 with luxury hotel (not including airfare)

Getting (there and around):

The Narita Tokyo airport is the option for most international flights and there are many direct flights from the West Coast of the United States to make for an easy and short trip. However, a train ride from the airport can be over an hour so plan accordingly . A little known tip for the airport is the special train at a reduced price for international tourists. There is a booth (perhaps the JR line) at both terminals where you can get a round trip ticket for about $15 USA. A taxi is incredibly expensive in Tokyo and the airport is quite a distance to the heart of the city.

The Tokyo metro is an excellent way to get around the city. There are some increased language barriers compared to other cities, but it is extremely orderly as you would expect in Tokyo and a more affordable method of transportation to any of the main stops. Get a pass for the time you are there to make it simple.

Staying:

The Shangri-La in Tokyo ranks at the top of my favorite luxury hotels of all time. Every single detail has been considered. It extremely elegant and includes conveniences such as pajamas and slippers in beautiful rooms with exquisite city views. It is also ideally located above the Tokyo station (about a block away from the entrance) where you can have a direct train ride to and from the airport, or join the metro to any other city destination. But what makes it stand out is the level of customer service. I've heard from concierge's at fine hotels around the world that the Tokyo Shangri-La is famous for having a 1:1 staff to guest ratio. Personally, I experienced this from the moment the gentleman that checked me in walked me up to my room to orient me and get me properly set up, to when I had some questions about using the train to Hakone and a staff member walked me to the station and helped me translate to buy the ticket and walk me to the platform. The hotel is not cheap, but if you care at all about having a quality hotel experience on your trip, this will likely be the most memorable city hotel experience you will have. It is definitely worth the money for making your Tokyo experience the best it can be.

Doing:

Especially if there is nice weather, a walk through the Imperial Garden is a must. It is only blocks from the Tokyo Station and easy to get to. It is a beautiful, large park in the middle of the city with Japanese landscape design. You can easily spend a couple hours walking down the different paths and admiring well-manicured trees, tranquil areas and public recreation.

Sumo wrestling is ironically Japanese and the experience is well worth it if possible. The major tournaments are only a few times per year, so you either have to plan your trip around those opportunities, or get very lucky. If the tournaments are happening, you can likely find package tours online (some brokered through Trip Advisor are good options). It can be a good way to learn more about the sport from the guides, and be escorted around without having to navigate things yourself.

The Shibuya district (pictured at top) hosts the world's busiest pedestrian intersection (worth experiencing) and a range of vibrant businesses with neon lights everywhere. It's a bit of what you expect when you think of experiencing a Japanese downtown district. You can do trendy shopping in the packed streets or go into many uniquely Japanese arcades with games. There are also a number of great restaurants.

To get out of the city and experience more of Japan than just the metropolitan area, take a day trip to Hakone. It hosts a fantastic view of Mt. Fuji nearby and many onsens (hot springs) for an unique spa experience (though make reservations ahead as it's not likely you will get in if walking in). It's about 50 miles (80 km) from Tokyo, but from the Tokyo Station, you can get a high speed train that will get you there in about 30 minutes. At the station, it is a quick walk to the small strip of businesses on the side of the lake. It's a fun experience to have lunch, do a little walking along the shore, a boat ride across the lake, and a train up the hill side. There is a pass that can let you experience all of this in a loop back to the station. A perfect package for a day trip and one of the best day trip excursions I've ever taken in world travels.

Whenever I travel to a major city, I seek out the major public market for souvenirs and gifts. The Nakamise-dori Street area is one of the best I've been to, though it is a different experience than similar market areas as bartering is not part of the process. You will experience the pride of Japanese service. I bought a $1 bookmark and it was still gift wrapped for me. There are common cat figurines, but also a lot of quality and unique things. While there, walk beyond the central area and explore the Sensoji Temple area for iconic pictures with the architecture.

Eating:

The best recommendation I can make for restaurants is to ask locals when you are there. Locals always know the spot that has the best food quality that you might not find in marketing materials. Try out as many sushi places and other local cuisines as you can (you haven't had sushi like this before). I found the surprisingly many of my favorite stops were established restaurants in large office and shopping, just as you might expect for an independent steakhouse in a financial district of a US city. The more authentic steak houses are also worth experiencing. Though locals steered me away from wagyu beef as overpriced and I enjoyed the standard beef instead.

Photography Tips:

My time in Tokyo was not centered around photography and I didn't take a lot of time looking for photo spots. However, a great view of the famous Shibuya crossing can be taken from the public train station at one end. There is a walkway with a clear view high enough to get a clear shot of the action.

Day Planning:

Day 1: Check out the Imperial Gardens in the morning. After a sushi lunch, check out the Shibuya District in the afternoon and dinner.

Day 2: Try to do a cultural event like sumo wresting or baseball.

Day 3: Take a day trip to Hakone

Day 4: Spend a few hours strolling along Nakamise-dori Street for souvenirs and walk over to see Sensoji Temple.