While a romantic Christmas is celebrated all over Tokyo, New Year’s night here is much calmer. Although in the past few years there are more and more things happening in the city on this night. Here are just a few examples of the things you can do.

Countdown

One of the things you can do is join a New Year countdown. The famous countdown in Shibuya is canceled. But there are plenty of parties where you can still do enjoy the moment. For example, a big fun party is expected to happen at the popular club in Shibuya, Womb. Or if you feel extra fancy head to the Park Hyatt hotel in Shinjuku. At the lounge located on the 41st floor (meaning great views), you will be able to enjoy cocktails, champagne, and great music.

Hatsumode

Right after the countdown, you can make your first visit to the shrine in the new year. In Japanese, this tradition is known as “Hatsumode”. Even though you can go to any shrine you want, we recommend joining the crowd at Meiji Jingu or Zozoji temple nearby the Tokyo Tower. Yes, it will be crowded but it also has a special sense of unity with others.

Hatsuhinode

The first sunrise of the year or “Hatsuhinode” is another important tradition many Japanese like to keep. And you can join them too. The best spots to watch a sunrise in Tokyo are Miura Beach, Kasai Rinkai Park, Tokyo Tower, and Roppongi Hills (the last two require advanced reservations).

Toshi-Koshi Soba and Osechi

There are several types of food typically eaten during the last and the first days of the new year. Toshi-Koshi soba, literally “year-crossing soba” is eaten on New Year’s Eve. There are several explanations for this custom but the most common is that soba symbolizes long life. During the last week of the year, popular soba restaurants get huge lines in front of them.

A tradition to eat osechi began in Heian period (794-1185). Osechi is composed of several small dished and each of them has a special meaning. For instance, kazunoko (herring roe) symbolizes a wish to have a number of kids in a new year. Kuromame (black beans) symbolize good health in the new year, etc. It is eaten during the first few days of the new year because in the past it was prohibited for a woman to work or cook during these days. Osechi used to be all homemade. However, nowadays you can preorder it from many department shops and even convenience stores. It is definitely something worth trying in order to become more familiar with Japanese traditions.

Fukubukuro

Lucky bags, or fukubukuro in Japanese, is another tradition you can be a pst of. Different shops fill the bags with whatever items they have and sell these bags for slightly cheaper prices than they would normally cost at the shop. However, you do not know what is inside the bag, and if it is clothing you do not know the size. This is why it is called “lucky bags”, sometimes you get lucky, sometimes not so much. Many shops offer preorders on their fukubukuro bags. Or you can head to one of the big malls during the first days of the year and try to grab one there.

Mochitsuki

Mochitsuki, making a Japanese rice cake, is another tradition that has been around for many many years. In present days during the first days of the new year, you will be able to attend mochitsuki festivals at various locations, such as shrines or community centers. You can watch how professional mochi makers make those cakes very fast or you can try and make them yourself. Usually, along with the mochi-making process, there are also other activities available, such as music performances.

Disney

Last but not least, on the first day of the new year, you can visit Disneyland and enjoy special performances, decorations, and food. Make sure not to miss the new year’s parade where Mickey and other Disney characters will welcome the visitors in traditional Japanese clothes.

New Year in Japan is mainly a family holiday. But in recent years tourists, foreign residents, and even some young Japanese people want to celebrate this night with friends in a fun lively atmosphere. Luckily Tokyo has some options, so be sure to plan your parties and celebrations in advance.

Tokyo has changed a lot since the pandemic started. Many places got closed but more new places are going to open in the new year. Here is the list of 8 new openings to look forward to in 2023.

Tokyo Kabukicho Tower

A new skyscraper in Kabukicho has so much to offer that it is basically a small city on its own. Here you will find one of Japan’s largest hotels as well as a live music venue with a capacity of 1,500 people. On top of it, this complex will also have a large food hall featuring various cuisines. But it won’t be only about food, you will find here a stage, a DJ booth, karaoke, and tons of LED lights. Other entertainments such as cinema, pool, and amusement center are also available.

Tokyo Midtown Yaesu

The third shopping complex by the brand Tokyo Midtown will fully open in March 2023. It will face Tokyo station which is among the major commuting hubs in Tokyo. You will find a luxury hotel by Bulgary on 39-45 floors, as well as 60 different restaurants and even more shops and offices. The hope is that it will make the Tokyo station area even more attractive.

Senkyaku Banrai

Toyosu market’s new facility will be formed of two buildings; one with shops and restaurants. Another one with a hot spring. The hot-spring facility will feature a 24-hour open hot spring and a hotel. On the rooftop, there will be foot baths. The purpose of all this is to make Toyosu market a center of Japanese food.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo/Making of Harry Potter (Studio Tour Tokyo)

“Making of Harry Potter” is not just another theme park. It is more of a walking tour along which you will be able to see how the movies about Harry Potter and The Fantastic Beasts were created and filmed. This park will be the second of its kind in the world and will be the size of the Tokyo Dome. The location is where Toshimaen park used to be. It is a must-see attraction for all the fans of the franchise.

TeamLab Borderless

One of the most popular and visited museums in the world was opened in Odaiba in 2018 and shut its doors in August 2022. But only because it was moving to Azabudai Hills and it will reopen sometime in 2023. The museum is a world record holder for being the most visited museum run by a single art group. It is another must-visit attraction on your visit to Tokyo.

Toranomon-Azabudai

When talking about the opening of TeamLab in Azabudai Hills, we must mention the Toranomon-Azabudai project itself. The complex is designed by a famous architecture and design studio Heatherwick. On the property, you will find a shopping complex, 2 hotels by Aman, and, as mentioned above, a new TeamLab museum.

Trunk Hotel Yoyogi Park

Finally, central Tokyo gets its own hotel with an infinity pool and it is facing Yoyogi park itself! Very popular and very modern located nearby the Cat Street Trunk Hotel will open a new location close to Yoyogi Park. It will feature a pool and other attractions. You can combine a visit here with visiting the recently renovated Miyashita Park and the relatively newly opened Shibuya Square.

Hotel Indigo Tokyo Shibuya

Another hotel opening its doors in 2023. It will be the fourth in Japan and the first in Tokyo hotel by the Indigo group. The hotel will be opened where Donki Dogenzaka used to be. It will feature shops, offices, and of course a hotel, and a terrace. Easy access from different sides of Shibuya will make it even more attractive.

Things to Do in Tokyo in Winter 2022-23

Winter in Japan can be pretty rough but it should not stop you from traveling here during this time of the year. Tokyo alone has plenty of things to do and to offer. Here is just a short sample of all the things to do in Tokyo during the winter season of 2022-23.

Tokyo Mega Illumination

For the past 2 years, Tokyo Mega Illumination was named the best illumination in Tokyo. The location is Oi Racecourse. The event is been held every day but only for a limited period of time. Make sure to visit all the illuminated areas such as a big fountain at the entrance, a huge field of artificial wisteria trees, and more. As the event takes place at a real racecourse, you can even pet and take photos with the real horses.

Saturday, 15 October 2022 – Monday, 9 January 2023, 16:30-21:00.

Adults: 800-1,500 yen, children: 400-800 yen.

Yumiuriland Jewellumination

Yumiuriland is an amusement park famous for its out-of-this-world illumination created by a famous light-designer Motoko Ishii. As you could guess, Jewellumination stands for “Jewel” and “illumination”. Literally, millions of colorful LED lights are set up throughout the vast theme park evoking sparkling lights that look like lucrative pieces of jewelry. A theme for this year is “LIGHT IS HAPPINESS!” The highlights of this festival will include a giant illuminated Ferriss wheel that resembles sunrise and a plaza area decorated in a shape of a horseshoe which is known to be a lucky charm.

Thursday, 20 October 2022 – Sunday, 9 April 2023.

Adults: 1,800-5,800 yen.

Midtown Ice Rink

The ice rink in Midtown Roppongi is one of the biggest ice rinks in Tokyo. It is open every day from morning until late evening. So if you go there after 5 PM, you can also enjoy beautiful illumination. Plus beside the rink, there is a nice lounge area with drinks and food. You can check it out before or after skating.

Thursday, 17 November 2022 – Sunday, 26 February 2023.

Adults: 2,100-2,500 yen, children: 1,600-2,000 yen.

Oji Fox Parade

According to a legend, in the place where Tokyo stands now, foxes from all over the region used to gather on New Year’s night. Later this legend turned into an ukiyo-e print and many years after that even into a real-life parade. Now it is an annual event that starts on December 31st and where the participants are wearing fox masks and holding lanterns representing life and hope. The parade ends past midnight at Oji Inari shrine, where the participants perform their first shrine visit of the year known as “Hatsumode”.

Details to be confirmed.

Chinese Spring Festival

Chinese spring festival also known as the Lunar New Year is probably the most important celebration in China, Hong Kong, and some other countries. However, you do not need to travel overseas to get into the festive mood. Instead, you can simply visit Chinatown in Yokohama. The festival will last for about two weeks, with some highlights such as the Lion dance performed by the members of a Kong-Fu club.

Dates to be confirmed. Entry free.

Miura Kaigan Cherry Blossom Festival

Miura Kaigan cherry blossom festival is happing in late February-early March. It features Kawazu-zakura trees which are known for blooming earlier than the other kinds of sakura. There are approximately 1000 trees planted along the railroad and they all bloom at the same time which creates absolutely breathtaking scenery. In the evening the trees are lithed up which once again creates an amazing atmosphere and views. Besides the trees, during the festival period, you will find here many vendors selling typical Japanese street food such as yakisoba and baked potatoes with various toppings. Alcohol is also sold and it is a good opportunity to try Miura’s famous radish-based shochu.

Miurakaigan station. Entry is free.

Strawberry Picking at Niikura Noen

Winter is a strawberry season in Japan. You can find strawberries in all kinds of shapes and flavors. If you love this fruit as much as the Japanese do, we highly recommend going picking strawberries at one of the many locations in the country. for example, you can visit Niikura Noen which is a family farm for strawberries and blueberries. It is easily accessible from central Tokyo. Another reason this location is recommended is that here you have a time limit for how long you can pick up the strawberries, so you can do it in your path.

Reservation required. Check their calendar for the available dates. 300 yen (+tax) for every 100 grams.

Picasso and His Time Exhibition

Come to see a selection of masterpiece works from The Museum Berggruen at the National Museum of Modern Art in Ueno. About half of all works are created by Picasso himself and will be exhibited in Japan for the first time. Remember to put closer attention not only to the paintings themselves but also to their frames. When Berggruen was making his collection, he put a great effort to select only the works with unique frames.

Saturday, 8 October 2022 – Sunday, 22 January 2023

Adults: 2,100 yen, college students 1,500 yen, high school students 1,100 yen.

Also, check out our guide to the best things to do in Japan during winter.

Tokyo has many great well-known places such as Harajuku, Ginza, Asakusa, and others. However, there are also less familiar places that are real hidden gems. Hopefully, this post will become your best guide to Musashi-Koyama and Togoshi Ginza.

Musashi Koyama

Let us begin with Koyama, better known as Musashi-Koyama, area. The closest station is Musashi-Koyama on the Meguro line. The area is best known for its covered shopping arcade called “Palm”. The arcade prolongs for 800 meters and offers many places for shopping and dining. Also, many seasonal events and festivals are held here all around the year. Make sure to check their event page (only in Japanese) for more details.

There are also many places to see outside the arcade. For example, for the most beautiful (and tasty!) croissants in Tokyo, visit Le Lieu Unique. This is an authentic French bakery owned by a French chef with over 23 years of experience.

If you bought something at “Palm” or at the bakery, you can have a picnic at Rinshi-no-mori park, located only a short walk away from both places. The park is very big and very green, and it also has many seating options, which is not common in Japan. There are spaces for kids and for dogs, where they can play safely.

Some more recommended cafes nearby:

Kenohi is a cafe and a diner, usually open from 10 in the morning until 9 in the evening. At Kenohi you can find lunch and dinner options, alcoholic drinks, as well as homemade cakes and desserts, and good coffee. But what is more important, here you will find a homey, cozy, and relaxed atmosphere. Perfect place to read a book or to do some work on your PC (yes, they have WIFI and outlets).

Amameria Espresso is a great coffee shop and a roastery where you can buy beans for home or enjoy a cup of fresh coffee inside the cafe space. This place is also woody, cozy, and very pleasant.

Haimuru Coffee is despite its name, not exactly a coffee shop but a super popular ramen and kakigori place. Here you will find some beautiful-looking and delicious shaved ice and a very decent ramen. However, be ready to wait in a queue. Especially in summer. Especially on the weekends.

Chum Apartment is a chick vintage restaurant that has been around for the past 20 years. Their main focus is on Italian cuisine, but they also have great cakes and coffee. The restaurant is located only a short walking distance from Musashi-Koyama station.

Togoshi Ginza

About a 20-minute walk from Musashi-Koyama, there is another worth-visiting area known as Togoshi Ginza. Togoshi Ginza is the oldest and the longest not covered shopping street in Tokyo. Along the street, you will find 400 different shops: cafes, restaurants, fresh meat stands, street food stands, grocery shops, you name it. This area is not very well known among tourists but Japanese people know and love this place. On the weekends it becomes especially lively.

Places that you might want to visit in Togoshi Ginza:

Togoshi Ginza is famous for croquettes. Many shops make them freshly every day. In order to try some of the best ones visit Nakamura Tadashi Shoten. For a more unique one go to Oden Croquette by Goto Kamabokoten.

Japanese Confectionary Aoyagi has been in business since 1919. Visit this historical shop for Japanese traditional sweets and especially their specialty persimmons confectionaries.

Onigiri Togoshiya is a popular onigiri shop where you can try more than 40 different kinds of this snack. All onigiri are made after the order is placed, therefore they are extremely fresh and tasty.

Etude Monz Cafe is a Western-style modern cafe where you can go if you are tired of street food and want to relax in a nice atmosphere. Here you will find cakes, avocado toasts, eggs Benedict, and of course great coffee.

Unagi Imo Store was originally opened in Shizuoka and now has a branch in Togoshi Ginza. This is a dessert shop selling soft serve, puddings, mochi, etc. Many desserts have a Japanese sweet potato flavor or are decorated as an eel. It is very cute!

How to get there:

Musashi Koyama

Get off at Musashi-Koyama station on the Meguro line.

Togoshi Ginza

Get off at Togoshi station on the Asakusa line or at Togoshi Ginza station on the Ikegami line.

Check out our guides to Azabujuban, Akasaka, and Tokorozawa.

A few things to know about rent prices in Tokyo as of autumn 2022.

Rent Prices in Tokyo

At the moment the prices for rent in Tokyo are at their peak. However, even throughout the pandemic prices for rent in Tokyo were high and did not go down like in other big cities in the world. A reason to it, people started to work from home and spend more time at home in general. This led to a higher demand for more extensive, newer, and larger places. Prices are primarily raised in the areas such as Musashino and Nishi-Tokyo, as these areas are not central Tokyo, yet close to the Yamanote line and the big hubs.

Rent Trends in the Future

Prices for rent are on an upward trend, especially for family properties. This trend is expected to continue as long as the demand for condominiums does not decline. Another reason why prices keep going up is that instead of buying houses, people prefer to rent. They enjoy the high-quality standards of living that new rental mansions offer. For example, these places have their own kindergartens and they are pet-friendly. With that being said, with the uncertain situation about the coronavirus and geopolitical risks, it is tough to make long-term predictions.

Finding home in Japan

A few days ago Japanese government announced that Japan will finally reopen to independent tourists after being closed for over 2 years. In this article, you will get all the things you must know about Japan’s reopening. Who is now eligible to enter Japan without a visa, why has Japan finally made this important step, how Japan has changed, and more?

Who can come?

Citizens of 68 countries around the globe will be allowed to visit Japan without a need to obtain any type of visa. The short-term visit for most nations will be 90 days as it was before the pandemic. The only change is that now you need to show proof of getting 3 doses of any of the acceptable by-Japan vaccines. Or you can send a negative result of the PCR test three days before arrival.

What is the COVID situation in Japan right now?

The number of new COVID cases has been in decline since late August. However, there are still about 25,000-50,000 cases per day with about 90 daily deaths. With the numbers going down, the Japanese government also started to permit more social activities. As well, it omitted a request for wearing masks in the open air.

Why did Japan decide to reopen now?

Opening Japan was a much-desired move by many for quite some time, so why just now? As mentioned above, the numbers started to go down. At the moment the government decided to focus better on health care and the elderly and let live the others. Also, the yen is very weak. This might be not so great for locals but for tourism, it is a huge advantage, and the government expects tourists to spend more money here. The third reason is the upcoming season of foliage which is almost as popular as the cherry blossom season.

Did Japan change during the pandemic?

A simple answer is yes. In some ways. For example, many will be happy to hear that Japan became more cashless. Many more shops and restaurants accept cashless (sometimes only cashless) methods of payment. Also food delivery became more popular and you can find many more restaurants on Uber Eats or the local app, Demaekan.

When it comes to the tourist attractions, some were removed, like the famous Farris wheel in Odaiba. Some others were added, such as Nintendo Park which became the newest addition to USJ in Osaka.

Is the tourism industry prepared?

Japanese tourism industry seems to be ready and willing to accept tourists. Airline companies started to make announcements saying that the number of international flights is going to increase up to 90% from the pre-pandemic times. In addition, many new hotels open their doors to welcome tourists. Hotels are opening not only in Tokyo but all across Japan.

How tourism will affect the economy?

If the number of tourists will return to pre-pandemic levels, it will be a huge boost for the economy. However, nobody can predict how fast this is going to happen. There are a few reasons for that. The infections are still happening, this might stop some people from coming. Another thing is the absence of Chinese tourists. Before the pandemic, visitors from China were about 30% of all tourists. These days China is still closed for inbound and outbound tourism. So this gap should be closed with the tourists from the West.

7 events this autumn in Tokyo

“Spicy but Super Delicious” Gourmet Festival

August 26-October 2, Okubo park in Shinjuku

It has been three long years since the last “Spicy but super delicious” gourmet festival had been held. If you like spicy food and if you are brave enough to try some try hot dishes, head to Okubo park in Shinjuku. Here you will find anything from spicy kebab and curry to Korean topokki and Chinese dumplings.

Yokai Bon Odori

October 1-2, GREEN SPRINGS 2nd floor plaza

Yokai Bon Odori is a fusion of “Yokai” (spirits) and “Bon Odori”. It is an event where you can enjoy Bon Odori dances in Yokai costumes, live music, DJ performances, Yokai costume contests, food stalls, and more. The event should be very interesting, especially for kids, so definitely check it out.

SCAJ 2022

October 12-14, Tokyo Big Sight

If you love coffee, this event is for you! SCAJ is the largest coffee trade fair in Asia. Here you will be able to taste a wide variety of high-quality coffee beans that cannot be found anywhere else. You will be able to see and touch the newest coffee machines and other coffee-related products. Seminars and classes by the baristas from Japan and all over the world will be held during this 3-day event. Be noted that if you buy a ticket in advance, it will cost only 1,200 as opposed to 2,000 at the door.

Sumida Street Jazz Festival

October 15-16, Sumida Triphony Hall Large Hall, Sumida Park Theater Kura, Oyokogawa Shinsui Park Event Square

If you like music in general and jazz in particular, do not miss this community festival in Sumida. The entrance is free and the schedule of performances you can find here. At the same time and in the same place, there will be also Octoberfest. Here you will find all kinds of beer, even beer for kids, and of course food stalls.

35th Tokyo International Film Festival

October 24-November 2, Hibiya-Yurakucho-Marunouchi-Ginza area

This year Tokyo International Film Festival will be open with the world premiere of a new Japanese movie “Fragment of the last will” directed by Zeze Takahisa. The closing film will be “Living” by Oliver Hermanus from the UK. More information about the venues and tickets will be posted on the official website, so do not forget to check it.

Yumetsu Halloween Party

September 21-November 6, Yumenoshima Tropical Botanical Garden

For only 250 yen (adult fare) you can visit Yumenoshima botanical garden in Shinkiba and enjoy a view of the whole lawn decorated with more than 100 giant ghost pumpkins weighing 50 to 100 kg from Hitachiomiya City, Ibaraki Prefecture. Dedicated photo spots and other exhibitions will be also available at the venue.

Fiesta de Espana 2022

November 26-27, Yoyogi Park

This is the biggest Spanish festival in Japan. It attracts over 100,000 visitors each time. At the festival, you will find stalls with Spanish food, such as paella, al ajillo, and also Spanish wine. A cultural program includes flamenco dances, playing guitar, and other activities.

More posts by Tokyo Furnished:

Tokyo Neighborhoods by Category

Starting from September 7 even independent tourists can visit Japan. In order to do that, you will need to get a proper visa and a certificate for completion of registration to the Entrants, Returnees Follow-up System (ERFS). You need this document for a visa itself, for booking your tickets, your accommodation, etc in Japan.

A travel company in Japan is the one that can apply for this certificate for you. Once you applied, it takes about one week to process your request. When ERFS is issued, the travel company will send it to you. And when you receive it, you can send all the documents to the embassy.

When all your documents are approved, you will get your visa and you can come to Japan. You should know that this visa is valid only for 1 entry to Japan. Meaning once you left Japan, you will not be able to enter again even if your visa hasn’t expired yet.

Tokyo Furnished has collaborated with one of the travel agencies in Japan. If you have any questions or requests in regards ERFS certificate, you can send us an email with your specific needs. We will gladly help you connect with a trusted travel agency for better and quicker help.

Tokyo has a large number of dining options, from cheap fast-food chains to Michelin-starred restaurants, from traditional Japanese-style restaurants to stylish international cafes. And yet many people still struggle to find nice places. In this post, we will be talking about ways of finding cafes and restaurants in Tokyo. Nothing crazy or too innovative but many people are not aware of them. Let’s go!

Instagram Hashtags

One of the easiest ways to find a new restaurant or cafe is by using Instagram hashtags. You can type the area name and the word “cafe” and see what you get. This hack should work both in English and Japanese, but obviously, there will be many more options in Japanese. For example, try typing “Akasakacafe” or 赤坂カフェ and see what you get. This works not only for cafes, using this tip you can also search for lunch options (area name in Japanese + the word ランチ) or for dinners (area name + the word グルメ). Even if you are looking for a specific type of food, you still can search it by area, for example, 六本木ハンバーガー (Roppongihamburger), 渋谷コーヒー (shibuyacoffee) or more general 東京スイーツ (tokyosweets).

Reviews

Instagram is a great tool for finding dining spots that look interesting and photogenic. However, many times the post will not include information about the quality of the food. Hence, it is not recommended to make your choice based only on the photos. Try to see the Google or Tabelog (Japanese restaurant information and review website) reviews, and then decide if you really want to visit the place that caught your eye.

Google Maps

Instagram was created as a photo platform. Therefore even today a nice photo is one of the most important aspects when posting there. Many people will go to instaworthy cafes, while many older, less photogenic places might remain undiscovered. If you are looking for hidden spots, open Google Maps on your phone, choose an area, and focus on it. Then in the search line write “coffee”, “pizza”, “udon”, “sandwich”, etc, and see what you get. You will get pretty much an infinite number of restaurants and cafes. Now you can organize by distance, rating, open/closed right now, and more. If you are not going right now or found too many places you like, we recommend pinning and saving some of them for future opportunities. You can save the places directly in the Google Maps app, and even write a memo, explaining why you saved this location.

New Openings

If you are looking for information about the newest spots in Tokyo, you can search on Google for the following 新規オープン + area name in Japanese. The first website in the results will be Tabelog, open it and see the upcoming openings by date. By going to new cafes and restaurants, you yourself later can introduce these places to others on IG or Google Maps. By the way, just like with IG hashtags, also on the Tabelog website you can look for the restaurants by typing the area and what you want to eat (渋谷ラーメン (Shibuya ramen)).

These are the simplest ways to find eateries in Tokyo. We hope it helps!

Best Nomad Cafes in Tokyo

Best International Cafes and Restaurants in Tokyo

Guten-Free Cafes and Restaurants You Need to Know

Tokyo has plenty of sightseeing spots, attractions, parks, etc. Here are some of the top Tokyo neighborhoods by category.

Fashion and Style

For shopping of some of the world’s most known brands head to fashionable Omotesando or luxurious Ginza. Daikanyama is another stylish area with more unique and sophisticated shops, restaurants, and galleries.

History

If you like history and want to experience an atmosphere that will remind you how Tokyo used to be a few decades or centuries ago, you can visit these places. Asakusa is famous for its temples and shrines, and traditional cafes. Here you can rent a kimono or a yukata and take many stunning photos. The next area is Yanaka and Nezu, which were not very much known among foreigners until recently. That is a pity because it is absolutely treasured district, which will give you the vibe of old shopping streets. At Kagurazaka you can see and feel how Tokyo looked in Edo and Showa eras. Enjoy exploring Japanese cafes and home decor shops.

Young Towns

There are several areas where the young people of Tokyo like to go. Shimokitazawa is famous for thrift shopping, many small unique shops, workshops, and hipster and vegan cafes. Koenji is similar to Shimokitazawa but much less crowded. Harajuku and especially Takeshita Street used to be for decades the hottest spot for young people’s gatherings. These days many people still come here for Lolita shops, cafes, Instagram-able sweets, etc. Last but not least is Jiyugaoka, which is popular among people, mainly girls, who like sweets. Many cool cafes, and fantastic desserts, that you can try only here.

Areas for Family

if you are looking for a place to hang out with your kids, you can go to Odaiba or Kichijoji. Odaiba is an island which easily accessible from Tokyo. For a panoramic view, you can take a Yurakamome line or simply walk through the Rainbow Bridge. In Odaiba, you will find many attractions. Most of them are really great if you are visiting the island with kids. For example, you can find here a miniature-themed park “Small Worlds”, Legoland, or Kidzania. You can also take the kids and yourself for a walk on the shore or for a ride on a Ferriss Wheel.

Kichijoji is another popular area just outside of the Tokyo buzz. Almost always this place is ranked as one of the most desirable places for families to live in. That’s because it has everything you need for a comfortable life, easy access to central Tokyo, and also green spaces and parks. Inokashira Park is one of the most popular places all around the year but especially during the cherry blossom in spring. One zone of the park is actually a zoo and if you walk towards the Mitaka area, there is a Chibli museum too.

Nature

Many see Tokyo as a concrete jungle but this could not be any further from the truth. Even in central Tokyo, there are many green spaces, such s Shinjuku Gyoen, Yoyogi Park, Hamarikyu Gardens, and more. But if you get out just a bit, you can reach areas such as Todoroki Valley or Okutama. Todoroki Valley is located in Setagaya, you can get there easily by train from Shibuya. The place is green, quiet, and peaceful. It is especially beautiful in mid-late November when the leaves turn red.

Okutama is about 1.5 hours from Shinjuku station. Here you will feel even closer to nature. You can hike here, fish, visit Nippara Limestone Cave, or just get lunch at one of many cafes with offer stunning peaceful views.

Of course, it is very difficult to include all the amazing neighborhoods, attractions, and things to do Tokyo has to offer. But if you have to start somewhere, start with one of the areas mentioned above.

Our other posts about popular Tokyo neighborhoods:

A Guide to Azabujuban

Your Guide to Akasaka Area