Digital Art, Temples, and Tasting Menus

Chef Ryo Kataoka’s Kyoto sensation has branched out to Tokyo and set up shop within the plaza of digital art exhibition teamLab Planets (vegan-uzu.com). Here, one of the most beloved Japanese comfort foods – ramen – is remade in creative vegan fashion. The soup base is oat milk combined with miso, ginger, garlic, and sesame paste and topped with colorful vegetables. Vegan ice cream and teas are also available.

Make your way through a dazzling collection of multi-sensory art displays at teamLab Planets, dreamt up by a collective of artists founded in Tokyo back in 2001. There are two enchanting gardens and a series of water artworks, and music synchronizes with the digital displays. Viewers encouraged to engage with the work, go barefoot, and become one with this new universe.

Brush off any jetlag; you don’t want to sleep on the izakaya experience. These informal bars serving small plates and skewers are a quintessential part of Tokyo dining. Sample seven offerings in the bustling Shinjuku area with Ninja Food Tours. Along the way, your guide will divulge neighborhood secrets and stop at Tokyo’s neon town, Kabukicho.

Book your tickets at ninjafoodtours.com.

Ory Laboratory is on a mission to enable humans to participate more fully in society. Along with a line of tech products, in 2021, it opened The Dawn Avatar Robot Café, where staff can work from their homes or hospitals by controlling a team of avatar robots (dawn2021.orylab.com). Reserve in advance to sit in the OriHime Diner area where a robot will serve you from an extensive savory and sweet menu. There’s also a more casual bar counter and robot barista service for your coffee fix.

Begin at Sensoji Temple, the oldest temple in Tokyo, which draws Buddhists and tourists, who all must navigate a long approach of souvenir shops to reach the Thunder Gate entry (senso-ji.jp). Move on to a modern marvel, Tokyo’s 2,000-foot-tall Skytree (tokyo-skytree.jp) and its two observation decks.

Break for creme-filled melon pan sweet buns and fresh bread, sold straight from the oven at Asakusa Kagetsudō. Then stroll through Ueno Park, which offers up lawns, ponds, museums, a five-story Pagoda, and spectacular cherry blossoms come spring (kensetsu.metro.tokyo.lg.jp).

Revel in the ambiance as you sit down to dine in a building dating from the late 19^th-century Meiji period, with serene views of Ueno Park (innsyoutei.jp). The kitchen serves kaiseki-style (multi-course) meals, including traditional chicken sukiyaki (a Japanese-style hot pot with watercress). At lunchtime, you can also opt for a three-tiered bento box of delicacies.

Director Hayao Miyazaki designed this museum, which brings to life the enchanting world of Studio Ghibli. While it’s not a theme park, there’s a sense of whimsy, including a replica of the giant cat bus from one of his films and a life-size robot in the rooftop garden. Original sketches give insight into the creative process, and the Saturn Theater screens a short animated feature.

Buy your tickets at l-tike.com.

A bamboo-lined pathway brings you to architect Kengo Kuma’s striking building with double-height interiors that show off Japanese and East Asian art. The collection spans thousands of years, including ceramics, lacquer, calligraphy, textiles, sculpture, and armor. Save time to wander the Japanese landscape gardens, with ponds and statues, a masterpiece in their own right.

Buy your tickets at nezu-muse.or.jp.

Awe-inspiring shrines, an Insta-famous intersection, a statue honoring a faithful dog, and more sensory overload characterize the Shibuya district. Have some fun losing yourself in the hustle and bustle as you make your way from one highlight to the next.

Owner Shinya Sakurai trained for 14 years to become a tea master and watching how he skillfully prepares your brews is truly mesmerizing. There are several tasting and pairing options, chosen by the tea master himself from all over the country and prepared in the traditional way with essential oils, blossoms, and other elements to soothe and uplift the spirit.

Book your experience at sakurai-tea.jp.

Pulsing with energy, Harajuku is where eccentric street fashion, “kawaii” (cute) culture, and trend-driven cafes thrive. Go-to snacks include fluffy Japanese pancakes at Micasadeco & Café (micasadecoandcafe.com) and sweet cream and fruit-filled crepes. People watching among jostling crowds and along the labyrinth streets lined with vintage and secondhand boutiques can take its toll. When you’re ready for a breather, you’ll find peaceful grounds of Meiji Jingu shrine and Yoyogi Park (tokyo-park.or.jp) coexisting right nearby

A rich history of over 120 years of serving sushi using Edo-style techniques plus superb ingredients and a dash of creativity have added up to a Michelin star for Ginza Sushiko Honten (ginza.jp). Prepare for a two-hour omakase extravaganza and be sure to book in advance as there are only 10 coveted seats.

Ginza is famous for its upmarket boutiques and architecture. Itoya’s flagship stationery store counts two buildings and a total of 18 floors with 14 themed selling spaces, pop-up events, and even an indoor vegetable farm (ito-ya.co.jp). Dover Street Market is another hub, with Japanese brands like A Bathing Ape and Comme des Garçons represented, plus the delightful Rose Bakery (ginza.doverstreetmarket.com). You’ll also find the world’s biggest Muji store (muji.com) for functional home accessories and fashion.  

The art of kabuki, a classical Japanese dance-drama performance, has captivated local and international audiences for centuries. Kabukiza keeps the tradition alive by hosting enchanting shows almost every day. The Kabukiza Gallery, located on the Kabukiza Tower's 5th floor, casually introduces the magic of Kabuki to visitors with displays of props and costumes.