Temples, Tasting Menus, and Immersive Digital Art

More of Our Favorite Tokyo Hotels

No trip to Tokyo is complete without sushi, and the city offers everything from quick, casual counters to conveyor belt-style restaurants (try Nemuro Hanamaru or Mawashizushi Katsu Midori) and exceptional omakase like at Sushi-Ya. For a quintessential Tokyo experience, head to Toyosu Market, the famous wholesale fish market where ultra-fresh seafood is served just steps from the auction floor. Early risers can line up for popular spots like Sushi Dai and Sushi Daiwa; around lunchtime, try nearby options such as Sushi-dokoro Okame and Ichiba Sushi for excellent quality without the long waits.

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 in 2001. There are two enchanting gardens and a series of water artworks, all synchronized with atmospheric music. Visitors are encouraged to engage with the work, go barefoot, and fully immersive themselves in the surreal surroundings.

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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-lit entertainment district, Kabukicho.

Book your tickets at ninjafoodtours.com.

Ory Laboratory is on a mission to enable people to participate more fully in society. Along with a line of tech products, 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 Sensō-ji 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 sprawling lawns, tranquil 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 filled with seasonal delicacies.

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.

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, with highlights including a replica of the giant cat bus from one of his films and a life-size robot in the rooftop garden. Original sketches provide 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 leads to architect Kengo Kuma’s striking building, with double-height interiors showcasing Japanese and East Asian art. The collection spans thousands of years, including ceramics, lacquer, calligraphy, textiles, sculpture, and armor. Save time to wander through 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, a statue honoring a faithful dog at Hachiko Square, and other sensory experiences characterize the Shibuya district. Have some fun observing the hustle and bustle as pedestrians stream through the Insta-famous intersection of Shibuya Crossing and then enter the fray. Neighborhood standouts include the Meiji Shrine (meijijingu.or.jp), the 360° open-air observation deck at Shibuya SKY (shibuya-scramble-square.com), and Nanzuka Gallery (nanzuka.com) for postwar Japanese artists and emerging talents in a range of styles.

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, carefully selected by Sakurai himself from across Japan and prepared in the traditional way, using 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 crepes filled with sweet cream and fresh fruit. People watching among jostling crowds and along the labyrinth of streets lined with vintage and secondhand boutiques can take its toll. When you’re ready for a breather, the peaceful grounds of Meiji Jingu shrine and Yoyogi Park (tokyo-park.or.jp) offer a serene escape right nearby.

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.

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