There are cities you dream about as a kid, then there are cities that live up to that dream when you finally land. Tokyo is one of them. It’s a place where contradiction makes perfect sense: chaotic and calm in the same breath, where hyper-colourful arcades and manga cafes live comfortably next to centuries-old gardens and quiet shrines. And for the fashion lovers? The thrifting alone is worth the airfare.
Right now, Tokyo feels charged with creative energy – especially with Rakuten Fashion Week Tokyo underway (until 9 September). It feels like everyone is there at the moment – the buzz is real, the FOMO is high and with tourism set to spike even more in 2026, this is exactly the time to go before the crowds and cost really start to climb.
So whether you’ve just touched down, or are plotting your dream itinerary, I’ve got you. I’ve just returned from a long weekend of wandering the city’s backstreets, eating far too well and clocking the little things that make all the difference. Like where to actually queue (and where not to), how to avoid the obvious tourist traps – and which neighbourhoods really come alive after dark.
This isn’t just a hit list, it’s a guide to living the city, even if you’re only there for a few days. Because Tokyo’s not a place you visit; it’s one you absorb. Let’s get into it...
Day 1
Check Into... YOTEL Tokyo Ginza. Tokyo finally has its first YOTEL in the heart of Ginza, the city’s luxury-meets-local dining district, and only a 15-minute walk from Tokyo Station, so the bullet train is basically on your doorstep. Inside the room, it’s all about smart design, featuring YOTEL signatures like the adjustable SmartBed™ (yes, it rises at the touch of a button), great-pressure rain showers with Urban Jungle amenities, and floor-to-ceiling windows looking out to Tokyo Tower and a busy crossing below. Hidden details keep things clever – even the ironing board folds out from behind the mirror.
Downstairs, Komyuniti restaurant and bar is your anytime, any-mood hangout. From breakfast bowls and Japanese craft beer to late-night sake, it’s got that cool crowd energy to it. The Mission Control check-in zone is sleek and self-service, and there’s even a robot crew to bring extra towels to your room. Add in a 24/7 gym for jet-lag runs and bespoke art from local illustrator Mio Fukukawa in the lobby, and it feels less like a hotel and more like a laid-back city base camp. Drop your bags, plug in, recharge, and then head straight back out.
Dive Into The City At... Tsukiji Fish Market a bustling playground for foodies, especially seafood lovers! The atmosphere is electric but for a less crowded experience go before 9am or around 11am, but heads up – it’s closed on Sundays!
Then, Hit The Shops In... The Shibuya District. It’s the place to go shopping in Tokyo. Have a browse, grab a sushi snack, then hop to the 12-floor Uniqlo flagship store. Prices are much friendlier than at home (London, for me), so pack some luggage within your luggage to carry it all back – and don’t skip out on GU (Uniqlo’s cooler, younger sibling), either.
Find Some Calm At... Le Labo’s Tokyo store. This one was high on my list and it absolutely delivered. Its understated exterior blends seamlessly with the traditional Japanese courtyard style. There, you can try the exclusive Tokyo-only scent Gaiac 10 – a subtle clean, woody and musky scent that’s often described as “your skin but better”. Pause in their garden for matcha that rivals all the others in the city. Cute, calm, and very photogenic.
Lunch Like A Local at... Joto Curry. No Tokyo trip is complete without a taste of katsu curry, and Joto Curry (which is just down the road from Shibuya’s main shopping area) does it better than most. The portions are huge and ordering couldn’t be more Japanese: choose your meal at a vending machine, get your ticket, hand it over and wait for the culinary magic.
Get ‘The Shot’ At... Shibuya Crossing. When in Rome Tokyo, you have to do the iconic crossing, right by the exit of Shibuya Station Hachikō. It’s said to be the busiest in the world – an it’s an experience, for sure!
Head For Sunset Drinks At... Cé La Vi, a rooftop bar and restaurant just a short stroll away. If you can, time your visit for happy hour (watch the neon light flicker on to signal it’s time) and toast to your first day in Tokyo with their Cacao & Pistachio Negroni. It’s like nothing you’ll have tried before!
Carry On The Party At... One of the tiny bars dotted around the Shinjuku Golden Gai area – six narrow streets crammed with more than 20 bars! Each only holds about eight people max. But that’s the fun of it – you never know what you’ll stumble into.
Finish The Night With... Karaoke. Head to the Roppongi district, where you’ll find karaoke bars everywhere. They’re so affordable, open until the early hours and usually offer unlimited beer packages. (Tip: if you don’t speak Japanese, ask the staff how to flip to English menus, so you can find your favourite songs.) As tempting as those unlimited beer packages are, try not to go too heavy – you have an early train the next morning. On your way back to your hotel, grab a turmeric shot from any convenience store you walk past for a nourishing boost – every little helps.
Day 2
Start The Day With... A hearty traditional Japanese breakfast at Ginza Breakfast Lab, which is less than a five-minute walk from the hotel. It has everything from grilled fish and white rice to a rolled omelette with a side of miso soup and pickles. Perfect for preparing you for the journey ahead...
Head Out Of Town On... A Bullet train (Shinkansen). It’s time for a day trip: as intoxicating as Tokyo is, you have to experience Kyoto, too. It’s the ultimate antidote: slower, calmer and less than three hours away. Train tickets can be pricey, so booking ahead will save money and stress. Grab a window seat on the right-hand side (an ‘E’ seat on standard cars) to get a full view of Mount Fuji as you speed past (content gold!).
Unwind At... An Onsen Spa. Tucked into the mountains, just outside of Kyoto in Sakyō-ku, Kurama Onsen (hot spring) feels worlds away from the city, even though it’s an easy 30-minute train ride away. It has indoor and outdoor baths but go for the open-air rotenburo if you can – it’s hands down one of the best resets you’ll find.
Refuel At... Nishiki Market – all that relaxing means you’ll have worked up an appetite. Head back into Kyoto on the train, and downtown you’ll find the market known as Kyoto’s “kitchen” – a 400-year-old street of more than 100 vendors selling delicacies, ingredients and souvenirs. A must-try is Kobe beef grilled with just salt and pepper, but don’t walk and eat – it’s frowned upon. Many stalls have standing counters, so pause, enjoy, then move on. Afterwards, grab mouth-watering dumplings at MOTOI Gyoza down the road. The olive oil and ponzu versions are a must, so when the food coma hits, it’ll be just in time for a dreamy train nap on your way back to Tokyo, to prep for your final day.
Day 3
Grab “really good” Coffee At...Bongen Coffee. The shop is small, and there’s usually a queue but worth the wait, especially their signature Bongen latte which was so good, I went twice.
Hunt For Thrift Treasures In... Jiyugaoka. Tokyo thrifting is not the casual-browsing kind of shopping. You’ll want to dedicate a whole day to it, and go with a plan. My haul included near-mint Margiela Tabi loafers for a fraction of retail price, pleated Issey Miyake trousers and a Marni shirt with stitched-in details from only a few seasons ago. Jiyugaoka is the neighbourhood to aim for: it’s dubbed “Tokyo’s little Europe”, with cobbled streets, patisseries and cafés to reset between shops. Vintage stores Kindal, 2nd Street and Book Off are the ones to add to your list – they’re all within a five-minute walk of each other.
Stop For A Foodie Treat Of... Milky-Calpis, Japan’s cult milk-based soft drink, which you can get from a convenience store, then head to Aburasoba Kasugatei, just a stone’s throw from 2nd street thrift store, for Tsukemen – cold noodles dipped in soy-based sauce that are pure comfort. It’s fast food, Japanese-style.
Stock Up On Local Treats At... 7-Eleven before your flight. Trust me and get the egg sandos, onigiri and chocolate rusks – you’ll be grateful for them at 30,000 feet. And if you’ve got some energy left, hit up Don Quijote, Japan’s discount mega-store, in Shibuya. It’s a little chaotic but brilliant for snacks, beauty products and last-minute souvenirs to use up any leftover yen.
Go For A Last Dinner At... Mo Mo Paradise. Order the shabu shabu: a bubbling hot pot in which you cook thin slices of beef and vegetables and customise with sauces. Then, demolish the unlimited matcha ice cream for dessert. It’s fun, communal, and the ultimate finale to your trip.
Tokyo Travel Toolkit: A Few Helpful Pointers...
Tokyo is easy to navigate, once you know a few tricks. Whether it’’ your first time or you just want to avoid rookie mistakes, these quick tips will save you time, money and stress, so you can focus on enjoying the city...
- Use Public Transport: Taxis and Ubers are around, but trains are faster and cheaper. Grab a Suica card by downloading the app; it works on trains, buses, and even in convenience stores. Google Maps and Citymapper are also lifesavers.
- Keep Cash On Hand: Japan’s rep for being cash-only is fading, and cards are widely accepted, but keep some yen handy just in case.
- Get An eSIM: Download an Airalo eSIM before you fly, then activate on landing for cheap data.
- Download The Google Translate App: Use the picture function to decipher menus, shop signs and even random labels in Don Quijote.
- Follow Local Etiquette: Don’t talk on the phone while you’re on public transport, follow the quiet rules and always stand on the left!
- Decide On A Thrifting Strategy: Leave it to the last day so you’re not lugging around purchases if you have an early check out. And pack light – you’ll definitely need suitcase space for the trip home.
