Introduction
With no discernible centre, Tokyo's vast urban sprawl can be overwhelming on your first visit. The densely populated neon-lit centre is there if you want it, but go behind the concrete and Tokyo reveals itself to be a city of small back streets and quiet spaces. It also offers impeccable service, knock-out food and great shopping. No wonder Tokyo leaves other cities in its wake.
More from Tokyo PDF VersionEssentials
- Lunch is a bargain in Tokyo. Even the best restaurants offer a good-value set lunch.
- Don't pour your own drink if you've got company for dinner: fill your neighbour's glass and wait for them to return the favour.
- Invest in a few fresh pairs of socks: you need to be shoeless in many restaurants and offices.
- Don't be late, don't open and shut taxi doors (leave that to the driver) and handle any business cards received with care.
- Department store Tokyo Hands sells everything from rucksacks to paper underwear.
Two-hour tour
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Nezu Museum
6-5-1 Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku
+81 3 3400 2536
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Ota Woodblock Museum — Outstanding private collection of woodblock prints.
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Kenzo Tange's Olympic Arena — Architectural classic built for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
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Hotels
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Marunouchi Hotel
1-6-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku
+81 3 3215 2151
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Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel
26-1 Sakuragaoka-cho, Shibuya-ku
+81 3 3476 3000
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Park Hyatt Tokyo
3-7-1-2 Nishi Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku
+81 3 5322 1234
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Dining
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The Monocle Café
B1F Hankyu Men’s Tokyo, 2-5-1 Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku
+81 3 6252 5285
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Royal Host — All over Tokyo; try Harajuku.
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French Kitchen
Grand Hyatt Hotel, 6-10-3 Roppongi, Minato-ku
+81 3 4333 8781
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Omotesando Koffee
4-15-3 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku
+81 3 5413 9422
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Mus Mus
Shin-Marunouchi Building 7F, 1-5-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku
+81 3 5218 5200
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Yakumo Saryo
3-4-7 Yakumo Saryo, Meguro-ku
+81 3 5731 1620
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Cinagro
5-10-1 Jingumae, B1F, Shibuya-ku
+81 3 3400 4796
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Cujorl
22-8 Sakuragaoka-cho, Shibuya-ku
+81 3 5784 5818
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Bluestone
6-4-14 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku
+81 3 5485 0818
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Le Baron de Paris and Amour Karaoke
1F/B1F Aoyama Center, 3-8-40 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku
+81 3 3408 3665
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Maru
Aoyama KT Building B1F, 5-50-8 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku
+81 3 6418 5572
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New York Grill
3-7-1-2 Nishi Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku
+81 3 5323 3458
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Fuglen Tokyo
1-16-11 Tomigaya , Shibuya-ku
+81 3 3481 0884
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Reading
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Daikanyama Tsutaya Books
17-5 Sarugaku-cho, Shibuya-ku
+81 3 3770 2525
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Shopping
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Found Muji
5-50-6 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku
+81 3 3407 4666
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Shinjuku Isetan
Men's Building, 3-14-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku
+81 3 3225 2514
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Colobockle
1-1-54 Nakameguro, Meguro-ku
+81 3 3714 7393
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Bag from Kurachika Yoshida
5-6-8 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku
+81 3 5464 1766
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Spiral Records
5-6-23 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku
+81 3 3498 1171
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Transport
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Pasmo Pass — From ¥1,000 (€8) and sold in Metro stations; valid on the Metro, buses and JR lines. It can also be used to buy goods in shops.
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Rent a bike — Rent from Muji in Yurakucho. Cost-wise, normal bicycles are ¥525 (€4) and electrically assisted bicycles ¥1,575 (€13) a day during the week; ¥1,050 (€9) and ¥2,100 (€17) a day at weekend and during holidays. A ¥3,000 ($25) deposit is required, too.
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Limousine/car
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Nihon Kotsu
+81 3 5755 2336
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Fitness
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Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium — 50m pool and gym.
1-17-1 Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku
+81 3 5474 2111
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Imperial Palace — 5km circuit.
1-1 Chiyoda, Chiyoda-ku