This is a collection of recommendations shared with me via my coworkers. The list is pretty long and it’s not super well organized. It grew as a collection of recommendations from multiple different people.
NEW RECOMMENDATIONS - December 2023
Lawren and I just got back from Japan and have a few new places to recommend in addition to the below.
Travel Tips
You can now load a“Suica card” into your Apple Pay wallet. For some reason, I wasn’t able to load the card with a Chase visa. After doing some googling, I used an Amex card to pay instead. Afterwards, you can use Apple Pay for the trains and subways around the city - so it’s super easy.(Narita Airport Express and Shinkansen still require tickets because they’re reserved seats)
Make sure you have plenty of cash as most places still accept cash only.
Google Translate is a useful tool to have installed on your phone in case you end up somewhere without english speaking staff / no english menu. You can take a photo and translate the photo.
Check out the rules for tax-free shopping if you’re planning to bring anything expensive back to the US - you can save about 10%
Go to Japanese convenience stores(Lawson’s, 7/11, FamilyMart) as they have tasty snacks, and Don Quijote for the crazy shopping experience.
Ginza/Tsukiji Area
TSUKEMEN RAMEN(dipping ramen): Rokurinsha - also recommended below, finally had the chance to try it. It’s incredible!
築地ワインスタンド88: Inside the bustling and chaotic fish market, there’s a hidden alley with wagyu nigiri, and a pricey but delicious wagyu sandwich.
Sushizanmai Main Branch: If you find yourself jet-lagged and awake at 3am, this sushi diner is open 24/7, so you can go any time.(Alternatively, if you’re up for it, you can wait in line at Sushi Dai, now located at the new Toyosu market, for their opening at 6am - I’ve never tried but heard it’s great!)
Turret Coffee: tiny, delicious coffee shop a few blocks away from the fish market.
Shibuya Area
TIGHT: Tiny 5 person bar in Shibuya that’s worth stopping by if you’re around.
Yakitori Tsukada: Multi-course yakitori with easy online reservations. Right next door is record bar 33 1/3rpm where the owner spins records from the 60s-80s with a decent japanese whisky selection.
Shinjuku Area
Udon Shin: incredible udon noodles in a tiny bar. If you want to go here, get a“ticket” from the machine right when they open up at 9am, and come back around 1030-1045am to get in for the first seating. Right next door is Coffee PUNKTO which has great coffee!
In Shinjuku Golden Gai, there’s a bar called“Bar Asyl”. It’s on the second floor up a tiny narrow stairwell. No cover charge, and the owner(Abe-chan) is super friendly and speaks english. They have a great selection of japanese whisky.
If you don’t have an unlocked phone, rent a portable Wi-Fi device. You can pick them up at the airport as long as you have a pre-booked reservation. You can get them in the city, as well, but it’s nice to not worry about it and pick it up right when you arrive. If you have an unlocked phone, it’s easy to buy a local SIM upon arrival.
If you’re planning to travel to multiple cities, investigate the JR Rail Pass. It may be cheaper than buying individual train tickets. You must purchase and receive the JR Rail Pass in advance of your visit.
Ghibli museum tickets can only be purchased in advance outside of the country. They allocate tickets per nationality for any given day. In my opinion, the museum is only worth it if you’re a big Ghibli fan – though it’s located in a cute town.
If you’re interested in securing a reservation to any high-end restaurants, you’ll need to go through a hotel/credit card concierge service. Most places will not accept reservations any other way because they do not trust foreigners to honor the reservation. If you’re planning to stay in an Airbnb, it may be worth staying in a hotel for one night if only for this reason. Alternatively, you can use a service like Voyagin, but they will charge you for making the reservation.
Favorite Places – Tokyo
Shinjuku Golden Gai
Do it.
A small alleyway with hundreds of tiny bars that only seat a few people at a time. A really intimate and fun experience. It feels like you’re being invited into someone’s home: pretty much the entire bar will be engaged in one conversation. There won’t be much english here, but it’s still incredible.
Note that each bar charges a cover fee(~$10 if I remember), so bar hopping can be expensive. Pick one or two places to stick and hang out for a while.
If you’re with a group, you’ll likely need to break up into multiple different bars.
Akihabara
The heart of Otaku subculture. Fascinating place and fun to check out the Japanese arcades.
Yoyogi Park: come here on a Sunday afternoon to catch the Elvis dancers.
NEW RECOMMENDATIONS - December 2023
Tips from Stephen