Tokyo, Japan

Why Tokyo?

Tokyo is the city that makes the future feel like it already happened — and somehow still has 400-year-old temples around the corner. It’s a place where you can eat at a Michelin-starred ramen shop for $10, sleep in a capsule hotel, watch sumo wrestlers train at dawn, and party in a six-story arcade all in one day. Tokyo consistently ranks as one of the safest major cities on Earth, the trains run to the second, and the food is arguably the best in the world.

What to Do

Classic Tokyo

Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa is Tokyo’s oldest and most visited temple — the approach through Nakamise shopping street is iconic. Walk the world-famous Shibuya Crossing, then head up the Shibuya Sky observation deck. Meiji Jingu shrine, nestled in a forest in central Harajuku, feels miles from the city.

Food Adventures

Tsukiji Outer Market is a food lover’s paradise — sushi, tamagoyaki, and fresh seafood at 7am. Explore ramen alleys in Shinjuku for rich tonkotsu bowls. Try depachika (department store basement food halls) for beautifully packaged bento and wagashi sweets. A conveyor-belt sushi spot can deliver incredible quality for under $15.

Pop Culture & Nightlife

Akihabara is ground zero for anime, gaming, and electronics. Harajuku’s Takeshita Street showcases Tokyo’s wildest fashion. At night, the narrow alleys of Golden Gai in Shinjuku pack 200+ tiny bars into six lanes — each seats maybe six people.

Pro Tips

• Get a Suica/Pasmo card — it works on all trains, buses, and even vending machines.
• Convenience stores (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart) serve genuinely excellent food.
• Bring cash — many small restaurants and shops don’t accept cards.
• Don’t tip — it’s considered rude in Japan.
• Visit TeamLab Borderless (book tickets weeks ahead) for immersive digital art.