Yes, you’ll find exceptional ramen, sushi, yakitori and tea in Tokyo – but you can enjoy the world’s best pizza there, too. That’s how next-level the dining scene is in Japan’s capital. Its wood-fired slices outshine what you’ll find in Naples (just ask verified fans such as Momofuku’s David Chang, Fratelli Paradiso’s Gio Paradiso, Provenance’s Michael Ryan and Pizzeria Beddia’s Joe Beddia). Tokyo doesn’t just have the biggest haul of Michelin-starred restaurants in the world, it has an unshakeable commitment to food: where else can you eat six different scoops of sesame ice-cream in one go (like at Gomaya Kuki) or find a kilometre-long strip dedicated purely to cooking utensils (like Kappabashi Street)? The city is also home to outstanding architecture, memorable galleries, blossom-filled parks and significant sites of worship. Here are just a few ideas to fuel your travel dreams of Tokyo.
Takuo and Sumire Miyanohara’s Bar Orchard Ginza. Photo: Benito Martin
Cocktail hour in Tokyo
Takuo and Sumire Miyanohara’s Bar Orchard Ginza has a charming concept: single out a piece of seasonal fruit – whether it’s yuzu, dragon fruit or the “king” of Japanese strawberries (Amaou from Fukuoka) – and this bartending couple will transform it into a craft cocktail for you. It might be served in a toy bathtub with a rubber duck, which is part of the fun. Nearby is another acclaimed bar: Mixology Salon, which is recommended by Kuro’s Wanaka Teramoto.
“They do amazing tea-tails, which are like cocktails – but tea is the main ingredient and they are served in big burgundy glasses,” she says. Quay’s Taka Shino, meanwhile, is a fan of Tokyo Whisky Library in Omotesando: “The line-up of whiskies exceeds 1000 bottles from around the world, with some being from defunct distilleries never to be produced again.”
These colourful sake barrels at the Meiji Jingu Shrine sit opposite a wall of wines from Burgundy, France – the emperor liked his wine, too. Photo: Benito Martin
Temple time at Meiji Shrine
Sens¯o-ji is Tokyo’s oldest temple. It was built in honour of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, and was originally completed in the year 645. Another site of worship worth visiting? The Meiji Shrine, dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Sh¯oken, who helped modernise Japan.
Treat yourself at Hakkou
Tokyo is famous for its top-level restaurants, from the whimsical Den to the hyper-local L’Effervescence. For Juan’s Anna Ishiguro, Hakkoku – Ginza’s sushi temple – is a must-visit. “I always go here when I go to Japan,” she says.
Smokin’ hot at Fuku Yakitori
It’s hard to resist the smoky appeal of Fuku Yakitori. Its menu offers the customary charred chicken skewers, as well as more unexpected off-the-grill specialties (like smoked cheese with crackers, and blistered Hokkaido potatoes jammed with generous wedges of butter).
Tsukuji Fish Markets. Photo: Benito Martin
Go fish at Tsukuji Fish Markets
After key parts of Tsukiji’s old fish market relocated to Toyosu, the Tsukiji Outer Market is what remains – and is still worth visiting. Even if you’re not interested in seafood, this food hub’s many stalls have appeal: this site is home to Takashi Sano’s favourite knife shop (Nenohi Tsukijiten) and you can find everything from tamagoyaki (rolled omelettes) to green tea here. But people keep returning to Tsukiji’s sushi and seafood specialties for obvious reasons.
Shin Udon. Photo: Benito Martin
Oodles of noodles at Shin Udon
Shin Udon is a tiny noodle house with a big fan base. Its cacio e pepe udon inspired cookbook author Hetty McKinnon to create a tribute recipe in her To Asia, With Love cookbook. There’s often a long queue of people waiting to try this eatery’s soy-splashed version of the Italian pasta, which is served with bacon tempura.
Sando to go at Camelback Sandwich & Espresso
The egg sandwich stocked at Japanese convenience stores has inspired many chefs, from Andrew McConnell to Monty Koludrovic. Tokyo’s best take on this is actually served at Camelback Sandwich & Espresso, as perfected by former sushi chef Hayato Naruse: he adds a genius sting of wasabi to the pillowy egg “sando”.
Underground snacks at Tokyo’s Ramen Street
In Tokyo, you can eat magnificently in a train station: grab an eki (railway) bento for bullet-train trips or ultra-regional food souvenirs in between platforms. Ramen Street in Tokyo Station’s basement houses Rokurinsha, which is famous for its tsukemen (dipping-style ramen) – as well as Soranoiro, which serves steaming vegan and gluten-free noodle soups.
Shoppable feast in department store basements
Head to the basement of any department store, and you’ll discover a glorious food hall. Among the aisles, you might see casual meals, premium tea, remarkable food souvenirs and yes, those $200 melons you’ve heard about.
Pickled vegetables from Doremi Farm at the Farmers Market at the United Nations University. Photo: Benito Martin
Markets at the United Nation University headquarters
Tokyo’s most prominent farmers market takes place every weekend in front of the United Nations University headquarters and showcases flavours from Tokyo and beyond – like sorbet made with Nagano’s Kawanakajima white peaches. You’ll also see stalls stocked with raw honey, cloudy apple juice, pickled maitake mushrooms and rice cakes.
Pizza at Savoy. Photo: Benito Martin
Grab a slice at Savoy
Everyone from David Chang to top pizzeria owners (Joe Beddia and Carlo Mirachi) will testify to how world-class Tokyo’s pizza is. Azabujuban’s Savoy serves the city’s greatest version of this Naples staple, but Pizza Studio Tamaki and Seirinkan offer incredibly strong competition.
Art attack at Mori Art Museum
Remove their art collections and Tokyo’s galleries would still be fascinating. 21 21 Design Sight is co-founded by the late fashion designer Issey Miyake and housed in a highly angular building by Tadao Ando. Mori Art Museum offers a brilliant view of the city from its 52nd floor, while the National Art Center’s exterior resembles a giant glass wave. Exit via its gift shop: Souvenir From Tokyo is full of luggage-filling gems.
Casual eats at Kan in Meguro
Just as Spain has tapas bars, Japan has izakayas. They evolved from sake shops that originally offered snacks with the on-sale booze. Former Tokyo resident, Chat Thai’s Palisa Anderson singles out Kan in Meguro as a favourite. It’s where she had her first date with husband Matt. “We took the kids there on our 10th anniversary and it was still amazing.” Its casual plates include roasted onions with miso, bamboo shoots with fried prawns, and monaka desserts.
Tea master Shinya Sakurai. Photo: Benito Martin
Tea time at Sakurai
Settle in for an unforgettable tea ceremony at Sakurai. Shinya Sakurai spent 14 years becoming a tea master and extracts so much from his loose-leaf selection – whether smoking it for a heady brew or fashioning it into an elegant dessert. He can take one scoop of gyokuro tea and turn it into an umami-rich drink, then a citrus-infused cocktail and, finally, present it like spinach leaves you eat with a dipping sauce.
Photo: Benito Martin
Sky high architectural sights at Yasuyo Building
Tokyo’s skyline is marked by spectacular architecture, from the ultra-futuristic Shinjuku Ruriko-in Byakurenge-do temple to the twisted, angular ballet of the Yasuyo Building. Look out for Prada’s diamond-like boutique in Aoyama and Renzo Piano’s glowing Maison Hermès design, inspired by Japanese lanterns. Ken¯zo Tange’s Metropolitan Government Building’s towers have been compared to a modern Notre-Dame and are worth visiting for the observation decks’ stunning views.
Coffee break at About Life Coffee Brewers and Koffee Mameya
You can get your caffeine hit from third-wave specialists like About Life Coffee Brewers and Koffee Mameya, but you’ll want to head to a traditional kissaten, too. These Sh¯owa-era (1926-1989) cafés are retro wonders. Coffee Shop Ace has been run by the same brothers since 1971 and their nori toast, seasoned with soy sauce, is the city’s best bargain breakfast.
Nakano Broadway’s Daily Chico soft-serve. Photo: Benito Martin
Sweet treats at Nakano Broadway
For dreamy soft-serve, there’s Daily Chico in Nakano Broadway – which Attica’s Kylie Staddon and Ben Shewry consider a standout. “You can get six amazing colours on top of each other,” he says. “It was the best we’ve ever had.” Or go to Gomaya Kuki, which specialises in scoops of sesame ice-cream you customise with rich sesame oil and scattered sesame seeds. For exceptional blocks of single-origin chocolate – and the best chocolate ice-cream you might ever try – drop by Minimal Bean to Bar.
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden is home to 1100 cherry trees that showcase 65 different varieties. Photo: Benito Martin
Cherry blossoms at Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
In Tokyo when cherry-blossom-viewing season is on Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden is a superior spot for admiring sakura: it’s home to 1100 cherry trees that showcase 65 different varieties. The scenic gardens are worth a visit any time.
A kitchenware store on Kappabashi Street. Photo: Benito Martin
Kappabashi Street
“We always go as chefs. It’s like Toys ‘R’ Us,” says Sokyo’s Chase Kojima. Its countless kitchenware shops have supplied Tokyo’s restaurants for more than a century and sell everything from sesame grinders to traditional pottery. Sokyo’s Takashi Sano bought his hand-crafted sushi brushes here (from third-generation artisan Kumiko Miyagawa), while Kojima gets his knives from Kamata. Don’t miss the “sampuru” stores that display plastic food so realistic-looking, it belongs in a museum (a wave of fried rice emerging from a wok, mid-toss, is particularly impressive).
Try the “Superiority Water” in Tokyo
New York’s beloved Superiority Burger gets a thoroughly Japanese remix in Tokyo. Its “Superiority Water” is tap water brightly spiked with yuzu juice; yuba (tofu sheets) are served with “frizzled” onions, while focaccia is topped with caramelised sweet potato and enoki mushrooms. It’s not just one of the city’s top vegan-friendly spots, it’s brilliant, period.
The old town of Yanaka. Photo: Benito Martin
Visit Yanaka
Yanaka, Tokyo’s “old town”, is a beautiful and historic part of the city. Take a peaceful walk through the cemetery and visit Vaner, where Tsukasa Miyawaki makes exceptional cinnamon and cardamom rolls and other pastries you’ll want to order.
Sushi chef Michio Sato at The Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho. Photo: Benito Martin
Sleep in style at the Prince Gallery
Tokyo has exceptional places to stay. The Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho is worth booking just for the five-star views from your window. (You’ll want to slow-gaze at the glittery skyline in the cocktail bar, too.)
The ANA InterContinental Tokyo offers good reasons to dodge the snooze button: it has a Pierre Gagnaire bakery on its second floor and a breakfast menu by the legendary French chef (whose Michelin-starred restaurant on the 36th floor features his signature Cocktail de Poche dish inspired by memories of eating kaiseki during his first Japanese visit in the 1980s).
For more luxury hotels in Tokyo, visit Luxury Escapes. You can score some great travel packages and experiences around Japan, too – just visit the Luxury Escapes website.
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