10 things to do in Tokyo

Since my first visit seven years ago, Japan has always had a special place in my heart. At the time, I only had faint memories of visiting China as a child, but otherwise, I had never traveled to Asia. That changed in 2017, when I booked a flight to Tokyo. After spending two weeks in Japan’s bustling capital, I was hooked. From the lively energy to the kindest people and the meals that left us speechless, I knew it would be a destination I’d keep coming back to - and I’m not the only one.

Since moving to Hong Kong, I’ve learned that many young people in the city visit Japan at least once a year. In fact, it’s so common that Hong Kongers joke about traveling to Japan as “going back to their homeland” or “visiting their second home.” Globally, interest in Japan is at an all-time high. In January, Tripadvisor reported that when it comes to places that have seen the greatest year-over-year growth in interest, Tokyo, Japan is the No. 1 Trending Destination in the World for 2024.

If you’re visiting Tokyo for the first time, here are 10 of the top things I did that you should add to your bucket list.

1. Witness the busiest intersection in the world

Nothing immerses you into the energy of Tokyo like watching Shibuya Crossing on a Friday night. Rumored to be the busiest intersection in the world, Shibuya Crossing feels like Japan’s version of Times Square. During peak hours, up to 3,000 people cross the intersection at a time, and one of the best views of the crossing is from Starbucks Shibuya Tsutaya. The store was recently reopened to the public in April after renovations and operates from 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., so grab a coffee, head to the second floor and watch the mesmerizing chaos below.

2. Wake up at dawn for the best sushi breakfast of your life

If you’re a sushi lover, you can’t miss eating an omakase breakfast, and Sushi Dai at Toyosu Fish Market serves one of the best. This humble restaurant opens at 6 a.m., but people arrive as early as 3 a.m. to secure a coveted spot at the sushi counter for that day. We arrived around 5 a.m. and got a reservation for three to four hours later. I wouldn’t recommend coming any time after 6 a.m., and after having visited Sushi Dai twice, I can confirm that it’s well worth the early rise and wait. The sushi is incredibly fresh, flavorful and melts like butter. The “trust the chef” omakase set is also a great value at 5,500 yen ($35USD) for 10 pieces of nigiri, consisting of the best fish of the day, one nigiri of your choice, tamagoyaki (Japanese rolled omelette) and miso soup.

3. Watch the sunset from Shibuya Sky

The most epic spot to watch the sunset in Tokyo is Shibuya Sky. While there are other observation decks in the city, this one offers a 360-degree view from the 45th floor, including multiple levels and escalators to make the experience more unique and immersive. Tickets sell out fast and are released four weeks in advance, so make sure to purchase them online and reserve your time slot as soon as possible, especially if you want to be there for golden hour and sunset.

4. Try the world’s first Michelin-starred ramen

In 2015, Japanese Soba Noodles Tsuta made history as the first ramen restaurant to receive a Michelin star. While Tsuta has since opened chains outside of Japan, nothing beats eating at the original restaurant. The signature dish here is the “shoyu soba,” with broth made from raw soy sauce that has been matured for two years and dashi made with three separate broths of chicken, clam and fish. It’s then finished with their signature black truffle oil, creating a deep umami flavor and a bowl of ramen that was truly life-changing when I first tried it in 2017.

5. Immerse yourself in the infinite crystal universe

teamLab is an art collective made up of artists, programmers, engineers, CG animators, mathematicians and architects. The group aims to create works of art that merges science, technology and nature to transcend the boundaries in our perceptions of the world - and the results are pure magic. While their exhibitions have been held in cities worldwide, one of my favorites is the Tokyo teamLab Planets, which features four large-scale artwork spaces and two gardens. From walking barefoot through water to artwork that changes under the presence of people to blur the boundaries between themselves and the art, teamLab is a magical and immersive experience that you can’t miss while you’re in Tokyo. Be sure to purchase tickets in advance.

6. Upgrade your wardrobe with Japanese street fashion

If you’re planning to shop for clothes in Japan, only pack half of your suitcase - you’ll need it. Japanese street fashion is one of my favorites, blending traditional and modern styles. On top of that, clothing is usually more high-quality, unique and well-crafted compared to what I find in the U.S. The neighborhood of Shimokitazawa is a shopper’s paradise, known for offering a wide range of vintage and thrift stores to visit. And if you’re a fan of Uniqlo, be sure to visit Uniqlo’s flagship store in Ginza, which spans 12 floors!

7. Visit the Mori Art Museum

The Mori Art Museum is a contemporary art museum. Located on the 53rd floor of the Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, the Mori Art Museum features originally-curated and thought-provoking contemporary art exhibitions with works by prominent Japanese and Asian artists from the likes of Takashi Murakami and Ai Weiwei. End your visit by spending time at the Tokyo City View, the 52nd-floor observatory with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Tokyo Bay.

8. Make your own instant ramen at the Cup Noodles Museum

There are a lot of non-traditional museums in Tokyo, but as a lifetime instant noodle enthusiast, this was the most memorable one that I visited. This interactive museum brings visitors through the creative process of Momofuku Ando, who invented instant noodles in 1958, as well as the evolution of instant noodle flavors and packaging throughout the decades. My favorite part of the museum is the My Cup Noodles Factory, where you can design and assemble your very own package of instant noodles by selecting a flavor of powdered broth and four freeze-dried toppings before watching the package get vacuum-packed and sealed. The museum is open every day except Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. As you can’t make reservations in advance, it’s best to arrive around 10 a.m.

9. Eat your way through Tokyo

I’m not exaggerating when I say that the food alone is a good reason to visit Tokyo. In fact, Tokyo is the city with the most Michelin stars in the world, with the city’s restaurants awarded with 263 Michelin stars in 2023. Even as you stroll through the city, you’ll try some of the best meals of your life at random street corners. While it might be overwhelming to know where to start, here are some of my recommendations:

• Kick off your day with a traditional charcoal grilled fish breakfast at Shinpachi Shokudo. This no-frills restaurant sells grilled fish sets, which includes your choice of succulent Spanish mackerel or miso-marinated king salmon, and comes with white rice, crisp pickles and miso soup. At 920 yen ($5.85USD), it’s an incredible value for a fresh and healthy breakfast.
• When a local friend introduced me to gyukatsu, or deep-fried breaded beef cutlets, at Gyukatsu Motomura, my mind was blown. The wait for Gyukatsu Motomura during peak hours can be upwards of one or two hours, so I’d recommend trying to arrive right when the restaurant opens. After your wait, you’ll be rewarded with beautiful pieces of wagyu beef cutlets that you cook over your personal hot stone grill. The beef cutlets are fatty, tender and melt in your mouth. The price starts at 130g for 1,930 yen ($12.25USD), so it’s another great value for your money.
• Open since 1913, Namiki Yabusoba is a long-standing local favorite, specializing in zaru soba, or freshly made cold buckwheat noodles with an ultra-flavorful dipping sauce. At the end of the meal, you can ask for hot water to be poured into your remaining dipping sauce to create a nourishing broth.

10. Take a relaxing weekend getaway in Hakone

If you want to spend some time relaxing outside of the city, Hakone is the perfect getaway. Located about two hours away from Tokyo, Hakone is a picturesque town known for its natural hot spring resorts, or onsen. We stayed for one night at Yamano Chaya, a hot spring hotel located in a bamboo forest, and were blown away by our experience. The property itself was an absolute dream - relaxing, beautiful and our room even had a private outdoor onsen. We also had a “kaiseki,” or 10-course dinner, served to our room, featuring fresh, local ingredients. After one night here, I had never felt more relaxed in my life. My only regret was not booking a longer stay. It’s worth noting that this is a relatively pricey experience, with Yamano Chaya’s basic rooms selling for around 51,000 yen ($325USD) per person for one night, and bookings are made far in advance for many of the onsens in Hakone. In my opinion, it’s worth the splurge and is a perfect way to end your trip.

For more everyday videos and clips from my trip to Tokyo, check out my Instagram Story Highlights.