Japan Guide

Tower Records is alive and kicking in Japan. Find collectable CDS, Kpop, k-dramas, and browse the vinyl at this 9-story musical adventure.

Don Quijote is a discount store located all over Japan. It is brimming with snacks, clothing, toiletries, makeup, and more. It is the go-to shop for finding pretty much anything, but it is famously known as a maze. If you’re sensitive to never-ending sounds and crazy music, I recommend sound cancelling headphones, or just avoid it!

Although the inner grounds are off-limits for the majority of the year, visitors are still able to explore the parks and gardens free of charge and without registration. If you'd like to see the Imperial Palace, you have to get a free ticket for a guided tour. I've included links to apply for the tour! The area is divided into three main sections: the East Gardens, Kitanomaru Koen Park and the Kokyo Gaien National Garden—all surrounded by a great jogging and biking route for those who would like more than a stroll.

My personal favourite location amongst the temples and shrines in Tokyo, this spot is located in Harajuku, a bustling shopping area. The shrine has a huge gate, and after a 5-10 minute walk down the gorgeous opening pathway, the city becomes totally drowned out by birds and rustling trees. Truly gorgeous to behold, and if you're lucky, you might see a traditional Japanese wedding ceremony taking place here as well.

Can you believe this is in Tokyo? There are three entrances to this temple. The Sanno torii gate (wooden gates found at the shrines) entry is the most convenient because it has an escalator next to the stairs to get up to the hilltop shrine! Heck yes for easier accessibility. In mid-June, Hie Shrine has the Sanno Festival, one of Tokyo’s three major festivals. Worshippers dance and sing to the beat of taiko drums and there are hundreds of lanterns dedicated to the deity.

I've been twice to this excellent indoor exhibition. Room after room of exciting otherworldly art, this art exhibition is 100% worth the visit. TIP: Make sure you wear clothing that can be rolled up to your knees, as there are a few rooms filled with water. Also, there are mirrored floors in some of the rooms so if you wear a skirt, wear some shorts underneath. They provide you with a free locker for your stuff, so you can enjoy it with just a phone or camera.

A very busy outdoor street known for shops selling colourful fashion clothing in the quirky Harajuku kawaii style. You can get rainbow cotton candy, cheap crepes, and pick up some quirky fashion items. I personally find this street to be too packed for my personal taste, so I recommend going mid-week and avoiding the weekends. I am a fan of Cat Street, which is located on the other side of this street, I've added it below!

Featured in the video "Tokyo Tours: Tsukiji Station: Ramen 🍜 Purin 🍮 Robot Conbini 🤖" Tsukiji Outer Market is still a great place for delicious fish and seafood meals. Shops are run by the locals, and sometimes are closed on odd days, such as Tuesday or Wednesday, so if you're interested in a specific place, check the shop's hours online first. The famous “inner market” known for the early morning tuna auctions, is the only thing that has been moved, and it is now found in Toyosu Market.

Japan's flagship Uniqlo fills 12 floors with quality, cheap clothing for men, women, and children. Limited-edition exclusives, elevator and escalators are available. I recommend buying Airism in the summer, sweat wicking undershirts and tank tops, and Heat Tech, warming underclothing that is super thin and affordable.

Don Quijote is a discount store located all over Japan. It is brimming with snacks, clothing, toiletries, makeup, and more. It is the go-to shop for finding pretty much anything, but it is famously known as a maze. If you’re sensitive to never-ending sounds and crazy music, I recommend sound cancelling headphones, or just avoid it!

A massive cosmetics store with many different brands available all under one roof.

From Japanese fake food, kitchen knives, utensils, plates, and more this popular shopping street is worth the visit if even just to window shop. If you’re wondering what those dopey looking turtle-frog-dinosaur statues are located around this area, they’re Kappas. The kappa is a Japanese water demon from the days of folklore, who would lure people in ponds and lakes and drown them 😳😱 Nowadays the kappa is often depicted as a cute turtle or frog with a lily pad on their heads, and their dark folklore history is usually left out.

A modern mall in the heart of Shibuya, with a focus on subculture. Trendy shops, a record store, and lots of otaku focused places. Don't be put off by the floor level high-end shops! The basement floor is great for restaurants and bars, nicknamed "Chaos Kitchen" it's one of the coolest food halls around. From Campy! Bar, run by a famous local Drag Queen, to Beer Boy, one of my fav shops for local craft beer. There is a rooftop garden on the 10 Floor, and be sure to check out the Nintendo store on Floor 6, and the pop-up shops are always changing.

For big time Pokemon fans! A cafe with limited edition items for sale as well as adorable food. There are always seasonal or promotional menu items, and you can buy the plates and mugs that are used in the cafe. There are also mascot plushies that you can only buy here, like Chef Pikachu. If you want to purchase any “special goods” you will have the opportunity to do so ONLY when you make a reservation. Bookings open days 31 in advance (from 6 p.m. JST), and fill up quickly. You must make a reservation by 10 p.m. the day before (no same-day reservations). Walk-ins are only accepted on rare days when there is an opening (or a cancellation). If you are more than 15 minutes late, you will lose your reservation.

A seven-story shop where you’ll find anything from magazines, DVDs, and CDs to character goods and some limited-time displays. You’ll can buy books and magazines and also fun items like anime-themed keyboards, stationery, mugs, and clothes.

The Akiba Culture Zone is home to several floors of otaku-related goods. You can buy anything from games and manga to clothes, character figures, and more. -the first two floors are home to over 400,000 books, magazines, and games -the third floor sells clothes -the fourth floor sells toys and figurines -the fifth floor is for karaoke and buying souvenirs -the sixth floor is home to a cafe where cosplay girls serve the customers

Akihabara Electric Town—affectionately known as Akiba—is famous for its densely packed buildings crammed full of anime, manga, and game paraphernalia. TIPS: Radio Kaikan and Mandarake are good for manga and anime. Check out "Super Potato" a historical shop in Akihabara, full of retro games and ancient relics from the 80s, 90s and all other decades.

While capsule toys, aka "Gachapon" can be found hiding all over Japan, this particular retro location has a lot of unique types of toys to be found. It is quite narrow and can be busy, but bring your coins and you'll be guaranteed to be lost in here for at least an hour!

Featured in a Tokyo Tours "Nakano Broadway ★ Capsule Toys, Cafes, Craft Beer" Welcome to the chaotic magic of Nakano Broadway. This maze of a shopping mall is like stepping into another era with something here for everyone. Here are some of my tips before entering this labyrinth: - There are no windows, so after an hour or so, it can start to feel a little claustrophobic. - The lighting can be quite harsh and green in parts. - Stores can be very narrow, so be aware if you have a backpack or are carrying a lot of things. - If things get a little overwhelming, there are elevators on all floors that can take you to 1F and to freedom.

CURRY HOUSE CoCo ICHIBANYA", known as "CoCoICHI", is a chain restaurant specializing in Japanese-style curry rice. They have vegetarian and halal curry at most shops, as well as English on the menu.

Check out my King Kogi YouTube video on "Royal Host Club" for a guide. This is a family restaurant with a large English menu offering both foreign food and Japanese comfort foods. Open for breakfast and good when you're having a hankering for bread and scrambled eggs at a cheap price. They have bombastic desserts that change with the season.

Kura Sushi is a famous chain of conveyor belt sushi restaurants with more than 500 locations throughout Japan. They have a touch screen ordering system, so you simply switch the menu to English, and order away! The food, drinks, and dessert are all ordered to your table on a conveyor belt, with a little warning bell that alerts you to the arrival. Good for people who are picky too, as they often items that do include fish, such as fries, tasty beef sushi, ramen, and more.

A vegan ramen shop that's super delicious regardless if you have a food preference. This branch of T's Restaurant has a signature dish being creamy, sesame tantan ramen. Offers also salads, curry, and soy meat meals. Has a grab n' go case and prepared foods, great for getting a meal for taking aboard the Shinkansen 🚄

A tofu dessert shop serving elegant "almond tofu" in various ways. You can also enjoy it take out, and they also offer a pastry and ice cream combo.

Tickets must be purchased in advance to enter. I’ve included a link to the English website to purchase tickets 🎟️ Photography and videography is not allowed while inside the museum, and that makes it EXTRA engaging and magical. Tiny doors and little details hide all over this museum, which is much more like an art exhibition. The gift shop is usually packed, but there are lots of items for fans to buy, including dishware, toys, stationary, and the movies with English and Japanese on DVD.

If you’re looking for second hand clothing, a young university crowd, hipster restaurants and cafes, this is the area for you. I've pinned this iconic under-the-track mall, but you'll be starting at Shimo-kitazawa Station, called “shimo” by the locals. This area is slightly off the Shibuya path, but feels so different than the downtown core. Lower buildings, persevered back alleyways, and small shops. Spend a whole day just exploring this area!

The 60-story building at the east entrance of the station, Sunshine City, is a landmark within Ikebukuro and features an aquarium, planetarium, theme park as well as an observation platform. It has restaurants and tons of shopping including Disney, Pokemon, and Ghibli shops. There are anime and manga themed places available too. NOTE: many shops are closed Monday, so check online before heading to Sunshine City if you're aiming for a particular shop!