I declare Tokyo a culinary paradise! This marked my second visit to Japan, and unburdened by typical tourist duties, I embarked on a whirlwind journey to savor the delicious tastes of Tokyo.

Over 9 days, I absorbed the city’s gastronomic delights at breakneck speed. Although I did venture to tourist hotspots out of necessity, my agenda was of the sweet and savory variety. I’ve tried to include links to all the notable restaurants and attractions I visited during my stay in Japan.

I encourage you to check out what sounds interesting and keep note of it if you ever plan to visit Tokyo! Feel free to reach out with any questions about my trip and inquire how my legs sustained an average of 8 miles of walking per day.

You’ll notice my schedule became less hectic as the days went on

Arigato Gozaimasu (Thank You).

Day 1: Arrival

• Red Eye Narita: My journey began with a red-eye flight to Narita International Airport at 8 a.m.
• Sensoji Temple: Despite the fatigue, I wasted no time and headed straight to Sensoji Temple
• Ramen Yoroiya: After exploring the temple grounds, I ventured to Ramen Yoroiya, a renowned spot for authentic ramen.
• Hotel Plus Hostel Asakusa: I checked into our cozy hostel to recharge.
• Sensoji Temple at Night: Eager to experience the temple’s ambiance at night, I returned to Sensoji for an enchanting evening stroll amidst illuminated lanterns and bustling crowds.
• Fuji Soba Asakusa: I had a hearty meal of tempura udon, a traditional Japanese dish.

Day 2: Shibuya and Shinjuku

• St. Marcs Cafe: Started the day at St. Marc’s Cafe, relishing chocolate croissants, egg croissants, and French toast before embarking on a walking tour of Shibuya with a friend from Thailand.
• Meiji Shrine: During the tour, we visited the iconic Meiji Temple.
  Afuri Harajuku: We refueled with ramen in Harajuku.
• Shinjuku Godzilla Street: I captured the vibrant essence of Shinjuku’s nightlife on my camera.
• Encounter with a Local: I had ramen at a cheap joint where I met a local who wanted to discuss America, adding an unexpected cultural exchange to the day.
• Return to Asakusa: Concluding the day’s adventures, I returned home to Asakusa, where a refreshing shower in the public male onsen (public bath) awaited.

Day 3: Akihabara Day

• Bakery and Café Yamazaki: The day started with a visit to a bakery.
• Walked to Akihabara: From Asakusa, I embarked on a picturesque walk to the vibrant districts of Ueno and Akihabara, soaking in the sights and sounds of Tokyo along the way.
• Bic Camera Pit Stop: I went to Bic Camera, where I purchased an electric toothbrush, mine having died in Cambodia.
• Super Potato: In Akihabara, I went to anime and manga shops with some nerdy redditers.
• Japanese Omelet: As rain started to pour, I returned to Asakusa, where I savored a Japanese-style omelet cooked on a personal grill—a truly memorable meal, albeit a bit pricey.

Day 4: Fish Market and Giant City Loop

• Tsukiji Fish Market: Headed to the bustling Tsukiji fish market, where I indulged in fresh sashimi for breakfast, accompanied by rice and miso soup.
• Tokyo Big Sight: Visited Tokyo Big Sight, a convention center with incredible architecture.
• Divers Mall and Gundam Plaza: Explored the nearby Divers Mall and Gundam Plaza.
• Statue of Liberty: Stumbled upon a surprising sight—a replica of the Statue of Liberty.
• Parasite Museum: Went to the Parasite Museum, which is exactly what it sounds like.
• Tower Records Shibuya: Made a pit stop at Tower Records and 7/11, picking up some curry pan bread.
• Recharge at Tulleys Coffee: Took a break at Tulleys Coffee to recharge my phone. 
• Return to Asakusa: After a long 10 hour day of exploration, I returned to Asakusa.
• Dinner: Ended the day with a hearty serving of katsudon (cullet with egg) from my familiar soba shop.
• Anime Dilemma: Attempted to watch anime online, only to realize that everything required payment unless I had a VPN—a minor inconvenience in an otherwise unforgettable day.

Day 5: Exploring Koenji

• Koenji Exploration: Ventured to Koenji, known as the real hipster district in Tokyo, where I immersed myself in its unique atmosphere.
• Poppins Cafe Visit: Enjoyed a cozy cafe ambiance while sipping coffee and indulging in cheesecake, taking in the vibrant surroundings.
• Chinese Restaurant: Satisfying hunger with a meal at a local Chinese restaurant.
• Temple and Vintage Stores: Explored the cultural side of Koenji, visiting temples and vintage thrift stores.
• Literary Escape: Went to a cafe, diving into the pages of “The Picture of Dorian Gray.”
• Ten-ya Tempura: Initially disappointed by a closed tempura spot, I stumbled upon an amazing chain in Nakone, where I indulged in the best tempura of my life.
• Tokyo National Government Building: Boarded a train to Shinjuku, where I visited the National Government Building, capturing breathtaking views of the city.

Day 6: Burger Town

• Gourmet Burger Experience: Went to at a renowned 5-star burger restaurant, Aldebaran.
• Tokyo Tower Exploration: Took a leisurely stroll to Tokyo Tower.
• Shopping Excursion at Uniqlo: Visited Uniqlo and purchased a windbreaker souvenir.
  Pokémon Center Visit: Embarked on a nostalgic journey at the Pokémon Center.
• Second Tokyo Tower Visit: Returned to Tokyo Tower for another photo op.
• Culinary Delight: Ended the day with eel tempura.

Day 7: National History Museum

• Ginza Food Court: Started the day with a simple yet satisfying breakfast at the mall food court, indulging in freshly baked bread to fuel my adventures.
• Luxurious Hot Chocolate: Treated myself to hot chocolate at Tulleys Coffee.
• Hokkaido Foodist Ice Cream: The best soft serve ice cream you’ll ever have.
• National Museum of History: Explored the Tokyo Museum of National History.
• Soba Satisfaction: Ended the day on a familiar note by returning to my usual soba place.

Day 8: Tempura Quest

• St. Marcs Part 2: Started the day with a delightful breakfast at St Marc’s Cafe.
• Tempura Quest: Went to Koenji to try the tempura restaurant I had seen earlier in the week.
• Ghibli Museum: Visited Khonjiii to catch a glimpse of the Ghibli Museum.
• Skytree Adventure: Embarked on an evening excursion to the Tokyo Skytree, an observation deck near Asakusa.
• Sushi: Grabbed some store-bought sushi for a convenient yet satisfying dinner option.
• Evening Relaxation: Ended the day with a comforting cup of hot chocolate at Tulleys.