This is really an "all thru Tokyo" tip but whenever you see a drink machine throw in a few Yen & try something new. Don't drink the same thing twice. ProTip: blue light = cold drink, red light = hot!
You'll need a friend who speaks Japanese to sneak into one of the sumo practice sessions, but if you can swing it, you should 100% do this. Get there early (8:30?) for good seats. And no shoes inside!
This is the owl cafe of your dreams! All the owls you can pet for the low low price of ¥1500! (a bit tricky to find, follow the map) ps: Don't pet their bellys or they bite!
OMG CAT CAFE! Come here just to see what it's all about, but be warned that if you come late in the day the cats will be all sleeeeeeeepppppy. ProTip: smuggle in some catnip to feel all VIP.
Stop whatever you're doing on Takeshita St & find this place (2nd or 3rd doorway on right, downstairs, after you walk under arch headed away from train station). Photobooths will turn you into anime!
Everyone will tell you it's "the best sushi they've had in their entire life!" & they're right. Go earlier than you think you need to go. ASK SOMEONE to make sure you're standing in the right line.
Long story short: My buddy said this was the best pizza in the world. I doubted him. I was wrong. Best pizza I've ever had. Get the margarita pizza, skip the marinara. You need the cheese.
This may be one of the most expensive meals you'll have in Tokyo, but it may also be the best delicious piece of meat you'll ever have. Order the Kobe, upper left on the menu. The big portion.
In our 8 days in Tokyo, we tried 9 diff ramens & THIS ONE was our favorite. (I wish we went back!) It's a short walk north of Shinjuku Station. Look for the 4-5 steps you gotta climb to get in.
This was rec'd to me as Best Ramen in Tokyo & it didn't disappoint. You order with 2 variables -- spicyness (I went 2 of 4) and numbing (I went 3 of 4). Numbing is amazing (& I'd rec'd going 4 of 4)
Non-descript ramen spot tucked around a corner but one of the best of the 9 ramens we had in Tokyo (and a top choice in Shinjuku for sure)
Ippudo is the wait-50-mins-to-get-in luxury ramen spot in NYC so I was surprised to learn its a chain in Tokyo. Not surprised it was delicious tho. Recommended.
Better than average ramen spot in Akihabara. A great place to drown your sorrows in ramen after you get your ass kicked at Street Fighter.
I know everyone says get the Tsukemen (aka: noodles on the side) but I enjoyed the ramen much more (one of my favs from our trip).
Touristy yea, but what did you expect from the place that lets you ORDER SUSHI ON AN IPAD AND HAVE IF DELIVERED VIA MINIATURE MONORAIL! Suck it up and go here, you tourist! Choo choo!!!!
I'll say it too -- best airport sushi you'll ever have. If you don't go for Omakase (you should!) at least do all the diff toro + Blue Fin Tuna
Delicious, but not sure it's worth the ¥10000 when there's so many other options nearby. If its on your itinerary (I'm talking about the Shinjuku location) skip & save your energy for the fish market.
One of the Golden Gai spots we really enjoyed -- bartender was super drunk, customers were super drunk, stairs were super steep, hilarity ensued.
One of our favorite spots in Golden Gai. Ask the owner to play you a song and he'll play you 10. Inside of the bar is full of "Ashita no Joe" (aka "Tomorrow's Joe") boxing manga.
Another great find in Golden Gai. Great cocktails, but if you leave here without trying a Japanese whiskey (great selection btw) you're a dummy.
Mike Ross (a Street Fighter World Champion !!) told me (via Twitter) this is where the pros play. Head downstairs, try to look like you belong & prepare to get your ass kicked. I barely won one round.
Head up to the 4th floor (?) to find the ¥10 Super Street Fighter 2 machines. There's only four of them so be patient!
Explore the cemetery as a great escape to the chaos of more crowded neighborhoods. Look for the "foreigner" section in the north side to see the contributions of ex-pats past.
Yes it's in the basement of the mall, but worth the trip to sample the apples and strawberries alone. (beware, Fuji apples can cost $8+)
You want the pork, not the fish. Pork = round or cutlet-looking. Fish = fish sticks. Beware the fish sticks.
The moment I checked-in here my Japanese buddy text me & said "You're doing Japan pretty well for a white guy!" Lots of weird stuff here so get the weirdest thing you can find (like a shrimp burger)
If you're looking for high class tempura, this is where you find it. Make sure to try the oysters. And don't snooze on the fruits they'll bring for dessert (the strawberries are incredible).
Awesome hipster-esque vintage / antiques store. Don't miss the room in the back left with vintage American flags, patches, etc
My buddy Ricky says this is the best soccer shoppe in the world. Note: this is the one in Harajuku (which is 10x better than the one in Shinjuku or Shibuya)
A little off-the-beaten path but great spot to find clothes you'd find the cool kids in Japan wearing. If I had a bigger suitcase I would have bought more. Rad jackets.
Excellent hotel for your first visit to Tokyo. The concierges are great, the bar is awesome, the breakfast is fantastic. Super $$$$, but you knew that. Only bad thing is it's 10 min walk to Shinjuku.
Yes yes, the Lost in Translation bar... but also home to one of the best Old Fashioneds I've ever had. If you're hungry, skip the pizza and Just Do It with the $38 burger.
If you're staying nearby, this is a great spot to walk off your Golden Gai hangover (or to just escape the madness of Shinjuku or Shibuya)
Seek out the biggest fish head you can find and take a photo with it. If you can beat this one, tweet me @dens.
Whether or not you're into video games, at least take a lap. Watch girls play the claw-crane games. See chain-smoking fighting game fans. Seek out the play-your-card games. Play the urinal video game.
Oh my Sweet Baby Jesus, if you are an old school video game nerd (NES, SNES, Sega, Turbo16) this is your mecca. Top floor has rows & rows of Famicom titles / posters / swag (and some SF2 machines!)
Take a break from the Shibuya madness and browse the racks and racks and racks of magazines. Don't miss the "how to do cos-play" magazines.
We went on New Years and it was an amazingly fun shit show. If you're visiting, worth checking out to see how the Tokyo kids do their Saturday nights.
Yes, full of tourists. And yes, every one of your friends told you to go here. It's batshit crazy in a way you won't see batshit crazy in the US. Maybe get super cranked before you go.
