Shibuya Crossing
sightThe intersection itself, best viewed from the 2nd floor of Starbucks at Tsutaya or from Shibuya Sky observation deck at blue hour. Peak chaos is 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
In Shibuya →Things to do in Tokyo
11 editorial picks across 2 neighborhoods — named restaurants, sights, bars, cafés, parks, and shops. Every entry lifted from our deep-dives, not an AI list.
— 3 picks
Sights & landmarks in Tokyo.
The monuments, museums, and photo spots actually worth the queue.
Shibuya Sky
sight229m open-air rooftop observation deck. Book 4 weeks ahead for sunset slots; general admission ¥3,000. Best Fuji views on winter mornings with low humidity.
In Shibuya →Hachikō Memorial Statue
sightThe loyal-dog statue at Shibuya Station's exit — meet point for half of Tokyo. Tourist trap, but the story remains genuinely moving. Photograph from the opposite side for the crossing as backdrop.
In Shibuya →— 2 picks
Where to eat in Tokyo.
Editor-picked restaurants from the neighborhood deep-dives — no tourist traps.
Tsukiji Gindaco
restaurantTakoyaki specialist on a nondescript side street — grilled octopus dumplings, 8 for ¥700, open late. The gateway Japanese street food for nervous first-timers.
In Shibuya →Kichijoji-style curry at Rojiura Curry Samurai
restaurantSoup curry, Sapporo-origin — rich broth, spiced vegetables, fried chicken, €11-15 a bowl. The line forms from 11:30 a.m. on weekends.
In Shimokitazawa →— 2 picks
Bars & nightlife in Tokyo.
Where to drink, from aperitivo terraces to locals-only dive bars.
Nonbei Yokocho
barDrinker's Alley — a row of 38 tiny post-war izakayas behind Shibuya Station, each seating 5-10 people. Knock, bow, sit; some only serve regulars.
In Shibuya →Basement Bar
barTiny (60-capacity) live venue — indie, punk, and hardcore across five nights a week. Door charge ¥2,500 + one-drink minimum.
In Shimokitazawa →— 2 picks
Cafés & coffee in Tokyo.
Morning stops, espresso counters, and bakery classics.
Blue Bottle Shibuya
cafeThird-wave coffee flagship inside a converted warehouse near Yoyogi-kōen. Single-origin pour-overs ¥800. The minimalist interior is a counterpoint to the neighbourhood's chaos.
In Shibuya →Café Trouble
cafeThird-wave coffee in a converted garage. The 8-seat counter makes a perfect morning stop before the neighbourhood wakes up.
In Shimokitazawa →— 2 picks
Shops & markets in Tokyo.
Souvenirs that aren’t embarrassing and the markets worth an hour.
Disk Union Shimokitazawa
shopOne of Tokyo's best record-store chains, five floors of new and secondhand vinyl organised by genre. Jazz and J-pop sections are standouts.
In Shimokitazawa →Ragtag Vintage
shopThree floors of designer vintage — Comme des Garçons, Yohji Yamamoto, Margiela from the 80s onward. Prices are fair by Tokyo vintage-store standards.
In Shimokitazawa →— FAQ
Planning Tokyo.
- What are the top things to do in Tokyo?
- We've listed 11 named places across 2 neighborhoods on this page — every one a real editorial pick, not an AI-generated suggestion. The grouped sections above (sights, food, bars, cafés, parks, shops) let you pick by intent. If you only have one day, work the "Sights & landmarks" list top-to-bottom.
- How many days do you need in Tokyo?
- Three full days is the honest floor for a first visit to Tokyo — enough to cover the essential sights without a march, plus two meals per day in different neighborhoods. Five days lets you add day trips. Anything less than three and you're queuing instead of experiencing.
- Are guided tours in Tokyo worth booking?
- For major sights with skip-the-line value (Vatican, Colosseum, Alhambra-tier queues) yes, almost always. For neighborhood walks — usually no, our free deep-dives cover the same ground in more honest detail. The CTAs on this page go to Expedia's tours inventory if you want to compare.
- What's the best neighborhood to base yourself in Tokyo?
- Depends on your trip style — our /hotels/tokyo page ranks the neighborhoods by price and vibe. Generally: central for first-timers, residential-adjacent for return visits, canal/waterfront if the city has one.
- Are these recommendations updated?
- Yes. Every named place on this page is sourced from our neighborhood deep-dives, each of which carries a "last verified" date. We re-check openings, prices, and closures at least twice a year and flag anything that's changed.