Is it odd that on my first trip to Tokyo, I did more eating than I did actual sightseeing? No regrets whatsoever! Tokyo is essentially a food heaven, with practically every picturesque corner offering a delectable menu for all of your various palates. You could literally just walk aimlessly around when hungry, select a random restaurant, and leave happily full and satisfied! With so many choices, it can get a little overwhelming, so here I’ve listed some of the swoon-worthy places I encountered on my trip. From matcha to all-you-can-eat shabu shabu, here is a sampling of where to eat in Tokyo!
You honestly can’t visit and leave Tokyo without ever getting something matcha! We found Jugetsudo by chance and it was one of the most memorable experiences, dessert-wise. Tucked away on the fifth floor of the Kabukiza Tower, it overlooks a small and peaceful Japanese garden and serves matcha in various drink and dessert forms, such as Yuzu Matcha Smoothie and Matcha Parfait. There’s also a retail corner that sells a wide selection of snacks and green tea: famous Matcha, Genmaicha (green tea with small roasted brown rice), Genmaicha with Matcha, Hojicha (roasted green tea), Gyokuro and classic Sencha. We picked up some tea packs and matcha chocolate as souvenirs for friends as well as a matcha pudding and matcha mont blanc dessert for ourselves, and they were heavenly, rich in matcha flavor the way matcha desserts are meant to be.
4-12-15 Ginza, 5F Kabukiza Tower, Tokyo 104-0061
More matcha offerings! Nana’s Green Tea was recommended to us as one of the must-visit matcha joints, and we actually found this one coincidentally when we were about to leave Tokyo Disney Sea! With multiple locations throughout Japan, it shouldn’t be too difficult to come across one in the city, and with an extensive menu from drinks to desserts and small bites, you’re bound to be find something fit for your palate.
Multiple locations
Bet you’ve never ordered ramen on a kiosk before! At Afuri Ramen, I highly recommend the yuzu shio ramen here (if you’re more of a shoyu person like me, I can tell you that the yuzu shoyu ramen is amazing too!). Get a novelty kick out of ordering on the machine, and remember to collect your change and order ticket! Then take a seat at the counter, hand the ticket over, and prepare yourself for some good ramen!
Multiple locations
Yakitori on Shinjuku Omoide Yokocho
In Shinjuku, there is a little street completely lined with yakitori joints. From chicken skewers to vegetable sticks, there’s something for everyone. Wander through, and take your pick. You really can’t go wrong on a street that’s famous for yakitori!
Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku, Tokyo
Sushi at Tsukiji Fish Market
It’s a major tourist attraction with all the different kinds of fresh seafood lining the sidewalks, but it’s still a must-visit for anyone’s first time in Tokyo! There’s an inner market for wholesale and tuna auctions, but the outer ring consists of retail shops and restaurants that cater to the public. A piece of advice: go early! We went around 1PM and most of the restaurants were either already closed or taking last call, but we managed to grab a quick sushi lunch next to the ever-so-popular Sushi Dai.
5 Chome-2-1 Tsukiji, Chuo, Tokyo 104-0045
Did you know Shiseido has its own cafe? Scratch that – did you know Shiseido has its own gallery, patisserie shop, cafe, restaurant and bar in Ginza? Right across from its beauty retail store is a gorgeous red building with the words Shiseido Parlour etched on the front. For some top-notch fancy afternoon tea, check out the Parlour Cafe on the third floor, then move upwards to the restaurant and finish off the night with a cocktail at the swanky bar on the top floor. Don’t forget to pick up some sweets on the first floor to take home with you for even more decadent indulgence!
8-8-3 Ginza, Chuo, Tokyo 104-0061
Aoyama Flower Market & Tea House
Flowers and tea. This just might be the smartest combination ever, and I’m bummed that there has yet to be a teahouse like Aoyama Flower Market & Tea House here in New York City. This was recommended to me by a good friend, and I’m so delighted I was able to check it out! From sipping flowers among gorgeous shades of rununculus against a wall of manicured ivy to browsing through even more floral arrangements in the adjacent cozy yet lovely flower market, this teahouse is an afternoon treat all on its own.
5-1-2 Minamiaoyama, Shibuya
New York Bar at Park Hyatt Tokyo
Get those Lost in Translation views and vibes at the New York Bar, located inside the Park Hyatt Tokyo. Snack on yummy small bites accompanied by well-crafted cocktails and beers with NYC-inspired names while gazing out to a spectacular night skyline view. We went before 8PM so we didn’t have to pay cover, but if you’re thinking of swinging by after 8PM, be prepared to pay a cover charge of 2,400 yen (exclusive of tax; staying guests of the hotel are exempt), but you will also get to enjoy live entertainment and jazz performances. Classy and chic, there’s no better place to get a taste of New York in Japan than here at the New York Bar.
3-7-1-2 Nishi Shinjuku, Shinjuku-Ku, Tokyo 163-1055
When in Japan, you simply must try a traditional Japanese mochi dessert. If you’re in Ginza, I recommend stopping by Akebono, a little shop that specializes in okaki (baked or fried rice cakes), yokan (azuki bean jelly) and daifuku (rice cakes stuffed with azuki bean paste). The shop is also available in the basement food halls of most of Tokyo’s major department stores but Ginza’s lively atmosphere set this particular location apart from the others. We tried the ichigo daifuku (a strawberry wrapped in mochi!) and the sakura mochi – both highly recommended!
5-7-19 Ginza, Chuo, Tokyo 104-0061
Produced by Gyu Kaku, On-Yasai is a shabu shabu lover’s dream come true. Order a la carte or do it like us with the all-you-can-eat (& drink) package for the equivalent of roughly $30 USD and you’ll leave with your tummies happily full and warm. Choose 2 different soup bases, and then order the meat and veggies to your heart’s content. It’s a chain restaurant, so you can easily come across an On-Yasai in your Tokyo adventures (we passed by 3 in the span of a day!).
Multiple locations
Another cute little place for afternoon tea, Q-Pot Cafe is conveniently just a couple of blocks away from the Omotesando Station and offers a great break from the city hustle & bustle with its dessert sets. We ordered a tiramisu cake set that came with tea as well as a decadent cheesecake set that was accompanied by a smooth latte.
3-10-2 Kita-Aoyama Minato-ku Tokyo 107-0061
Crepes on Takeshita Street
Takeshita Street in Harajuku is another one of those major tourist attractions, but it’s a great place to walk around and people-watch! Lively and colorful, it features lots of cute little shops that sell everything from dessert to novelty trinkets (and there are also a couple of cat cafes here), but here’s a tip: get the crepes! Takeshita Street is known for its Japanese crepes, which are sold by various vendor carts along the street. With so many different flavor combinations, your main difficulty might just be deciding which one to get!
Takeshita Street in front of the Harajuku Station, Tokyo
That’s it for now! Rounding out my Tokyo series next will be a post on what to see/do, which will be live soon. In the meantime, don’t miss my post on Where to Stay in Tokyo: Conrad Hotel!
