After our trip to Miami, the Australian Gang finally came together for a birthday trip to Tokyo. I have added my recent recommendations on top of my last 2019 trip finds to keep everything together. For all things marked 2019 maybe it is best to double check if they are still there.
Tokyo is the biggest city in the world in terms of both size and population. Some even call it a city with many cities and each area has their distinct characteristics. The best time to go to Japan over for me is Fall and early winter, as the weather is the most pleasant and the best variety of food. I would strongly recommend you to avoid summer overall as it is ramped with even more tourist and the temperature can be hot and humid.
Accommodations
Hotel Gracery Shinjuku
The location of this hotel for me cannot be better as it is bang in the middle of the Shinjuku red light district, Kabukicho. However as it is in the red light distrcit there are a lot of promoters who will trying to get you into bars especially if you are a single man. In addition it is a very pricey area but this hotel does offer best value over all for rooms around 20sqm For me it is a bit too central, but the upside is that it is right next to the airport limousine stop so super convenient to go in and out of airport.
Tokyo Ekimae BAY HOTEL (Capsule Hotel) - 2019
A capsule hotel thats 10 min walk from Tokyo Station. The hotel was clean and service was good as you would expect in Japan. I would suggest you to ask for a capsule far away from the dorm entrance as it gets noisy at night and the heaters from the bathroom area can makes your capsule very warm, even with the fan on. They even provide you with pijamas.
Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyobashi, Tokyo - 2019
This is the most value for bucks hotel I managed to find near Tokyo Station. Spacious and close to the famous luxury Takashimaya department store. It is about a 10 min walk from the Station. Accommodations around Tokyo Station are expensive so you need to think about what matters to you most.
Sightseeing
Harajuku / Takeshita Street
This popular street in Harajuku is known for wacky, youth-driven shops selling colorful and crazy clothes and accessories. It's also a paradise for sweets-lovers - don't miss the fluffy, sugary crepes.
Team Lab Borderless / Planet
Their museums are offically the most visited museums in the world. You will need 2-3 hrs for each of their 2 locations. I strongly encourage you to be interactive with the artworks. Borderless is their permanent exhibition and its bigger than Planet. For first timer I would recommend Borderless and Planet you should go after dark as there is an exhibition which is semi-outdoor.
Restaurant (Reservation is always recommended asap, if possible)
Omoide Yokocho / 思出橫丁, Shinjuku
Landmark alleyway featuring a selection of counter-serve stalls for simple fare & alcoholic drinks. There are so many options in these 2 narrow streets and you just have to go with your gut. The quality can really vary but the vibe is always good. Although they market this place as a late night joint many of the shops were closed by 11:00pm.
Tsukiji Market / 築地市場
Although the main trade market has moved to the new site, many of the shops remained here to cater for the tourists. Come here for the vibe and don't try to fill yourself up with snacks from takeaway vendors only. The snack takeaway vendors are pretty over-priced for the quality but the restaurants are reasonable. I can recommend going for sushi rice bowl at Sushikuni (鮨国) to finish your food journey off. You can also try Tsukiji Kagura Sushi Annex (つきぢ神楽寿司 新館).
焼鳥 鐡, Shinjuku
A high end Yakitori place in Shinjuku with multiple private rooms so its ideal for parties over 2 people. You have to pre-order your omakase set as your reserve online. It comes with specialist seared chicken sashimi and 'lantern' skewers. I think this is a good experience if you don't wanna fuss with the ordering but also be adventurous at the same time.
新宿うな鐵はなれ Shinjuku Unatetsu Hanare
Althought Grilled Eel is more of a speciality in Asakusa, you can still find many decent grilled eel restaurants all around Tokyo. Grilled Eel is considered a high end ingridient so do expect a certain class at these establishments. Most places serve their signature bento rice sets so it is nice to see it has many optional side dishes like skewers and soups on the menu. However the best I've ever had is still the one in Osaka.
Hidden Gem Ramen Store, Shinjuku
This hidden gem has no location and website and honestly the best raman I've had in Tokyo this trip. Hidden amongst the gay bars in the 2 Chome Shinjuku area, this ramen shop has the creamimest soup base. You can ask for rice to come with your ramen so for me half portion (in the picture) is enough for a late night meal. They only serves a range of ramen and no side dishes like gyoza. Opens till late. Please have cash to purchase your meal at the machine.
銀座蟹みつ (Ginza Kanimitsu)
Crab is another premium ingridients in Japan and Kanimitsu is one of the more well-known specialist restaurants for this in Tokyo. It is essentially fine dining. For this occasion we have opted for the Hokkaido Crab set. You can prebook your menu when you reserve online.
叙々苑 (Jojoen), Kabukicho Shinjuku
A high end 24hr Japanese BBQ place in the heart of Kabukicho. It has multiple booths as its main cliente seems to be late night clients with their escorts for it's location. It is a perfectly respectable place in terms of food quality and atmosphere.
権八 西麻布／Gonpachi Nishi-Azabu
One of the most famous restaurants in Japan for it inspired the iconic fight scene in Kill Bill. However it is also the worst food I've ever had in Japan. It is the most basic of white people Japanese food and the fact that it was blasting out modern pop music was a no no for me.
ラー麺ずんどう屋 (Ramen Zundou-ya)
A 24hr Ramen joint with decent side dishes. Definitely good enough to quench your cravings at any time of the day. Please have cash to purchase your meal at the machine.
蒸し屋清郎 (Mushiya Seiro), Shibuya
Rustic looking izakaya with shabu shabu. Food is ok but a good variety and it has a cute interior.
Ryuu (龍), Shibuya - 2019
This is a charcoal Japanese BBQ place which was recommended by one of my cousin swho is a chef. They have a basic english menu but the staff was helpful enough. For the price we paid it is definitely worth coming back.
Hotsuki / 北輝, Shinbashi - 2019
This place specialises in Hokkaiko Cuisine. Our family has been coming for years so I have never actually have to order anything myself. I think normally they have most items on the menu but for fancy things like Hairy Crab (毛蟹) and Kinki Fish (喜之次) you will need to pre order.
吉 精肉 - 2019
This is late night Japanese BBQ place near a Yūrakuchō Station. I cannot find any information in English so here is the map. Yakitori Onegi is not the correct name of the place but I believe it's next to it. There are many late night restaurants in this neighbourhood so it is worth looking around.
Night Life / LGBT
2 Chome Shinjuku
The LGBT neighbourhood of Tokyo. People are friendly but can get quite busy.
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