48 Hours in Tokyo

Electric city The streets of Shinjuku come alive at night

48 Hours in...

TOKYO

From Buddhist shrines to neon pop-culture, Tokyo can be an assault on the senses. Our specialist helps you take in both the modern and the ancient, and fuel up on cuisine in between.

WORDS BY AMANDA MACKENZIE

DAY 1

6AM

Jet lag lends itself well to early mornings – take advantage and head to Tsukiji Fish Market q. Explore the outer market, which is open to the public, and then settle in for a freshly made sushi breakfast.

8AM

Head to the historic district of Asakusa before the crowds. Tokyo’s famous Sensoji Temple w, allegedly built in 645 by two fishermen on the site where they found a golden Buddha, is surrounded by a complex of halls and gardens.

After visiting the main building, stop at the hidden shopping arcades just beyond the temple grounds, and order a freshly-made

melon pan at Kagetsu-do. The sweet bun is covered in an irresistibly crunchy coating.

10AM

Visit the Tokyo Skytree e. The tallest structure in Japan stretches about 2,000 feet high and is home to restaurants, an observation deck and shops. Particularly worth a visit is Ameshin, a candy store that specializes in the traditional art of amezaiku. Watch the staff as they cut, pull and bend the sweet confections into animal- and flower-shaped sculptures.

1PM

Board a water bus from Asakusa to the futuristic district of Odaiba r (pictured left), home to some of the most cutting-edge technology in Japan. Start with an alfresco lunch along the boardwalk before checking out the Panasonic Center and the Miraikan for an in-depth look at Japan’s coolest robots.

5PM

Follow the crowds of salarymen (Japanese term for office workers) as they head for dinner in Yurakucho t. Tiny restaurants have sprung up under the elevated train tracks of the Yamanote Line. This is as authentic as it gets; many of these restaurants will not have English menus, but the food is some of the best you’ll have anywhere in Tokyo if you’re willing to try.

SPECIALISTS’ TOP TIPS

Order a pocket Wifi device to be delivered to your hotel. Free Wifi isn’t as widely available as you’d think and Google Maps is an invaluable resource while you’re out exploring! Robert Heard

Public trash receptacles are rare in Japan. Be prepared to carry your trash with you until you can dispose of it properly. Tesia Smith

Japan is still a cash-based society. Make sure you have enough yen on hand to cover food and shopping expenses in case the vendor doesn’t accept cards! Caitlin Frost

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Culture clash (clockwise from this image) Tokyo’s mix of old and new can be seen in the Asakusa Kannon; Tsukiji Market; street stalls in Asakusa; and the skyscrapers overlooking the Imperial Palace East Gardens

TOKYO

DAY 2

8AM

Enjoy breakfast at the Palace Hotel y. Conveniently located across the street from the Imperial Palace, it offers fantastic views of the gardens as well as the modern Wadakura Fountain Park next door.

10AM

It’s time to traverse Shibuya’s famous ‘scramble crossing’ – the Tokyo landmark where more than a thousand pedestrians surge past each other seamlessly at each change of the light. For the best aerial view, skip Starbucks and head to the Shibuya Mark City complex u instead.

The trendy district of Harajuku (pictured right) is mere minutes away and you can explore the stores up and down Takeshita Street filled with the latest in Japanese street fashion. Change up the pace with an early-afternoon stroll through the Meiji Shrine i and its surrounding forest. The trees and structure were donated from around Japan in 1920 to honor Emperor Meiji and his wife.

2PM

Make your way to the Isetan store o in Shinjuku Sanchōme for lunch. Depachika is the colloquial term for the food metropolis found on the basement floor of major department stores in Japan. They offer a tantalizing array of fresh local foods and gourmet items imported from all corners of Japan and the world.

Take your lunch up to Isetan’s roof deck to enjoy the green space hidden among Tokyo’s concrete jungle.

5PM

No trip to Japan is complete without a night of karaoke. Karaoke parlors are as commonplace as convenience stores and you can rent a private room by the hour.

8PM

When you finish singing your heart out, head to the Park Hyatt a in Shinjuku for dinner at the New York Bar & Grill to relive scenes from the film Lost in Translation.

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS

Flight information: 14 hours direct from New York City. Direct flights are also available from Boston, Atlanta, Chicago, and major cities on the West Coast. When to go: March through mid-May and September to December. May is sunny and warm (perfect for long days of walking and exploring hidden neighborhoods) and December’s mild temperatures are accompanied by festive holiday illumination displays as far as the eye can see. Get me there: An 11-day tailor-made tour of Japan, including time in Tokyo, starts from $4,995pp. For more information, contact our Japan specialists on 855-787-3971.

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