Tokyo, Japan
Day 1
1. Go to Tsukiji, which is the famous fish market, and have sushi for breakfast there.
2. From there, go to Ginza (Tokyo’s “Fifth Avenue”). In Ginza, visit the Tokyo International Forum. Walk through the food displays at Mitsukoshi (basement floors B1 and B2). Visit the Nicolas G. Hayek Center watch store, where each brand has its own elevator — designed by the great Japanese architect and Pritzker Prize winner Shigeru Ban.
3. If you’re hungry for lunch in the area, a great option is Ginza Nishigeka, which overlooks the Mikimoto Building, another of Tokyo’s most famous structures. This one was designed by another Japanese Pritzker Prize winner — Toyo Ito.
4. Take the JR line from Yurakucho Station (near Ginza) to Shinjuku.
5. Walk around all of Shinjuku, visit the Isetan food hall, and stop by a Pachinko parlor (Japanese slot machines).
6. For a spectacular (and free!) view of the city, go to the skyscraper district in Shinjuku and head up to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Tower’s observation deck on the top floor.
If you want a special meal, book a table at the New York Grill in the Park Hyatt, next to the Tokyo Metropolitan Building — it’s the one featured in Lost in Translation. The food is Western-style but absolutely top tier. You can also just go for a drink at the bar.
7. In the evening, walk around the area near the Hanazono Jinja Temple, also in Shinjuku. It’s amazing to see such a peaceful temple amid all the bustle. Behind the temple is an area filled with bars — it’s said to have the highest number of bars per square meter in the world, and it’s truly something to see!
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Day 2
1. Take the JR line to Harajuku.
2. Visit the Meiji Shrine, the city’s great Shinto shrine.
3. Walk down Takeshita Dori (Harajuku) toward Omotesando (often called Tokyo’s “Champs-Élysées”).
4. Go to the Prada Store in Aoyama — it’s spectacular. Go up to the top floor and walk down the stairs to see the whole building. It’s another architectural masterpiece, designed by Pritzker Prize winners Herzog & de Meuron.
5. Very close by is the Nezu Museum, beautifully designed and surrounded by a lovely Japanese garden. It usually features Japanese prints and Buddhist sculptures — an excellent place to see traditional Japanese art.
6. Walk back up Omotesando. For Japanese gifts, the best place is Oriental Bazaar (the red building) on this street.
7. Have lunch at Harajuku Gyoza Rou — super cheap and absolutely delicious!
8. Walk through Cat Street.
9. Finish in Shibuya, home to the world-famous Shibuya Crossing. Enjoy the area!
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Day 3
1. Visit the Edo-Tokyo Museum, the city’s most well-known history museum.
2. Nearby is the Asakusa Temple, with a lovely entrance lined with small shops — it’s a unique walk through one of Tokyo’s oldest neighborhoods.
3. Next to the temple is the Sumida River, where you can take a beautiful photo with the Tokyo Skytree in the background. If you’d like to visit the Skytree itself, it’s not far from there.
4. From there, head to Ueno, which is perhaps the closest thing to “old China” in Tokyo — full of shopping and lively street commerce.
5. After Ueno, walk under the train tracks until you reach Akihabara, Tokyo’s electronics district — it’s an incredible experience. There are several multi-story arcades (some with up to six floors); go inside one to watch people of all ages playing games at any hour of the day!
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Day 4
1. Go to Roppongi Hills and visit an exhibition at the Mori Art Museum, located on the top floor — it usually hosts major contemporary art shows.
2. In the same area is the National Art Center, a stunning architectural masterpiece that also features major art exhibitions. Try to visit both museums.
3. Stop by Don Quijote, the Japanese store that has absolutely everything imaginable — from high-end designer items to quirky gadgets, cheap trinkets, and Japanese sweets (there’s also one in Shibuya).
4. Nearby is Midtown, a beautiful shopping complex with a lovely park in front.
5. If you’re hungry, eat at Gonpachi, also in the area — it’s where Kill Bill was filmed! Great atmosphere.
6. Take the subway to Daikanyama, a charming neighborhood perfect for walking, full of unique boutique stores. Visit T-Site, arguably the most comprehensive bookstore on the planet, and enjoy a coffee on the second floor.
7. You can then walk down to the Meguro River in Nakameguro, a magical place at night with lots of great dining options.