Exploring Tokyo: A Perspective and 5 Tips

Tokyo is a favorite city of my wife and I, and we recently spent 10 days there. It's an incredible place, and not all of it is like how it's portrayed in films, anime, and travelogues. Some of the best parts are off the beaten path.

For example, one of our favorite experiences was stopping at a small neighborhood cafe near our hotel in Akasaka for a 'morning set.' That’s a coffee and simple breakfast entree, like an egg sandwich. It may not sound like much, but the pace, the taste, and sense of place were all just right.

Tokyo rewards you for wandering. If you do go, though, here are some tips to help you along:

1. If you have an unlocked phone, I highly recommend getting a SIM card while in Japan. It makes a huge difference in being able to get around. We also visited Japan in 2019, and both Google Translate and Maps have dramatically improved since then.

Being connected while on the go meant that navigating the subway was a breeze. We were also able to translate every sign and menu we encountered.

The next time we go, my wife and I plan to get two cards, so that the functionality isn't on just one phone. It was that handy.

Don't buy the SIM card at the airport if you can help it, though. The prices there will be higher than elsewhere.

2. Google reviews are a solid way to find good food, and we found the ratings to be more trustworthy than those in the United States. Also, there's an app specific to finding restaurants in Japan called Tabelog . Just don't expect the same level of mobile friendliness. Not everyone has Google's budget, after all.

Tomo in Akasaka has excellent ramen.

3. On the topic of food, the following will sound obvious, but eat lots of Japanese food. Try it all, from conveyor-belt sushi to ramen to kushikatsu (deep fried meat and vegetables on skewers).

Tokyo has the most number of Michelin-starred restaurants in the world, and that carries down to the lowliest market stalls. Not everything is great, but explore to see what you can find.

4. Also, eat other things! It may seem weird to get burgers or go to an Italian restaurant in Tokyo, but trying different cuisines lets you taste how Japanese chefs interpret those other foods. For example, my wife and I had a fantastic meal at Cafe Rigoletto, an Italian restaurant near Kichijoji Station.

5. Finally, if you're coming from the U.S., consider going in the autumn. The spring is beautiful, sure, but it's also high season. Summers can be terribly hot and humid. In the fall, though, you can take advantage of milder temperatures, cheaper airfares, and the Thanksgiving holiday. It may rain—we were lucky to only have a couple of days of showers—but I'll take that over the summer heat any day.

You can find more pictures from the trip on my Instagram page.

I hope our experience can help you plan your next trip to Tokyo and enjoy it as much as we did. Happy exploring!