Tokyo for Connoisseurs and Explorers
Your Guide Through the Neon Jungle

From steaming bowls of ramen in Shibuya to the city’s last streetcar: Tokyo is a sensory whirlwind. Anyone who truly wants to understand the Japanese megacity has to let themselves drift—just with the right plan in their pocket. We’ve curated the best spots, food highlights, and essential survival tips for your first trip.

The journey usually begins with a culture shock of the most pleasant kind. After a 13-hour flight from Frankfurt, you land in a world that feels both chaotic and perfectly organized. The moment you leave Haneda Airport and breeze through immigration with the QR codes generated in advance via “Visit Japan Web,” you find yourself right in the heartbeat of the city: Shibuya.

A Culinary Revelation in Shibuya

If you enter Tokyo hungry, you’re doing everything right. Your first stop should almost be a pilgrimage site for ramen lovers: Usagi Ramen. The shop—its name means “The Rabbit”—is highly praised by insiders; some even call it the best ramen in the world.
If you’re in more of a rush but still refuse to compromise on quality, head to the Standing Sushi Bar. Here, you’ll enjoy superb flame-seared sushi while standing, proving once again that in Japan, fast food can be a delicacy.

A small insider tip for your thirst along the way: keep an eye on the ubiquitous vending machines for “Tropicana Grapefruit-Orange”—the perfect refreshment in the urban jungle..

To let your meal settle, it’s worth taking a detour to Miyashita Park. This green oasis on the rooftop of a building complex between Shibuya and Harajuku combines a skate park with relaxed cafés and is the ideal place to watch the city’s bustle from above.

Shopping Fever in Harajuku and Omotesando

Just a few train minutes away, the scenery changes completely. In Harajuku and Omotesando, the heart of pop culture beats loudest. For collectors, Medicom Toys is a must—especially if you’re hunting for coveted Bearbrick figures or Star Wars blind boxes. If you want to fill your wardrobe with Japanese fashion, avoid the big tourist traps and head straight to GU instead. The sister brand of Uniqlo is still considered an insider tip for affordable yet stylish basics. Another highlight for anime and manga fans is B-Side Label in Harajuku, where you can stock up on high-quality stickers from Dragon Ball to One Piece.

A Change of Pace: From the Quiet of Otsuka to the Chaos of Shinjuku

Tokyo can be quiet, too. If you need a break from the neon lights, head to Otsuka Station. This is where the Sakura Tram (Toden Arakawa Line) departs—the last remaining streetcar in Tokyo. Riding it feels like traveling back in time to a slower, nostalgic Japan. But the calm rarely lasts long, because Shinjuku calls. This district is infamous for its train station—an actual labyrinth with over 100 exits. One wrong turn and you’ll end up kilometers from where you meant to go. Once you’ve conquered the station, Golden Gai awaits: hundreds of tiny bars packed into narrow alleyways. It’s a fascinating sight, even though the area has become quite touristy and at times a bit sketchy—if you’re traveling alone as a woman, exercise caution here, as well as in the neighboring Kabukicho.

Survival Tips for Everyday Tokyo

To keep your trip running smoothly, there are a few unwritten rules. Most importantly: download a Suica or Pasmo card digitally onto your smartphone. You’ll use it not only for subway and train fares via tap-to-pay, but also for vending machines—a true lifesaver that saves you from fumbling with coins. Speaking of payment: never rely solely on Apple Pay. In many stores, even major chains like Krispy Kreme or GU, foreign wallets often don’t work. A physical credit card and some cash (yen) are essential. Two other things you’ll quickly notice: there are no trash cans, and you can’t smoke on the street. You’ll often have to carry your trash with you all day until you can toss it in your hotel or in one of the rare recycling boxes near vending machines. Smokers must use designated “Smoking Areas”—lighting up on the street can result in hefty fines. And when you’re utterly exhausted at the end of the day and step onto an escalator: always stand on the left, walk on the right. And please queue properly—pushing is an absolute no-go in this polite city.

Tokyo is intense, loud, and delicious. If you follow these rules and dare to wander down a small side street away from the glowing signs, you’ll be rewarded with an unforgettable adventure.

    • Usagi Ramen (Shibuya): A must for ramen lovers (“The Hare”).

    • Standing Sushi Bar (Shibuya): Standing-only bar, recommended for seared sushi.

    • Ippudo Ramen: Well-known and very good ramen chain.

    • Miyashita Park (Shibuya): Food court and rooftop cafés.

    • American (Ginza): Sandwich shop with a mix of American and Japanese style.

    • Mom's Touch (Shibuya): Fast food (there’s also a photo booth for sticker pictures).

    • Vending machines: Keep an eye out for the “Tropicana Grapefruit-Orange” juice.

    • New York Slice Pizza (Shinjuku): Tried in the vlog, but not recommended.

    • Curry in Roppongi: Was tested; be careful if you’re lactose-intolerant.

    • Shibuya: Shibuya Crossing (the famous scramble) and Miyashita Park (rooftop garden with skatepark).

    • Harajuku & Omotesando: Center of pop culture and fashion.

    • Akihabara: The district for anime, manga, and electronics (best in the evening).

    • Shinjuku:

      • Kabukicho: Entertainment district (best visited during the day).

      • Golden Gai: Tiny bars packed into narrow alleyways (more of an evening spot, very touristy).

      • Shinjuku Station: Be careful—extremely large and confusing.

    • Otsuka: Quieter neighborhood, starting point of the Sakura Tram.

    • Sakura Tram (Toden Arakawa Line): Tokyo’s last remaining streetcar.

    • Ginza: Upscale shopping district.

    • Visit Japan Web: Fill it out in advance to get your QR codes for immigration.

    • Suica / Pasmo card: Load it digitally into your smartphone wallet for trains and vending machines.

    • Cash & physical card: Always carry both, since Apple Pay doesn’t work in many shops.

    • Trash: Always bring a bag for your own trash (very few public bins).

    • Smoking: Only allowed in designated smoking areas (street smoking is prohibited).

    • Escalators: Stand on the left, walk on the right (and always join the back of the line).