Tokyo

Cafes

Besides the cafes suggested, make sure to check out some kissaten, which are the original Japanese cafes.

• Recoco Record Cafe
  The Recoco Record Cafe lets you select vinyls and listen to them on headphones on tables for 1–4 persons.
• Cafe Rostro
  With beautiful weather, drink a coffee and eat a sandwich here in a small lively, but calm street in Shibuya.
• 5 CROSSTIES COFFEE
  Once you find it (accessible from the office elevators on 2nd floor of Shibuya Scramble), you get a great view on Shibuya crossing.

Restaurants

When you’re in Tokyo, you’ll very soon find out that any restaurant will offer high quality at fair prices, so restaurant recommendations are almost obsolete in my opinion. The best approach is to stroll around the streets and go into any restaurant that speaks to you, whether it is the small family-owned ramen shop or the Michelin star restaurant in the middle of Shibuya. In case you do however decide to ignore my generous advice, here are three restaurants in three different areas that are worth a visit:

• Mensho
  Mensho’s wagyu ramen is brilliant, making it one of my go-to options for spontaneous dinner dates with friends.
• Shodai
  I love their curry udon (with the remarkable white cream).
• 神田味坊 (Kanda Ajibou)
  This restaurant close to Kanda Station has the best Chinese food I’ve had outside of China.

Bars

Tokyo has one of the best music scenes in the world, make sure to consider that when going out.

• Jazz Spot Intro
  Live jazz music and drinks at fair prices, just make sure to arrive early to get a seat.
• Grandfather’s
  Classy bar with the “grandfather” handpicking the songs. I discovered so many songs being there.
• Eagle Yotsuya
  Comfortable, simple but timeless listening bar with jazz on vinyls. Perfect for a relaxed evening.

Day Trips

We love Tokyo as a city, but there are beautiful getaway options.

• Izu-Ōshima
  The island Oshima still belongs to the prefecture Tokyo and offers a contrast to the vibrant city life. It's accessible via ferry and I strongly recommend to rent a car to visit Mount Mihara and the black desert.
• Kamakura
  Kamakura appears on any carefully curated list of Tokyo day trips, but for a good reason. It's a nice beach town with a coastal breeze and with a little luck even views of Fuji-san.
• Nikko
  Nikko is another classic destination. Don't skip the famous Shinto shrine complex Nikkō Tōshō-gū and the Nikko Tamozawa Imperial Villa Memorial Park.

Other Activities

• Lost in Translation
  Original locations from Sofia Coppola’s legendary movie:
  • New York Bar (Park Hyatt)
  • Shabuzen Shibuya (Shabu-shabu scene)
  • Karaoke Kan (Shibuya branch, rooms 331 & 332)
• Edo Tokyo Museum
  Recently renovated and worth an afternoon visit.
• Edo Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum
  A good place to spend a sunny day at.
• Yamatane Museum of Art
  Surprisingly small, but worth a visit.
• Nezu Museum
  Nice museum with a beautiful park midst Omote-sando, also has a great cafe.
• Shibuya EST
  Spent some fun evenings here playing darts, table tennis, pool, bowling or other arcade activities.