The ultimate guide to Tokyo

Feature written for a Benefit Cosmetics contract magazine 'Benezine'

It’s that time of the year when we start to ask ourselves where should I travel to this summer? For some it might be a lazy beach escape, a snowboarding adventure or a relaxing spa retreat. But 2020 is the start of a whole new decade, so what better way to start the next ten years of your life than a trip to Tokyo? 




It’s the city of anime, arcade games and let’s not forget the host of the 2020 Olympic games, so there really is no better time to immerse yourself in the culture and traditions that make Tokyo so special. According to EFE, 2019 saw the highest volume of visitors in Japan ever, with over 16 million tourists visiting between January and June. Whether you’re a foody or a sightseeing fanatic, we have put together the ultimate guide to travelling Tokyo the Benefit way. 

What to eat?


The ultimate sushi experience
You can’t visit Tokyo and not try the local cuisine. There are so many restaurants to buy sushi, but Sushi Dai is the best place to get handmade, fresh sushi. The seafood is caught locally, and is proper ocean to plate kind of food. Located in Koto, Sushi Dai is a quaint but highly rated restaurant, and is even a local favourite. Make sure you book in advance to guarantee a place at their table.

Pimp your plate
For those among us who are not a fan of seafood, most Japanese restaurants will serve a range of options. Asakusa based restaurant, Kikkō serves every type of Japanese cuisine you could imagine, from soba and yakitori to bento boxes and fried chicken dishes. Again, you will definitely need to make a reservation as it can get rather busy, particularly in the evenings. Don’t be afraid to try new things, after all, there is no better place than Tokyo to get a real taste for the local dishes. 

Street food
For those who prefer to eat on the go, you can grab street food pretty much anywhere in Tokyo. There are typically more options in the busy shopping areas, such and Takeshita Street and Harajuku, but they really aren’t limited to these areas. The best street food on the menus include croquettes (both meat and vegetarian), taiyaki and onigiri. Most places will offer a platter of different foods, so you can really challenge your taste buds with a range of flavours. Get out of your comfort zone, it’s not often you find yourself in the heart of Tokyo.


What to do?


Go-Kart Tokyo
There is so much to do and see in the Japanese capital city, so why not take yourself on a tour of all the places you have been dying to visit. Go-Kart Tokyo is the perfect way to whiz around Japan taking in all the local sights. Jump in a kart, dress up as your favourite Mario Kart character (don’t worry, it’s only a onesie, not a full costume) and take in all that Tokyo has to offer. There are four different courses to choose from, depending on which part of the city you want to see. From tours of the old town, ancient Buddhist temples and picturesque gardens to the electric town, iconic billboards and local cuisine, we promise boredom will be a thing of the past.

Takeshita Street
It might seem strange, us telling you to visit a street. But Takeshita Street is no ordinary street (I’m sorry, I will stop saying street now), but an area bustling with people and filled with stores, food and experiences in every nook and cranny. Located in Harajuku, it’s the place to be for shopping and niche boutiques. From fashion to toys, arcades to photobooths, it might be worth dedicating a whole day to explore the entire street. The photobooths are almost futuristic (and borderline scary) and a quirky memorabilia to remember your trip by. And a top tip from us, find the rainbow candy floss, it’s a total winner in our eyes. 

teamLab Planets
Top of any travel itinerary is a visit to the local museums and art galleries. But in Tokyo, it’s a whole new experience. It’s time to take of your shoes and become completely immersed in teamLab Planets museum. As you are guided through the museum, your feet are submerged in water (hence the shoeless comment) and your mind transfixed on the visions surrounding you. The idea is that you become part of the art, completely immersed. We won’t give away what you actually see inside, other than that there are four different spaces containing seven different art pieces, as that would totally spoil the experience, but we advise you make time to visit teamLab planets. 


What to see?


Shibuya crossing
If you thought visiting a street was strange, you must be really confused by us recommending a road crossing. But stick with it. The Shibuya crossing is over 100 years old, and is one of the largest crossings in the world and has many service lines attached to it, including the main line in Tokyo. The most remarkable thing is that the crossings all operate at the same time, so the entire square comes to a standstill so every pedestrian can cross. It’s also a great place to get a great Instagram, if you can time it right that is. 

Cherry Blossom gardens
If you travel to Japan and don’t visit the world renowned cherry blossom gardens, you’re doing it all wrong. A huge part of the country’s identity, the cherry blossoms are a tourist favourite, with an array of gardens to choose from. The best time to see the gardens is late March to early April, so if you can get there in the Spring (Sakura season as they call it), you will see the blossom at its prime. The Koishikawa Korakuen is the most popular and well known, but Ueno Park and Chidori-ga-fuchi are just as beautiful, and usually less crowded. There is a fee to enter the gardens, but we assure you it’s definitely worth it.

The Sensō-ji Temple
In the heart of Asakusa stands Sensō-ji, an ancient Buddhist temple, and the oldest in Tokyo. Visiting Tokyo is the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture and history, and really educate yourself on the things that make Tokyo the city it is. Dating as far back as 645 AD, the temple is rich in history and is a great place to educate yourself on the Buddhist religion and its teachings. The temple is a popular hot-spot, so there are plenty of restaurants, food stalls and shopping areas surrounding it. Remember, temples are a sanctuary of worship and peace, so be super respectful during your visit.

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