Tokyo is not only the biggest city in Japan but one of the most populated in the entire world. I always say that Tokyo is the New York of Japan and just like New York, there are many different areas to explore. Here is a quick overview of all the major areas to explore in Tokyo!
Known for their nightlife, Shinjuku is definitely a fun place for adults. From the red-light district Kabukicho to the gay bars that populate 2-chome, this is definitely a high energy place to visit. There are great late night eats such as Keika ramen, shopping at their numerous department stores, Olympic stadium, and the famous Godzilla that peeks over the buildings. Definitely a great, albeit strange, place to visit. Not recommended for families but with friends for partying or drinking, it is definitely a must go.
Shimokitazawa is a much more family-friendly area in Tokyo to visit when compared to Shinjuku. Famous for being the center of thrift and second-hand fashion, Shimokitazawa is a very trendy and fashionable place to visit. It is very relaxed with vintage stores, art fairs, music shops, and lots of cafes. My favorite thrift stores include Toyo, 2nd Street, TreFac, JAM, and FLAMINGO to name a few. There is usually a higher population of young people, typically high school and college age students coming out on weekends to hang out here during the day but great for families to visit too if interested in seeing the weekend art fairs and flea markets.
For another chill, family friendly area in Tokyo to visit, Ikebukuro should definitely be on the list. It is definitely a much more grungy area to go to, filled with shopping areas and local good eats. Ikebukuro also has a higher Chinese population so their Chinese food is very good. It is also similar to Akihabara because it has many anime goods and maid cafes for otakus so if you’re tired of how crowded Akihabara is, this is a great alternative. There is also Sunshine City for shopping and Sunshine Aquarium on the top floors of the shopping complex, making it a fun location to visit for families with small children.
A very famous location for visitors to Japan, Akihabara is home to all otaku culture filled with anime goods, maid cafes, old electric goods, and more! There are stores lined for numerous blocks that carry anime goods of all kinds. Any genre, figure, keychain, plush, gacha, new and old! Akihabara used to be an old electric town so there are still remnants of these old stores tucked away in alleyways and corners. Find vintage cameras, old computer parts, telephones, and more! If you can’t find these old electronics to suit your tastes, there are still newer electronics stores such as my personal favorite, Yodobashi Camera!
If otaku anime culture isn’t your vibe, find traditional Japanese scenery here in Asakusa! You can find very historically significant, grand temples here to explore alongside old shopping districts that are still buzzing with life. Discover the old Japan by dressing up in traditional clothing by making an appointment at kimono rental services that provide services for men, women, and children that include all apparel and hair details! In Asakusa, there are also copious amounts of delicious restaurants which I enjoy going to by picking them out of this list. In the springtime, the combination of temples and sakura flowers is definitely a gorgeous site, especially when you can see Tokyo Skytree and the golden poop - I mean the Asahi beer building - in the background. Take a leisurely stroll along the Sumida River in your rented kimono eating matcha soft serve ice cream while sightseeing the red temples, sakura trees, Tokyo Skytree, and Asahi building.
