{"id":8171,"date":"2015-05-08T18:16:26","date_gmt":"2015-05-08T17:16:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/insidejapanblog.com\/?p=8171"},"modified":"2024-03-21T12:21:57","modified_gmt":"2024-03-21T12:21:57","slug":"48-hours-in-tokyo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2015\/05\/08\/48-hours-in-tokyo\/","title":{"rendered":"48 hours in Tokyo"},"content":{"rendered":"<h4>Like this post? Help us by sharing it!<\/h4><ul class=\"wpfai-list\"><li class=\"wpfai-list-item facebook\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F8171&amp;t=\" title=\"Facebook\" class=\"wpfai-facebook wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-facebook fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item twitter\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F8171\" title=\"Twitter\" class=\"wpfai-twitter wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-twitter fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item pinterest\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F8171&amp;description=&amp;media=\" title=\"Pinterest\" class=\"wpfai-pinterest wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-pinterest fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item linkedin\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F8171&amp;title=\" title=\"Linked In\" class=\"wpfai-linkedin wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-linkedin fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item envelope\">\r\n      <a href=\"mailto:?subject=&amp;body=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F8171%20-%20\" title=\"E-Mail\" class=\"wpfai-envelope wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-envelope fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item stumbleupon\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.stumbleupon.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F8171\" title=\"Stumble Upon\" class=\"wpfai-stumbleupon wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-stumbleupon fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item reddit\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.reddit.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F8171\" title=\"Reddit\" class=\"wpfai-reddit wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-reddit fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><\/ul><p>Almost every visitor to Japan will spend at least a couple of days in Tokyo, the country\u2019s vast, gleaming and utterly bewitching capital. Here&#8217;s our guide to 48 hours in Tokyo.<!--more--><\/p>\n<p>I\u2019ve lost count of the number of times I\u2019ve rhapsodised in print about Tokyo (no, seriously &#8211; you can\u2019t even imagine), and with good reason \u2013 it is an amazing place.<\/p>\n<p>[vimeo http:\/\/vimeo.com\/119766696]<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Introduction to Tokyo<\/h2>\n<p>The Greater Tokyo Metropolitan Area covers an area of 13,500 square kilometres, and is by far and away the most populous metropolitan area in the world \u2013 with an estimated 37,883,000 inhabitants (according to a 2014 UN report). The city itself, meanwhile, is nothing short of enormous \u2013 with a multitude of centres, each with its own unique character. It is a well-worn travel clich\u00e9, but you could spend literally years here and never see it all.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/tokyo-time-065.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-1046\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/tokyo-time-065.jpg?w=468\" alt=\"Tokyo Time 065\" width=\"468\" height=\"263\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/tokyo-time-065.jpg 2400w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/tokyo-time-065-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/tokyo-time-065-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/tokyo-time-065-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/tokyo-time-065-720x405.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/tokyo-time-065-1440x810.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/tokyo-time-065-390x219.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/tokyo-time-065-780x439.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/02\/tokyo-time-065-900x506.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 468px) 100vw, 468px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>So, given just 48 hours in the capital, what should you do?<\/p>\n<p><strong>Here&#8217;s our guide to 48 hours in Tokyo&#8230;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Pose this question to the team at InsideJapan Tours and, likely as not, you\u2019ll get a different answer from each person. That is the beauty of Tokyo. But if you want to know what I think \u2013 what I would actually do with 48 hours in Tokyo \u2013 well then, read on!<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>DAY 1<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h2>Shibuya<\/h2>\n<p>Begin the day by making your way to Shibuya, a shopping mecca for young people and home to the iconic \u201cscramble crossing\u201d, where crowds swarm across the world\u2019s most famous intersection under the neon gaze of screens, signs and advertisements.<\/p>\n<p>The scramble crossing is located directly outside the Shibuya Station\u2019s Hachiko Exit, where you\u2019ll also find the much-beloved statue of Hachi \u2013 a faithful dog who waited outside Shibuya Station every day for his master, even after the owner\u2019s death. A good tip that many tourists don\u2019t know about is to head into the station building and up the escalators, where you can get a good view of the crossing from the windows.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/1653402_10151902481360950_1815867911_n.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-8175 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/1653402_10151902481360950_1815867911_n.jpg?w=468\" alt=\"Shinjuku scramble crossing\" width=\"468\" height=\"351\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/1653402_10151902481360950_1815867911_n.jpg 960w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/1653402_10151902481360950_1815867911_n-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/1653402_10151902481360950_1815867911_n-900x675.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/1653402_10151902481360950_1815867911_n-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/1653402_10151902481360950_1815867911_n-390x293.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/1653402_10151902481360950_1815867911_n-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/1653402_10151902481360950_1815867911_n-510x383.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 468px) 100vw, 468px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/1891200_10151902481730950_495266190_n.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-8176 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/1891200_10151902481730950_495266190_n.jpg?w=468\" alt=\"Shinjuku scramble\" width=\"468\" height=\"351\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/1891200_10151902481730950_495266190_n.jpg 960w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/1891200_10151902481730950_495266190_n-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/1891200_10151902481730950_495266190_n-900x675.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/1891200_10151902481730950_495266190_n-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/1891200_10151902481730950_495266190_n-390x293.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/1891200_10151902481730950_495266190_n-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/1891200_10151902481730950_495266190_n-510x383.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 468px) 100vw, 468px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Shopping in Shibuya<\/h2>\n<p>After visiting the crossing, I suggest heading into the shops. If you\u2019re interested in fashion, Shibuya 109 is the place to go \u2013 but personally I would spend an hour or so checking out the Tokyu Hands Department Store, where you can find everything from stationery to fancy dress. If there was something weird and wonderful you wanted to buy in Japan, the chances are that you\u2019ll find it here. I particularly like browsing the bizarre beauty treatments on the pharmacy floor!<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8188\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8188\" style=\"width: 213px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/untitled.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8188\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/untitled.png\" alt=\"Happy face trainer?\" width=\"213\" height=\"236\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8188\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Happy face trainer?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Ramen lunch<\/h2>\n<p>When you\u2019ve had your fill of shopping, I suggest finding a good ramen bar for lunch today. Ramen, thin noodles served in a flavoursome broth with meat and vegetables, is a staple of Japanese life, and you absolutely cannot visit Japan without getting a taste. It\u2019s also very affordable, so you\u2019ve no reason not to. Kiraku (opened in 1952) is a famously good ramen bar in the Shibuya area, or you could try to equally good Suzuran or Usagi.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8178\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8178\" style=\"width: 468px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/dsc01351_screensharpen.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-8178\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/dsc01351_screensharpen.jpg?w=468\" alt=\"Slurping up ramen\" width=\"468\" height=\"312\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/dsc01351_screensharpen.jpg 2400w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/dsc01351_screensharpen-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/dsc01351_screensharpen-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/dsc01351_screensharpen-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/dsc01351_screensharpen-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/dsc01351_screensharpen-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/dsc01351_screensharpen-1440x960.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/dsc01351_screensharpen-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/dsc01351_screensharpen-780x520.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/dsc01351_screensharpen-510x340.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 468px) 100vw, 468px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8178\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Slurping up ramen<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/shibuya-with-text.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-8191 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/shibuya-with-text.jpg?w=468\" alt=\"Map of Shibuya\" width=\"468\" height=\"285\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/shibuya-with-text.jpg 801w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/shibuya-with-text-300x183.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/shibuya-with-text-720x439.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/shibuya-with-text-390x238.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/shibuya-with-text-780x475.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/shibuya-with-text-510x311.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 468px) 100vw, 468px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Harajuku<\/h2>\n<p>After lunch, head back to the station and hop on a train to Harajuku (it\u2019s just one stop on the JR Yamanote Line). From here, take a walk down Takeshita Street to browse the eclectic array of shops and hope to spot some of Tokyo\u2019s most outlandishly dressed teenagers!<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s fascinating, even if you\u2019re not into shopping. There\u2019s an excellent second-hand kimono shop nearby called Chicago if you\u2019re after vintage Japanese clothing, and don\u2019t forget to stop at the Daiso at the top of the street for an introduction to another Japanese institution \u2013 the 100 yen shop.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8181\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8181\" style=\"width: 768px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/harajuku3.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-8181 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/harajuku3-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Teenager in Harajuku\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8181\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Teenager in Harajuku<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Meiji Shrine<\/h2>\n<p>After walking through Harajuku, head back to the station and across the tracks to explore the large, peaceful, wooded area that contains the Olympic Stadium, Yoyogi Park, and Meiji Shrine \u2013 where, if you\u2019re lucky, you may spot a Shinto wedding ceremony in progress.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8173\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8173\" style=\"width: 468px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/1618665_10151902481265950_1560331459_n.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-8173\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/1618665_10151902481265950_1560331459_n.jpg?w=468\" alt=\"Shinto wedding at Meiji Shrine\" width=\"468\" height=\"351\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/1618665_10151902481265950_1560331459_n.jpg 960w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/1618665_10151902481265950_1560331459_n-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/1618665_10151902481265950_1560331459_n-900x675.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/1618665_10151902481265950_1560331459_n-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/1618665_10151902481265950_1560331459_n-390x293.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/1618665_10151902481265950_1560331459_n-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/1618665_10151902481265950_1560331459_n-510x383.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 468px) 100vw, 468px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8173\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Shinto wedding at Meiji Shrine<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/harajuku-with-text.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-8190 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/harajuku-with-text.jpg?w=468\" alt=\"Map of Harajuku\" width=\"468\" height=\"406\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/harajuku-with-text.jpg 646w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/harajuku-with-text-300x260.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/harajuku-with-text-390x338.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/harajuku-with-text-510x442.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 468px) 100vw, 468px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>By this point you may be in need of a rest, in which case I recommend hopping back on the JR Yamanote Line and riding the two stops to Shinjuku Station.<\/p>\n<h2>Shinjuku<\/h2>\n<p>Shinjuku Gyoen is nearby, perhaps the city\u2019s most beautiful park, and the ideal place to stop for a rest (weather permitting, of course!). If you\u2019re not the park-going kind and would prefer something a rather weirder, I suggest visiting one of the area\u2019s notorious Maid Caf\u00e9s, where you can play master of the house and be served an (expensive) coffee by a girl dressed as a Victorian maid. It\u2019s not everybody\u2019s cup of tea, but it\u2019s certainly an experience!<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8177\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8177\" style=\"width: 468px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/cherry-blssm-shinjuku.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-8177\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/cherry-blssm-shinjuku.jpg?w=468\" alt=\"Shinjuku Gyoen\" width=\"468\" height=\"311\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/cherry-blssm-shinjuku.jpg 2400w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/cherry-blssm-shinjuku-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/cherry-blssm-shinjuku-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/cherry-blssm-shinjuku-1200x797.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/cherry-blssm-shinjuku-900x598.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/cherry-blssm-shinjuku-720x478.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/cherry-blssm-shinjuku-1440x957.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/cherry-blssm-shinjuku-390x259.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/cherry-blssm-shinjuku-780x518.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/cherry-blssm-shinjuku-510x339.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 468px) 100vw, 468px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8177\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Shinjuku Gyoen<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Whether you\u2019ve decided to hit the park or the Maid Caf\u00e9, my next stop would be the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Buildings, where you can ascend to the top of one of the pair of skyscrapers for spectacular views across the city (and Mount Fuji, if you\u2019re lucky). It may not be as tall as the Skytree, but it\u2019s free!<\/p>\n<h2>Robot restaurant<\/h2>\n<p>By the time you\u2019ve accomplished all this (allowing plenty of time for aimless wandering), it\u2019s about time for the maddest dinner you\u2019ve ever had in your life.<\/p>\n<p>Tokyo is known for its fabulous food, so it\u2019s rather a shame to head somewhere where the food is so bad (yes \u2013 it\u2019s bad) \u2013 but <a title=\"Robot Restaurant: Where You Don\u2019t Go for the Food\" href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2014\/07\/07\/robot-restaurant-where-you-dont-go-for-the-food\/\">Shinjuku\u2019s Robot Restaurant<\/a> is one place where the food is not the main attraction. If you\u2019ve ever wanted to see an electric cabaret performed by bikini-clad girls, robots, neon tanks, sharks and more \u2013 you\u2019ve come to the right place. Not to be missed \u2013 trust me.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8185\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8185\" style=\"width: 468px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/robot14.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-8185\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/robot14.jpg?w=468\" alt=\"Robot Restaurant\" width=\"468\" height=\"702\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/robot14.jpg 1800w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/robot14-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/robot14-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/robot14-1200x1800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/robot14-900x1350.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/robot14-720x1080.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/robot14-1440x2160.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/robot14-390x585.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/robot14-780x1170.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/robot14-510x765.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 468px) 100vw, 468px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8185\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Robot Restaurant<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Golden Gai<\/h2>\n<p>Buzzing from your evening at the Robot Restaurant, there\u2019s no better place to head for an evening of drinks than Golden Gai. Also located in Shinjuku, Golden Gai is a tiny slice of old Japan amongst the skyscrapers \u2013 consisting of just six impossibly narrow alleyways packed with over 200 tiny bars, clubs and restaurants, this is a truly unmissable Tokyo experience.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8184\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8184\" style=\"width: 468px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/japan2014_70_screensharpen.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-8184\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/japan2014_70_screensharpen.jpg?w=468\" alt=\"Tiny Shinjuku restaurant\" width=\"468\" height=\"312\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/japan2014_70_screensharpen.jpg 2400w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/japan2014_70_screensharpen-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/japan2014_70_screensharpen-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/japan2014_70_screensharpen-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/japan2014_70_screensharpen-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/japan2014_70_screensharpen-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/japan2014_70_screensharpen-1440x960.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/japan2014_70_screensharpen-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/japan2014_70_screensharpen-780x520.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/japan2014_70_screensharpen-510x340.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 468px) 100vw, 468px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8184\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Tiny Shinjuku restaurant<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/shinjuku-with-text.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-8192 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/shinjuku-with-text.jpg?w=468\" alt=\"Map of Shinjuku\" width=\"468\" height=\"311\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/shinjuku-with-text.jpg 954w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/shinjuku-with-text-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/shinjuku-with-text-900x598.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/shinjuku-with-text-720x478.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/shinjuku-with-text-390x259.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/shinjuku-with-text-780x518.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/shinjuku-with-text-510x339.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 468px) 100vw, 468px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>DAY 2<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h2>Tsukiji Fish Market<\/h2>\n<p>Assuming you\u2019re not bedridden after your night in Golden Gai, this morning it\u2019s time for one of my very favourite Tokyo experiences: Tsukiji Fish Market. As I discussed in <a title=\"Tsukiji Fish Market: How to do it right\" href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/2015\/03\/27\/tsukiji-fish-market-how-to-do-it-right\/\">a recent post<\/a>, I\u2019m not all that keen on getting up mega-early to see the tuna auctions, but I do highly recommend checking out the inner market when it opens to the public at 9am. It\u2019s also the perfect excuse to stop off for a late sushi breakfast \u2013 I recommend Umai Sushi Kan opposite the Suijinja Shrine for its relaxed atmosphere.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8187\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8187\" style=\"width: 468px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/tokyo-tsukiji-fish-market-5.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-8187\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/tokyo-tsukiji-fish-market-5.jpg?w=468\" alt=\"Tsukiji Market\" width=\"468\" height=\"351\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/tokyo-tsukiji-fish-market-5.jpg 2400w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/tokyo-tsukiji-fish-market-5-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/tokyo-tsukiji-fish-market-5-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/tokyo-tsukiji-fish-market-5-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/tokyo-tsukiji-fish-market-5-900x675.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/tokyo-tsukiji-fish-market-5-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/tokyo-tsukiji-fish-market-5-1440x1080.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/tokyo-tsukiji-fish-market-5-390x293.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/tokyo-tsukiji-fish-market-5-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/tokyo-tsukiji-fish-market-5-510x383.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 468px) 100vw, 468px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8187\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Tsukiji Market<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Hamarikyu Gardens<\/h2>\n<p>After breakfast, my next stop is the beautiful Hamarikyu Gardens, just next to the market. This is one is a little-known gem of a place, where you can have green tea and a traditional sweet at the teahouse on the lake \u2013 just like Prince William!<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8180\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8180\" style=\"width: 468px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/hamarikyu-gardens-may-2005-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-8180\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/hamarikyu-gardens-may-2005-1.jpg?w=468\" alt=\"Hamarikyu Gardens\" width=\"468\" height=\"310\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/hamarikyu-gardens-may-2005-1.jpg 1544w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/hamarikyu-gardens-may-2005-1-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/hamarikyu-gardens-may-2005-1-1024x679.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/hamarikyu-gardens-may-2005-1-1200x796.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/hamarikyu-gardens-may-2005-1-900x597.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/hamarikyu-gardens-may-2005-1-720x478.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/hamarikyu-gardens-may-2005-1-1440x955.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/hamarikyu-gardens-may-2005-1-390x259.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/hamarikyu-gardens-may-2005-1-780x517.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/hamarikyu-gardens-may-2005-1-510x338.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 468px) 100vw, 468px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8180\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Hamarikyu Gardens<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/tsukiji-with-text.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-8193 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/tsukiji-with-text.jpg?w=468\" alt=\"Map of Tsukiji area\" width=\"468\" height=\"344\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/tsukiji-with-text.jpg 501w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/tsukiji-with-text-300x220.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/tsukiji-with-text-390x286.jpg 390w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 468px) 100vw, 468px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>After relaxing at Hamarikyu, hop on the water bus (which departs from within the garden) and take a pleasant ride along the river to Asakusa, Tokyo\u2019s most traditional district and home to Senso-ji Shrine.<\/p>\n<p>Here you can pick up souvenirs at the little market stalls, sample a bit of street food, and even visit Kappabashi-dori \u2013 or \u201cKitchen Street\u201d \u2013 where you can buy cooking supplies and the plastic replica food that is so ubiquitous in Japan.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8186\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8186\" style=\"width: 468px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/sensoji-night.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-8186\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/sensoji-night.jpg?w=468\" alt=\"Senso-ji pagoda at night\" width=\"468\" height=\"624\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/sensoji-night.jpg 1224w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/sensoji-night-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/sensoji-night-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/sensoji-night-1200x1600.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/sensoji-night-900x1200.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/sensoji-night-720x960.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/sensoji-night-390x520.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/sensoji-night-780x1040.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/sensoji-night-510x680.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 468px) 100vw, 468px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8186\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Senso-ji pagoda at night<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Lunchtime <em>okonomiyaki<\/em><\/h2>\n<p>For lunch, I suggest tucking into some hearty <em>okonomiyaki<\/em> \u2013 an extremely popular (and cheap) type of cabbage-based savoury pancake. Doesn\u2019t sound too appetising? Well, you\u2019re wrong. I\u2019ve never met anyone who hasn\u2019t loved it. My favourite <em>okonomiyaki <\/em>restaurant in Asakusa is Sometaro, where you cook your own pancake on a hotplate in the centre of your table, surrounded by lovely traditional d\u00e9cor.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8174\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8174\" style=\"width: 468px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/1619586_10151902483870950_971104931_n.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-8174\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/1619586_10151902483870950_971104931_n.jpg?w=468\" alt=\"Tucking into okonomiyaki at Sometaro\" width=\"468\" height=\"351\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/1619586_10151902483870950_971104931_n.jpg 960w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/1619586_10151902483870950_971104931_n-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/1619586_10151902483870950_971104931_n-900x675.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/1619586_10151902483870950_971104931_n-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/1619586_10151902483870950_971104931_n-390x293.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/1619586_10151902483870950_971104931_n-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/1619586_10151902483870950_971104931_n-510x383.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 468px) 100vw, 468px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8174\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Tucking into <i>okonomiyaki<\/i> at Sometaro<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Tokyo Skytree<\/h2>\n<p>After lunch, if you didn\u2019t manage to squeeze in the Tokyo Metropolitan Buildings yesterday, you could head to the Tokyo Skytree for fab views of the city before hopping on the train to Akihabara (two stops on the Asakusa Line to Asakuabashi Station, then one stop on the JR Line to Akihabara).<\/p>\n<h2>Akihabara<\/h2>\n<p>Akihabara is known as Japan\u2019s \u201celectric town\u201d and is the spiritual homeland of Japan\u2019s <em>otaku <\/em>(nerd) population. Surrounded by towering neon buildings you can browse electronics stores, manga shops and huge buildings packed with gaming memorabilia, before heading to one of the area\u2019s vast arcades to have a go on the games \u2013 or just watch the pros. There are many Maid Caf\u00e9s in this area, so if you didn\u2019t manage that yesterday you could easily fit it in today.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8182\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8182\" style=\"width: 468px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/img_5582.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-8182\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/img_5582.jpg?w=468\" alt=\"Tour leader William enjoying the arcade games\" width=\"468\" height=\"351\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/img_5582.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/img_5582-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/img_5582-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/img_5582-1200x900.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/img_5582-900x675.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/img_5582-720x540.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/img_5582-390x293.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/img_5582-780x585.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/img_5582-510x383.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 468px) 100vw, 468px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8182\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Tour leader William enjoying the arcade games<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><em>Izakaya<\/em><\/h2>\n<p>For dinner, a visit to an <em>izakaya <\/em>(traditional Japanese restaurant) is a must. <em>Izakaya <\/em>are often called \u201cJapanese pubs\u201d, but they\u2019re actually nothing like. Food is served tapas-style to be shared with friends, often ordered throughout the meal using an electronic screen at your table. Beer and sake flow freely \u2013 and there are often <em>nomihodai <\/em>(all-you-can-drink) plans available.<\/p>\n<p>These restaurants range from the amazingly cheap to the astronomically expensive, so there is something to suit everyone! And it\u2019s a great place to try out some interesting Japanese dishes.<\/p>\n<p>If going to a proper <em>izakaya <\/em>is a daunting prospect for you, we can arrange an <em>izakaya <\/em>experience with an InsideJapan tour leader, who can guide you through the ins and outs of Japanese etiquette and help you make your orders.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8179\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8179\" style=\"width: 468px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/dsc04904.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-8179\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/dsc04904.jpg?w=468\" alt=\"A Japanese izakaya\" width=\"468\" height=\"312\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/dsc04904.jpg 2400w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/dsc04904-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/dsc04904-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/dsc04904-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/dsc04904-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/dsc04904-720x480.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/dsc04904-1440x960.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/dsc04904-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/dsc04904-780x520.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/dsc04904-510x340.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 468px) 100vw, 468px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8179\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>A Japanese <i>izakaya<\/i><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Karaoke<\/h2>\n<p>Finally, your <em>izakaya <\/em>visit should have left you well lubricated for that most quintessential of Japanese hobbies: karaoke. If you\u2019re imagining singing your heart out in front of a crowd of people \u2013 think again! The Japanese way is to rent a booth with friends and sing away in privacy, accompanied by plenty of beer.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/asakusa-with-text.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-8189\" src=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/asakusa-with-text.jpg?w=468\" alt=\"Map of Asakusa &amp; Akihabara\" width=\"468\" height=\"295\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/asakusa-with-text.jpg 548w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/asakusa-with-text-300x189.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/asakusa-with-text-390x246.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/asakusa-with-text-510x322.jpg 510w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 468px) 100vw, 468px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>The majority of our self-guided trips and small group tours start or end in Tokyo! Get in touch with our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/\">Japan holidays<\/a> team to start planning your journey to Japan.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h4>Like this post? Help us by sharing it!<\/h4><ul class=\"wpfai-list\"><li class=\"wpfai-list-item facebook\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F8171&amp;t=\" title=\"Facebook\" class=\"wpfai-facebook wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-facebook fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item twitter\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F8171\" title=\"Twitter\" class=\"wpfai-twitter wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-twitter fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item pinterest\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/pinterest.com\/pin\/create\/button\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F8171&amp;description=&amp;media=\" title=\"Pinterest\" class=\"wpfai-pinterest wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-pinterest fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item linkedin\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F8171&amp;title=\" title=\"Linked In\" class=\"wpfai-linkedin wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-linkedin fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item envelope\">\r\n      <a href=\"mailto:?subject=&amp;body=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F8171%20-%20\" title=\"E-Mail\" class=\"wpfai-envelope wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-envelope fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item stumbleupon\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.stumbleupon.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F8171\" title=\"Stumble Upon\" class=\"wpfai-stumbleupon wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-stumbleupon fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><li class=\"wpfai-list-item reddit\">\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.reddit.com\/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insidejapantours.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F8171\" title=\"Reddit\" class=\"wpfai-reddit wpfai-link wpfainw\">\r\n        <span class=\"fa-stack fa-lg\">\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-square fa-stack-2x\"><\/i>\r\n          <i class=\"fa fa-reddit fa-stack-1x fa-inverse\"><\/i>\r\n        <\/span>\r\n      <\/a>\r\n    <\/li><\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Like this post? Help us by sharing it! Almost every visitor to Japan will spend at least a couple of days in Tokyo, the country\u2019s vast, gleaming and utterly bewitching capital. Here&#8217;s our guide to 48 hours in Tokyo. Like this post? Help us by sharing it!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":54,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_sitemap_exclude":false,"_sitemap_priority":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2355,2360],"tags":[1208,1261,2195,3913],"class_list":["post-8171","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-first-trip-to-japan","category-travellers-tales-from-japan","tag-japan-travel","tag-48-hours-in-tokyo","tag-tokyo","tag-guide-to-tokyo"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8171","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/54"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8171"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8171\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":33600,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8171\/revisions\/33600"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8171"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8171"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.insidejapantours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8171"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}