Travel: Tokyo

26 May 2026

Bullet Train (Shinkansen)

The shinkansen is Japan’s high-speed rail network and one of the great travel experiences in the world — punctual to the minute, smooth, and fast. The Tokaido Shinkansen connects Tokyo to Kyoto in about 2 hours 15 minutes and Osaka in 2 hours 30 minutes. The iconic Nozomi is the fastest service but is not covered by the JR Pass; the Hikari and Kodama are slower but pass-eligible.

The JR Pass is a unlimited-ride rail pass available only to foreign tourists, purchased before arriving in Japan. It covers most shinkansen (except Nozomi/Mizuho), local JR lines, and some buses and ferries. A 7-day pass pays for itself with as few as two Tokyo–Kyoto round trips, so it’s worth it if you plan to travel between cities. Activate it at any JR ticket office on your first day of use.

Studio Ghibli Museum

The Ghibli Museum in Mitaka is a pilgrimage for fans of the studio’s films. The building itself is a whimsical labyrinth of spiral staircases, stained glass, and hidden rooms — exactly what you’d expect from Miyazaki. Tickets must be booked months in advance through the official lottery; they are not sold at the door. The rooftop robot soldier from Castle in the Sky stands guard above it all.

Shibuya Crossing

The world’s busiest pedestrian scramble, where up to 3,000 people cross from all directions simultaneously when the lights change. The best view is from above — the Starbucks or Mag’s Park overlook on the second floor of the surrounding buildings. Most spectacular at rush hour or on weekend evenings.

Don Quijote

The discount variety chain (ドン・キホーテ, affectionately called Donki) is a late-night institution. Stores are open 24 hours, crammed floor-to-ceiling with snacks, electronics, costumes, cosmetics, and souvenirs at low prices. The Shibuya and Shinjuku locations are the most chaotic and worth a wander even if you buy nothing.

Highball

The whisky highball (ハイボール) is ubiquitous in Tokyo — a simple mix of Japanese whisky and soda water served over ice, found everywhere from convenience stores to standing bars to izakayas. Suntory’s canned highball is a staple at 7-Eleven and Lawson. For a proper sit-down version, bar counters in Shinjuku and Ginza are a great spot to try Suntory Toki or Nikka poured to order.

Red Light District (Kabukicho)

Kabukicho in Shinjuku is Tokyo’s best-known entertainment and nightlife district. By day it’s just a busy commercial neighborhood; by night the neon signs and host/hostess club touts come out. The area around the Godzilla head atop Toho Cinema and the Golden Gai — a cluster of tiny, decades-old bars each seating fewer than ten people — are highlights even for those not seeking the district’s seedier offerings.

Temples

Senso-ji in Asakusa is Tokyo’s oldest and most visited temple. The Nakamise shopping street leading to the main gate is lined with traditional snacks and crafts. Come early morning before the tour groups arrive. Meiji Jingu in Harajuku is a forested Shinto shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji — a calm contrast to the surrounding city, with towering torii gates and gravel paths through the woods.

Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

Just outside Kyoto (a day trip from Tokyo via shinkansen), the Arashiyama bamboo grove is one of Japan’s most iconic sights. The towering green stalks creak and rustle in the wind. Arrive at opening time to catch it before the crowds; the surrounding Tenryu-ji temple garden is equally worth the entry fee.

Mount Fuji

Climbing Mount Fuji is a bucket-list experience best done July through early September when the official trails are open. The Yoshida Trail from the 5th Station is the most popular route, taking around 5–7 hours up and 3–4 hours down. A essential tradition is collecting wooden hiking stick brands (金剛杖, kongōzue) — at each station hut along the way, attendants burn a unique stamp into your stick for a small fee, leaving you with a permanent record of your ascent. Start the climb at night to reach the summit for sunrise (ご来光, goraiko).

Yayoi Kusama Museum

The five-floor museum in Shinjuku dedicated to Yayoi Kusama’s polka-dotted, infinity-mirrored work. Tickets are timed and sell out weeks ahead — book online as soon as dates open. The Infinity Mirror Rooms are the centerpiece, but the permanent collection shows the full range of her obsessive, decades-long output.

Convenience Stores (Konbini)

Japanese convenience stores — 7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart are the big three — are in a category of their own. Open 24 hours, they sell freshly made onigiri, sandwiches, hot foods (oden, steamed buns, fried chicken), decent coffee, alcohol, toiletries, and take-home meals that put most Western grocery stores to shame. The egg salad and tuna mayo onigiri are reliable staples; the Lawson chicken (からあげクン) is a snack institution. You can also pay bills, print documents, and charge IC cards at the in-store machines. Konbini are so embedded in daily life that learning to navigate one is essentially a survival skill in Japan.

Vending Machines (自動販売機)

Japan has roughly one vending machine for every 23 people — the highest density in the world. They are on virtually every street corner, in train stations, inside convenience stores, and at the base of mountain trails. Hot and cold drinks coexist in the same machine; a red label means hot, a blue label means cold. Beyond drinks, machines dispense cup noodles, ice cream, fresh eggs, umbrellas, and in some tourist areas, full meals. Brands worth trying: Georgia canned coffee (a classic), Pocari Sweat (a light electrolyte drink), and Calpis Water (a mild, milky soft drink). The machines are reliable, take coins and bills, and increasingly accept IC cards like Suica.

Station Stamps (駅スタンプ)

Japan’s railway stations offer free ink stamps (ekisutanpu) at designated stamp corners, usually near the ticket gates or inside the station. Each stamp features a unique design tied to the station’s local character — a landmark, mascot, or regional symbol. Collecting them is a long-standing hobby called eki stamp rally (駅スタンプラリー). Bring a small notebook or blank sketchbook; the stamps are self-service and free to use. Major stations like Tokyo, Shinjuku, Kyoto, and Asakusa all have them, and many rail lines run seasonal themed rallies with limited-edition designs. The JR East Stamp Rally app maps participating stations if you want to make a game of it.

Nara Deer

Nara is a 45-minute train ride from Kyoto (or a longer shinkansen day trip from Tokyo). Hundreds of sika deer roam freely through Nara Park and approach visitors looking for the special crackers (shika senbei) sold by vendors throughout the park. They bow to ask for food — and headbutt you if you’re too slow. Todai-ji temple, housing Japan’s largest bronze Buddha, is at the center of the park.