Tokyo: What I'd Do Again
The restaurants, neighborhoods, and experiences I'd book again—and the ones I'd skip.
If someone asked me today how many days they should spend in Tokyo, I’d probably say four.
It’s big, calm, and unlike any city I’ve ever been to. Staying more than three days gives you a real feel for Japanese culture and their ways.
Instead of giving you a giant list of attractions, I thought I’d share what actually stood out to me—and what I’d book again.
The meal I still think about...
Oddly enough, it wasn’t the Michelin-star sushi.
It was ramen.
One of our favorite lunches was AFURI. There are several locations around Tokyo, and if you’re looking for a casual lunch, I’d absolutely go - there are many locations!
The broth was so tasty, the ingredients were simple, and it didn’t leave us feeling like we needed a nap afterward. We actually liked it so much that if we were back in Tokyo tomorrow, we’d definitely go again. (SO CHEAP, TOO). Get the lemon beer on draft!
The fanciest dinner...
We had dinner at Sushi m, an omakase experience that was beautifully executed and definitely worth trying if you appreciate sushi. The chef prepares each course right in front of you, and it’s more of an experience than simply dinner.
Would I recommend it?
Yes.
Would I tell someone it’s the best meal of the trip?
Honestly...probably not.
My favorite meal wasn’t at a restaurant.
One of the highlights of Tokyo was spending time with our exchange student, Fumika, and her two boys.
We went to their home for a takoyaki party, and it ended up being one of my favorite memories from the entire trip.
Our boys spoke no Japanese. Her boys spoke almost no English.
Yet somehow they laughed, played, cooked together, and became friends almost instantly.
Sometimes the best travel experiences don’t happen in restaurants or museums—they happen around someone’s dinner table.
My biggest surprise
Before we went, I assumed the packaged food would automatically be cleaner than ours because America’s food is so terrible.
NOT!
I found plenty of soy, wheat, and additives once I started reading labels. Japan regulates food differently than we do, but not with many more regulations.
What did feel different was the culture around food. People weren’t snacking or eating while walking. Portions were more reasonable than in the US, and meals felt more intentional. They also eat fish, fermented foods, and rice at pretty much every meal.
That was the biggest difference I noticed.
Next up...Osaka, which might have been my favorite stop of the entire trip. If you’re just here to follow along on our trip, I hope this gave you a few ideas.
But if you’re actually planning a trip to Japan, I’ve included my FULL TOKYO PLAN below for paid subscribers. It’s the exact plan we used, along with my notes on what I’d keep, what I’d skip, where we stayed, every restaurant we booked, and the little things I wish someone had told me before we landed.
