Japan is well-known for its cleanliness, tidiness, and safety. It is consistently ranked as one of the safest countries to visit and is a popular destination for solo travelers. The Japanese people are often perceived as well-educated, respectful, and polite, attracting millions of visitors worldwide each year.

However, there are some concerns for those planning to travel to Japan, such as the language barrier and the cultural differences. It has been 6 years since I visited Tokyo, and in these years, I have heard that this country has changed a lot. Therefore, I decided to revisit Tokyo even though I only have a few days of holidays. I recommend a few must-visit areas if you only have limited time in Tokyo. 

This time, I chose to arrive at Tokyo Haneda Airport, which is closer to the city center—about a 30-minute drive. In contrast, Narita Airport requires an hour-long train ride to reach the city center. After stepping off the airplane, I went through customs and took a taxi to my hotel. All my memories of this city came flooding back, and I felt as if I had regained my bearings.

On the way to the hotel, despite the driver’s not very fluent English, he used his limited English and Google Translate to recommend the best place to visit in Tokyo. 

Tokyo Station (東京駅)

This time, I decided to stay in a hotel near Tokyo station. As one of the major train stations in Tokyo, it is famous for its red brick facade, which was built in the 1910s. Despite the old Japanese design, I was surprised that the interior design is quite modern and will not feel outdated.

If you are planning to visit other Japan cities, living near Tokyo Station should be a consideration when you are looking for a hotel.

In fact, Tokyo Station is not only a train station; it is also a place where you can spend half a day even if you are not commuting. The train station is like a maze, but fortunately, the direction signs are very clear. 

One of the areas that I enjoy visiting most is the ‘restaurant street’ in the basement. A huge variety of restaurants provide worldwide cuisine, from local Japanese to American. When I first visited this restaurant street, my thought was, ‘Basically, I don’t want to leave this place, and why don’t I have enough time to stay here?’ 

After having a satisfying meal, it is time to do some shopping and get some souvenirs. No worries at all; the Tokyo Station understands your needs and would want to bring the most signature gifts that can represent your trip to Japan. There is a level designated as ‘Gift Shop Street,’ as the Japanese television broadcast station has a culture of creating branded products that are relevant to their TV shows or anime shows. As a fan of Japanese drama and animation, I find it to be a paradise.

Other than the Tokyo Station that worth to visit in this area, there is another signature landmark to visit if you get bored in the Tokyo Station. Opposite to the Tokyo Station, there is a white architecture with a clock outside. Contrast to the Tokyo Station’s red brick facade in 1910s style, this architecture is quite modern and stylish. When I first passed by, I thought it is a new shopping mall and nothing special. 

In fact, this architecture calls Kitte, used to be one of the first postal offices established in Japan. After years of evolution, it is now becomes a shopping mall and exhibition centre for independent artist to exhibit their design occasionally. As one of the first postal offices established in Japan, of course there is a pop up store that shows the evolution of Japanese post office and its duties to serve Japanese. 

One of my favourite things to do when visiting a new city, is to exploring its history. After visiting Kitte, I saw there is an Imperial Palace near the Kitte, which is quite eye-catching as the architecture style still maintain in the old Japanese style that creates a contrast to those modern buildings around. 

Part of the Imperial Palace has now become a museum that showcase the life of royal family and its transition, unfortunately I didn’t have enough time to go inside and visit the museum. It is because the path outside the Imperial Palace with scenic view has already make me spend more time than expected. 

Walking along the pavement, with the breeze and bird’s chiming, it has created a relaxation atmosphere and imagine myself living in the Shogun period. This scenic environment is also the reason that you will see lots of cyclists and runners here, if I have more time I will definitely change into my sport clothes and join them. 

Shibuya (渋谷）

One of the latest landmarks that is on my wishlist to visit this time is the Shibuya Sky. It is a new department store opened in 2021, unlike other department stores in Japan, its selling point is the rooftop terrace that can see the entire view of Shibuya. 

Therefore, when I planned for this trip, I was looking forward to going there and booked my ticket in advance. Unfortunately, when I arrived there, the rooftop terrace is closed due to the windy condition. It was quite disappointing however that means I can have more time to walk around Shibuya. 

Speaking of Shibuya, nine out of 10 people will tell you about one of the busiest and most complicated crossroads. Pedestrians will cross the road from a different directions and go in various directions; despite its complexity, people rarely go in each other’s way. Even though as a tourist I am not familiar with its system, miraculously I can dodge to avoid being on other’s way.

Another thing that can represent Shibuya, is the famous Hachi memorial statue in remembering this loyal dog. Since there is also a saying of this statue will bring good luck therefore it attracts a long queue wanting to take photo with the Hachi memorial statue. 

Walking around Shibuya, I have noticed that majority of local Japanese are teenagers or early twenties. It is because Shibuya is also famous for an area full of trendy fashionable shop in affordable price, especially Shibuya 109 women and Shibuya 109 men department stores. From there, I can have a glimpse of the upcoming trend in fashion with a bargain price as I always think Japanese fashion is a step ahead in the global fashion trend. 

Shinjuku(新宿）

Another major train and bus station that connects different part outside Tokyo and Japan major cities. If you can choose between staying in Tokyo Station area and Shinjuku area, I will recommend you to stay in Shinjuku. 

Unlike Tokyo Station area that is more business and commercial, whereas Shibuya is a place for teenagers or early twenties fashion. Shinjuku is a place that provides everything from electronic gadgets, luxurious brands, fashions, accessories, sport shoes and second hand items. Basically, if I only have a day in Tokyo, Shinjuku will be the only area that I stayed. 

Japanese electronic device always give me an impression of being one step ahead than the rest of the world. Therefore one of my objectives for this trip is to get a new headphone. 

In the past, when I visited the electronic shop one of my concerns is I don’t understand those Japanese description. However, this time when I stepped in Big Camera, I noticed the difference instantly. There are translation under each description and a QR code that provides various language translation. It is soothed my anxiety immediately for not getting the most suitable product. 

One of the representative landmarks in Shibuya must be the Godzilla building. Despite it is located in the ‘red light’ district, the local will advise try to avoid this area at night and be aware of the drunk. However during the daytime, it is still safe to visit that area and feel how cool that Godzilla is on top of the building. 

After visiting all the significant landmarks and the shopping, it is time for food. There are lots of restaurants on the street, however I would recommend don’t be afraid of spending some time to explore those restaurants in the commercial building or on the top floor of department stores. 

Unlike those restaurants on the street that is targeting the tourist, the locals are more likely to go those restaurant located in the commercial building. When I first went to the restaurant located in the commercial building, I was a bit worried because I could not communicate in fluent Japanese. 

However, I figured that despite there is some language barrier inside the shop, the atmosphere is completely different with my experience in the restaurant on the street. The boss and customer are like friends and they are very welcoming to the foreigner inside the shop. More importantly, the price is more affordable than those chain restaurant. 

Kichijoji(吉祥寺）

Tokyo Station, Shibuya, and Shinjuku may give an impression of targeting tourists; lots of locals will tell you that they rarely go to these areas for leisure shopping if necessary. If you think these areas can’t give you the opportunities to explore the local culture of Japanese in the same time you can do the shopping. Kichijoji is the place that you are looking at. 

The area combines a mixture of the local neighborhood and commercial elements. Especially if you are an antique lovers, this is a paradise for you. Sometimes the locals will put some of their unused item for sale, some of them maybe a limited edition or discontinued version in the 70s and 80s. Therefore, not only the local collector will come to this area, but also collectors from all around the world will come and visit to see if they are lucky enough to find their hidden gem. 

Apart from exploring the local shopping area, the tearoom and cafes are also one of the selling point in Kichijoji. Most of tearoom has a beautiful display cabinet to show the food model. In the beginning, I thought it is a gimmick to attract customer go inside the cafe. 

In fact, after I went inside the cafe, I know that the display cabinet has another purpose. As it is a local neighbourhood, some of these traditional cafe does not have an English menu but only a Japanese menu. Therefore the food model in the display cabinet has played an important role when I was ordering as I can point to the one that I wanted to try. 

Despite in some of the occasion, not knowing Japanese is not that convenient in communicating, however I figured that this time the communication has improved with the use of technology and the Japanese are very welcoming and eager to communicate with foreigner as before. I am sure that this will the reason that keeps me want to revisit the city again and again in the future.