If you’re planning a trip to Tokyo, here are my favourite areas to explore. Each one has tips for cute and crafty shops, places to eat and fun attractions to visit.
Akihabara
Tokyo’s neon-filled electronics/gaming/anime/geek area. You’ll find maid cafes, idol groups, animal cafes and hundreds of gaming, anime and electronics stores.
Read my Akihabara area guide »
Ginza
A high end neighbourhood with flagship stores, amazing architecture and big name department stores. Also home to one of the most beautiful stationery shops in the world.
Read my Ginza area guide »
Harajuku
An exciting mix of all types of Japanese culture from teen fashion and character cafes to traditional artwork and beautiful shrines and parks.
Read my Harajuku area guide »
Ikebukuro
Great for rainy days as the Sunshine City complex houses two huge shopping malls, observatory, aquarium, planetarium and Egyptian museum plus a food theme park!
Read my Ikebukuro area guide »
Kichijoji
Worth a trip out of the city centre for a lovely park with lake and zoo, a huge fabric and craft store and the delights of the Ghibli Museum.
Read my Kichijoji area guide »
Nippori Fabric Town
A must visit for sewists as this area is crammed full of fabric and sewing shops.
Read my Nippori Fabric Town area guide »
Odaiba
This man-made island can be a little tacky but that’s half the fun. With multiple shopping malls and museums, illuminations, hot springs theme park and even a half size Statue of Liberty, it makes for a great day out.
Read my Odaiba area guide »
Shibuya
With the Shibuya Scramble crossing, neon lighting and video screens at all angles, this is the Tokyo of movies and there are a lot of great shops and restaurants here too.
Read my Shibuya area guide »
Shinjuku
A huge transport hub with lots of hotels and shopping, plus one of Tokyo’s prettiest gardens, makes Shinjuku a great base for first time visitors.
Read my Shinjuku area guide »
Ueno
Ueno Park is packed full of attractions including major museums, a zoo, temples and shrines and a large pond, plus some great markets.
Read my Ueno area guide »