
At first glance, Tokyo is an uncompromisingly modern city, the streets below its slick skyscrapers teeming with affluent people impeccably dressed in Western designer garb. Duck around a corner from the tower blocks, though, and there will be elaborately coiffured ladies shuffling along in traditional kimonos, neatly uniformed workers slurping noodles at a hole-in-the-wall diner and a shrine where ancient traditions are followed.
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Perfect forFamilies | Art Lovers | Intellectuals | Style Mavens | Foodies
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When to goMarch-May | September-November | December-February
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Ideal length of stay3-5 Nights
Designing Your Journey
Work with Indagare to design the perfect itinerary for an immersive journey. Our travel experts know the destination inside and out, and they can make recommendations based on your travel needs and preferences.
3 Days: Essential Tokyo
A special access itinerary for this capital makes the difference between a run-of-the-mill tour and an authentic adventure. Here is just one example of what our destination experts can create for you.
Day 1: Intro to Tokyo
After settling in to your hotel and meeting your host, take a walking tour around the Imperial Palace and gardens before stopping into the beautiful Yasukuni Shrine. Next, ride up to the viewing platform of Tokyo Sky Tree, the world’s tallest freestanding tower. After lunch at a local noodle shop, enjoy a restorative spa treatment at your hotel before dinner at one of Indagare’s favorite foodie-approved restaurants for sushi or noodles.
Day 2: Culinary Tokyo
This morning, visit the famous Tsukiji Fish Market for a sushi breakfast or to shop for ingredients for a sushi-making class, after which you will enjoy your creations. Later, visit Sensoji Temple, one of Tokyo’s most famous temples, where you can view the vividly painted paper lanterns that adorn the gate. Next, enjoy a guided tour of the Akihabara, the electronics district and center of otaku culture (manga and anime) before dinner at a local hotspot.
Day 3: Cultural Exploration
This morning, visit a sumo stable with your guide to see a training session and learn about the ancient sport. After a casual lunch of ramen or soba noodles, visit the Meiji Jingu Shrine, one of the most iconic temples in Japan. Finish your afternoon with a guided walk through Harajuku, the epicenter of youth culture in Tokyo, and along Omotesando Avenue, home to luxury shops. For dinner, try one of Tokyo’s Michelin-starred French restaurants or head to a century-old tempura house.
Where To Stay
We only feature hotels that we can vouch for first-hand. At many of them, Indagare members receive special amenities, including upgrades, early check-in, breakfast, spa credits and more. Look for the Indagare Plus logo in the reviews.
- Courtesy Aman ResortsRead More
Aman Tokyo
Aman Hotels might have come from Japan, so well does the generally super-understated, minimalist look of its guestrooms match the ethos of the culture. It took a while for the company to arrive here, but when Aman Tokyo debuted in...
- Courtesy of Mandarin Oriental TokyoRead More
Mandarin Oriental Tokyo
Mandarin Oriental sought out an iconic Japanese design firm to finish off the 32-38th floors of the César Pelli–designed Nihonbashi Mitsui Tower with timeless style, making this a relaxing refuge for business and leisure travelers.
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Palace Hotel Tokyo
Owned by Japanese hoteliers, the 23-story Palace Hotel is located adjacent to the Imperial Palace Gardens and, thanks to a beautiful renovation, has elegant, sleek and modern décor.
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Park Hyatt Tokyo
The Park Hyatt Tokyo—a city mainstay that became an icon in 2003 as the setting of Sofia Coppola’s cult classic Lost in Translation—attracts big-name guests, despite a slightly less desirable location than some of Tokyo's other top hotels.
- Courtesy of Hoshino ResortsRead More
Hoshinoya Tokyo
Hoshinoya Tokyo offers a Japanese ryokan experience in the city. From the hotel’s traditional tatami flooring to its onsen (Japanese hot springs), the property is a peaceful retreat in the bustling metropolis.