
What to do in Tokyo
Our week in Tokyo is just about up so I thought I’d share some of the things we did during our time here. This was my second ever trip to Japan and our time here definitely did not disappoint!
Owl Village in Harajuku
Themed cafes are pretty unique to Japan and you can find the most interesting types… from the widely-known maid cafes to newer animal cafes, you can sip tea and hang out with everything – from bunnies to lizards to goats to owls!
We stumbled upon Owl Village in Harajuku just one street over from the famous Takeshita Street. Make sure you make a reservation because the first time we showed up, every session for the day was full.
When we arrived, we were given a choice of drink in the cafe area away from the owls. Once everyone read the rules and had their hands sanitized, we entered the room with the owls.
These creatures were absolutely gorgeous, so friendly, and amazing to hang out with!
Asakusa
Asakusa is famous for the Sensō-ji, a Buddhist temple.
Probably one of the more tourist-y areas that I’ve visited in Japan, you can easily find gifts and souvenirs to purchase in this area. It’s also super close to the Tokyo Skytree Tower, another tourist location famous for its 360° views of the city.
Ginza
We stopped by Ginza to do some walking and shopping just as the sun was setting over Tokyo. It was such a gorgeous sight to see with the city lights and tall buildings. If you plan on going shopping here, make sure you are prepared to spend!
You can also get delicious mochi filled with chocolate and strawberries at Ginza Akebono, so don’t forget to stop by there!
Akihabara
Also known as “Electric City,” Akihabara is basically every kid’s dream. Last time we were here, we visited a maid cafe and ordered food that was too cute to eat. You can find kawaii cakes and cafes everywhere!
There are game arcades scattered throughout the streets, shops with rare and collectable anime-themed items, and tons of shops featuring photography equipment that I spent a little too much time in. We tried out a claw game to win a fluffy Kokoro plush, too!
HUGE TIP: the secret to winning those seemingly impossible claw games is to ask the game center employees for help! They’re super nice and even opened up the glass case to reposition the prize so that it’s possible to win without throwing thousands of yen away.
Where to stay
Read more on the relaxing Japanese Onsen we stayed at or the hotel in Tokyo with a view of Tokyo Tower!
M Kashiwabara
Thank you for staying with us! – Shima Onsen Kashiwaya Ryokan