4 Days in Tokyo

We arrived early in the morning in Tokyo and made our way by train to our first Airbnb. Tokyo is huge, with so many great neighborhoods to stay in, but we chose Minato City. It ended up being such a convenient location, with easy access to public transportation. All the major train lines were about a five-minute walk away, and it was slightly removed from the main tourist areas, which made it a really peaceful and quiet home base.

After checking in, we headed out to explore Shibuya. Honestly, one of the best parts of Tokyo was simply walking around and taking everything in. Tokyo, and Japan as a whole, feels so different from anywhere I’ve ever traveled, so it was fun to just soak it all in and experience the vibe. We popped into shops that caught our eye and picked up some local snacks (featured in my “pinerary”!).

One of our must-visit spots was Liberty Walk Tokyo, which was high on our list since my husband is a huge F1 and car fan. The shop had so many cool car memorabilia and souvenirs, and there was even a supercar parked outside. It’s located in Omotesando, which ended up being one of my favorite areas. It’s full of unique boutiques, vintage shops, and trendy streetwear stores. Such a cool, vibey atmosphere.

We stopped for a quick snack and much-needed coffee (jet lag was real) at Ouaro, and it was so good. You absolutely have to try matcha in Japan, it’s on another level.

From there, we wandered through Shibuya and the Jingumae area, surrounded by bright lights, neon billboards, and so many fun photo spots.

For dinner, we went to a local sushi restaurant. There are so many sushi spots in Tokyo, and many of them are quite small, often with just a few tables. Be ready to be flexible and go with the flow. One thing we learned quickly is not to get too set on a specific place. Just walk in somewhere. Everywhere we went, the food was incredible, and the staff were so kind and welcoming, even though we didn’t speak much Japanese.

We also tried sake, a traditional Japanese alcohol, which was the perfect way to end our first day.

Tokyo is HUGE. I recommend going in with an open mindset knowing that you won't be able to see absolutely everything. Have a few key things you would like to see, but enjoy just roaming the streets and taking it all in!

Day 2 started with an immediate trip to 7/11, because if you know, you know. 7/11 in Japan is on another level. It’s full of fresh, delicious, and even healthy options, and we ended up eating there for breakfast almost every day. I loved the banana soy smoothie and the maple syrup pancakes, and the rice balls were perfect for quick snacks. Even their desserts were fun to try.

Since my husband and I are big coffee lovers, our next stop was a specialty espresso shop called Glitch Coffee & Roasters in Chiyoda. The coffee was incredible and definitely worth the stop.

After that, we headed to the Imperial Palace gardens. It was such a beautiful and peaceful place to walk around, or even just sit and relax. We were lucky enough to be there during cherry blossom season, which made it even more special. If you can, I highly recommend visiting Japan in the spring for the blooms.

Next, we made our way to Jimbocho, which is basically a dream if you love books. There’s an entire street dedicated to bookstores, with a mix of English and Japanese shops. It felt like every turn led to another hidden gem, and you could easily spend hours exploring.

By that point, we were ready for lunch, so we found a local ramen spot. One thing we learned quickly is that you really can’t go wrong. You can walk into almost any ramen shop in Tokyo and it will be amazing. Many of them are small and feel like you’re eating in someone’s home kitchen, which makes the experience even better. Plus, it’s incredibly affordable. A full ramen meal usually costs around 500 to 900 yen, which is roughly $3 to $6.

We started Day 3 in Shinjuku with coffee at Covert Coffee. It was another amazing specialty coffee spot and such a great way to start the day.

It ended up being quite rainy, but honestly, Japan is so vibey in the rain. We spent the morning wandering the streets of Shinjuku, popping into shops and just taking it all in.

I stopped by Don Quijote, which is an absolute must if you’re into makeup, skincare, or haircare. It’s incredible… and a little overwhelming in the best way. They have so many high-quality Japanese beauty products, and it’s all tax-free for tourists. Just make sure to bring your passport. I could have easily spent hours in there.

Next, we headed to Sensō-ji and stumbled upon this beautiful temple complex. There are so many stunning temples throughout Tokyo, and each one feels special in its own way.

Later that night, we made our way to Golden Gai for a drink. It’s such a unique area, with tiny bars packed closely together, each with its own vibe. Later that night, we made our way to Golden Gai for a drink. It’s such a unique area made up of a maze of tiny alleyways lined with over 200 miniature bars. Most of them only seat a handful of people, sometimes as few as 5 to 10, which makes the whole experience feel really intimate and personal. Each bar has its own distinct theme or vibe, from cozy and laid-back to quirky and eclectic. Some are even known for welcoming tourists, while others are more local-focused. It’s definitely not your typical nightlife scene, and that’s what makes it so special. The perfect, slightly offbeat way to end the day.

On Day 4, our last day in Tokyo, we started the morning at Meiji Shrine. This is one of Tokyo’s most important Shinto shrines, dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. It’s set in a huge forested area right in the middle of the city, which makes it feel incredibly peaceful and almost hidden away from the busy streets. Walking through the towering torii gates and along the gravel paths felt really grounding and calm, especially compared to the fast pace of the rest of Tokyo.

Then, right outside that area, we went to a coffee shop/cafe called Flip Flip Coffee supply. Great coffee!

After that, we spent some time shopping for cute little trinkets and souvenirs, which Japan is honestly the best place for. There’s a whole culture around small, collectible items. You’ll see things like keychains, mini plushies, and tiny character goods everywhere. A lot of it is tied to “kawaii” culture, which is all about cuteness and charm, and also to things like gachapon machines (those capsule toy dispensers where you get a surprise item). It’s super common to collect these as little memories from different places, and each area or store often has its own unique designs. It makes souvenir shopping really fun… and very hard not to overdo.