The Good One Day Itinerary for Shibuya, Tokyo

When folks ask me about my favourite issues to do in Tokyo, I virtually at all times circle again to the Shibuya district. Not as a result of it’s calm or straightforward, however as a result of it exhibits you every little thing without delay. The chaos. The sweetness. The rhythm of day by day life stacked on high of whole sensory overload.

This itinerary is how I might spend one full day in Shibuya if I had been taking you with me. Not too rushed, however simply sufficient construction to maintain us fed, caffeinated, and continuously stunned.

Morning 3-D Espresso at Cafe Reissue 

We start in Harajuku, as a result of there’s nowhere else you’ll begin a day like this. Cafe Reissue is a type of locations that sounds somewhat ridiculous till you’re sitting there watching your espresso, questioning how you bought emotionally connected to foam.

That is the place for 2D and 3D latte artwork, and a spot completely price planning your complete morning round. I ordered a latte topped with a 3D bear (so cute I principally apologized earlier than consuming it). For spherical two, I informed them to shock me with a 2D design, and so they got here again with a serene temple scene and Mount Fuji peeking within the background.

Just a few necessary notes earlier than you go:

• It’s money solely, so test your pockets for Yen (our invoice was about ¥3200, $20 USD).
• You’ll be able to carry a picture of the latte artwork you need, or select from their examples. The lady subsequent to us introduced a photograph of her canine and it turned out so cute!
• There’s normally a line, however should you arrive fifteen minutes earlier than they open, you’ve acquired an actual shot at strolling straight in like we did.
• The meals menu right here is restricted, so I might skip it and head straight to matcha crepes. 

Backup Choices

If the road at Cafe Reissue is simply too lengthy, I’ve acquired some stable backup espresso picks. Matilda Espresso & Vegan Bakes is tiny and charming, with no indoor seating however significantly good pastries. If they’ve it, seize the Apple Muscat and Earl Gray muffin, it’s unbelievable. One other nice possibility is Setsuko Juice & Breakfast, which is hidden away at the back of a clothes retailer. They serve unimaginable recent juices and smoothies. I cherished the Candy Kiss juice with strawberry, ginger, and apple!

Matcha Crepes at Kotobukiseian Harajuku

There are numerous crepe stands on Takeshita Avenue, however Kotobukiseian Harajuku Matcha is the one I might completely look forward to. It specializes fully in matcha, and you may style that focus in each chunk. Japanese crepes are totally different from the French model you is likely to be picturing. They’re thinner, barely crisp on the skin, and pleasantly chewy, with a steadiness that by no means ideas into overly candy. 

My favorites had been the matcha tiramisu, stuffed with matcha mascarpone, lemon jam, and chocolate puff (yum!), and the matcha berry, layered with cassis cream, blueberries, pistachio, and almond nougat.

Stroll Takeshita Avenue in Harajuku

Strolling Takeshita Avenue is slim, loud, colourful, and unapologetically unusual, and I like it for precisely that purpose. That is Tokyo at its most playful. One minute you’re passing cutting-edge streetwear outlets, the subsequent you’re watching a classic boutique or a snack you can not fairly establish. I discovered myself stopping continuously, generally in admiration, generally in whole confusion, which is actually a part of the enjoyable.

You will notice animal cafés in all places, promoting time with cats, pigs, otters, and sure, even capybaras, the place I spent a while feeding a few cuties. And the folks watching alone is well worth the stroll. 

Go to Meiji Jingu Shrine

Simply when Takeshita Avenue looks like an excessive amount of, then there’s Meiji Jingu. Marked by an infinite torii gate, the doorway leads you right into a forest of roughly 100,000 bushes, all donated from throughout Japan when the shrine was constructed. 

Meiji Jingu is devoted to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. The shrine itself is a few ten-minute stroll from Harajuku Station, but it feels worlds away. You may even see conventional Shinto weddings, guests quietly washing their arms on the purification fountain, or folks writing needs on wood ema plaques.

Close by, the Meiji Jingu Museum, designed by Kengo Kuma, shows artifacts linked to the emperor and empress, together with the carriage used in the course of the proclamation of the Meiji Structure in 1889. 

Stroll Via Yoyogi Park

Proper beside Meiji Jingu sits Yoyogi Park, sprawling and unpretentious. It doesn’t attempt to impress you with the ornateness of a Japanese backyard. As a substitute, it charms via simplicity. And plenty of bushes.

Locals jog, stroll canines, follow music, or just sit. Once we visited in early December, the burnt orange leaves had been hanging on, including heat to the grey winter sky. In spring, cherry blossoms take over. In autumn, the colours glow.

Have Lunch at Ramen Kamo to Negi

Lunch right here was not a part of the unique plan. We had been headed some other place once we observed a line of locals exterior Ramen Kamo to Negi. In Tokyo, that’s the solely advice you want.

This restaurant focuses on duck ramen, and so they do it very properly. The broth is constructed from solely duck, inexperienced onions, and water, simmered gently to extract taste with out heaviness. The result’s a transparent, elegant soup that tastes deeply savory however by no means greasy.

You order from a merchandising machine with little or no English, however a employees member kindly helped us via it. The menu is easy. Duck and leek ramen is the star.

Get the View at Shibuya Sky

Some folks say remark decks are skippable. I’m not considered one of them, at the very least not in terms of Shibuya Sky. Positioned on the forty seventh flooring of Shibuya Scramble Sq., this open-air remark deck sits 229 meters above town. The elevator journey itself is immersive, with gentle and sound constructing anticipation.

From the highest, Tokyo stretches endlessly in each route. You’ll be able to look straight down at Shibuya Crossing, watch town pulse, and on clear days, see Mount Fuji faintly within the distance.

➞ Purchase tickets on-line should you can, however we managed to get same-day tickets on website. 

Do the Shibuya Crossing

You can not come to Shibuya and never stroll throughout this well-known Shibuya Crossing that was featured within the film Misplaced in Translation in 2003. 

When the lights change, a whole lot of individuals surge ahead from each route. In some way, nobody collides, besides me who was taking too many photos! It’s chaos and choreography suddenly. Throughout peak instances, 1000’s of individuals cross each two minutes.

Peek on the Hachiko Statue

Simply exterior Shibuya Station stands the statue of Hachiko, the loyal Akita canine who waited for his proprietor day-after-day for practically a decade after the person handed away. The statue itself is small, however the that means shouldn’t be. Hachiko has grow to be a nationwide image of loyalty, and the plaza round him is now Shibuya’s hottest assembly level. It’s a crowded, however fast cease.

Store on the MEGA Don Quijote Shibuya

MEGA Don Quijote is quite a bit. Eight flooring of snacks, cosmetics, souvenirs, electronics, and belongings you didn’t know existed. It’s open 24 hours, wildly colourful, and by some means nonetheless environment friendly. It’s overwhelming in a approach that turns into oddly enjoyable.

That is the place you purchase items, magnificence merchandise, and snacks you’ll remorse not shopping for extra of. Tax-free counters make it straightforward, and indicators are in a number of languages. 

Seize a Drink at Nonbei Yokocho

As evening falls, head to Nonbei Yokocho, often known as Drunkard’s Alley. This slim avenue is lined with tiny bars, many with house for less than 5 or 6 folks.

Relationship again to the Fifties, the alley feels worn-in and intimate. Some locations serve yakitori, others wine or sake. Don’t plan on spending an excessive amount of time right here, however positively sneak inside one of many bars for a drink. 

Okonomiyaki Dinner at Imari Shibuya

Dinner at Imari was considered one of my favorites in all of Tokyo. The house is darkish and intimate, with solely ten counter seats and a big grill on the heart. We ordered the omakase for 3,800 yen, which delivered a multi-course meal chosen fully by the chef. We sat entrance and heart to observe them expertly cook dinner our dinner on the grill proper earlier than us. The present alone was price it, however the meals was scrumptious too. 

Standout dishes included the agosuji with garlic shoots, wealthy and savory, the tonpeiyaki egg omelet with completely grilled pork, and the negiyaki, a inexperienced onion pancake served merely with dashi soy sauce that allow the flavors shine.

Backup Dinner Choices

If Imari is booked otherwise you really feel like switching issues up, there are a few nice backup dinner choices price realizing about. Comodo Wine Bar is cozy and welcoming, and so they serve a complimentary potato salad that alone made me excited for a full dinner. CENSU TOKYO is extra playful and energetic, with hip hop music and a vigorous vibe, providing each omakase and powerful à la carte choices. Don’t miss the boiled rooster dumpling with spinach and mozzarella in a pumpkin sauce!

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