Japanese Adventure

• You are currently exempt from requiring a tourist visa with a US passport. Please see here for updates.
  
• Passports must be valid until the end of your planned length of stay in Japan.
  
• Passports must have at least two blank pages for entry stamp, with six blank visa pages recommended.
  
• As of May 2023, Japan has lifted all Covid restrictions for entry into the country. Mask-wearing is no longer mandatory and is a matter of personal decision in Japan. However, businesses and clinics reserve the right to ask visitors to use a mask when entering their facilities. We recommend having a mask handy in such cases.

Visitors to Japan now have the option to complete a Visit Japan Web before their arrival. By providing all of the requested information before arrival, it should expedite procedures through immigration & customs when you land in Tokyo.

Note that this is not compulsory, and the relevant forms will be available when you land, but it will likely allow for a smoother arrival.

We have put together this Destination Guide for you, full of unique insights and ways to get excited before you travel, such as:

• Spotify playlists
  
• Dishes to try
  
• Helpful phrases
  
• Packing guide
  
• Tipping guides

Plus more!

• Scenset's Guide to Japan

• Time Zone: Japan is GMT + 9 hours, so typically 13 hours ahead of East Coast USA, and 16 hours ahead of West Coast. When you travel to Japan you lose a day, but upon return, will arrive the same date you depart.
  
• Country Dialing Code: +81
  
• Transportation: Uber is available in most major cities. Please download the app prior to your arrival.

April is one of the most popular months to travel to Japan, and with good reason.

The high average temperature can go up to 66°F, and the lowest averages of 52°F in the morning and at night.

In Japan, there is always a chance of rainfall. Pack accordingly!

Given your travel dates, it looks like you may just miss the cherry blossoms, which are scheduled to be in full bloom in Tokyo from March 29 until about April 5th. You may get lucky and catch the last couple of days!

We strongly recommend pre-booking an arrival transfer through your hotel.

When stepping off a long flight, even searching for the taxi queue can be laborious, and wait times can be unpredictable.

• Regarding mobile phones, please contact your service provider to see whether you will be able to roam and what fees you may incur. As a general rule, selecting the “data off while roaming” preference is a good practice.
  
• It is also possible to buy a local SIM card once you arrive in Japan, which your guide can arrange for you (provided your phone is “region unlocked”).
  
• High-speed Internet access is available virtually everywhere in Japan. At some properties this service is complimentary, but please see the concierge for information about connecting and possible fees.
  
• Free public wifi is available in major cities, but not in smaller areas. A great option is to rent a pocket WiFi router, which you can do so through Ninja WiFi. You arrange to pick this up at the airport on arrival, or have it delivered to your hotel. You simply return the device at the airport upon departure.

One of the most useful ways to use the public transportation system in Tokyo (and beyond) is to use a pre-charged SUICA or Pasmo Card.

These cards can be used instead of train tickets or cash for transport on local and inner-city lines. To use them, simply tap them on the scanner as you enter the train station or bus. These can also be used on certain ferry lines!

If you ever need to charge your card with more money, you can easily do this at the charge machines in a train station - the machines have English support too.

The cards perform similar functions, and you can read about both options here

Note: Owing to a chip shortage, these cards have become harder to find. As a first step, we recommend reaching out to your hotel concierge, to see if they can facilitate a purchase on your behalf. Alternatively, there are cards reserved specifically for tourists, which should be available for purchase at both Narita and Haneda Airports.

Shibuya Sky: Catch the best views of Tokyo at this 360° open-air observation deck at the rooftop of Shibuya Scramble Square. Shibuya Sky is approximately 230 metres above ground and is the highest point in the district of Shibuya. The ‘Sky Edge’, a corner where you can look down at the cityscape below without any obstructions and is a particularly good photo spot that provides a panoramic view of the city. In addition to the breathtaking views, the rooftop also features hammocks for cloud watching and an observation compass to help you identify major landmarks in the distance such as Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Stadium and even Mt Fuji (on a clear day).

Tickets: Timed tickets are available for purchase here. Note that tickets for sunset tend to sell out first, but the views are wonderful anytime of day.

Tokyo Skytree: The Tokyo Skytree is a television broadcasting tower and has become one of the most famous landmarks of Tokyo. It is the centerpiece of the Tokyo Skytree Town in the Sumida Ward. It has a height of 634 meters (in Japanese 634 can be read as "Musashi," which is a former name for the area around Tokyo.) It is the tallest building in Japan. A large shopping complex (Tokyo Skytree Town) with an aquarium is located at its base. The highlight of the Tokyo Skytree is its two observation
decks, which offer spectacular views out over Tokyo. The two enclosed decks are located at heights of 350 and 450 meters respectively.

Tickets: Tickets can be booked up to 30 days in advance, and can be purchased here.

Owing to increased demand, they have become one of the more difficult bookings to obtain. Reservations open up in the evening, 31 days prior to your visit. If you wanted to try and secure reservations, you can start trying from March 6th through this link (note: it's recommended to familiarize yourself with the site first, as it's a question of fastest finger first!).

Last minute reservations are actually quite common, and if you visit the website a few times the evening before, there is a high chance you will find availability. Here are a few tips:

• Visit the main reservation page, from which you can choose the Tokyo or Osaka location.
  
• You have to click through a few pages, before you get to the reservation calendar.
  
• If you see a time available just grab it. This may mean dining at an inconvenient time, but any reservation slot is a sought after commodity.
  
• You will have a better chance of securing a reservation for a smaller party instead of a larger one.

Amezaiku are confectionary items made into elaborate shapes, and it's a fun hands-on experience for families.

Workshops are organized by Asakusa Amezaiku Ameshin. Note that it's not a private experience, but would likely be done with other families - mostly Japanese. It lasts about an hour.

teamLab Borderless: Technology meets art at teamLab Borderless - newly relocated to Azabudai Hills. This unique museum offers visitors the chance to immerse themselves in truly unique pieces of art - everything experienced here is a one time masterpiece, never to be seen again. Note: Tickets must be purchased in advance, and can be done so here. It tends to sell out, so if you are interested, we recommend securing tickets soon.

teamLab Planets: An alternative could be teamLab Planets, which is located in Toyosu (near the new fish market). Tickets for this exhibition can be purchased here, and for peak dates of travel it will likely sell out.

If you want to meet with locals and learn more about Japanese cuisine, a cooking class with Traveling Spoon is highly recommended.

This is a trusted supplier we have worked with for years, and they work with a number of locals throughout Japan, who will welcome you into their home and teach you how to cook some iconic dishes. Market tours are also available.

Located in the heart of Tokyo, the vibrant Asakusa district is a captivating blend of old and new, where ancient traditions and modern attractions seamlessly coexist. Stepping into Asakusa feels like a journey back in time, with its narrow streets, traditional architecture, and historic landmarks. The district is most renowned for Senso-ji, one of Tokyo's oldest and most significant Buddhist temples, attracting visitors from all over the world who come to admire its magnificent red gate (Kaminarimon) and explore the bustling Nakamise shopping street, filled with stalls selling traditional snacks, souvenirs, and crafts.

Beyond its cultural treasures, Asakusa offers a vibrant atmosphere with its lively marketplaces, traditional restaurants serving mouth-watering local delicacies, and the chance to experience traditional Japanese festivals and events throughout the year. Whether it's immersing in rich history, shopping for unique souvenirs, or savoring the flavors of Japan, Asakusa offers a captivating experience that showcases the essence of Tokyo's rich heritage.

Heading west, discover Kappabashi, Tokyo's restaurant-supply district. Kappabashi is teeming with shops catering to all aspects of catering, and so is a wonderful area for buying anything cooking related including kitchen knives and utensils. Those convincingly real replicas of Japanese foods that you'll have seen in restaurant windows? You can buy these here! They could be a tantalising reminder of your trip.

Akihabara, also known as "Electric Town," is a bustling district in central Tokyo that is famous for its electronics stores, anime shops, and video game arcades. The neighborhood is a hub for technology enthusiasts and pop culture fans, with countless stores selling everything from the latest gadgets and electronics to vintage video games and anime merchandise. Akihabara is also known for its colorful streets and vibrant atmosphere, with countless neon signs and cosplay costumes adding to its unique character. Whether you're a tech lover, a gaming enthusiast, or simply looking for a taste of Tokyo's vibrant pop culture scene, Akihabara is a must-visit destination that has something for everyone.

Harajuku’s Takeshita Street - This narrow, crowded street is lined with shops that sell the latest fashion trends, sweets, and other interesting items. It is in this area that some of the outrageous fashion that Japan is known for is scenset.

As the trendy streets of Harajuku end, the amazing architecture of Omotesando begins. With seemingly endless modern, cutting-edge architecture, great shopping, and delicious restaurants, Omotesando is Tokyo’s Champs-Elysées Boulevard. Many of the buildings along this street were designed by Pritzker Prize winning architects such as Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa.

Visit Shinjuku, located in the heart of Tokyo. Containing the world’s busiest train station, Shinjuku is not only the commercial epicenter and home of the Tokyo government, but a lively destination for travelers. The district contains a number of noteworthy locations, including a slew of department stores, restaurants, and Tokyo’s Central Park. If you have time, be sure to visit a large department store; consisting of eight floors, each dedicated to a different style, ranging from gothic, edgy Japanese punk to frilly, lacy outfits inspired by anime and fantasy characters.

Visit Shibuya crossing, one of the world’s most heavily used pedestrian intersections. When the light turns red all vehicular traffic comes to a halt and the crossing is momentarily filled with a frenzy of criss-crossing pedestrians. Neon lights and enormous video screens create a lively atmosphere.

From Shibuya Crossing visit the nearby Hachiko statue, perhaps Tokyo’s most famous meeting spot and a popular tourist destination. Hachiko is a small akita dog remembered for his remarkable loyalty. In the early 1920’s a professor who lived near Shibuya station would come home to find a dog waiting for him at the station every day. The professor died in 1925 but the dog would continue to come to the station to wait for his owner until his own death 10 years later.

Visit Ebisu, a laid-back neighborhood that is a refreshing break from the chaos that is most of Tokyo. It is a residential area close to Shibuya known for its cozy and small restaurants, pubs, and tachinomiya standing bars. The main highlight of Ebisu is the Yebisu Garden Place, a large entertainment, dining, and shopping complex.

Famous for the unique fashion that has grown in the area, Shimokitazawa, locally known as "Shimokita", is a neighborhood with great shopping, with many stores carrying vintage and second-hand clothing, cute interior goods, and antiques. It has become a rival to the more famous Harajuku and, in some ways, surpasses it.

The area is full of theaters, galleries, live houses, comfortable cafes, and izakaya bars. For those looking for something unique, this is a must-go place in Tokyo!

Shimokitazawa has been the center of Japan's subculture scenset since the 1970s. Many of the galleries and venues here cater to indie artists and local creators. Perhaps that is why this town is popular among the younger generation while having a nostalgic feel at the same time. Shimokita is well-known for its strong support for local art.

Tokyo’s “Little Brooklyn”, is a popular spot with the locals for many reasons. For those who are looking for fantastic food, the area boasts plentiful restaurants. For those seeking interesting and artistic buildings, Daikanyama has no shortage. For those looking to delve a bit deeper into Tokyo’s history, the Kyu Asakura house is a must see. This unique and beautifully culturally diverse neighborhood is the perfect place to explore independently.

A residential district in western Tokyo, Nakameguro is famous for its shops, restaurants, cafes and overall ambience. Throughout the year, visitors can see Ryusenji Temple, known as Meguro-fudoson. On the temple grounds, there is a small waterfall pond as well as the statue of Meguro Fudo-Myoo. The area shows a different side of this metropolis.

No expedition to the area is complete without visiting the sprawling grounds of Ueno Park, replete with museums as well as bountiful plants. Arguably the cultural heart of Tokyo, there are numerous temples and shrines scattered amongst museums like the National Museum of Nature and Science, the National Museum of Western Art, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum.

Just adjacent to Ueno, find yourself back in time on the streets of old Tokyo, preserved in the district of Yanesen. The name Yanesen is a portmanteau of the three areas that make the district: Yanaka, Nezu and Sendagi. Here you can find Yanaka Cemetery, where many historical Japanese figures are laid to rest, Nezu Shrine, a Buddhist shrine notable for its magical red tori gate corridor lined with gorgeous azaleas, and Yasuda House, one of the few large traditional residences remaining in Tokyo. These three areas make Yanesen a place where you can experience a slower and more relaxed side of the city strewn with small temples, craft shops, galleries, and cafes for you to discover.

Sensōji Temple is the oldest temple in Tokyo, having been built in 645AD.

Unfortunately, after remaining relatively unscathed for 13 centuries, it was destroyed during WWII. Sensoji was rebuilt after the war and has become a symbol of rebirth of the city and the nation.
Nowadays, millions of people step through the Kaminarimon or Thunder Gate, famous for its huge lantern, and stroll along Nakamisedori, the street leading to the temple, filled with small shops selling all manners of goods.

Backed by skyscrapers and cloaked in green, Hamarikyu Gardens is a peaceful oasis within Tokyo's metropolis. Once a Shogun's villa where feudal lords hunted ducks in the tidal waterways, the garden opened to the public in 1948 and features tidal ponds, plum groves, and a peony garden.

We highly recommend stopping for a reviving cup of bitter, whipped green matcha tea at the garden's traditional Nakajima teahouse.

The Imperial Palace, also known as the Tokyo Imperial Palace, is the primary residence of the Emperor of Japan and the imperial family. Located in the heart of Tokyo, the palace is surrounded by beautiful gardens and serves as a symbol of Japan's rich history and cultural heritage. Although the palace is not open to the public, visitors can explore the surrounding gardens and enjoy the stunning views of the palace's historic buildings and moats. The Imperial Palace is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in Japanese culture, history, and architecture.

Meiji Shrine was built nearly 100 years ago to commemorate Emperor Meiji’s contribution to modern Japan. The shrine is entirely surrounded by a forest, with an area of 70 hectares of land and over 120,000 trees, all of which were donated to the shrine from different parts of Japan.

Although rather young compared with other shrines, Meiji shrine has its own dramatic story to tell. While the original construction of the shrine was completed in 1926, the shrine was destroyed during the bombings of World War II and rebuilt in 1958.

If you’re lucky, you’ll spot a couple on their wedding day, making their way through the shrine’s grounds on their way to their ceremony.

Freshly constructed to replace Tokyo’s storied Tsukiji Fish Market, Toyosu’s massive scale and meticulous design are meant to solve the many problems that have plagued Tsukiji in recent years. Chief among them: there simply was not enough room at Tsukiji for all the tourists that began queuing every day in the early morning for the auction. The ample facilities at Toyosu are sleek and modern, easier to keep sanitary, provide a more ordered experience for guests, and offer a more streamlined process for those buying and selling the enormous quantities of seafood required to keep Tokyo’s fabulous eateries up and running.

Note: We do not recommend going to this market early, as the experience has lost its luster since it relocated from Tsukiji.

Jogai is the outer market area surrounding the famous Tsukiji Market. A variety of fresh produce, seafood, and kitchenware are sold daily. You can also visit a store and browse the world renowned knives. Founded in 1560, the company originally supplied swords to the Imperial House of Japan, before becoming a knife manufacturer in the 18th century. This particular store, Tsukiji Aritsugu, opened in 1918 after gaining independence from the original store in Kyoto.

Tokyo is renowned for being home to high-end department stores where you can not only purchase quality souvenirs, but also sample some wonderful food at the expansive food courts. Below you will find some of our favorites:

Matsuzakaya Ueno
Address: 3 Chome-29-5 Ueno, Taito City, Tokyo 110-8503, Japan
A must-go for those searching for the ultimate depachika experience - this department store has been offering the freshest groceries, most mouthwatering delicacies, and highest quality products for over 400 years.

Daimaru Tokyo
Address: 1 Chome-9-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-6701, Japan
With 13 floors of shopping and a fabulous food hall, the Daimaru department store in Tokyo Station is one of the largest in central Tokyo.

Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store
Address: 1 Chome-4-1 Nihonbashimuromachi, Chuo City, Tokyo 103-8001, Japan
Mitsukoshi is widely considered as the first modern department store in Japan, started as a kimono fabrics company, and now having 20 domestic and 30 overseas locations.

Takashimaya
Address: 2 Chome-4-1 Nihonbashi, Chuo City, Tokyo 103-8265, Japan
Takashimaya is the leading department store in Japan, with locations in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Nagoya, offering the latest cosmetics, clothes, luxury items and food.

Department stores typically open sometime in the morning

Visit Kiddy Land toy store and immerse yourself in Japanese kawaii culture, a word which translates to a quality of cuteness within Japanese culture. Kiddy Land is one of Japan’s largest and most popular toy stores and contains several floors of anything from toys and electronic games, to character goods and stationery. Kiddy Land features a variety of collectables with a number of specialty shops dedicated to different characters such as SNOOPY TOWN, dedicated to the cartoon series Peanuts, and Hello Kitty Store in Harajuku, featuring items dedicated to the popular kid’s show.

Visit Tokyu Hands, Japan’s “one-stop shop,” where you can find thousands of items unique to Japan, focusing on hobby, home improvement and lifestyle products. From toys and costumes to bicycles, pet supplies, and camping gear, Tokyu has it all. We recommend checking out the stationary section.

If there are types of Japanese cuisine you don't want to miss, making a couple of reservations in advance is wise. However, I'd also encourage not overscheduling. A regular occurrence is for people to reserve a restaurant for each dinner, only to change their mind once they're in the country, and be hit with cancellation penalties. Some of the best dining experiences can be found through spontaneity, or simply asking the hotel staff where they like to dine.

Note that a restaurant will typically accept reservations one of two ways; either through a hotel concierge desk or directly from the diners themselves. If there are specific restaurants you wish to dine at, the respective hotels should be able to reserve them on your behalf, and can oftentimes streamline the onerous admin that's associated with the bookings. There are also some great platforms that assist with bookings such as tableall.com, Omakase.in and Byfood.

We're more than happy to provide personal recommendations (and we have many!) and guidance when it comes to the type of restaurants to book.