I’m sure this is a “common answer”, but the Tokyo City Hall observation deck – free beautiful panoramic view
I also just like walking around Ginza and seeing the post-modern architecture and sampling the fancy food – whether they’re in fancy department stores or on the street
It honestly depends on what your family is in to.
Some really like the touristy stuff. The stuff you can Google that’s like “top ten must see in Tokyo!” Sky Tree, the big Gundams in Odaiba, shrines/temples, the “big” Don Quixote.
Some want more of a local flavor. Your favorite hole in the wall izakaya. Some of the more “local” parks/shopping areas. Hiking out in the burbs.
Take them to the restaurants you eat at. That will be a better memory for you and them that you took them to not tourist places, but where you actually visit. Same with things to do. We take all our visitors to our locals only beach, the big shrine we go to several times a year, the parks where our son plays at, etc…
My mom is coming in two weeks for first time. Probably skytree, hakone, Disney, Yokohama, enoshima
Hmmm “beside the most common places”? So I’m guessing you mean somewhere not crammed with tourists, but still capturing the essence of Tokyo. Perhaps alternatives to the popular ones?
Depends on their walking stamina, and comfort being in a place that’s so unfamiliar 🤷🏻♀️
My family is all in (and from) the states. Most haven’t travelled out of the country and they like American comforts like big cars, big shopping carts, talking on phones in public spaces.
I use train stations to gauge tolerance. Specifically I have a routine that starts at just simply exploring the train station, and I gauge reactions there. If they’re having fun and everything is great, we expand more and do more walking and see more things. If the train station is a bit much, I pull back and stick to smaller local options. If train station is just right, we are really in luck because there are so many things to do at so many train stations.
But truly, it depends on your family. While my family does have their preferences and their comfort, they are also retired. They have the time and money to travel, but aren’t used to walking such distances, so we take frequent breaks or only do fun things until lunch so they can spend the evening wearing compression socks and keeping their ankles elevated.
If they’re younger and more able, I’d hit as many “Top Ten” lists as possible. Meiji! East Palace! Takeshita Street! Ginza Six! Hotel Gracery!
Everywhere, there’s so much to see. From little galleries and work shops in Nishi-okubo, nezu and other areas, to Izakayas, picnics in Kiba park or Shinjuku Gyoen. Then there’s the fun places around Odiaba: Small World’s, the Earthquake emergency cente, Megaoplis, Miraikan.
My favourite burger restaurants and my favourite soba restaurants. Walking from Harajuku to Shibuya, along the canals of Meguro or even Funabashi.
Tokyo Dome, Disneyland, The Olympic stadium.
Roppongi hills for beers and an art Exhibition.
Tokyo Tower, Metropolitan building, Tokyo Skytree..Tokyo fish market, Meiji Jingu, Senso-ji.
..drinking and eating through the markets of Ueno, before grabbing a coffee in the park.
Take a train to Kamakura, take a train to Onjuku, Scale Mnt Takao.
…
Thanks everyone for the suggestions, my dad is visiting in November and I am taking notes !
YANEZU
Depends on the season. My mum is a big flower nut and came in wisteria season so we went to the Kameido temple gardens, and also out to Hitsujiyama in Chichibu to the shibazakura park (moss phlox?). My cousins were big into otaku anime culture so we did a lot of Harajuku/robot cafe/pokemon cafe etc. I also really enjoy going to Tsukishima for monjayaki! But I hate Tokyo in general and will avoid going there at all if possible 😆
How long are you talking? And, you’ve got to give them a few hours of crowded, touristy areas, so they can tell that story when they get home.
I’d go to Harajuku Station. Meiji Jingu first, then around the corner to Yoyogi Park (especially on a weekend — do the rockabilly folks still dance there?). Then down Takeshita Street. Get a crepe or some Calbee potatoes.
There was a really good burger shop in the alleys near Takeshita, but I only found it once. I think Eggs ‘n’ Things is near the bottom of Takeshita Street, too.
This only takes a day, and then you can look for the quieter spots.
Oh, and is Art Labo still doing it’s thing? Pretty amazing light art.
Despite being out of the way, I would highly recommend Enoshima if the weather is nice, especially on a weekday. She can see the more suburban parts of Tokyo/Kanagawa away from the neon rush of Shinjuku/Shibuya. It’s really beautiful on a clear day because you can see Mt. Fuji as well. If you’re too tired to come back, you can stay at a cheap hotel in Odawara or further east in Shinyurigaoka or Machida.
Give them a tour through a supermarket. There’s so much to see and experience.
For some of our guests it’s the big city vibe: basically send them to Shinjuku and they’ll be amazed by skyscrapers and trying to get the right train back 🤣
For others it may be izakaya as a counter to pub culture in the west.
Some others really like Ginza or Omotesando and the light cafes and window shopping experience.
There are yet others who are into bouldering or jazz or yoga…
14 comments
I’m sure this is a “common answer”, but the Tokyo City Hall observation deck – free beautiful panoramic view
I also just like walking around Ginza and seeing the post-modern architecture and sampling the fancy food – whether they’re in fancy department stores or on the street
It honestly depends on what your family is in to.
Some really like the touristy stuff. The stuff you can Google that’s like “top ten must see in Tokyo!” Sky Tree, the big Gundams in Odaiba, shrines/temples, the “big” Don Quixote.
Some want more of a local flavor. Your favorite hole in the wall izakaya. Some of the more “local” parks/shopping areas. Hiking out in the burbs.
Take them to the restaurants you eat at. That will be a better memory for you and them that you took them to not tourist places, but where you actually visit. Same with things to do. We take all our visitors to our locals only beach, the big shrine we go to several times a year, the parks where our son plays at, etc…
My mom is coming in two weeks for first time. Probably skytree, hakone, Disney, Yokohama, enoshima
Hmmm “beside the most common places”? So I’m guessing you mean somewhere not crammed with tourists, but still capturing the essence of Tokyo. Perhaps alternatives to the popular ones?
1. [Ebisu Yokocho](https://www.google.com/search?q=Ebisu+Yokocho&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwi5rY2S-MKBAxXLzjQHHVzRAnsQ2-cCegQIABAA&oq=Ebisu+Yokocho&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQDDIECCMQJzIHCAAQGBCABDIHCAAQGBCABDIHCAAQGBCABDIHCAAQGBCABDIHCAAQGBCABDIHCAAQGBCABDIHCAAQGBCABFAAWABgxcQEaAFwAHgAgAFoiAHEAZIBAzEuMZgBAKoBC2d3cy13aXotaW1nwAEB&sclient=img&ei=-wEQZfnDLMud0-kP3KKL2Ac&bih=931&biw=1920&rlz=1C1GCEA_enJP977JP977): lively, retro-style indoor food alley near Ebisu station (just one station away from Shibuya). Instead of the crowded “Piss Alley”, this is a better alternative.
2. [Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building](https://www.google.com/search?q=Tokyo+Metropolitan+Government+Building&tbm=isch&chips=q:tokyo+metropolitan+government+building,g_1:observation+deck:i9q1L0cVMpc%3D&rlz=1C1GCEA_enJP977JP977&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwissPDQ-cKBAxWkm1YBHYjPC94Q4lYoAHoECAEQNQ&biw=1903&bih=931): Provides panoramic views of Tokyo, and it’s less crowded than Tokyo Tower or Skytree. Plus, it’s free!
3. [Kagurazaka](https://www.google.com/search?q=Kagurazaka&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwjZ1LnZ-cKBAxWAzjQHHb_0CAQQ2-cCegQIABAA&oq=Kagurazaka&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQAzIHCAAQigUQQzIHCAAQigUQQzIHCAAQigUQQzIFCAAQgAQyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCABDIFCAAQgAQyBQgAEIAEMgUIABCABDIFCAAQgARQgwNYgwNguwVoAHAAeACAAVWIAaEBkgEBMpgBAKABAaoBC2d3cy13aXotaW1nwAEB&sclient=img&ei=nQMQZZmSMICd0-kPv-mjIA&bih=931&biw=1903&rlz=1C1GCEA_enJP977JP977&hl=en): A district often overlooked, it offers a blend of modern and traditional. Also known as Tokyo’s “Little Paris”, and you’ll find charming cafes next to traditional Japanese establishments.
4. [Ghibli Museum](https://www.google.com/search?q=ghibli+museum&tbm=isch&chips=q:ghibli+museum,g_1:inside:fvwyf6SgmF4%3D&rlz=1C1GCEA_enJP977JP977&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjx0a-L-sKBAxUxqFYBHQCQA7YQ4lYoAXoECAEQNw&biw=1903&bih=931): This museum in Mitaka is a must-visit if thy’re fans of Studio Ghibli Online tickets often sell out well in advance, so planning is key!
Depends on their walking stamina, and comfort being in a place that’s so unfamiliar 🤷🏻♀️
My family is all in (and from) the states. Most haven’t travelled out of the country and they like American comforts like big cars, big shopping carts, talking on phones in public spaces.
I use train stations to gauge tolerance. Specifically I have a routine that starts at just simply exploring the train station, and I gauge reactions there. If they’re having fun and everything is great, we expand more and do more walking and see more things. If the train station is a bit much, I pull back and stick to smaller local options. If train station is just right, we are really in luck because there are so many things to do at so many train stations.
But truly, it depends on your family. While my family does have their preferences and their comfort, they are also retired. They have the time and money to travel, but aren’t used to walking such distances, so we take frequent breaks or only do fun things until lunch so they can spend the evening wearing compression socks and keeping their ankles elevated.
If they’re younger and more able, I’d hit as many “Top Ten” lists as possible. Meiji! East Palace! Takeshita Street! Ginza Six! Hotel Gracery!
Everywhere, there’s so much to see. From little galleries and work shops in Nishi-okubo, nezu and other areas, to Izakayas, picnics in Kiba park or Shinjuku Gyoen. Then there’s the fun places around Odiaba: Small World’s, the Earthquake emergency cente, Megaoplis, Miraikan.
My favourite burger restaurants and my favourite soba restaurants. Walking from Harajuku to Shibuya, along the canals of Meguro or even Funabashi.
Tokyo Dome, Disneyland, The Olympic stadium.
Roppongi hills for beers and an art Exhibition.
Tokyo Tower, Metropolitan building, Tokyo Skytree..Tokyo fish market, Meiji Jingu, Senso-ji.
..drinking and eating through the markets of Ueno, before grabbing a coffee in the park.
Take a train to Kamakura, take a train to Onjuku, Scale Mnt Takao.
…
Thanks everyone for the suggestions, my dad is visiting in November and I am taking notes !
YANEZU
Depends on the season. My mum is a big flower nut and came in wisteria season so we went to the Kameido temple gardens, and also out to Hitsujiyama in Chichibu to the shibazakura park (moss phlox?). My cousins were big into otaku anime culture so we did a lot of Harajuku/robot cafe/pokemon cafe etc. I also really enjoy going to Tsukishima for monjayaki! But I hate Tokyo in general and will avoid going there at all if possible 😆
How long are you talking? And, you’ve got to give them a few hours of crowded, touristy areas, so they can tell that story when they get home.
I’d go to Harajuku Station. Meiji Jingu first, then around the corner to Yoyogi Park (especially on a weekend — do the rockabilly folks still dance there?). Then down Takeshita Street. Get a crepe or some Calbee potatoes.
There was a really good burger shop in the alleys near Takeshita, but I only found it once. I think Eggs ‘n’ Things is near the bottom of Takeshita Street, too.
This only takes a day, and then you can look for the quieter spots.
Oh, and is Art Labo still doing it’s thing? Pretty amazing light art.
Despite being out of the way, I would highly recommend Enoshima if the weather is nice, especially on a weekday. She can see the more suburban parts of Tokyo/Kanagawa away from the neon rush of Shinjuku/Shibuya. It’s really beautiful on a clear day because you can see Mt. Fuji as well. If you’re too tired to come back, you can stay at a cheap hotel in Odawara or further east in Shinyurigaoka or Machida.
Give them a tour through a supermarket. There’s so much to see and experience.
For some of our guests it’s the big city vibe: basically send them to Shinjuku and they’ll be amazed by skyscrapers and trying to get the right train back 🤣
For others it may be izakaya as a counter to pub culture in the west.
Some others really like Ginza or Omotesando and the light cafes and window shopping experience.
There are yet others who are into bouldering or jazz or yoga…