THE SPLURGE
Aman Tokyo
Quiet, minimal and unmistakably Tokyo. Huge rooms, Japanese design details, skyline views and a spa that makes the hotel feel like a retreat above the city.
8:30 AM | MORNING
Meiji Shrine
Start before the shopping streets get busy. Walk the forested approach, pass beneath the torii gates and give yourself about an hour for the shrine grounds.
KALLAN MOVE
Enter from Harajuku Station, then walk straight into Harajuku when you're finished. No backtracking.
Enter from Harajuku Station, then walk straight into Harajuku when you're finished. No backtracking.
10:30 AM | LATE MORNING
Harajuku
Walk Takeshita Street for the color and chaos, then shift to Omotesando or Cat Street for the more grown-up side of the neighborhood.
TRY THIS
Stop at Marion Crêpes on Takeshita Street. The paper-wrapped Japanese crêpe is part of Harajuku culture — go classic with strawberry, whipped cream and chocolate, or choose whatever looks best from the display.
Stop at Marion Crêpes on Takeshita Street. The paper-wrapped Japanese crêpe is part of Harajuku culture — go classic with strawberry, whipped cream and chocolate, or choose whatever looks best from the display.
1:00 PM | AFTERNOON
Shibuya
Walk down from Harajuku if you want to keep exploring, or take the Yamanote Line to Shibuya. Cross the Scramble once, then stand back for a few minutes and watch it happen again — it really is something to see. This is also one of the best moments of the day for photos and video as the crowd pours through from every direction.
QUICK LUNCH
Walk about five minutes to Sushi Uogashi Nihon-Ichi on Dogenzaka. It is standing Edomae sushi, built for a quick stop: order a few pieces and a beer or sake, keep lunch light, then head back toward the station.
Walk about five minutes to Sushi Uogashi Nihon-Ichi on Dogenzaka. It is standing Edomae sushi, built for a quick stop: order a few pieces and a beer or sake, keep lunch light, then head back toward the station.
4:30 PM | GOLDEN HOUR
Shinjuku from above
Head to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building and take the free observatory up for the city view. Time it for late afternoon so the skyline starts changing while you're there.
NEXT STOP
From the observatory, Omoide Yokocho is roughly a 12-minute walk toward Shinjuku Station's west side. It is close enough that we would stay on foot and let the neighborhood change around you.
From the observatory, Omoide Yokocho is roughly a 12-minute walk toward Shinjuku Station's west side. It is close enough that we would stay on foot and let the neighborhood change around you.
6:15 PM | DRINK + SKEWERS
Omoide Yokocho
This is the experience stop. Squeeze into one of the tiny yakitori counters, order a cold beer or highball and a few skewers — enough for an appetizer, not the whole dinner.
KALLAN MOVE
Have the drink. Order the skewers. Take in the smoke, lanterns and tiny counters. Then leave while it still feels special and head somewhere polished for dinner.
Have the drink. Order the skewers. Take in the smoke, lanterns and tiny counters. Then leave while it still feels special and head somewhere polished for dinner.
7:45 PM | DINNER
New York Grill at Park Hyatt Tokyo
Then do the opposite of the alley: go upstairs, settle in and make dinner the polished finish. New York Grill pairs skyline views with a proper sit-down meal and keeps you in Shinjuku.
BOOK THIS ONE
Reserve dinner in advance. If you still want one more drink afterward, New York Bar is right next door with live jazz and the same city view.
Reserve dinner in advance. If you still want one more drink afterward, New York Bar is right next door with live jazz and the same city view.