What's interesting in Tokyo these days?

September 27, 2015 3:35 PM

I'm going to be spending a week in Tokyo Oct 23-30, and my plan is mainly to eat delicious food and wander around. I lived there for 2 years 1997-99 so I've pretty much seen all the major tourist stuff. Current locals, what are your favorite things to do or eat?

About me:
I speak enough Japanese to have a basic conversation with people who don't speak any English, and I'm happy to travel to any part of the city or suburbs.
I like both modern and traditional things but probably lean more towards modern.
I prefer cozy neighborhood restaurants to big fancy ones, but I will eat pretty much anything. Non-Japanese food is okay too.
I like public baths, street food, and museums about things other than just art .

Places I've already been to and like: Kappabashi, Odaiba, Tokyu Hands, Edo Tokyo Museum, Tsukiji Market, Ramen Museum in Yokohama

I've saved some ideas here of things that sound interesting, but I'm looking for more!

posted by exceptinsects to Travel & Transportation around Tokyo, Japan (6 answers total)

Response by poster: PS I last visited in 2008.
posted by exceptinsects at 3:36 PM on September 27, 2015

Tokyo Sky Tree will be a new feature for you.
posted by Seboshin at 8:14 PM on September 27, 2015

Sushi Iwa for lunch. It's incredible--and a bargain at ~$47. Easily the best meal we ate in Tokyo when we were there a few months ago.

Sushi Iwa
8-5-25 Ginza
Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061
Tel: [phone] ([phone])
posted by yellowcandy at 9:26 PM on September 27, 2015

if you like pokemon, the pokemon store has some pretty great halloween stuff this time of year.
posted by gloriouslyincandescent at 12:17 AM on September 28, 2015

Not natives, but we visited this past January, and my husband was particularly struck by the Japanese Sword Museum. (I enjoyed it, but he wandered around, starry-eyed, repeating "That was a Masamune! A Masamune!" for the next few hours.)
posted by telophase at 1:58 PM on September 28, 2015

Check out the restored Tokyo Station Building and the whole area on the west (Marunouchi) side of the station for some interesting new restoration projects. InterMediateque is an interesting new museum in the complex where the old central post office used to be. And in the same building, Tokyo Karaage Bar is a new bar that specializes in fried chicken, which your choice of chicken cuts and different sauces.

A bit north of there, ZenyaRen is a fun yakitori theme park where you can try yakitori from all over Japan.

I always enjoy the parrot room of the Tori no Iru Cafe in Asakusa - it's a unique experience when you walk in and a dozen parakeets land on your shoulders and head.

And if you're in Harajuku, stop by Reissue Cafe to get a cat or bunny or other custom-made 3D latte foam art on your cup of coffee - the guy who does it invented the technique, and he's very good.
posted by Umami Dearest at 3:26 AM on September 29, 2015 [1 favorite]