| all photography by andie furber |

Like everyone else you know, I went to Japan earlier this year. I spent two weeks bopping between Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka with my mom, brother, sister, and aunt - eating sushi, drinking matcha, shopping, and soaking up the beauty of temples and shrines. And I have to tell you...everything people say about Japan is true. It’s spectacular.

But today, I want to write a little love letter to its capital: Tokyo.

I live in New York City, so I don’t usually expect other big, cosmopolitan cities to blow me away. New York sets a pretty high bar for energy, style, and food. Usually, it’s the small towns that stick with me most. But Tokyo? Tokyo knocked me flat.

It’s clean. It’s efficient. It’s endlessly fashionable. And the food - don’t even get me started. We spent ten days there (five at the start of our trip and five at the end), and I still felt like I’d only scratched the surface.

Tokyo gave me that rare feeling I’ve only had in Paris, Sydney, and, yes, back home in New York - that I could spend a lifetime visiting and still find something new every day.

So if you’re planning a trip to Japan, don’t rush through Tokyo. Give it time. It’ll be worth every minute.

Restaurants

Kura Sushi
Ichiran Ramen
Sushiko Honten
Age.3 GINZA
Omoide Yokocho (a small street full of teeny-tiny restaurants)

Snacks

Just go to your local convenience store. Yes I'm serious.
7-Eleven
Family Mart
Lawson's

Stay

K5 (nicest staff in the world!)

Bars

Brooklyn Brewery

Coffee Shops

DANCE (in the lobby of K5)
ONIBUS
Iyoshi Cola

Sights

Sensō-ji (go at night!)
The Tokyo Toilet Project
Day trip to Hakone

Shopping

Onitsuka Tiger (get them monogrammed at the GINZA Red Concept Store!)
MUJI
Loft
Don Quijote
Itoya
Tower Records
Vintage shopping in Harajuku
glanta
BEAMS
UNIQLO

Read more Elsie Green travel guides >