Tokyo Hit List – THE ROLLING STORM

HIT LIST

TOKYO

HIT LIST

TOKYO

LAST UPDATE / May 6, 2016

Tokyo sprawls, winds and beams in every direction. From a western perspective it feels like you are in some neon, techno alternate universe. It is an intense flash on every sense in the best way possible. When you get there don't hesitate just jump in and enjoy the ride. Shi, san, ni, ichi, go ...

TOP OF THE LIST

Robot Restaurant | Tokyo, Japan

Tsukiji Fish Market | Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo National Museum | Tokyo, Japan

Mandarin Oriental Lounge | Tokyo, Japan

Mandarake | Tokyo, Japan

Salaryman stay at Tokyo Stay Shimbashi | Tokyo, Japan

Harajuku district | Tokyo, Japan

Shibuya district | Tokyo, Japan

1
Robots on Roids
Robot Restaurant
Looking for a good time? Go here. It's less a restaurant and more of a psychedelic robot battle sprinkled with cheering girls in glittering techno gear.

2
Fish Market
Tsukiji Market
Been to Tokyo a few times now. Without fail I go to this market. I eat breakfast fresh from the sea and watch the fishmongers bustle. Try to go soon as it is set to move in late 2016.

3
Art Museum
Tokyo National Museum
It is the largest museum in Japan and showcases a range of art from antiquity to modern masters such as Kuroda Seiki.

4
Cocktail with a View
Mandarin Oriental Lounge
Feel like you are floating while you enjoy a drink and some snacks high above the city.

5
Anime & Manga Shop
Mandarake
Huge department store stocked with toys, VHS, DVDs and CDs.

6
Salaryman Stay
Tokyu Stay Shimbashi
Tiny, nice, efficient rooms for salarymen near Shimbashi station. Good breakfast too.

7
Emperor's Digs
Imperial Palace
The inner grounds are not generally open to the public. It is still cool to marvel at the perimeter and see how the Emperor of Japan is living.

8
Harajuku District
Harajuku girls, rockabilly boys and shopping
Keep your eyes peeled for Harajuku girls. Adjacent Yogogi Park hosts the rockabilly guys.

9
Walk Electric
Shibuya District
Walk Shibuya crossing under the flashing billboards. Then get lost in the side streets.

SIX EXCELLENT BOWLS OF RAMEN

I am a ramen fiend so I made sure to hit up these top shops during my time in Tokyo.

Beef ramen at Matador | Tokyo, Japan

Ramen at Manriki | Tokyo, Japan

Kagari Ramen | New York, New York

Ramen at Afuri | Tokyo, Japan

Ippudo Ebisu | Tokyo, Japan

Ivan Ramen | Tokyo, Japan

10
Ramen Matador
Roast beef, green onion, garlic, boiled egg and a sweet, smoky ball of shredded brisket.

11
Ramen Manriki
A spicy, Indian take on ramen with a tangy bite. The cilantro was a nice twist.

12
Kagari
Creamy and rich. Topped with chicken breast and seasonal vegetables.

13
A F U R I
Light and refreshing broth with sliced pork, a half egg, bamboo shoots, mizuna leaves and seaweed.

14
Ippudo
Tonkotsu broth, pork belly, bean sprouts, black fungus and spring onions.

15
Ivan Ramen
A delicious bowl at the original Ivan in Tokyo.

LUXURY SANCTUARY

Tokyo has some serious hotel game. I have had the pleasure of staying at a few of the best but the Aman takes the cake.

My dream bed | Tokyo, Japan

Impressive hotel lobby | Tokyo, Japan

16 - 17
Luxe Lodging
Aman Tokyo
The only problem with a hotel this good is you never want to leave it.

SUSHI & TAKOYAKI

Two of my favorite bite-size foods to hunt down.

Saury at Sushi Dai | Tokyo, Japan

Sea Urchin at Sushi Dai | Tokyo, Japan

Return to Sushi Dai | Tokyo, Japan

18 - 20
Sushi
Sushi Dai
There may be better sushi in Tokyo depending on your tastes but it's up there as some of the best I have ever had. If you go make sure to queue early and be prepped to wait.

Gindaco Takoyaki | Tokyo, Japan

21
Takoyaki
Gindaco
Little balls of wheat flour filled with octopus and commonly topped with bonito flakes, green onions, takoyaki sauce and mayonnaise.

BEFORE YOU GET OUTTA DODGE

Try not to miss these bits on your way back.

9h Nine Hours capsule hotel | Tokyo, Japan

22
Capsule Living
9h Nine Hours at NRT
Because it's a capsule room!

23
Vending Toys
Souvenirs in a capsule
Never know what you'll find in these machines.

Sushi Kyotatsu at NRT Airport | Tokyo, Japan

24
NRT Airport Eats
Sushi Kyotatsu
Some of the best sushi ever ... at an airport, to go.

THE MAP

All the goods in one neat map. Dig in.

Robots on Roids

1 · Robot Restaurant

Fish Market

2 · Tsukiji Market

Art Museum

3 · Tokyo National Museum

Cocktail with a View

4 · Mandarin Oriental Lounge

Anime & Manga Shop

5 · Mandarake

Salaryman Stay

6 · Tokyu Stay Shimbashi

Emperor's Digs

7 · Imperial Palace

Harajuku District

8 · Harajuku girls, rockabilly boys and shopping

Walk Electric

9 · Shibuya District

Ramen

10 · Ramen Matador
11 · Ramen Manriki
12 · Kagari
13 · A F U R I
14 · Ippudo
15 · Ivan Ramen

LUXE LODGING

16-17 · Aman Tokyo

Sushi

18-20 · Sushi Dai

Takoyaki

21 · Gindaco

Capsule Living

22 · 9h Nine Hours at NRT

NRT Airport Eats

24 · Sushi Kyotatsu

more
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