Tokyo for
beginners
Did you know that in Tokyo you need to book your plans well in advance? Discover an authentic destination with us and take note of these tips for your trip to Japan.
Video transcript: Postcards from Tokyo.
Tokyo is a journey through time, but in every direction.
Here, temples stand alongside skyscrapers. Handcarts cross paths with taxis and buses. And in every small street there’s a corner waiting to be discovered.
I’ve wandered beneath lanterns, watched koi carp swimming in the parks and tasted food in hidden spots.
And yes, the Shibuya Crossing is even more impressive in person.
It’s like living in one of the anime we watch, but with real ramen.
When shall we discover it together?
Connecting destinations brings people together. Iberia.
Video transcript: Tokyo for beginners.
Most people only speak Japanese, so you’ll need a translation app.
Always carry cash, as many places do not accept cards.
To get around, public transport is the best option. And remember to wear your backpack on your front when boarding so you don’t disturb other passengers.
Almost everything needs to be booked well in advance, so it’s best to have it sorted before you fly.
Izakayas are a great place to eat – typical after-work taverns where you can try traditional dishes.
Lingering at the table after a meal is not common in Japan, so don’t stay chatting for too long after dinner.
By connecting people, we build the future. Iberia.
Ten must-sees
in Tokyo
Flavours
of Tokyo
No reservation
Omoide Yokocho (translated as “Memory Lane”) is one of the best places to eat well for less in the Japanese capital. There, practically at the west exit of Shinjuku metro station—the busiest in the world—you’ll find more than half a hundred tiny taverns one after another. Many have been open since the post-war years and have never stopped serving classics such as delicious yakitori (chicken skewers—also made with pork and beef—grilled over flames) and yakiniku, or Japanese barbecue. Menus also feature excellent miso ramen and soba noodle dishes, which diners finish quickly so they can give up their stool to the next customer.
Turn up the heat | In the north-east of the city, Kikanbo specialises in traditional yet spicy ramen. Its broth simmers for 10 hours with miso fermented in wooden barrels, along with spices and herbs prepared using six types of red chilli peppers. Diners choose between 5 levels of heat. Of the 300 served daily, only one or two dare to try the hottest, known as “oni”, the name of a demon in local folklore.
Japanese whisky | In the heart of Omotesando, one of the capital’s most modern shopping districts, the bar and lounge Tokyo Whisky Library offers around 1200 whisky labels, more than fifty of them Japanese.
Real experiences in Tokyo:
this is how other travellers see it
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Essence
of Tokyo
Traditional Tokyo lives on in the temples of the Japanese capital and in the traditions that have been preserved from generation to generation. Did you know that for the Japanese, the tea ceremony is a ritual that can take up to 10 years to master?
Join us to experience the tea ceremony.
It’s called “chanoyu” and it’s much more than preparing tea. It’s a ritual that can take up to ten years to master.
Everything follows a choreography, from the arrangement of the utensils to the choice of tea. Even the cups are true works of art.
The ceremony is divided into five stages and can last up to five hours.
And the best part is that it’s just a flight away. Will you join us?
By connecting people, we create bonds. Iberia.
Senso-ji | The Senso-ji Buddhist temple is the oldest religious building in Tokyo. It is located in the Asakusa district, one of the city’s most traditional areas, and is dedicated to Kannon, the god of mercy.
Meiji Jingu | Surrounded by 70 hectares of forest in Yoyogi Park, the Meiji Jingu Shinto shrine was built in honour of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shoken, at the end of the Edo period. In 2019, the Meiji Jingu Museum opened there, designed by architect Kengo Kuma.
In
style
Takeshita Street, between the Tokyo districts of Harajuku and Omotesando, reveals the inexhaustible creative universe of Japanese street fashion. This bustling avenue attracts local tribes ranging from punks to Victorian-style lolitas. In its shops they find kawaii garments and accessories, whose pastel-coloured childhood references include toys as fashion complements, or cosplay inspired by manga and its characters. References to the most popular figures abound on posters and vinyl stickers, but nothing draws more attention than the shop windows of Marion patisserie, which is close to celebrating half a century of selling its colourful and exquisite crêpes.
Plan your trip to Tokyo
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