Local FavouritesBib Gourmand (Michelin Guide Tokyo 2026)
Ginza Haru Chan Ramen
A small Ginza ramen counter on Michelin's value list - quick, affordable and central.
Order Signature ramen
East Asia · Japan
Tokyo
A sprawling city where neon streets, quiet shrines, superb food, pop culture and perfectly run trains all exist within a short ride.
Best timeMarch to May and October to November
Ideal trip4–6 days
Budget level₹₹₹₹
Getting thereNarita (NRT) and Haneda (HND) airports
Visa (Indian passport)Tourist visa required for Indian passport holders; apply through the embassy or approved agent (approximate — verify before travel) Other passport, or hold a US / UK / Schengen visa? Check the visa guide
Great Okay Not ideal
FoodCity lifeCultureShopping
Four ways to see Tokyo
Touristy, offbeat, local or hidden?
Every traveller is different. Browse by style, then let the planner mix them into a day-by-day plan.
The famous must-sees
Senso-ji Temple and Nakamise streetFree
Tokyo's oldest temple with a famed lantern gate and snack-lined approach.
spiritual · about 2 hrs · best in the morningShibuya Crossing and HachikoFree
The world's busiest scramble crossing, best seen from above.
scenic · about 1.5 hrs · best in the eveningMeiji Shrine and HarajukuFree
A forest shrine in the city followed by Harajuku's quirky streets.
spiritual · about 3 hrs · best in the morningTokyo Skytree≈ ₹2,700
One of the world's tallest towers with views to Mount Fuji on clear days.
scenic · about 2 hrs · best in the eveningFree alternative: Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building observatory — Free twin-tower observation decks in Shinjuku with similar city and Fuji views.
Tsukiji Outer Market food walk≈ ₹1,500
Fresh sushi, tamagoyaki and grilled seafood stalls.
food · about 2 hrs · best in the morningteamLab Planets≈ ₹3,000
Walk barefoot through water and light-filled digital art rooms.
culture · about 2 hrs · best in the afternoonAkihabara electric townFree
Anime, games and electronics in multi-storey shops.
shopping · about 3 hrs · best in the afternoonShinjuku Gyoen garden≈ ₹500
Spacious gardens famed for cherry blossom and autumn leaves.
nature · about 2 hrs · best in the afternoonFree alternative: Yoyogi Park — A large free park with seasonal trees and weekend street performers.
Mount Fuji day trip to Kawaguchiko≈ ₹6,000
Lakeside views of Mount Fuji, within a day trip's reach.
scenic · about 10 hrs · best in the morningQuieter, still easy to reach
Yanaka old townFree
Low wooden houses, cat statues and a quiet cemetery of Edo-era Tokyo.
culture · about 2 hrs · best in the afternoonKamakura day trip≈ ₹1,500
A giant bronze Buddha, seaside trains and hillside shrines.
culture · about 8 hrs · best in the morningShimokitazawa vintage districtFree
Thrift stores, tiny theatres and cafes in a youthful neighbourhood.
shopping · about 2.5 hrs · best in the afternoonNakameguro canal walkFree
A canal lined with cherry trees and little coffee bars.
scenic · about 1.5 hrs · best in the afternoonOdaiba waterfront and Gundam statueFree
A man-made bay with a life-size robot and city views.
scenic · about 3 hrs · best in the afternoonFood, markets, crafts and people
Izakaya dinner in Yurakucho≈ ₹2,500
Eat grilled skewers beneath railway arches with office workers.
food · about 2 hrs · best in the eveningDepachika food hall tour≈ ₹1,000
Department-store basements of bento boxes, sweets and fruit.
food · about 1.5 hrs · best in the afternoonSento public bath visit≈ ₹500
Soak in a neighbourhood bathhouse with local etiquette.
relax · about 1.5 hrs · best in the eveningConvenience-store breakfast≈ ₹300
Try onigiri, egg sandwiches and hot coffee as commuters do.
food · about 0.5 hrs · best in the morningRamen tasting in Ikebukuro≈ ₹1,000
Slurp noodles at a counter among salarymen.
food · about 1.5 hrs · best in the eveningTsukishima monja street dinner≈ ₹1,500
Cook a gooey pan-fried batter dish on a table griddle.
food · about 1.5 hrs · best in the eveningSpots most visitors miss
Todoroki Valley ParkFree
A forested ravine in southwestern Tokyo, with a stream and small shrine.
nature · about 1.5 hrs · best in the morningNezu Shrine azalea gardenFree
A shrine with old red torii and a hillside of azaleas in spring, far calmer than Tokyo's big names.
spiritual · about 1.5 hrs · best in the morningKiyosumi Garden≈ ₹300
A peaceful pond garden with stepping stones, away from the main attractions.
nature · about 1.5 hrs · best in the afternoonFree alternative: Shinobazu Pond walk, Ueno — A free pond path with lotus and temple views, more open than a stroll garden.
Jindai-ji Temple and soba≈ ₹500
A very old temple in the western suburbs, with a soba noodle village nearby.
culture · about 3 hrs · best in the afternoonTokyo Camii mosqueFree
A beautiful Ottoman-style mosque with tours open to visitors.
spiritual · about 1 hr · best in the afternoonEntry fees and times are approximate, per adult, and change often — we confirm everything before you book. Last reviewed November 2026.
Specialities
What Tokyo is famous for
food
Sushi and tamagoyaki
Fresh sushi at counters and Tsukiji's sweet rolled omelette.
food
Ramen
Hot noodle soups in every regional style.
drink
Matcha and sake
Green tea in cafes and sake in izakaya bars.
craft
Edo kiriko glass
Hand-cut glassware from Tokyo workshops.
souvenir
Anime goods and stationery
Figures, manga and beautiful notebooks.
experience
Sumo or kabuki
See a tournament or a stage performance, tickets booked ahead.
Where to eat
A taste of Tokyo
From the stalls locals queue at to the tables critics travel for — chosen for flavour, character and a warm welcome.
Must try
- Edomae sushiTokyo-style sushi, often with aged or cured fish; counters range from conveyor belts to multi-month waitlists.
- RamenCountless styles from soy and salt to rich tonkotsu. Most broths contain meat or fish - pick dedicated vegan shops for veg clients.
- TempuraFeather-light battered seafood and seasonal vegetables; vegetable-only courses can be requested.
- TonkatsuBreaded, deep-fried pork cutlet with shredded cabbage and sauce.
- Shojin ryori vegBuddhist temple cuisine: fully plant-based, seasonal and beautifully presented - ideal for vegetarians.
- Matcha & wagashi vegWhisked green tea with delicate seasonal sweets made from bean paste and rice.
Street food trail
Tsukiji Outer Market morning + Ameyoko afternoon
- Best time
- Tsukiji 8–11 am (many shops close by 2 pm; much is closed Sundays/Wednesdays); Ameyoko 11 am–6 pm
- Takes
- 3–4 hours (one subway hop)
- Start at
- Tsukiji Station (Hibiya line) or Tsukijishijo Station
- Budget
- JPY 3,000–5,000 (~INR 1,750–2,900)
- Tsukiji Outer MarketTsukiji, Chuo
Try Tamagoyaki (sweet omelette on a stick — contains dashi), fresh strawberries/fruit (veg), matcha (veg)
Don't eat while walking — eat at the stall where you bought it. Many shops shut on Sundays, public holidays and some Wednesdays.
JPY 1,000–2,000 (~INR 580–1,160)Map
- Tsukiji Hongan-ji temple caféNext to the outer market
Try Temple breakfast/sweets — some vegetarian options (veg)
A calm sit-down break for older travellers.
JPY 800–2,000 (~INR 460–1,160)Map
- Ameyoko (Ameya-Yokochō) market streetBetween Ueno and Okachimachi stations
Try Fresh fruit skewers (veg), dried fruit and nuts (veg), kebab and takoyaki stalls
Busy and noisy, cash-friendly; best for snacks and people-watching.
JPY 500–1,000 (~INR 290–580)Map
- Department-store food halls (depachika), e.g. Matsuzakaya UenoUeno
Try Onigiri with umeboshi or kombu (check for bonito) (veg), wagashi sweets (veg), fruit
Clean, labelled and great for picky eaters; discounts after ~7 pm.
JPY 800–1,500 (~INR 460–870)Map
Eat smart · every traveller
Diets & dietary needs
- Vegetarian
- Tricky — dashi (bonito fish stock) is in miso soup, noodle broths, tamagoyaki and sauces. Seek shojin ryori (Buddhist temple food), dedicated vegan ramen shops and Indian restaurants; use a printed diet card.
- Vegan
- Growing — many Tokyo stations have vegan ramen; still say 'dashi nashi' (no fish stock).
- Jain (no onion, garlic)
- Very hard; shojin ryori avoids garlic/onion but uses root vegetables. Indian Jain-friendly restaurants exist in Tokyo (e.g. Nishi-Kasai area) — pre-book.
- Halal
- Improving — halal ramen shops, prayer rooms at major stations and Asakusa; look for halal certification and avoid mirin (rice wine) and pork.
- Gluten-free
- Hard — soy sauce (wheat) is everywhere; carry a card and choose sashimi/rice dishes with tamari.
- With children
- Onigiri, fruit, taiyaki (fish-shaped waffles with red bean — veg), soft-serve, depachika bento; konbini (convenience stores) are clean and easy.
- Spice level
- Very mild. Spice is optional (shichimi chilli on the table).
Say it like a local
Useful phrases
- I am vegetarianWatashi wa bejitarian desuwa-ta-shee wa beh-jee-ta-ree-an dess
- No meat, no fish, no fish stock (dashi), no eggNiku, sakana, dashi, tamago wa taberaremasennee-koo, sa-ka-na, da-shee, ta-ma-go wa ta-beh-ra-reh-ma-sen
- Not spicy, pleaseKaraku nai de kudasaika-ra-koo nai deh koo-da-sai
- How much?Ikura desu ka?ee-koo-ra dess-ka
- Delicious!Oishii!oy-shee
- IC cards (Suica/PASMO) and cards work widely; small stalls and some older shops are cash-only — carry yen.
- No tipping — it can cause confusion. Pay at the till, not on the table.
- Eating while walking is frowned upon; there are few public bins — carry your rubbish.
- Gelatin hides in desserts, jellies and gummies; some 'vegetable' curries use meat stock — ask or use a translation app.
Trail stops, hours and prices are approximate and stalls move — check locally. Pronunciations are simplified guides. Last reviewed 9 November 2026.
Where to eat, by budget
Street food, markets and humble legends
Local Favourites
T's Tantan
A fully vegan ramen counter inside Tokyo Station - perfect for vegetarian clients before or after a shinkansen ride.
Order Sesame tantan ramen (vegan)
Local Favourites
Afuri
A light, citrusy style of ramen with a dedicated vegan bowl at many branches (it can sell out - go early).
Order Yuzu shio ramen; vegan 'rainbow' ramen
Acclaimed cafés and celebrated mid-range tables
Smart & Stylish
Ain Soph. Ginza
A stylish Ginza vegan cafe best known for its fluffy plant-based pancakes.
Order Vegan soufflé pancakes, vegan lunch plates
Smart & StylishBib Gourmand (per Savor Japan; verify on Michelin)
Vegan Ramen UZU Tokyo
Plant-based ramen served in an immersive art-installation room next to teamLab Planets - combine with the museum visit.
Order Vegan shoyu or spicy ramen
Award-winning tables, tasting menus and grand hotel dining
Fine Dining & SplurgeMichelin Guide Tokyo 2026: 3 stars; Asia's 50 Best Restaurants 2026 (#16)
Sézanne
Daniel Calvert's elegant French cooking with Japanese produce, high above Tokyo Station.
Order Seasonal tasting menu
Fine Dining & SplurgeMichelin Guide Tokyo 2026: 2 stars; Asia's 50 Best Restaurants 2026 (#37)
Narisawa
Nature-inspired tasting menus that celebrate Japan's forests, seas and farms.
Order Seasonal tasting menu, 'bread of the forest'
Fine Dining & SplurgeMichelin Guide Tokyo 2026: 1 star + Green Star
Daigo
Refined temple-style vegetarian kaiseki in a tranquil setting near Atago shrine - the best fine-dining choice for vegetarian clients. (Note: Japanese 'vegetarian' may include no onion/garlic - good for Jain diets, but confirm).
Order Shojin kaiseki course
Fine Dining & SplurgeAsia's 50 Best Restaurants 2026 (#51, 51-100 list)
Den
Chef Zaiyu Hasegawa's warm, witty take on kaiseki; one of Tokyo's hardest but friendliest tables.
Order Omakase-style tasting menu (incl. 'Dentucky' fried chicken)
Restaurants change hours, menus and prices often; awards are as published at the time of checking. Approximate — verify before you go. Last reviewed 9 November 2026. All our food picks
Time it right
Festivals & events
MarAsia
Cherry blossom (sakura) season
Tokyo, Kyoto and across Japan, Japan · About late March to mid-April 2027 (varies with weather — forecasts are released from February)
Parks and temple lanes turn pink for about a week or two. Locals hold hanami picnics under the trees, and evening illuminations make riverside walks magical.
Tip: Follow the bloom forecast, keep dates flexible and book hotels at least four months ahead.
MayAsia
Sanja Matsuri
Asakusa Shrine, Tokyo, Japan · Third weekend of May — about 14–16 May 2027
Teams of shouting locals carry three heavy portable shrines through the streets of Asakusa in one of Tokyo's liveliest festivals, with drums, flutes and fully tattooed carriers.
Tip: Stay near Asakusa station and arrive early on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
Local tip: Get a rechargeable Suica or Pasmo card and learn to read the train maps before arriving.
Make Tokyo yours
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