Tokyo is a city bursting with things to do and see; each neighborhood has its own personality, filled with unique shops, food stalls, and experiences around every corner. It can be overwhelming to try to fit everything into one trip – there’s SO much to explore. But with a bit of planning (and some metro navigation), we discovered that breaking down each place into small missions can make the adventures more manageable and memorable.
When exploring Tokyo, we like to turn each place into a mini scavenger hunt. Our goal for each stop is simple: find an interesting Location on google maps, and within that, seek out three things: an Experience, Food, and a Hidden Surprise. It’s a way to capture the essence of each neighborhood without feeling rushed. Here’s how we spent a few days exploring Tokyo, one neighborhood at a time, making each outing feel like a new adventure.
Open the Wallet app on iPhone to get a tokyo metro card in your apple pay. This saved us a ton of time going through the metro ticket gates, and made it so we didn’t need to wait in line to buy metro tickets each time.
Shibuya is one of Tokyo’s most iconic and bustling areas. Famous for the Shibuya Crossing – one of the world’s busiest intersections. Watching the sea of people cross in every direction is the epitome of Japan's beautiful chaos.
For street photography in Japan, I typically use a tighter lens. This allows for blurrier backgrounds (shallower depth of field) which helps isolate subjects a bit more in the chaotic and distracting environment. On my most recent trip, I almost exclusively shot on a 50mm f/1.2 GM lens. I didn’t want to carry around my entire camera bag so I just brought my A74 with the 50mm and a camera strap.
Look for pockets of harsh light and shadows. Downtown Tokyo is full of patches of light that can make for some super cool high-contrast images. The sun also reflects off the glass buildings which makes for some unique lighting conditions.
Don’t be afraid to ask people for photos, however always be extra respectful. I’ve never had someone say no to having their photo taken in Tokyo.
I used the Sparling Pro preset pack to edit these images. Primarily the Violet 2 (version 3) preset and the Black and White ‘Deep’ preset.
We went to a bunch of thrift stores in this area, however a couple stood out as the best. Chicago was our favorite. There are many Chicagos, the one we went to was Chicago Harajuk. After speaking with some of the shop owners, they said most of their clothing is found in Texas and Toronto (random, I know), so don’t be too disappointed if you don’t find anything super Japanese.
There is so much amazing food in Japan. Many incredible restaurants are not well known to foreigners because they are hidden underground in food halls. Tokyo’s food halls are a modern twist on the old depachika, or department store food markets, that started in the early 1900s. These basement markets began as places for people to buy daily essentials but grew into popular spots for all kinds of food. Today, food halls keep this tradition alive by combining classic Japanese dishes with international options, all in a single, convenient space. It’s a mix of old and new, where Tokyo’s food culture continues to adapt while still honoring its roots.
Inside Shibuya Station, hidden amongst a maze of shops, we stumbled upon a small food stall specializing in ochazuke. Think of it like Japanese chicken noodle soup. Warm tea or broth is poured over rice with toppings like salmon, seaweed, and pickles. This bowl of ochazuke was topped with eel and egg, simple but delicious. It was a perfect light meal to fuel our day.
This cafe allowed us to get lost in a world of our own. It is a record cafe where we could journal or have an introverted moment without so many distractions. You pay a baseline fee of 1000 ¥ on weekdays and 1200 ¥ on weekends. You get assigned a table with a record player and two sets of headphones. Then you get to pick 3 records from their record collection that you’ll listen to at your table. We sat for an hour listening to ABBA, Queen's best hits Japan and the LA LA land soundtrack.
Shimokitazawa is a paradise for thrift shoppers. We found several stores filled with secondhand treasures, but it definitely has more options for men than women.
I'd recommend coming here around sunset and into blue hour because the light is awesome in this part of town. There are fewer big buildings that block the golden hour, so you can find a bit more of that dreamy light. I used a 10% mist filter on my 24-70mm f/2.8 lens to make the lights at night glow a bit more and give each shot a more dreamy vibe.
Shimokitazawa is a paradise for thrift shoppers. We found several stores filled with secondhand treasures, but it definitely has more options for men than women.
We found a delicious hand-made udon noodle spot that Kenzi said is actually a fast food place lol. It is called Marugame Udon, a popular Japanese fast-casual restaurant chain known for its freshly made hand-pulled udon noodles and a cafeteria-style ordering system that is a fun and interactive dining experience.
Here is a breakdown of how it works and why it stands out:
Marugame Udon is known for being budget-friendly, offering high-quality, fresh food at reasonable prices. The self-service style reduces overhead, so customers get authentic, handmade Japanese noodles without the typical sit-down restaurant costs.
Yoyogi Park is a peaceful escape from Tokyo’s bustling streets. We also heard about FarmMart, a small market nearby that sells fresh produce, baked goods, and other local treats, so we decided to check it out.
I’ve been using my iPhone 16 more and more for this kind of day trip. The ability to shoot 48 megapixel RAW images is such a game changer. The quality is truly incredible for such a small camera.
I’ve been using the Moment app and Moment Quicklock filters to get even better images from my iPhone. Their app allows me to have full control over my iPhone’s camera settings so I can get the exact look I’m going for. Using their new Quicklock filters, I was able to shoot with a polarizer all day. This helps to cut glare and make colors more vibrant.
3 Chome-9-5 Yoyogi, Shibuya City, Tokyo 151-0053
FarmMart Donuts
If Tokyo’s energy leaves you craving a bit of nature, consider a quick escape to Okinawa. This beautiful island offers white sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and lush landscapes far from the city’s bustle. Okinawa is known for its incredible marine life, making it a paradise for snorkeling and diving. A visit here feels like stepping into another world – one where the pace is slower, the people are friendly, and nature is everywhere. Details for that adventure in another blog…
Kenzi’s experience:
My main reason for visiting Yoyogi was to find a cafe to work in, and a special kind of Japanese mustard: P. mustard. I found that FarmMart sold it, but the experience turned into something more memorable. My eyes grew twice the size when I saw the mustard through the window. I bought 10. But there was much more there, curated gin, meats, miso, and much more. While waiting in line, I noticed an old man with a unique and stylish outfit and I couldn’t resist complimenting him on it. To my surprise, he struck up a conversation and then bought me a donut! It was light and airy, coated in a mouth watering cinnamon sugar mixture. A warm reminder of how friendly the people can be in Japan.
