Tokyo
in Japan

Hidden away in Tokyo's bustling Harajuku district is this peaceful gem of a restaurant. The building itself is gorgeous with a skylight and surrounded by gardens. We recommend stopping by the flower shop next door to complete the experience!

Epulor is café/bar that transitions from coffee to natural wines throughout the day. A focus is on the sound; a resident DJ spins vinyls chosen from the extensive recorb library behind the bar as bartenders shake coffee-based cocktails and pour generous glasses of wine. During the day, the music continues – albeit a calmer genre – as baristas brew a rich hand-drip coffee and serve slices of tangy cherry pie.

Fine French cooking with a focus on vegetables. This Michelin star restaurant is our go-to spot for a special dinner with a tasting menu. 

Fuglen Tokyo is a Norwegian import that works as a café by day and bar by night. Known for its light roast coffee and mid-century interiors, it offers a different feel to Tokyo’s more minimalist spaces. Sit inside if possible to drink in the full atmosphere, or outside in warmer months. The filter coffee is a good choice with its bright and well-rounded flavour enjoyed on its own. It’s worth revisiting later in the day – after 6pm it transitions into a bar with an impressive cocktail menu. 

Fuku is a refined yakitori restaurant with a tight menu built around all the cuts of chicken, some with tare (sauce), salt or toppings that are cooked to bring out the cut and character of the meat. The setting is intimate, with attention on the grill and the rhythm of service. Reservations are essential due to limited seating. You can order omakase or individually, pairing with beer or a highball to balance the richness.  

You've probably had or heard of a tasting menu at a restaurant, but have you ever tried a cocktail tasting? Gen Yamamoto serves the most extravagant cocktails created from carefully selected seasonal and local fresh produce, as well as fine liquors. A true boozy treat!

This micro roastery sits on a quiet & sweet street corner that serves delicious specialty coffee. Glitch Coffee often hosts informative cupping ceremonies as well as other coffee related events, so make sure to check out what they have got going on during your stay!

Gohan-ya is a relaxed izakaya serving home-style Japanese dishes. There’s a big focus on oden here, a dish with slowly simmered vegetables, eggs and fish cakes in a light dashi broth, alongside classics like sashimi and tempura. Expect a local crowd, a great sake selection and Japanese-only menu.

Good Design Store Tokyo is exactly as advertised: good, contemporary Japanese design, from stationery to homeware. Many items have received Japan’s Good Design Award, with a focus on function and objects you’d find in a Japanese household. Look for compact, packable pieces: kitchen tools like cutlery, small measuring jugs or tongs, as well as socks or small objects that make ideal souvenirs. Stock rotates often, so if something catches your eye, it’s worth buying in case it sells out. Tax-free shopping is available over ¥5,000 so make sure you have your passport handy.

Grandfather’s is a classic Tokyo listening bar, that's all about the music. It's known for its serious vinyl selection, constantly changed by the head bartender. The intimate, smoky atmosphere is a quintessential Tokyo place to sit, listen and unwind – go solo for the best seat at the bar with the salarymen, or in a pair, although you’ll most likely be sharing the table with other people. Photography here is generally frowned upon, so keep flash off and be discreet. 

For a taste of Tokyo's iconic premium wagyu katsu sando, head to the Osaka-founded, Grill Bon, where deep fried beef tenderloin is coated in panko breadcrumbs, dipped in a curry sauce and sandwiched between fluffy white bread. Queue for a countertop table during lunch and dinner servings or, to avoid the queue, get it to-go.

This relatively newcomer to the sushi scene in Tokyo breathes a bit of fresh air into the old-school world of sushi masters in the city. Head on over to enjoy Edomae-style sushi by Master sushi chef Hiroyuki Sato.

Haritts is a long-loved fixture in Yoyogi-Uehara, best known for its soft, handmade doughnuts paired with simple, well-made coffee. Set in a converted house on a residential street, the space is compact, with just a cluster of seats and a steady stream of takeaway orders. Doughnuts are fried in small batches, giving them a light, cake-like texture – you can choose between plain, cinnamon dusted, or filled with custard, cream, or matcha.

This discrete little restaurant is tucked away on a little street in Shibuya. We love that they pair classic Japanese oden (one-pot dishes) with funky natural wines. 

An enchanting and luxurious hotel which blends Japanese and Western style. With wonderful service, great amenities, a delicious restaurant, and lots of space, this is one of our favourite places to stay when we visit Tokyo. 

Famous for their individual booths and ramen, Ichiran is a popular spot and a must visit if you are in Tokyo. You might have to queue but it will be well worth it. They have locations all over the city so pick your favourite and enjoy. 

This former kimono shop is now one of the most influential department stores known across the globe. This is the place to go to for the best high-fashion brands, and it even has a little section selling formal kimonos on the 7th floor!

Light floods into every aspect of Janu, what with the astonishingly large windows paired with its luxuriously, minimalist interiors. Janu may be one of the newest on the block of Tokyo's fabulous hotel scene, but it certainly doesn't disappoint. Calling all art and design fanatics: this is one for the bucket list!

One of Tokyo's hottest new restaurants that initially comes across as European, but is suffused with Japanese flair. Think fermented Scandinavian food and drink pairings that are truly exceptional.

To say Kagurazaka Ishikawa is a one of a kind experience is a complete understatement. With three Michelin stars you can't expect anything short of quality, but this Kaiseki goes above and beyond. Using aspects of Japanese aesthetics, culture, its seasons, and nature to create intricately crafted dishes and atmosphere. 

We love coming here for some fresh hand-pulled udon and for their immaculate decorative space that is located in a restored century-old redbrick storehouse that overlooks a green garden. Slurp to your heart's content at Kamachiku - it's seen as a sign of politeness in Japan!

A tiny restaurant with only 8 counter seats serving the best soba noodle soup. While it is always crowded it is well worth the small wait. Open 24 hours a day so it is perfect for some late-night dining.