Top 10 Tokyo travel tips

The Shibuya crossing is not a tourist cliché, but a quintessential Tokyo experience

The world-famous Shibuya crossing could rival the spectacle of New York’s Times Square. It’s the busiest intersection in Tokyo, inundated with giant TV screens and even larger billboards, with an estimated 100,000 people swarming this cross junction every hour. Sure, you’ve seen it featured in numerous movies, from ‘Resident Evil: Retribution’ to ‘Lost in Translation’, and for a good reason, too. If you want to feel the pulse of Tokyo, this is the beating heart of the city. Pace yourself so that you’re in sync with the ebb and flow of the human traffic every time the light turns green. Once you’ve crossed over, make your way to the Starbucks above the Tsutaya bookshop and take in the view from above. FYI, this Starbucks outlet is reputedly the most profitable in the world.

The food is not as expensive as you think

Tokyo is a regular fixture on the world’s most expensive cities list. But don’t let that scare you off – it’s not necessarily true. Sure, you could splurge on a seven-course kaiseki dinner, but you could also get a bowl of soba for ¥290 (about RM12). And we aren’t talking about a substandard noodle shack hours away from the city; Sagatani (2-25-7 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku. +813 6416 4248) is right in the heart of the city’s shopping district, Shibuya. Amazingly, it’s also open 24 hours. The soba noodles are made fresh in the restaurant, with 100 percent buckwheat flour ground using a traditional stone mortar – you could call this artisanal soba.

Our favourite is the tendon specialist Kaneko Hannosuke in Nihonbashi. There’s always a queue at this humble restaurant. For one, there are only six counter seats on the ground floor, and a few more upstairs. But more so because a tempura rice bowl here only costs ¥950 (about RM37) – and it’s a generous portion too, piled high with shrimp, squid, large white fish and nori.

Tokyo has the highest number of Michelin stars in the world. This is emblematic of Japan’s high standards, and the amount of care they put into the preparation of fresh ingredients, the service and the overall dining experience. This level of precision in food is largely true anywhere you go – even a train station udon stall is memorable.

Here are a couple of recommendations to get you started. Kiraku (2-17-8 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku. +813 3461 2032) in Shibuya is part of Tokyo’s culinary history. They’ve been around for over 60 years, which means they’ve had time to perfect their famed chukamen – chewy noodles bathed in soy-based broth and topped with crunchy bean sprouts, half a slow-boiled egg and tender chashu pork slices.

Better yet, go get a Michelin-starred ramen at only ¥1000 (about RM39) at Tsuta. The broth, a blend of different soy sauces, is flavourful and complex while the noodles are firm and smooth. We recommend you upgrade your noodle with a dollop of truffle oil. Do note that you’ll need to come early to book your time slot, for which a ¥1000 deposit is needed. Yes, it’s worth it.

Increase your credit limit and come with an empty suitcase because whatever your taste and interests are, whether it’s designer labels, kitschy fashion, handcrafted fabric or artisanal products, you’d find it here in Tokyo. The variety can be overwhelming, and perhaps that’s why select shops (or as we call them, multi-brand stores) are so popular here in Tokyo. Each outlet takes great pride in their curatorial eye, where the fashion buyer brings in key pieces from the latest collections that best project the image of the store and also the customers they cater to.

United Arrows in Harajuku is worth checking out; the men’s and the women’s stores are across the street from one another, each carrying their house label (known for their preppy, well-tailored and smart casual styles) and a selection of international brands (they’re very fond of Maison Margiela).

For unique souvenirs, check out Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten in Kitte Mall across from the central Tokyo station, where age-old traditional crafts are renewed with modern designs and purposes.

If you need more choices, head to Roundabout for their curated selection of unique stationery, crockery, fashion and accessories – most of which are handmade. Nakano Broadway is where you’ll go to shop for Japanese manga, anime and otaku collectibles. For beautifully designed furniture such as the iconic Butterfly Stool, Tendo Mokko Showroom is your port of call.

With the influx of luxury labels, Omotesando’s main thoroughfare has become a parade of architectural sculptures, or rather, a physical résumé of some of Japan’s most internationally renowned architects.

Looking like a stack of luminous glass containers, Louis Vuitton’s flagship store was designed by celebrated Japanese architect Jun Aoki. Dior’s all-white, minimalist monolith of a glass building was designed by noted Japanese architects Sejima Kazuyo and Nishizawa Ryue.

Across the road, the upscale Omotesando Hills shopping mall is no slouch either. The interior looks like Guggenheim’s ramp galleries. There’s no clear demarcation of individual floors; rather, a continuous spiralling walkway lined with shops takes you from the ground up to the top of the building.

While you’re there, don’t miss the mirrored elevator entrance of Tokyu Plaza. The sci-fi-like design is trippy and perfect for Instagram.