30 things to do at Tokyo Station

This venerable Kyoto-born confectioner operates shops throughout Japan, but its Tokyo Station locations are the only ones where you can buy Toraya's famed yokan jelly in a stylish box featuring a Tokyo Station motif. It's available in 5-, 12- and 18-piece sets, with the larger two containing five different flavours.  Toraya

Tenugui handkerchief brand Kamawanu and a crew of local artists have teamed up to create T-shirts, tote bags and other cutesy gear with a Tokyo theme, and these high-quality locally produced items all make for superb souvenirs. Shared Tokyo

Shouro specialises in rolled tamagoyaki omelette, which is also the key ingredient in their signature sandwich - a simple combo of soft bread, egg and mayo that gets addictive real fast. Tsukiji Shouro

Known as much for its adorable tins as for the sweet treats they contain, this candy shop's artsy packages feature seabream, daruma dolls and other luck-bringing Japanese motifs. Don't miss the chocolate-coated gummi drops. Hitotsubu Kanro

The 230-metre Granroof pedestrian deck features a distinctive sail-shaped roof, a calming 'green wall' covered by foliage plants, and tables where you can sit down for a quick escape from the concrete jungle. Granroof 2F Terrace (pedestrian deck)

Feeling dry? Pamper your hands with creams from Makanai a long-established company that started out as a manufacturer of gold leaf but in 2005 switched its focus to the line of natural cosmetics it had developed to protect its employees' skin from the extreme heat and dryness of factory environments. Makanai

On a mission to relay the wonders of Japan's staple grain to the world, this senbei shop is particular about retaining the aroma and texture of the base ingredient in its crispy rice crackers. In autumn and winter, it sells a limited-edition senbei flavoured with soy sauce and coated with high-quality chocolate. Fujimido

Craft beer, sweet snacks and traditional handicrafts compete for shelf space at this fun souvenir shop, where you can buy local specialities from throughout Japan's regions without ever leaving the capital. The kokeshi dolls and papier-mâché figurines are particularly pretty. Nippon Department Store Tokyo

The basement of the Kitte building, connected to Tokyo Station via an underground passage, is a little piece of ramen paradise. Five shops, including Hakata tonkotsu specialist Ikkosha and tsukemen (dipping noodles) favourite Tomita, are on hand to entice noodle fans. Ramen at Kitte

Tokyo Station's 100-year old brick walls offer an interesting backdrop for the paintings at this petite art museum, opened in 1988. The museum holds five exhibitions per year, bringing in shows from around Japan and the rest of the world. Tokyo Station Gallery

This tonkatsu specialist along Kitchen Street, just outside the Yaesu North exit, uses heirloom Echigo Mochibuta pork for its heavenly cutlets. Sit by the counter to watch the chefs hard at work, and don't forget that refills of rice and cabbage are free. Tonkatsu Suzuki

Need a moment to rest your nerves? Set course for the laidback 5 Crossties, where you're invited to relax over veg-heavy eats and artisanal coffee, brewed from beans sourced only from trusted producers around the world. 5 Crossties Coffee

How about a cleanser, face wash, body soap or shampoo rooted in both Japanese tradition and the latest dermatological science? Osaji's beauty products enrich the skin and the spirit alike, making for an ideal introduction to the wonderful world of Japanese cosmetics. Osaji

Can't choose between kao pad gapao (spicy chicken over rice) and pad thai (stir-fried noodles)? Have both, in the form of the generous lunch set at this casual Thai eatery, which uses only halal ingredients. Siam Orchid Supreme

Traveler's Factory offers stationery and various customisable products, including the best-selling Traveler's Notebook, which encourages the user to both plan ahead and track their adventures. You can start at the shop itself, where stamps themed on station buildings and all of Japan's 47 prefectures await eager collectors. Traveler's Factory Station

Locations don't get much more enviable than this: the luxurious Tokyo Station Hotel, inside the terminal's historic red-brick facade, features rooms overlooking the domed Marunouchi North and South exits, and also includes a spa and the superb Bar Oak. The Tokyo Station Hotel

If you love the nitty-gritty of Japanese food, this dashi or broth specialist is bound to be of interest. Kayanoya sells a wide variety of convenient dashi packs that'll help you recreate pro-grade avours at home, runs an in-store restaurant, and even sells dashi soup to go in paper cups. Kayanoya

How about an entire bar dedicated to one of Japan's very best lines of craft beer? Hitachino Nest makes good use of mikan oranges from Ibaraki prefecture and other citrus fruits in its distinctive brews, which you can start exploring by ordering the daily three-glass tasting set. Hitachino Brewing Lab

Japan’s first authentic French pâtisserie chain, Colombin was brought into the country in 1924. In addition to confectionery such as the iconic Harajuku cake roll and small chocolate muffins, its Gransta location also offers bite-sized treats such as ‘Gin no Suzu’ pancake sandwiches, which are stuffed with strawberry and other flavours of cream.  Colombin

Hailing from Bangkok, the Mango Tree family of restaurants can always be counted on for authentic Thai fare, from basil chicken stir-fry to spicy rice noodles. Their plentiful takeout options make for great alternatives to the usual station bento boxes. Mango Tree Kitchen Gapao

Tenugui are cotton handkerchiefs that can be used for everything from wiping and wrapping to interior decoration, and this cute little shop offers them in over 150 styles, from cherry blossoms and fireworks to animals and food – they even have a Gransta-only ‘Suica's penguin’ design, themed on the official mascot character for JR East’s Suica card. Mamegui

Inarizushi is often just a simple ball of vinegared rice stuffed inside a fried tofu pocket, but Mameda's version of this nutritious snack also contains sesame seeds and pickled gourd, giving it a nice balance of sweet and savoury. Adventurous gourmands may want to consider the wasabi version, too. Mameda

Miharado Honten has been in business since 1877 and occupies a special place in the heart of many a fan of traditional Japanese confectionery. These adherents have included celebrities such as crime novelist Rampo Edogawa, who was charmed by the shop's crispy, delicately savoury shio senbei (rice crackers). Miharado Honten

Stocking an impressive 200-ish kinds of boxed lunches, Matsuri sees an endless stream of travellers stopping by to pick out a bento for their train ride. Our favourites include the box that's shaped like a daruma doll and can be used as a piggy bank afterwards. Ekibenya Matsuri

Tokyo's Jimbocho neighbourhood is most famed for having more bookstores than your average medium-sized city, but it's also known as the home of this super-quirky accessory shop, where the items all have a unique story to them. Jimbocho Ichi no Ichi

Run by a popular Daikanyama bakery, Garden House is all about offering light, figure-friendly eats to busy urbanites, who stop by this spacious, 50-seat café in vast numbers every day. Garden House Café

A dainty mochi rice cake stuffed with something sweet, daifuku is an essential Japanese confection. While Ginza Kanra's regular red bean paste version is tasty, we'd be remiss not to recommend their ichigo daifuku – an exquisite treat filled with white bean paste and strawberries. The shop's monaka wafers are also worth trying. Ginza Kanra

If it’s one of those sweet souvenir boxes you’re after, head straight for Hanagataya. This amply stocked shop carries all the usual favourites, plus special flavours such as chocolate Hiyoko cakes and kawara senbei cookies depicting Mt Fuji. Hanagataya

The knowledgeable concierges at Tokyo Station's own tourist information centre can answer pretty much any question you might have about the terminal itself, sights and things to do in Tokyo, or journeys beyond the capital – all in English, of course. Station Concierge Tokyo

We're confident calling Tsukiji Sushiko Nagomi the best sushi restaurant at Tokyo Station, and after tasting your way through their 14-nigiri Gransta omakase set you're bound to agree. The seafood is brought in fresh from Toyosu Market every morning, and it shows. Tsukiji Sushiko Nagomi