TOKYO | HYPE CITY GUIDE 2022

TOKYO what a journey ! Seductive, exotic, surprising, words fail me to describe this extraordinary city ! I tried to discover the most hyped addresses, to share them with you in this Hype City Guide 2020 … For my fourth trip, the wonder was more than present, and I found new essential addresses …

Since my return all my friends keep asking me questions about Japan, and I think the only way to understand its philosophy is to go there. This respect for others, this ability to adapt to nature, this modern minimalist aesthetic that blends perfectly with that of tradition … So this article also aims to invite you to pack your bags, and live these moments that you will never forget … To start, if you plan this trip soon here are some tips to know :

TOKYO | INFORMATIONS

• FLIGHTS – Before arriving in Tokyo you will have to buy your plane tickets, from France I recommend AIR FRANCE by direct flight Paris-Tokyo. Because despite what you may think, it is often the cheapest when you go through the website (around 550 € round trip), and if you can leave on weekdays (Tuesday and Wednesday are the lowest prices ). For the airport prefer HANEDA which is closer to downtown Tokyo (45min by train), but if the prices for NARITA are very interesting it is not infeasible either (count 1h20 by train to arrive in the center)…
• INTERNET – I think being connected to the internet seriously saves you from getting lost in Tokyo. NINJA WIFI provides you with a small box that allows you to have wifi anywhere in the city (and when I say anywhere, even in a basement at -3 I was connected … Take the flow the highest)
• GUIDE – I loved the advice of the Louis Vuitton guide. Beautiful, practical, well written, he followed me throughout my trip …
• GOOGLE MAP – After reading your guide, note your favorite addresses on the GOOGLE MAP application, then on site you will see around you all the yellow stars that you have noted before. Super practical !
• METRO – The Tokyo metro is complex ! Different prices, different lines, the easiest way is to buy a SUICA card (look for the green terminal) or PASSMO (look for the pink terminal my favorite) and you can easily recharge it and go everywhere without asking questions. In addition you can pay for different things like taxi or vending machines …
  ¥EN – Remember to order your ¥ en in advance at your exchange office. Because it is not like the dollar, it requires 24 / 48h before having large sums (as soon as you exceed 500 €). Try not to pay too much on the card on site, it costs quite expensive, I made myself 70 € bank charges because I was short of ¥. Good also say that I fell a little shopping level…
• SNEAKERS – Opt for light materials! Whether at Adidas, Nike, Asics or others, think of your feet. Avoid leather (except on rainy days have a spare pair) and prefer innovative materials such as the Flyknit ranges and favor the Running models … Your feet will thank you after 20km of walking per day (this is my average during 9 days).
• RESTAURANTS – Be aware that in Japan it is rare to eat badly. Everything is always clean, tourist traps are rare. Do not hesitate to go eat even in a restaurant in the basement – this is where we make the most beautiful culinary discoveries … Follow the Japanese who leave the office you will not go wrong…
• WAITING LINE – If you have to go to a popular place (museum, restaurant, shop …) where there are a lot of people, I strongly advise you to always go there at opening time, because even if you already have your tickets bought in advance, there is still 2 hours of queuing for anything because the Japanese are fairly procedural and take their time …READY ?

TOKYO | HYPE CITY GUIDE 2020

That’s it, you’re ready to go! I’m not going to run you around with tons of addresses. Before following my advice, I invite you to get lost in the Japanese streets (that’s how we visit a city), but if you want some landmarks, here are my favorite addresses – which for me are to do absolutely! A mix between restaurants, cafes, hotels, museums, monuments, shops (lots of shops ^^), and various places … Let’s go!

TOKYO CITY GUIDE | WHICH HOTEL CHOOSE, WHICH NEIGHBORHOOD ?

First of all, know that everything is unique to Japan ! So if you don’t have too much money you will sleep well anyway. If this is your first trip and the budget allows, I highly recommend the districts of SHINJUKU and SHIBUYA. If you have less money I recommend the districts of ASAKUSA, or even more traditional UENO. You will always find good hotels not too expensive, and always clean. The only thing try to see that it is close to the GINZA LINE, at least in 40 minutes by metro you are in Shibuya (it may seem like a lot, but in Tokyo the subway journeys are quite long, but luckily the metro is great pleasant…)

• CHIYODA INN – 5 Chome-33-９ Minamisenju, Arakawa, Tokyo 116-0003, Japon – mon hôtel lors du deuxième voyage. J’avais envie de m’excentrer des quartiers touristiques, et j’ai été plus que comblé dans cet hotel au rapport qualité/prix imbattable ! Le NEW CHIYODA à quelques mètres de celui-ci était très bien aussi.

• HÔTEL GRACERY SHINJUKU – Japon, 〒160-8466 Tokyo, Shinjuku, 歌舞伎町1丁目19−1 SHINJUKU TOHO BLDG – le célèbre hôtel qui abrite la créature Godzilla. Le personnel, la chambre, la vue, rien à redire. Une valeur sure !

TOKYO CITY GUIDE | DISTRICTS

Even if sometimes you can switch from one to the other without realizing it, Tokyo is delimited by distric t! It is a good place to discover the city, and try to do as many things as possible. As I said at the beginning of the guide, do not hesitate to get lost and stroll through the streets …

2 NEIGHBORHOODS / DAY : Try to plan your trip by following this rule. Two districts a day seems to me the ideal balance to take the time and do a lot in a week …

SHIBUYA – Shibuyaaaaa! The neighborhood that I was eager to discover and that I advise you upon your arrival to immerse yourself in Tokyo. I spent a whole day there pacing its streets, its shops, its restaurants, ILOVE IT ! It must be seen day and night, and if it rains you must absolutely see the famous pedestrian crossing, with all the open umbrellas that cross (great view from the L’Occitane cafe) … SUBLIME!

Do not forget to pet the Hachikō dog statue (famous Japanese history), your trip will be blessed by this local lucky charm …

SHINJUKU – If you followed my trip on my Instagram account, you noticed that Shinjuku was my neighborhood of residence. I can only advise you to put your suitcases there ! Hotels, restaurants, shops, atmosphere everything is perfect! I advise you to live the atmosphere in the evening in the red district KAMUKICHO (which is very safe, you should not just follow a tout, NEVER!) …

HARAJUKU – Close to Shibuya, surely my favorite shopping during this trip to Tokyo. Enter the “jungle” of the small streets, all the most hyped signs have come together here (my favorites in the shopping part of this guide).

The streets are beautiful, it’s simple I went there twice as I liked. A fashion temple very inspiring for trends …

AOYAMA/OMOTESANDO – What I liked about these districts too ! Aoyama and Omotesando are very close, you pass from one to the other without knowing it … Upmarket districts of Tokyo, the residences and houses are sublime, and I really enjoyed admiring the architecture of the different buildings…

GINZA – The Champs Elysées of Tokyo, Ginza seduces with its buildings – signed by the greatest architects in the world – its luxurious signs, and its grandiose shops … We do more window shopping than shopping but the experience is pleasant!

UENO/ASAKUSA – More traditional districts in Tokyo, UENO and ASAKUSA are famous for its temples and shrines … But also the park in Ueno – where the HANAMI cherry tree festival takes place in March. Sublime places!

In addition, stroll through the city side of UENO, you will find cheap shopping centers to buy all your food souvenirs (Kit-Kat and company, at the best price …). It is in these two districts that you will find the most street food!

AKIHABARA – Lovers of video games and manga, AKIHABARA will be your nirvana ! Discover the shops of the main artery and then get lost in the streets around … In the street of the famous shop KOTOBUKIYA, you will find different hostesses who will promote their Maid Bar, choose the prettiest, and let yourself be guided… An experience to do ! (No photography allowed)

NAKANO – I went to this neighborhood only to discover the BAR ZINGARO of the artist Murakami – 5 Chome-52-15 Nakano, Tokyo 164-0001. But at the exit of the Nakano metro, I was surprised to discover a superb shopping street illuminated with hundreds of red lanterns! At the end of this street you will find (with your GPS) the building which houses the famous bar. Go up to 2F and you’re there …

Before arriving at the Bar Zingaro (since it opens at noon) I advise you to stroll in this large alley full of lanterns, and especially stop at the sushi man. The name of the restaurant being in Japanese I did not find the address, but look at the photos below, it is the best value for money in sushi I saw in Tokyo!

When you have the metro behind you, the restaurant is about halfway down the main aisle on the left. Look for a big red sign …

SHIMO-KITAZAWA – exit at the eponymous metro station and discover this amazing hipster district ! Get lost in the streets, and discover the typical Japanese houses …

There are other more confidential districts in Tokyo, but in 7-8 days (the average travel time) if you can discover those mentioned above it’s already not bad 😉

– TOKYO CITY GUIDE | BEST SHOPPING ADDRESSES –

The first piece of advice I can give you is to come to Tokyo with empty suitcases and full pockets! This city is a huge temptation, for lovers of fashion, art, design … Here are my different favorites classified by theme …

FASHION & SNEAKERS – When I am in Tokyo I must go through the shops listed below. Safe values:

• EDIFICE – Japon, 〒160-0022 Tokyo, Shinjuku, 新宿3-31-9 1F – j’ai adoré la sélection de cette boutique. Perdez-vous dans les rues autour d’elle, il y a pleins d’autres shops sympas pas loin…
• BEAMS JAPAN – Japon, 〒160-0022 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Shinjuku, 3 Chome−32−６ 5F B1F – sur une tour entière tout l’univers BEAMS – mode, maison, souvenirs… J’étais au paradis. Il y a même un café !

• ATMOS JAPAN – Cherchez celui de Shinjuku, ou celui d’Harajuku et découvrez leurs modèles “Japan Exclusive”, trésors potentiels à ramener…

• BILLY’S – 4 Chome-28-20 Jingumae, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0001, Japon – une référence pour la sneakers ! N’hésitez pas à emporter leur magazine gratuit, il est super avec pleins de collabs avec les artistes locaux…
• UNDEFEATED – Japon, 〒150-0001 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Jingumae, 4 Chome−32−8 P-2ビル１Ｆ– célèbre shop américain, la version japonaise est à voir pour découvrir leur collection exclusive Japan…

• BAPE – Japon, 〒107-0062 Tokyo, Minato, Minamiaoyama, 5 Chome−5−8, ＭＡＮＩＶＩＡ南青山 – même si la marque est maintenant présente en France, un passage chez BAPE JAPON est obligatoire… ICI la plus belle boutique BATHING APE vue à ce jour. Attention photos interdites 🙁

• UNIQLO GINZA – 6 Chome-9-5 Ginza, 中央区 Tokyo 104-0061, Japon – sur 12 étages les fans d’UNIQLO seront au paradis… T-shirts exclusifs au marché japonais à shopper la bas…

DECO-DESIGN – furniture, ceramics, souvenirs and decorative accessories … Tokyo is a paradise for lovers of Beauty. Here are a few well-chosen addresses to discover new trends …

• LOFT – 21-１ Udagawacho, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0042, Japon (ou celui de Ginza) – sur plusieurs étages, ce Bon Marché à la japonaise vous propose différentes produits beauté, mode, maison… Dans le même esprit l’enseigne TOKYU HANDS se trouve aussi à Shibuya (mais moins quali)… A faire absolument pour ramener pleins de produits curieux japonais…

• CIBONE – 2 Chome-27 Minamiaoyama, Minato, Tokyo 107-0062, Japon – la plus belle boutique design de Tokyo d’après moi ! La sélection est superbe : mobilier, accessoires, livres… J’ai shoppé des poteries japonaises (ci-dessus) disponibles qu’ici…
• FRANCFRANC – Japon, 〒107-0062 Tokyo, Minato City, Minamiaoyama, 3 Chome−1−3 スプライン青山東急ビル 1F/2F – on pourrait comparer cette chaine à notre Habitat, ici de jolis souvenirs Made in Japan…
• SHINJUKU FLEA MARKET – Chaque dimanche de 5h00 à 17h00 (annulé en cas de pluie), juste derrière le sanctuaire shintô HANAZO-JINJA, ce marché aux puces m’a régalé ! J’y ai déniché de vieilles bouteilles de saké (qui feront office de vases), une écharpe faite à la main par des artisans japonais. Bref une super expérience !

• TSUTAYA BOOKS – Japon, 〒104-0061 Tokyo, 中央区銀座６丁目１０−１ GINZA SIX (6F étage) – amoureux de magazines et livres d’art japonais, cette librairie est incontournable pour vous…

ART&TOYS – if like me your heart beats only for art and toys, Tokyo is made for you!

• MEDICOM TOY PLUS – Omotesando Hills (deuxième étage) 4丁目-12-10 Jingumae, 渋谷区 Tokyo 150-0001, Japon – THE PLACE TO BE pour ramener de superbe Art Toy ! Il y a aussi Project 1/6 à Shibuya qui est très cool, en plus un français y travaille… Demandez Etienne !

• 2G TOKYO – 15-1 Udagawacho, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-8377, Japon – PARCO SHIBUYA le nouveau temple de la hype, accueille 2G TOKYO le shop toys et art à ne pas manquer…

• BAR ZINGARO par l’artiste Takashi Murakami – 5 Chome-52-15 Nakano, Tokyo 164-0001, Japon – au deuxième étage de NAKANO BROADWAY. De plus arpentez tout le deuxième étage pour découvrir de super magasins pour les jouets vintage de votre enfance !
• MANDARAKE –  Japon, 〒150-0042 Tokyo, Shibuya, Udagawacho, 31−2, 渋谷BEAM – La boutique pour les fans de manga et d’animés. Statues, figurines, livres, vous vous perdrez dans les différentes allées… Boutique en sous sol !
• KOTOBUKIYA – 1 Chome-8-8 Sotokanda, Chiyoda, Tokyo 101-0021, Japon – c’est ici que vous devez aller si tu vous voulez ramener une jolie figurine Ghibli et autres licences de la marque…
• COMMUNE – Japon, 〒151-0066 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Nishihara, 1 Chome−18−7 102 – nouveau à Tokyo ce petit shop hybride est à voir à Tokyo, visitez aussi leur e-shop ils livrent à l’international…

– TOKYO CITY GUIDE | WHERE AND WHAT EAT ? –

Japanese cuisine is one of my favorites! Raw, cooked, street food, or gourmet restaurant; ramen, burger, sushi, barbecue, here are my different favorites :

• RAMEN – 壱角家 秋葉原店 – Japon, 〒101-0021 Tokyo, Chiyoda, 外神田１丁目９−８ 秋葉原ダイヤモンドビル１F – ici on déguste des ramen version luxe au boeuf de Kobe (le meilleur boeuf du monde).

• RAMEN ICHIRAN – 1 Chome-22-7 Jinnan, 渋谷区 Tokyo 150-0041, Japon – les meilleures Ramen de Shibuya d’après les Tokyoites (et c’est vrai) ! La queue dans l’escalier qui mène au -1 témoigne de l’engouement pour cette adresse…
• TSUTA RAMEN (à la truffe) – Japon, 〒151-0066 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Nishihara, 3 Chome−2, 2-4 B1 – allez chercher un ticket le matin car ce lieu est très demandé…

• CHATTY CHATTY BURGER –  1 Chome-12-１ Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-0022, Japon – un pur régal, il fait son entrée dans mon TOP 5 BURGER MONDE !

• THE GREAT BURGER – 6 Chome-12-5 Jingumae, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0001, Japon – entre Omotesando et Shibuya, j’y ai mangé un des meilleurs burgers de ma vie au boeuf Wagyu…

• KITCHEN TACHIKICHI (NO GYOZA NO LIFE) – 〒150-0001, 5 Chome-50-1 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0001, Japon – Les meilleurs gyoza d’Omotesando !
• ブラックホール BARBECUE JAPONAIS – Japon, 〒160-0021 Tokyo, 新宿区Kabukicho, １−２−５ 東陽ビル – à faire absolument, un restaurant de viandes grillées au coeur du quartier rouge Kabukicho…

• SUSHI KANESAKA – Japon, 〒104-0061 Tokyo, 中央区Ginza, 8 Chome−10−3, 銀座三鈴ビル – Michelin star, my best dining experience in Japan! Even if it will break your piggy bank, I think that we do not know Japanese cuisine completely if we do not live this sushi ceremony at least once … Book at least a month before going through the concierge of your future hotel . Discover my photo report sur Instagram…

• ISSHIN –  4 Chome-11-3 Asakusa, Taitō, Tokyo 111-0032, Japon – le juste milieu entre un maitre sushi à 200€ tête, et le sushi de quartier à 20€. La pour 50€/80€ vous vivrez une très belle expérience culinaire !

• RAINBOW PANCAKE (fluffy) – 4 Chome-28-4 Jingumae, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0001, Japon – les japonais sont amoureux de patisserie à l’aspect fluffy (soufflé). Cette adresse est une valeur sure…
• 7ELEVEN – partout dans Tokyo, si vous n’avez pas le temps ou juste une petite fringale, cette chaine propose pleins de bonnes choses. Les mochi à 100YENS… <3

– TOKYO CITY GUIDE | TEMPLES AND GARDEN –

Tokyo has kept its temples and shrines at the heart of the modernity of the city. You will find them everywhere, from small to large, here are my favorites …

• SANCTUAIRE SHINTO HANAZONO-JINJA – 5 Chome-17-3 Shinjuku, 新宿区 Tokyo 160-0022, Japon – un lieu magique à quelques pas des rues animées de Shinjuku…

• SHINJUKU GYOEN PARK – 11 Naitomachi, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-0014, Japon – un superbe parc qui marque la séparation entre Shinjuku et Shibuya, et abrite de superbes jardins japonais… A faire le Dimanche.

• TEMPLE SENSO-JI – 2 Chome-3-1 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo – Le Sensō-ji est un temple bouddhiste situé à Tokyo, dans le quartier d’Asakusa. C’est le plus vieux temple de la capitale japonaise ; il est dédié à la déesse bodhisattva Kannon…

– TOKYO CITY GUIDE | MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY –

If you follow me, you know that art punctuates my travels. I often travel to attend fairs or openings. Besides, I never miss ART FAIR TOKYO in March…

•  MORI TOWER – 6 Chome-11-1 Roppongi, Minato, Tokyo 106-6108, Japon – cette immense tour abrite un musée d’art contemporain, et vous invite à découvrir Tokyo depuis le 42ème étage. Allez-y pour le coucher du soleil…

• NATIONAL ART CENTER TOKYO – 7 Chome-22-2 Roppongi, Minato, Tokyo 106-8558, Japon – Découvrir l’exposition du moment dans ce musée mythique de la ville…

• KAIKAI KIKI GALLERY – Japon, 〒106-0046 Tokyo, Minato, Motoazabu, 2 Chome−3−３０ クレストビルB1F – La galerie à visiter absolument !

• NANZUKA – Japon, 〒150-0002 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Shibuya, 2 Chome−17−3 渋谷アイビスビル B2F – les grands noms de l’art contemporain japonais et international s’y rencontrent…
• L’ILLUSTRE GALERIE LE MONDE – 6 Chome-32-5-201 Jingumae, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0001, Japon – parfaite pour découvrir les jeunes talents à suivre…
• PERROTIN TOKYO – ピラミデビル1F, 6 Chome-6-9 Roppongi, Minato City, Tokyo 106-0032, Japon – petite mais grande…
• OPHTALMOLOGIST GALLERY – ピラミデビル1F, 6 Chome-6-9 Roppongi, Minato City, Tokyo 106-0032, Japon – de très belles découvertes…

SHIJUKU by night !

TOKYO CITY GUIDE | BEST COFFEE

• CAFE KITSUNE – 3 Chome-15-9 Minamiaoyama, Minato City, Tokyo 107-0062, Japon – la célèbre marque franco-japonaise a posé ses cafetières à Aoyama pour servir ses breuvages, dans un superbe lieu à la terrasse ensoleillée absolument divine…

• CAT CAFE MOCHA – Japon, 〒150-0042 Tokyo, Shibuya, 宇田川町３２−１２ アソルティ渋谷８F – A faire absolument si vous aimez les chats ! Cette chaine de Cat Café est super mignonne, avec des boissons à volonté, seul le temps est compté….

• COFFEE STAND IN THE PAINTING by LY – 1 Chome-14-2 Higashikanda, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 101-0031, Japon – ce petit café/boutique de peinture a été créé par l’artiste LY et son mari. Très bon, et des trésors à découvrir dans les étages…
• STARBUCKS – les produits dérivés spécial Japon sont trop KAWAIIII… Regardez le compte STARBUCKS JAPON

• CAFFICE – Japon, 〒160-0022 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Shinjuku, 4 Chome−2−23 新四ｃｕｒｕｍｕビル 2F – je valide le café et le décor…

TOKYO CITY GUIDE | DO IT !

• PARK HYATT | NEW YORK BAR – 西新宿３丁目７-１-２, 新宿区, 東京都 163-1055, Japon – célèbre bar de Jazz de LOST IN TRANSLATION, c’est une super adresse pour boire un verre et écouter du jazz. Il y a des concerts tous les soirs, je vous conseille d’y être dès 21h les places sont chères (attention tenues correctes exigées) !

• CLUB SEGA AKIHABARA – Japon, 〒101-0021 Tokyo, Chiyoda, Sotokanda, 1 Chome−11−11, 外神田1丁目ビルディング – SEEEGAAA, on se souvient tous de ce slogan à chaque allumage de notre mega-drive (si t’as moins de 25 ans tu ne comprendras pas…). Cette tour sur plus de 5 étages je crois, abrite différentes activités (arcade, jeux de cartes, pachinko…)

• TOKYO DOME – 1 Chome-3-61 Koraku, Bunkyo, Tokyo 112-0004, Japon – réservez à l’avance des places pour assister à un match de baseball. Et finissez la soirée au mall juste à coté…

• ODAIBA – Direction l’ile artificiel d’Odaiba, le trajet en train aérien est grandiose. A voir la bas, le géant GUNDAM, le musée TEAM LAB, et les ONSEN de l’île. ŌEDO-ONSEN-MONOGATARI –  Japon, 〒135-0064 Tokyo, 江東区Aomi, 2 Chome−6番3…

Here dear readers, I think I have toured my fondest memories in Tokyo. I hope I made you want to go there, I still went back! Do not hesitate to contact me by e-mail if you have any questions…

PS : Some photos of this guide are available for sale on request …