How to Spend 36 Hours in Tokyo with American Express
Whether you’re a traveller looking for boutique stores, innovative architecture, world-class dining, or under-the-radar neighbourhoods, Tokyo has it all. With so much to explore, how can you prioritise what to explore with a limited amount of time? From a haven for book lovers and an art museum 50-storeys in the air, to a hidden tofu restaurant and a long-standing paper-maker, I recently spent the weekend with Conde Nast Traveller and American Express to find out how you can make the most of this wide-ranging metropolis in just 36 hours.
The Tokyo Edition, Toranomon
Wake up to complimentary breakfast and sprawling views of Tokyo Tower at The Tokyo Edition Toranomon - the first Edition hotel to open in Japan. Designed by world-renowned architect Kengo Kuma, this 206-room accommodation leans heavily into new-age luxury with social spaces covered in greenery, and up close and personal views of the Tokyo skyline with the throngs of commuters and tourists visible below.
Book The Tokyo Edition, Toranomon.
Pro tip: Platinum Cardmembers also enjoy exclusive benefits at leading luxury hotels and resorts, including room upgrades and guaranteed 4 pm late checkout at 25 properties across the city.
Discover Tokyo and hundreds of unique destinations in my brand new guidebook, Views from Japan.
Daikanyama T-Site
Set across three buildings connected by a 55-metre-long walkway, and packed full of thousands of publications, Daikanyama T-Site is to book lovers what Nakano Broadway is to Japanese pop-culture enthusiasts. On the top floor of the middle structure, you’ll find Anjin - a 120-seat café surrounded by over 30,000 books with traditional artworks and motifs adorning the softly lit walls. Have your heart set on a particular Japanese indie publication? ‘Magazine Street’ is packed with current domestic editions and those from around the world - the on-site concierges wait patiently in the wings, ready to help you find that long-anticipated read.
Pro tip: Once you’ve spent 3 weeks' worth of yen on magazines, make sure to explore the six speciality book categories on offer: Cuisine, Travel, Cars and Motorcycles, Architecture and Design, Art, and Humanities and Literature.
Related post: Escape the City: 6 Easy Day Trips from Tokyo
Nezu Museum
Sculpture enthusiasts will marvel at the vast collection of pre-modern Asian art at the Nezu Museum, housed in an elegant structure by Kengo Kuma. The traditional collection now sits at around 7,400 individual pieces including calligraphy, sculptures, and ceramics. The property’s 17,000 sqm Japanese garden, crisscrossed with streams and dotted with teahouses, is reason alone to visit. After you’ve finished in the museum, head to the Nezu Cafe which overlooks the gardens and offers a traditional tea ceremony in a more casual setting.
Pro tip: Securing tickets and access to popular attractions and exhibitions is another Platinum Cardmember benefit.
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Mori Art Museum
Located in the central Roppongi Hill district, Mori Art Museum focuses on displaying contemporary art in genres such as architecture, design, photography, fashion, and video. Venture up to the 52nd floor to take in panoramic views of Tokyo before strolling through the rotating exhibition galleries. Expect to find a number of up-and-coming artists from both Asia and other areas around the world. Visit on a weekday or in the evening to avoid most of the crowds - the museum is open until 10 pm, a time that allows for even more impressive views of the Tokyo Tower thanks to its 180 lights.
Shiba Tofuya Ukai
With hundreds of Michelin-starred restaurants, it’s no surprise that people flock to Japan’s capital for food. Shiba Tofuya Ukai, a specialist in tofu kaiseki, takes visitors back to the Edo period with traditional Japanese cuisine and hospitality, tranquil ponds full of carp, and an enchanting walk-through garden. Based on grounds covering 6,600sqm at the foot of Tokyo Tower, you’ll be treated to tofu dishes such as tosui tofu (dashi and soymilk soup) and age dengaku (fried sliced tofu) in an area rich with history. Set menus start from ¥8,800 and rise to ¥22,000 for the Shiba Tokubetsu Kaiseki. Tofu is the highlight of the meal, with seasonal seafood and local vegetables complementing the dish.
Pro tip: Platinum cardholders benefit from £150 of statement credits to spend with over 2,000 restaurants globally.
Looking for more Tokyo inspiration? Download your free Tokyo Neighbourhoods guide here.
Toraya Akasaka Flagship
With roots in Tokyo dating back to 1869 (the beginning of the Meiji era), Toraya Akasaka Flagship Store has generations of experience in crafting precision-crafted wagashi sweets. Its exterior, designed with floor-to-ceiling windows across the face of the building, encourages as much natural light into the shop as possible. The interior, filled with hinoki wood (Japanese cypress), though an open space, encourages a cosy and comfortable shopping experience. Throughout the store, expect to find an abundance of intricately crafted wagashi such as Yokan, Monaka, Higashi, Oshiruko, Mizu Yokan, Natsukan, and more.
Pro tip: The American Express Platinum Concierge Service helps Cardmembers discover local gems like these and book reservations at the city’s top restaurants.
Ozu Washi Nihonbashi
Immerse yourself in the ancient craft of washi with a paper-making workshop at Ozu Washi, a longstanding shop and cultural centre in the Nihonbashi business district. Established in 1653, the company continues to operate from their original location and now provides a host of experiences for visitors to try. Alongside the handmade washi experience, you’ll find the Ozu History Museum, Ozu Washi Shoran, Ozu Gallery, and other classes such as Shodo (calligraphy) and Suiboku-ga (Sumi art). As you would expect, the store has paper for just about any of your crafting needs: Shodo, Nihon-ga, Suiboku-ga, Buddhist painting, block prints, paper art, pressed flowers, cards, letters and more.
Andaz Tokyo
Arriving on the 51st floor of one of the tallest skyscrapers in the area, you’ll start your stay by being checked in from the lounge, not from behind a desk. Melt into your king size bed, as you watch the sunrise out of the floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows, and start your day off in the AO Spa. Indulge in kombucha tea facials, swoon over the tea-infused cocktails, and finish your day on the partly open-air Rooftop Bar on the 52nd floor - idyllic sunset views over Tokyo Bay aplenty.
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Discover Japan Like Never Before. Tried & Tested by a Local.
For the design-conscious, culturally curious and forward-thinking travellers amongst us, Views from Japan is a brand new travel guidebook that gives you all the tools you need to unlock remote destinations, delve into unique cultural experiences and discover lesser-known neighbourhoods, without spending hours trawling the web or following generic itineraries.
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