Download Now or Listen on iTunes (or your favorite podcast app!)
This week on the podcast we are jumping back into our series of episodes on our favorite cities around the world, and as you can see from the title, it is Tokyo!!
We first visited Tokyo in 2017, and visited twice during our time in Japan. Since then, it has stayed right at the top of cities we want to go back to, and right near the top of the list for our favorite cities.
We have spent about 2 weeks in Tokyo all together, so we wanted to bring on someone who truly knows the in’s and out’s of the city. Luckily we have a good friend (and previous guest) that lived their for 10 years, Becky Gillespie!
What we talk about in this episode:
- Facts about Tokyo
- Tokyo has a population of
- Why Tokyo should be on your travel bucket list and why Becky thinks it is the best city in the world!
- How Tokyo surprises you with peace and quiet in one of the worlds largest cities.
- What is the best thing about living in Tokyo?
- Worst thing about living in Tokyo?
- What is the best way to experience Tokyo?
- Lightning round recommendations for Tokyo
- Great cafes: Koffee Mameya (great coffee, can’t sit) & Trois Chambres (cool old style french cafe)
- One great lunch spot: Midori Sushi
- Tip, go for your fancy sushi at lunch to find a deal
- One great dinner spot: Shirubee (in Shitakitzowa)
- Best activity for a rainy day: Team Lab Borderless ** Tip: Buy tickets in advance
- One great outdoor activity: Go for a long walk! Almost everywhere in the city is safe and there are hundreds of unique neighborhoods. Pick a few and go for a walk.
- Uniquely Japanese activity: Watch sumo practice & visit a maid cafe
- Best time to visit: Spring is amazing to see the cherry blossoms, but it comes with the highest prices. So if it’s not in your budget, fall is a great time! **Tip: book 6 months in advance if you’re going in spring to Kyoto
- Go watch a baseball game: Tokyo or Hiroshima are great in stadium environments
- Best way to find accommodation: Airbnb has been legally restricted in Tokyo, so hostels and hotels are typically your best option, and booking.com usually has most.
- For medium term stays for nomads: Sekura-House or Guesthouse Japan
- Best neighborhoods to stay in: Shinjuku (close to lots of areas and quick access to transport
- Getting around the country: Buy a Japan Rail pass! You need to buy it before you get to Japan!
- If you’re using Tokyo as a hub, what trips outside of the city should you take: Osaka, Nara, Hiking in Okutama, Mount Koya (where you can stay at a Buddhist temple), Fukuoka (city), Yakushima Island
- Visit a 100 Yen shop if you forget anything when you packed
- Eat convenience store food! Try the onigiri.
- And much more… Here’s the episode!
Check Out Our Other Tokyo Episodes
- Our Tokyo Episode
- Our first episode with Becky (Life in Japan with Becky Gillespie)
You can check out our travel community on Facebook where you can ask questions, get travel recommendations, and find community members in your area!
If you would like to support the continued growth of the show and receive cool kickbacks like postcards from around the world and one on one calls with Ryan and Amanda, head on over to Patreon. Thank you so much for your continued support!
Music Credits:
www.bensound.com
