Larroudé Japan Guide

Marina’s Japan Travel Guide

Fresh from an absolutely unforgettable week in Japan with Ricardo and the kids for Spring break, Marina’s sharing her coveted list of the best of the best from her trip. From a sky-high stop for drinks with to-die-for views to a hidden vintage shopping treasures (shhhhh!) to the soba everyone was obsessed with, these are the stops you cannot miss.

What to eat:
Park Hyatt Tokyo for drinks.
Isetan Food Hall for a one-of-a-kind food bazaar experience.
Takashimaya Food Hall to find something sweet and savory.

What to do:
Shinjuku Gyoen, dubbed the Central Park of Tokyo.
Omoide Yokocho to wander this maze of small alleys crammed with izakaya-type restaurants.

Where to shop:
Isetan Shinjuku for high-end wares.
Beams for a gorgeous curation of clothing.
Tokyu Hands for the absolute best of the best. Think luggage, pens, and more.

What to eat:
Kagari Honten for the best soba—thank you, Jennifer Fisher for the incredible rec.
Ginza Sembikiya for a picture-perfect fruit parlor.
Muji Hotel for drinks and snacks when you need a mid-afternoon pick-me-up.
Kamachuku for an easy lunch or dinner. The kids loved it!
Nissan Cafe for custom latte art. So fun to see.

What to do:
Tokyo Tower for a little bit of history. It’s a landmark not to be missed.

Where to shop:
Itoya for 8 floors of paper goods.
Barneys New York for a walk down memory lane.
L’Appartement for incredible shopping of timeless pieces.
Dover Street Market for high-end streetwear, like its counterpart in NYC.
Uniqlo for their store windows that are second to none.
Ginza Six for the best high-end shopping.
Tsutaya for a selection of beautiful books.
Amore Tokyo for the best vintage shopping, available in three separate locations.

What to eat:
Shibuya Scramble Square Food Market for all sorts of gourmet eats.

What to do:
Meiji Shrine, considered one of Tokyo’s most famous shrines, built in 1920.
Shibuya Crossing to see the world’s busiest pedestrian crossing in person—up to 3,000 people can cross at a single time.

Where to shop:
Shibuya 109 to see a selection of clothes inspired by Harajuku and Y2k nostalgia.
10TOW for great thrifting.
Parco Mall for an incredible afternoon of shipping. This was my favorite mall of the bunch with tons of cool stores and vintage shops.
Loft for great gifts and Japanese cosmetics.
Kiddyland Toy Store for gifts for the kids.

What to eat:
Gonpachi to quite literally step onto the set of “Kill Bill.”
PST Pizza Roppongi for the best pizza in Tokyo.

What to do:
Roppongi Hill Tower to get the best view—the building is the 6th tallest building in Tokyo.

Where to shop:
Roppongi Hills Mall to stop into Estanation especially. It’s super chic.

Where to shop:
Prada to see the store alone, designed by legendary architects Herzog & de Meuron.
Commes de Garçon to get a firsthand look at the Tokyo version of the store.
Miu Miu because it’s simply gorgeous and so well done.

What to do:
Nezu Museum to have some coffee in the garden.

What to do:

Senso Ji Temple to see one of Tokyo’s colorful and popular temples.

What to eat:

Ganko Sushi for local fare that’s touristy but still great.

Nishiki Market to eat where the chefs in Kyoto get all of their main ingredients.

Chao Chao Sanjo Kiyamachi for the best dumplings in town.

Kinobu for a real traditional dining experience—You sit on tatami mats, gaze at a bonsai, and get served by women in traditional dress.

Pontocho Alley to bar hop around the very best big and small bars, alike.

What to do:

Gion Historic District to walk around to see traditional architecture. If you go at 4:40pm/5pm you have a better chance of seeing a Geisha.

The Moss garden at Saihoji temple to see an unreal garden of moss. Pro tip: reserve tickets in advance.

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove to stand along the tall stalks of bamboo—the experience is otherworldly.

Higashiyama Jisho-ji (Silver temple) to see a beautiful zen temple IRL.

Philosopher's Walk to walk the beautiful, cherry-tree-lined path along the canal.

Nijo Castle to get a look inside the former residence of the first shogun of the Edo Period.

Imperial Palace to step inside the first residence of the Emperor of Japan.

Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) for a visit to this picture-perfect landmark.

Where to Shop:

Aritsugu for special knives and kitchenware. The store dates back to the handmade samurai swords of the 1500s; the shop has remained in the same family and today still makes knives for the Imperial family.

Shijo-dori-Shopping Area for both the bigger brand names along with loads of little shops for handmade pottery, silk and linen handkerchiefs/scarves, and other knick knacks.

Written by Bruna Eduarda Klaus

Larroudé Japan Guide

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