My name is Sam Suzuki.
I recently took a trip to Tokyo with my dad.
We filmed our journey, and I've put together what I think are the fifteen coolest things
you can do and see in Tokyo.
Here we go.
We finally arrived at Tsukiji Fish Market, so we're gonna head in there, and see what's what
Tsukiji is the largest fish market in the world.
Its outer market consists of about 330 food stands, restaurants, and retailers.
Minced fish, cheese, and wrapped in bacon.
Oh wow!
It's a soy sauce based ramen.
The variety and quality of street food available in the outer market is amazing.
Many tourists stand in line for up to three hours to eat a sushi breakfast at particular
sushi places, which are good.
My recommendation is to save your valuable time and eat at the other food stalls at Tsukiji.
This was a popular stand selling massive fresh grilled scallops, shelled and cooked before
your eyes.
This custard mochi with fresh strawberry was one of the best things I've ever eaten in
my life!
Alright, we just finished up roaming around the outer market.
So now we're gonna head into the inner market to do some more exploring.
The inner market is the wholesale area and is closed to tourists until 10 am.
By that time most of the wholesalers are cleaning up and preparing to close for the day.
Even so, you can still see a stunning variety of seafood on display.
Fish head!
When visiting after 10 am, be alert of what is happening around you to avoid blocking
traffic.
Yeah, don't stare into space or bury your face in a book in the middle of traffic at
Tsukiji.
A couple of other things to keep in mind about Tsukiji.
First, the live tuna auction is a cool thing to see, but you'll need to arrive at 4 am
or earlier to wait in line for a ticket.
So keep that in mind when planning.
Second, get here soon.
Tsukiji Market is expected to close and move to a new site in the near future.
If you're lucky enough to travel to Tokyo soon, be sure to see this one of a kind place
while it still exists.
No sushi, no life.
OH WOW!
There's no better place in the world to do karaoke than Tokyo.
Many places have costumes available at no extra charge, if you want to get your cosplay
on while singing.
You need to grab a private mic for next time.
That was my first karaoke experience.
It was pretty amazing for everyone around that heard me singing at least.
Stupid!
No, it was super fun.
Super fun to sing those songs.
Awesome.
We may have to come back.
That's how fun it was.
Karaoke establishments usually open from around 11 am to 3 am the following morning.
In the movie Lost in Translation, my dad tells me, this is the same karaoke joint that was
. . . that they shot the movie there.
So, if you're old, FYI.
Two of the most popular chains are Big Echo and Karaoke Kan, with locations across Tokyo.
Two hours will run you between 8 to 35 dollars, depending on the time of day, plus the cost
of food and beverage.
Ginza!
Ginzaaa!
Ginza is Tokyo's most famous upscale shopping, dining and entertainment district.
Some of the best department stores in the world are here as well.
Don't miss the basement levels called 'depachika,' which feature just about every beautiful and
delicious food you can imagine.
Those are 54 dollars, for the these grapes.
These are 10 dollars each.
These Hello Kitty apples are 10 dollars each, almost 11 dollars each.
In addition to housing bare-bottom Sanrio characters, Ginza is the home of the Nakagin
Capsule Tower.
The building was the world's first example of capsule architecture.
It was featured recently in the movie The Wolverine, where it is fictitiously depicted
as a love hotel.
We're at Uniqlo in Ginza to make our final purchases before we head home.
No trip to Ginza would be complete without a visit to Uniqlo.
The brand has been expanding to the US market, but its flagship store in Ginza has a massive
collection of cool t shirts on the top floor.
Many are available only at the Ginza location.
I love grabbing these t shirts for family and friends, because at 10 to 20 bucks each,
these make perfect souvenirs, especially the shirts with Japanese designs and fabrics.
Uniqlo, magic for all, bud.
I don't even know.
I'm trying it.
As it turns out, who's the premium boss?
Whoever that guy is.
Some old guy.
That's Tommy Lee Jones.
Tommy Lee Jones.
Why would I know that?
Let's vitamin, Sam.
Let's vitamin.
I've gone with the Real Gold Flavor Mix here.
Here are some other interesting drinks.
Bionic Ace.
Jungle Man.
Sam is going to try this corn beverage at some point.
You need to.
You just need to try it.
So when normal ice cream just doesn't cut it, you can get some Coolish or some Crunky.
Vending machines are everywhere in Tokyo.
Be adventurous and try something weird.
You'll be pleasantly surprised.
I don't know.
I can't seem to find this place.
It must be tucked away somewhere . . . I don't know, somewhere . . .
Oh, wow!
The Robot Restaurant in Shinjuku is total sensory overload.
You're brought into a waiting area with a live band in robot wardrobe.
Led down very subtly decorated hallways and to your seat.
And then the insanity begins.
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Robot Restaurant, yay!
What is that huge shark?
We are looking forward to see you again.
Thank you!
Arigato gozaimasu!
We just finished at the Robot Restaurant.
I don't quite know how to describe it.
You have to come see it for yourself.
Even then, I don't think you'll able to comprehend the complete madness.
We are currently at Meiji Jingu shrine.
As you can see, the tori gate behind me is simply amazing.
Meiji Jingu is a shinto shrine dedicated to the spirit of Emperor Meiji, the first emperor
of modern Japan.
He ascended to the throne in 1867 and began the era known as the Meiji Restoration.
The shrine and forest area were completed in 1920, using approximately 100,000 trees
donated from regions all across Japan.
Playing some Pokemon Go, in Japan.
It's the real deal.
So I just got my omikuji, which is a poem fortune telling.
Okay, so the way that you do omikuji is you get a box right over there.
And you shake it up, and there's sticks inside.
And you draw out a stick, and it will have a number on it.
And then you'll tell the lady your number, and she'll bring you one of these little papers
with your fortune inside.
It's pretty . . . sounds like me, so . . . Walking down the peaceful paths of Meiji Jingu,
you almost forget you're in the most populated city in the world.
We just arrived in Akihabara, otaku central as it is known by some people.
And we're gonna go see what it's all about.
Akihabara is the center of Japan's otaku culture.
Electronics shops ranging from super-specialized tiny stalls to massive electronics retailers
line the streets around Akihabara.
There's just every kind of wire you can imagine!
There are countless shops devoted to anime and manga, video games, and collectibles of
every kind.
If you're looking for the weird and wacky, Akihabara won't disappoint.
Google kan-cho for some additional bewilderment.
Akihabara is also home to the famous maid cafes, and that imagery is reflected throughout
the area.
We've been about a block, and there's been three Sega multi-level arcades.
So we're gonna head to the one at the end of the block.
It's Club Sega.
We're gonna see how it is.
Visiting an arcade in Akihabara is another mind bender.
The quality and variety of games available is worth the visit alone.
And the gaming skill and speed on display is truly next level.
Akihabara is also a great place to get some gachapon, which are vending machine dispensed
capsule toys.
They range from the bizarre to the familiar.
Oh, it's the one with his butt.
Oh, that's awesome!
That's ridiculous.
That's amazing.
I'm getting one.
Amazing!
What is this . . . where does it go?
On top of a water bottle.
That's disgusting.
That's awesome.
That's the best.
A common problem with gachapon is where do I put all of my tricks and trinkets and whatnot?
Well, if you have a handy fanny pack like this, there's no problem with fitting it all
in here.
Oh no!
Whether you're a true otaku, a kid at heart, or just plain curious, Akihabara is a must
see destination in Tokyo.
We're here in Akihabara.
We're gonna be visiting an owl cafe.
And I have a feeling it's gonna be some full on Harry Potter up in here!
Owl cafes are one of Tokyo's latest crazes.
Contrary to their name, there is no food and little beverage.
These places are focused on your interaction with animals, not lattes.
We went to a place called Akiba Fukurou, where sessions last about an hour.
You're technically not supposed to film video here, but we managed to sneak in a few shots.
This cafe requires reservations.
One hour costs about 20 dollars per person, which includes a keepsake professional photo
of you with one of the owls.
So we just got done at the owl cafe.
It was such a cool experience.
They just bring you the owls, and put them on your shoulder, on your hands.
It's something, just an experience that you can't get anywhere else in the world other
than Japan.
This is Sensoji Temple.
Sensoji is a buddhist temple located in Asakusa.
Legend has it that in 628, two brothers fished a statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy,
out of the Sumida River.
They threw the statute back into the river, but it always returned to them.
Sensoji was built nearby for the goddess of mercy in 645, making it Tokyo's oldest temple.
Leading to the temple's gate, there's a centuries old shopping street, Nakamise, where you can
find souvenirs and some incredible local street food.
The entire Asakusa area is beautiful and a great place to explore.
During our visit, we were lucky enough to see a bride and groom being serenaded in traditional
chants down the street.
Just beyond the famous Hachiko statue lies the world's busiest pedestrian crosswalk and
Shibuya, Tokyo's crowded center of youth fashion, shopping and entertainment.
With every green light, up to 3,000 people move across the five diagonal crosswalks at
Shibuya Crossing.
This is the famous Shibuya 109, which is the mecca for cutting edge women's fashion.
Be sure to catch a glimpse of the crazy fashions on display on the ten circular stories of
Shibuya 109.
Shibuya is home to more than a dozen major department store branches.
Shibuya Loft features six stories of unique items perfect for cool souvenirs.
These are amazing.
Come sit on this.
These are amazing.
If Brookstone were a lot cooler, and Japanese, it would be Loft.
Fanny packs are not lame!
Uobei Sushi is one my absolute favorite sushi places anywhere.
We're here in Shibuya.
We just stopped into this great little sushi joint.
It's almost like conveyor belt sushi, except it's kind of like shinkansen sushi.
It comes to you on a little rail.
You order on a touch screen, and your sushi comes out bullet train style directly to your
table.
The sushi is cheap, fresh, and good.
We had the normal selection of tuna sushi.
But we also had Hokkaido scallops.
Charred baby squid.
Fatty tuna with foie gras.
Even dessert: Ice cream over mochi.
So, all of that was about 10, 11 bucks U.S.
More information on Uobei Sushi is in the description.
There is truly nowhere like Shibuya in the world.
It's an absolute must-see when you're in Tokyo.
Yanaka feels like a secluded residential area apart from the hustle and bustle of modern
Tokyo.
You can really observe the day-to-day lives of Tokyo-ites.
It is one of the few districts where the atmosphere of Old Tokyo still survives.
How would you describe the neighborhood here?
It's a very cozy neighborhood.
You know, it's not all the blinking lights, fabulous - you know - all that jazz.
It's just residential area, and it's super cozy.
Stopping at the corner ramen joint was both cheaper and more charming than dining in the
more touristy areas.
We stayed in Yanaka during our entire time in Tokyo, and it is a great home base from
which to explore the rest of the city.
We are here at a place called Snake Street, because like me it has all the right curves.
And that's why they call it Snake Street.
This is the Imperial Palace.
The emperor still lives here.
Unfortunately, they don't allow swimming in the moat, so I wore my Speedo underneath my
shorts for nothing.
The Imperial Palace is located on the former site of Edo Castle, in the center of Tokyo.
The palace is a short, charming walk from Tokyo Station.
The entire area is peaceful, yet still visibly within the larger environment of busy central
Tokyo.
Now, the inner grounds of the palace are not open to the public unless you have a reservation.
So this is mostly a photo op from outside the walls.
But it's also a chance to appreciate the history of Tokyo as a castle town.
Guided tours of the palace grounds, but not the interior buildings, are offered in Japanese
daily at 10 o'clock and 1:30, except on Sundays and Mondays.
Advance reservations are available through the Imperial Household Agency website.
After hours of whining, nagging, and complaining, I finally broke the old man down.
And here we are in Sunshine City, headed to the Pokemon Center!
One of the things I was most excited to do during my visit to Japan was visit some of
the Pokemon Centers.
If you grew up playing the Gameboy and DS games like I did, visiting the store is like
taking a trip down memory lane.
The whole store is jam packed with plushies of Pokemon of every shape, size, and color,
ranging from giant Pikachus to mini plush key chains.
This store has got it all.
Pokemon socks cards
cookies t shirts
even shoes.
Snore-lax I'm buying it.
You can never get enough Pikachu.
That's why you need a bunch of tiny Pikachus making up a giant Pikachu.
We visited two of the Pokemon Centers located in Tokyo.
One in Ikebukuro at the Sunshine City shopping center.
Ikebukuro is one of the most popular shopping centers in Tokyo, and is definitely worth
a visit in its own right.
The other location we visited was at Tokyo Sky Tree, which is the tallest structure in
Japan and features a 360 degree view of the massive city.
At each Pokemon Center there are exclusive items available only at that specific location.
Oh, okay, we just killed it at the Pokemon Center.
We spent 110 dollars.
Because, Pokemon.
I had to.
This bridge over here is famous cuz it kind of started the whole Harajuku girl kind of
thing.
So every Sunday afternoon, right here is where all the cosplayers would come to see and be
seen.
And that's kind of where the whole Harajuku girl kind of style originated from.
The epicenter of Harajuku's teenage culture is Takeshita Dori and its many side streets,
which are packed with super trendy shops, used cloths stores, crepe stands, and restaurants
geared toward trendy Japanese teens.
Don't miss the crepes, which come in every conceivable variety.
I'm gonna get this one.
It's the double chocolate, chocolate cake special.
Can't go wrong.
I've been waiting so long for this moment.
Oh yeah.
We're back in Harajuku.
I had to get myself another crepe!
This is crepe brûlée.
What a savage!
This is a place that specializes in potato chips, and ironically, they have a potato
mascot.
They're cooking the potatoes.
We just got through Takeshita Dori.
And now we're gonna be heading to Cat Street, still here in Harajuku.
Running perpendicular to the south of Takeshita Dori is Omotesando.
Here you can find famous upscale shops, cafes, and restaurants for a more affluent, adult
clientele.
Continuing south, Cat Street is another long shopping street.
But it's more hipster and boutique oriented.
We're here on Cat Street.
We just went to a little mochi spot.
Just a small, tiny little shop.
And we got six mochi, really great.
The stores go more upscale and mainstream the further south you go.
I'm noticing that we're moving into more of a yuppy territory.
Because as you can see, there's a North Face Kids.
Not just North Face, but North Face Kids.
Once you go under the train tracks and hit this Death Star looking building, you're in
Shibuya.
If you don't mind some walking, you can really make a full day of it.
Starting at Meiji Shrine, and walking through Takeshita Street,
taking a side trip to Omotesando, then through Cat Street and into Shibuya.
The total distance is less than two miles, and it's all comfortably downhill.
Tokyo is the greatest culinary city in the world.
There are at least 80,000 restaurants in Tokyo, including 226 Michelin starred restaurants.
Paris by comparison has a mere 94.
And it's not just the high-end cuisine.
Tokyo has eateries of all kinds.
And as you've seen, I love the street food available all over the city.
But don't miss the opportunity to try traditional Japanese cuisine, which is as beautiful as
it is delicious.
I got way out of my comfort zone on this trip.
Even though I couldn't quite bring myself to eat the fish head here, I tried just about
everything I could and was glad I did.
The food is just amazing.
And if you need a familiar meal, Tokyo has a ton of high quality Western style restaurants.
Mos Burger!
That's mine.
Oh baby!
Of course, you have to eat your sushi when in Tokyo.
Even at unassuming, affordable restaurants, the quality of sushi is simply on another
level.
Ramen is an art form in Japan.
In fact, there's mind blowing cuisine of all kinds all around Tokyo.
This was raw Wagyu beef sushi, sent from beef heaven.
I had gyoza.
I had tons of mochi.
And I had Kobe beef.
This skewer gave me the most mind blowing bite of food I think I've ever had in my entire
life.
So that's it: My list of fifteen incredible things to do in Tokyo.
Tokyo is simultaneously ultra modern and steeped in traditions thousands of years old.
After you visit, you'll wonder why no other city in the world is quite as cool.
Godzilla!
Its transportation system is clean and safe.
And it's ALWAYS on time.
These are just fifteen of my favorite things.
We haven't shown you Tokyo Tower, or any of the world-class museums,
or dozens of other things to do in what is arguably the greatest city in the world.
Now it's up to you to get yourself to this amazing city and make your own top fifteen!