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Usually, shopping and food. Though the older I get, the more I value a balance of adventure and relaxation.
Who: 55 year old Leonie, with her partner on the first trip and with girlfriends on the second trip.
Where: Tokyo, Japan
How long: Two trips, three weeks overall.
What do you value most when travelling?
Hidden gems or recommendations?
I spent most of my time in Shibuya, which is a district of Tokyo.
If you shop at Muji in Shibuya don't skip lunch at the cafe! We enjoyed traditional onigiri while shopping at Natural Lawson which is a healthy convenience store you will want to keep an eye out for. I also recommend having a takeaway dinner or lunch from the Food Show located in the basement of Shibuya Station.
Loft & Hands in Shibuya are stationery and homeware stores that are worth the trip. As someone who appreciates ceramics,it was heaven. You are going to want to leave space in your luggage, trust me.
Some outer suburbs that have plenty to offer if you get tired of the city hustle bustle of Shibuya are Koenji, Nakameguro, Daikanyama and Omotesando. Shinjuku Gyoen National Gardens is one of the best trditional gardens in the Tokyo area, but we enjoyed Yoyogi Park also and it flies under the radar of tourists a little more.
- Lastly I would recommend a day trip to Nikko or stay and unwind for the weekend at Akarinoyado Villa Revage. This is BnB style accomodation with two onsens for guests to take a dip.
Any tips from the locals?
- If you are visiting in summer, the locals in Shibuya highly recommended Canyoning with NAOC (Nature Adventure Outdoor Club), this was an unforgettable experience for my partner and I.
- As a book lover, I also enjoyed Utretch Books - a tiny beautiful book shop on the outskirts of Shibuya.
Things you wish you knew before visiting?
- If you hear loud noodle slurping - it's considered a compliment to the chef.
What surprised you about Tokyo?
The locals are so friendly. Any time you enter a store or restaurant you are greeted straight away. It really sets the tone of the city.
What about the city makes you want to go again?
- The mix of traditional and modern, nature and city.
