How to Do Tokyo Like a Local!

Last Updated:August 21, 2024

Whether its your first time in Tokyo, or you’re coming to Tokyo as a return tourist, you may be searching for ways to make your stay in Tokyo more meaningful and authentic, getting away from the golden itinerary for tourists and trying something different. This page will help you go beyond the surface level of Tokyo and connect with local culture and lifestyle on a deeper level. We will give you some tips and tricks on how to make your trip to the capital the best yet! On this page you will find the following information :

— How to Do Tokyo Like a Local

— Things to Do in Tokyo

— Best Tours in Tokyo

— Best Day Trips from Tokyo and Overnight Getaways

— Where to Stay in Tokyo

— How to Get to Tokyo

HOW TO DO TOKYO LIKE A LOCAL

Tokyo offers so much for tourists and locals to enjoy, you will never run out of things to see and experience! However, taking the time to step off the beaten tourist path, try something new, and follow some cultural norms on your trip to Tokyo can be rewarding and leave you with a deeper understanding of what life is like for a Tokyo local. Read on for our top suggestions on how to experience a deeper side to Tokyo!

1 / Lesser Known Neighbourhoods You Should Explore!

Kagurazaka

Kagurazaka is one of Tokyo’s traditional yet trendy neighbourhoods with nods to the past steeped in history and culture. Known as the ’Little Paris’ of Tokyo due to its beautiful cobbled streets and many great French style eateries, is a true hidden gem of Tokyo. Not only does it have French flare, but it is also steeped in Japanese history. Home to beautiful temples and shrines, geisha and historic alleyways, and traditional shops, visitors can easily spend a few hours here enjoying the trendy yet historic atmosphere.

There is also the nearby traditional Japanese garden of Koishikawa Gardens and Teahouse where visitors can enjoy the beautiful garden, and drink matcha and eat wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets) in its teahouse. Kagurazaka is located next to the Kanda river, and home to the ‘Canal Cafe’ where locals love to enjoy dinner and drinks overlooking the water. If you want to enjoy the city like a local and visit this hidden gem, join our ‘1 Day Walking Tour in Shinjuku and Kaguzazaka’ tour to experience this for yourself!

1 Day Tour

1 Day Walking Tour in Shinjuku and Kagurazaka : Tokyo Hot Spots and Hidden Gems
Period	All Year Round
Time	09:30 – 17:30
Meeting Place	Inside Yotsuya Sanchome Station
Adult Rate	¥19,800
Child Rate	¥13,000

Yanesen ’Old Tokyo’

The area of ’Yanesen’ meaning ’Old Tokyo’ is a perfect example of a hidden gem. Consisting of the areas of Yanaka, Nezu and Sendagi, ’Yanesen’ is remarkably well preserved with older architecture and low lying buildings making it feel like a completely different atmosphere to the rest of Tokyo. Full of beautiful shrines, temples, trendy cafes and museums, there is something for everybody here. You will not find many tourists here, and locals like to spend slow and relaxing time wandering the nostalgic streets, visiting cafes and bakeries, galleries and museums, shopping and eating street food.

Explore Nezu for its amazing Shrine and trendy cafes such as Miyano-Yu cafe, Sendagi for Sudo Park and local crafts, and Yanaka for its street food, museums such as Asakura Museum of Sculpture, and galleries. If you’d love to explore the hidden gem of ’Yanesen’, join our ’Walking Tour in Yanaka, Sendagi and Nezu’ tour or our ’1 Day Walking Tour in Ueno and Yanaka : Culture, Art and Old Tokyo’ tour.

1 Day Tour

Walking Tour in Yanaka, Nezu and Sendagi : Experience Tea Ceremony and ’Yanesen’ Old Tokyo
Period	All Year Round
Time	10.30 – 17:10
Meeting Place	Outside Nippori Station WEST exit
Adult Rate	¥17,800
Child Rate	¥11,000

1 Day Tour

1 Day Walking Tour in Ueno and Yanaka : Culture, Art and Old Tokyo

Period	All Year Round
Time	09:30 – 17:00
Meeting Place	Outside Ueno Station Park Gate Exit
Adult Rate	¥17,800
Child Rate	¥11,000

Shimokitazawa

Known for its Bohemian vibe, Shimokitazawa is popular with all ages but especially younger adults. It is filled with amazing vintage and second hand shops selling trendy and fashionable clothing at great prices. You can spend hours browsing the many stores searching for a bargain! The clothing on offer is a mixture of both Japanese brands and American brands. If you want to experience some trendy cafes and eateries in Tokyo, Shimokitazawa has plenty! From Japanese style foods, to American and Mexican, you will find plenty to suit your taste. If music is more your thing, Shimokitazawa is home to some excellent record shops and love music venues. So if you’re wanting to experience local nightlife in Tokyo and catch a Tokyo band, head here!

Gotokuji

Gotokuji is a charming and lesser known area in the peaceful Setagaya area of Tokyo. It has been slowly rising in popularity due to its unique and cute cat temple, which is often referred as being the birthplace of the ’Maneki-Neko’ or ’Lucky Cat’. If you want to experience a unique temple off the beaten path, make sure to go here to see the hundreds if not thousands of ’Maneki – Neko’ statues dotted around the temple grounds. You can purchase your own statue to either take home with you, or leave behind at the temple as an offering and for good fortune. The temple also has its own resident feline called Tama who if you’re lucky, you may see on your visit! Nearby the temple are the remain of Setagaya Castle. There is not much left to look at, but a pleasant park has been constructed on the former grounds, so we recommend heading there for a quick visit after the temple. As you head back into the centre of Gotokuji, make sure to pop into the many trendy cafes, coffee shops and bakeries! It is actually next to Shimokitazawa on the Odakyu Line, so why not combine both areas to make a full day of exploring.

Kichijoji

Kichijoji is a vibrant neighbourhood most famous for the nearby Studio Ghibli museum. If you’re lucky enough to get tickets for it, make sure to explore the rest of the area after your visit. Kichijoji has a freat mix of both trendy contents as well as picturesque nature all within Tokyo! We recommend exploring Inokashira Park. A green haven just a short walk from the Ghibli Museum where you can escape the hustle and bustle of busy Tokyo. If you’re hungry, head to ’Harmonica Yokocho’. A maze of narrow alleyways filled with local izakayas and tiny bars. You can truly experience life like a local and soak up the retro charm. We recommend ’Harmonica Quina’, a cosy eatery famous for its Okinawan style dishes. Like Shimokitazawa, Kichioji has some stylish and trendy boutiques and clothing stores in the Sun Road shopping arcade, Parco and Atre. So after lunch, why not pick up some one of a kind pieces. For culture vultures, head to Kichijoji Art Museum to see local artist’s works, Kichijoji Temple or Musashino Hachimangu Shrine. At night, Kichijoji comes alive with cocktail bars and live music from jazz to rock.

2 / Food and Drink

If you truly want to experience Tokyo’s food and drink scene like a local, don’t be afraid to step away from the big chain restaurants such as Ichiran Ramen, CoCo Curry, Saizeriya Italian, Mos Burger and Torikizoku, and wander into smaller eateries and independent restaurants. These places are often affordable and the food is high quality. The best places to visit to get an authentic taste of Tokyo are Izakayas. They can be likened to a British pub, and are loved by locals! They are often smaller in size, and have an cosy atmosphere. After a hard day at work, or to let their hair down on a weekend, locals will flock to Izakaya for some delicious food and drink.

The menu can vary widely, with smaller plates often being served that can be mixed and matched. You will find many popular dishes here such as Sashimi, Gyoza, Edamame, Tamagoyaki (Japanese omellette), Tsukemono (Japanese pickles) and Yakitori ( grilled chicken skewers). However, you will also find traditional speciality dishes such as Agedashi Tofu ( fried tofu in dashi broth), Nasu Dengaku (miso glazed eggplant), Chawanmushi (savoury steamed egg custard), and Okonomiyaki (savoury pancakes) . For drinks, try a ’Whiskey Highball’, ’Lemon Sour’, Umeshu ( plum wine) with Soda, Sake and of course Japanese beer! Head to areas such as Ameyoko in Ueno, Ebisu Yokocho and ’Hoppy Dori’ street in Asakusa for a great experience.

3 / Cultural Etiquette

Be Quiet! There are some golden rules to follow when you visit Tokyo, even more so on your return trip as you don’t want to repeat any mistakes twice! In Japan, community wellbeing and respect are highly valued above all else. This means you must be aware of your surroundings and the people around you. To ensure you do as the locals do, make sure to stay as quiet as possible on trains and public transport. It is ok to have conversation, but keep the volume to a minimum. Locals value their time on trains as quiet time, a chance to rest and reflect before the day ahead or after a long day at work. This is why trains are so quiet here. Make sure to also avoid taking or making any phone calls on public transport.

Line Up! Like the British, the Japanese respect a queuing system. Whether you’re waiting for a train, to buy tickets, or even for an elevator, respect the queue and wait your turn. Locals will not appreciate somebody who cuts in line.

Take your shoes off! In many establishments in Japan and Tokyo, you will be expected to remove your shoes. Some cafes, restaurants, museums, temples and shrines will require you to remove your shoes. Even changing rooms in clothing stores will expect you to take your shoes off before entering the changing room. There are often shoe shelves or lockers where shoes can be left. Therefore, our biggest piece of advice to blend in like a local and make the process smoother, is to ensure you have shoes that you can easily slip off and on.

Carry cash and no tipping! Despite Tokyo’s modern aesthetic, in comparison to other cities, it still values cash more over card. It is slowly changing, but cash is still very much king here, and many older or independent establishments only take cash. So always be prepared and have some cash on you. Please also remember that there is no tipping culture in Japan and Tokyo. So do not leave any tip when paying for a meal or drinks. If you leave a tip it can actually be considered rude, and it is highly likely a staff member will run after you to return your money. So do as the locals do, and leave no tip!

Onsen! Visiting an Onsen for local people is prime time to relax and enjoy the simplistic ritual of bathing in a hot spring. This process comes with its own set of rules to follow. As we mentioned above, when entering the onsen facility please make sure to remove your shoes and store them in an appropriate place. You must also wash and shower before you enter the Onsen, which is seen as good hygiene practice. Many tourists often grapple with the idea of getting completely naked at Onsen, but we hate to tell you that most Onsen do not permit bathing costumes or swimwear. You will need to be completely undressed to enter most Onsen, unless you are lucky enough to have your own private onsen! So place your clothes and dignity in the lockers provided, and walk with confidence! Locals do this all the time, and it is nothing to be embarrassed by. We promise you, once you’ve done it you will feel more connected to local culture. Finally, remember to keep your head out of the water, and if you have long hair tie it up. This is seen as a hygiene issue and a sign of respect for other bathers.

THINGS TO DO IN TOKYO

This page would not be complete without also suggesting our wider recommendations on things to do in Tokyo which includes both the golden tourist attractions and some lesser known activities you can enjoy. Why not check out Things to Do in Tokyo page which will also give you plenty of inspiration for your time spent in Tokyo. Here you will find some of the best activities and recommendations on how to spend your time in the Capital, as well as some tours that you can join to make the most out of your trip!

From watching Sumo wrestlers train to eating the freshest sushi at local markets, playing Taiko drums to exploring hidden shrines and temples, Tokyo truly has it all. Our Tokyo tours enable you to pick and choose from a wide range of areas and activities to explore during your trip. Want to explore lesser known neighbourhoods in Tokyo, or do you want to get into the hustle and bustle of the world’s most populated city, then click the link above and start exploring what you can do in Tokyo to make your trip unforgettable.

BEST TOURS IN TOKYO

Tokyo is steeped in history. The city has faced many hardships from earthquakes, fires and the air raids of WW2, and unfortunately many of its oldest buildings and structures have disappeared over time. However, Tokyo does a fantastic job at celebrating and retaining much of its character and culture, with stunning renovations of temples and shrines, museums housing some of Japan’s finest artefacts, and hidden pockets of neighbourhoods that have managed to preserve its original architecture despite the many challenges its faced. Pop culture lovers will rejoice at Japan’s modern aesthetic, with its bright lights and neon signs that make the city glow at night. There is so much to see and do in Tokyo. Check out our ’Best Tours in Tokyo’ page which will give you information on the best tours in Tokyo and the best day trips from Tokyo throughout the Kanto region.

THE BEST DAY TRIPS AND GETAWAYS FROM TOKYO

Another great way to experience Tokyo like a local is to use the city as your base and get out to nearby prefectures! Many of Tokyo’s locals, especially in the Summer and Winter months look to the surrounding prefectures for trips from the city, enjoying activities such as hiking, forest bathing, onsen and winter sports. For more information and inspiration on what excursion day trips, overnight stays and multi day trips you could do outside of Tokyo, check out our 30 Things To Do Near Tokyo: The Best Day-Trips & Getaways From The Capital page!

WHERE TO STAY IN TOKYO

No matter how many times you visit Tokyo, there is never a shortage of accommodation ranging from luxury hotels, mid-range to budget, youth hostels and even capsule hotels! To feel traditional Japan and have an experience like a local, we recommend booking a stay at a Ryokan ( a traditional Japanese Inn). The areas of Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Tokyo are among the most popular with tourists, all of which have excellent public transport links, shopping, bars and restaurants. Why not try staying in lesser known neighbourhoods such as those we’ve mentioned above. You can find Air BnBs in many of these neighbourhoods. Our Tokyo destination page includes everything you need to know about many areas to book your hotels and find the right accommodation for you.

HOW TO GET TO TOKYO