Ultimate Tokyo Japan Travel Guide

I think alot about why I love Japan so much, and even beyond being a food heaven, of all kinds, its a place where all of my nerd fantasies truly come true! Food, videogames, cars, wrestling, baseball, tech, cameras are all cherished Japan pastimes, and things i have cared deeply about since I was a kid. Not to mention how prompt everyone is with timing, and a place where mass transit reigns supreme! A country steeped in tradition, but also seemingly 20 years of us, there is nothing like Japan...God I love it there!

Linked is every single restaurant I’ve been to broken up by Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Omakase, Pizza, and Sweets! Plus tips, tricks, hotels, and everything I did on my 4 trips to Tokyo! Also included is a google map with every spot listed!

Here are some of my favorites, but to see the complete list, check out substack, link below

Benizuru- Benizuru (spelled differently where you look) is the renowned Japanese pancake café located in the Asakusa area of Tokyo! These giant, super fluffy pancakes are made right in front of you, with a ton of different options! This place is very popular, so you have to go in the morning, just to put your name down for a later reservation. Best thing to do is add your name, and go explore Asakusa.

Katsudonya Zuicho- Katsudonya Zuicho is a celebrated, hole-in-the-wall in Shibuya, Tokyo, which is known for the only dish on the menu, their katsudon! You pick your size of rice and that’s topped with a freshly fried pork cutlet, egg, and their wildly good special savory sauce! The shop’s unique preparation sets it apart: the deep-fried pork cutlet is dipped in sauce and placed atop a just-set egg omelette, which helps maintain the katsu’s crispiness rather than letting it become soggy. There is going to be a wait, since they can only serve like 8 at a time, but you order while you wait, and the dining experience itself still is pretty short. Totally worth it. 

175 Degrees Deno- Originally from Hokkaido, there are two locations of this ramen shop in Tokyo, what makes this ramen so special is that it’s tantanmen which is a ramen noodle dish blending Japanese ramen noodles with Sichuan flavors from the sauce which is rich made from sesame paste, a homemade chili oil, and Sichuan peppercorns! Not only do you pick the heat level, but you pick the numbing level! I also got it soupless!

Serienkan- This was the first pizza i had in Japan, and still my favorite! Beatles music is blasting as you walk in and you can feel the heat from their wood fired oven! Super simple menu, get both the margherita and the marinara! They dont take lunch reservations, so I usually go right before they open, and still wait maybe 15-20 mins to get in. 

Ginza Imoyama Sweet Potato- If you love Japanese sweet potato as much as I do you will love it here! They have a sit down menu with a few different treats, but to-go I grabbed these sweet potato imo kenpi which are fried and candied sweet potato strips with french fermented butter!