First things first when you are in Tokyo – get to know the culture. I had never before ventured to an Asian country and therefore wanted to learn everything possible about the culture and experience it firsthand for myself. I shall call today Tour of Tokyo Temples and Shrines. Start your day off with a visit to the Meji shrine, one of the most famous Tokyo shrines dedicated to Emperor Meji. We encountered a group of Japanese students who asked if they could tour us around the Meji Shrine to practice their English. We happily obliged and learned the ins and outs of how to properly visit a shrine.
(Catch up by reading day 1)
From the Meji Shrine, meander through Harijuku and down Takeshita Street, making sure to stop for some colorful cotton candy or a sweet crepe.
Later in the afternoon, head to Tokyo Tower. It bears a striking resemblance to the Eiffel Tower. The Zojoji Temple stands next to Tokyo Tower and the temple grounds are full of impressive structures. While temples and shrines differ in structure and purpose, this indeed still fits the Tokyo Shrines itinerary. Tourist tip: do not take pictures inside the temple. We learned this the (very) hard way.
For pre-dinner drinks, head to the Ritz Carlton bar. It is located on the 45th floor with sweeping views of Tokyo and is the perfect spot for a sunset cocktail. We put together a full post on the Ritz Carlton Tokyo because it is THAT stunning. Bar on the 45th floor? Absolutely, yes.
Always remember that by booking with Major Traveler, you can get our complimentary preferred perks added onto your reservation.
Keeping in line with the theme of views, grab dinner at Le Gato in Shibuya. Le Gato is a sky lounge with traditional Japanese décor and amazing views of Shibuya. Not to mention, the location is perfect. After dinner, pop over to the Starbucks in Shibuya to witness to infamous Shibuya Crossing, the largest crosswalk in the world. Trust me, it is a spectacle and without a doubt one of the coolest things I have witnessed.
Surprisingly, you find Tokyo shrines in the middle of a neighborhood.
