A Guy's Guide Of Thing To Do In Tokyo.

Getting there to Tokyo isn’t so much of a problem as much as knowing what to do in such a large city like Tokyo. With over 13 million inhabitants who mostly don’t speak English, Japan’s capital city can be overwhelming to first-timers, especially guys who go there without a plan. Read on before you plan to head down to the land of the rising sun...

 We wind it down for you in three simple sections: Eat like a man The Japanese take pride in paying close attention to the details, which is why their food, despite appearing simple, can taste so refined and amazing. Take ramen, for instance: it’s a simple noodle soup dish that can have a variety of texture in the noodles and richness in the broth. A good place to start is Kiraku, a ramen establishment that’s been around since the 1950s. And then you have Ramen Jiro, which has servings of ramen the size of your head. Be warned though: The chefs laugh you off if you can’t finish off your bowl.


As for sushi, you can’t miss the Tsukiji Fish Market, which opens at 4am to tourists eager to watch the tuna auction. Outside, a series of sushi bars serve the freshest catch of the day, and the best ones can be found at Sushi Dai or Daiwa Sushi. The wait can be over an hour, however, so if you’re hungry, just pop into any sushi shop and you’ll find yourself satisfied. Sushi Zanmai – a familiar name to many – can be found in several locations, and is generally considered a “can’t go wrong option. Burgers are another big thing in Japan. For that, there are several burger joints to serve your meat craving. But the place to go to is Blacows. Esquire was tempted to name it the Best Burger in The World, and you can easily see why: its burger patties are made from Japanese Black Wagyu, which should be enough to get you started. Special mention also goes to the food at Lawson – the local version of 7-11 – which serves red chicken nuggets that comes with the personal recommendation of Anthony Bourdain. Explore the scenes of Harajuku and Kabukicho For the culturally inclined, there are dozens of temples, museums, and impressive architecture to keep you wandering for hours. For the rest of the guys, there are two areas where you can take in the sights and not feel bored. First up is Harajuku, a square-mile area where Japan’s most fashionable youth hang out among its fashion boutiques and cafes. Bring your camera here on a Sunday, when Cosplayers come out in full force to hang out and take photos. For the more adventurous, there’s Kabukicho in Shinjuku, which is where Tokyo’s red-light district is located. Strewn with restaurants, nightclubs, bars, and “love hotels”, Kabukicho can be a nice place to just hang out and take in the sights – unlike most other seedy districts in other countries. However, watch out for expensive cover fees to enter some of these establishments, and bring loads of cash as most establishments here don’t accept credit cards. For more information on your do’s and don’ts in this area, visit here.


Get hopped up This is a city where beer and whiskey mixes are sold from vending machines, so of course, you’re going to find a whole list of places to drink. One landmark to visit is Hoppy Street in Asakusa, where many Japanese-style bars serve Yakitori (an assortment of grilled meat, and innards not unlike our local Lok-Lok) and a beer-like alcoholic drink called Hoppy to end a pleasant night’s stay in Tokyo. For beer lovers, there’s Popeye, which is regarded as the must-go place for beer lovers. It serves over 70 microbrews from all over Japan, including its own brews, and the atmosphere is generally jovial, noisy and busy – right up to it’s final call at 11pm. Prices aren’t cheap, however, with beers typically hovering about 1,000 Yen (about RM32) a pint. To compare, a tall can of Kirin beer will only cost you about 150-200 Yen. For the high-baller, you can’t go wrong with a cocktail at the New York Bar at Park Hyatt in Tokyo. The place is more than just where Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson shot Lost In Translation (which in itself is a reason to go there); it’s also where you can view the endless city of Tokyo from the 52nd floor while sipping on a perfectly made Vodka Martini. The experience is sublime.