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If you’re headed to Tokyo and looking for those little gems that only locals know, mixed with must-see spots and well-known addresses, follow our lead.

FOR THE DRINKS & ATMOSPHERE

Atop Shibuya’s soaring Scramble Square, The Roof feels like a perch above Tokyo’s urban choreography. Panoramic views stretch endlessly, best savored with a crafted cocktail or mocktail as the sun drops behind the skyline. Opened in April, this open-air lounge is ephemeral by design: it closes its doors on December 25, 2025.

Rising 52 floors above Toranomon Hills, the Rooftop Bar at Andaz Tokyo luxury hotel sets a tone of quiet elegance. Here, cocktails balance botanical infusions with seasonal fruit, served against sweeping views of the capital. In spring, real blooming cherry trees frame the terrace — a fleeting homage to hanami, Japan’s ritual of admiring blossoms at their peak.

With a bar hewn from 300-year-old shrine wood and views of Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Confidential strikes the balance between modern polish and timeless ritual. Since opening in 2023, it has quickly become a neighborhood fixture in Azabu Juban. No reservations required: simply arrive, settle in, and let go.

Tucked into a nondescript Shinjuku high-rise, Bar Benfiddich feels like a secret garden of liquid alchemy. Ranked No. 9 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025, it is helmed by Hiroyasu Kayama, who crafts singular cocktails from herbs, house-made tinctures, and aged liqueurs. There is no menu, only conversation, intuition, and a door you might miss if you don’t look twice.

Also on this year’s list: Virtù, a refined bar at the Four Seasons Otemachi; Punch Room Tokyo, inside The Tokyo Edition Ginza, known for inventive cocktails built on Japanese liqueurs; and Bar Libre, a modest Ikebukuro spot revered by insiders for its creative spirit.

FOR A DELICIOUS MEAL

Helmed by the British chef Daniel Calvert, Sézanne impresses with a meticulous cuisine that marries perfect technique with Japan’s finest seasonal ingredients. Recognized as No. 7 on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025, it’s a dining room where technique and elegance converge.

Love sushi? Tokyo offers no shortage of choices, but Dokoro Isseki Sanchou, in Shinbashi, remains a local favorite — a reliable sign of authenticity. For a more refined, old-school experience, Matsunozushi in Shinagawa stands as a timeless address.

Another local favorite, Godaime Hanayama Udon is celebrated for its extra-large udon noodles — soft, smooth, and deeply satisfying.

No visit to Tokyo is complete without slipping into an izakaya, those small, often hidden bistros where the energy is convivial and plates are meant for sharing: grilled meats, pickled vegetables, sushi, rice, and more. For sheer variety, Shinjuku district brims with the city’s best options.

Those seeking surprise and nuance should embrace the ritual of omakase, where the chef takes full liberty of the menu, guiding guests through a procession of creativity. Among the most revered: Sumibikappo Shirosaka in Minato-ku, Mutsukari in Chuo-ku, and Takahashi in Koto-ku; each worth reserving for a front-row seat to culinary artistry.

FOR A SWEET OR COFFEE BREAK

Make way for a Japanese specialty: kakigori. Imagine a cloud of finely shaved ice, soft as fresh snow, draped in fragrant syrup or sweetened condensed milk. Once a fleeting summer treat, it is now served year-round at addresses such as Himitsudō in Yanaka, where vintage hand-cranked machines meet seasonal fruit syrups; Urara in Daikanyama, a hidden garden retreat using natural Nikko spring water for an almost ethereal melt; and Café Lumiere in Kichijoji, where theatrical presentations make the experience as striking as it is delicious.

Another local indulgence, amazake is a non-alcoholic, lightly sweet fermented rice drink with a creamy texture and subtle tang, like a smoothie. For the best, visit Amanoya near Ochanomizu’s Kanda Shrine, serving this specialty for more than four centuries. Or wander through Amazake Yokocho in Ningyōchō, called the “Amazake Alley,” and stop at Tofu no Futaba, where versions made with white, brown, or black rice offer layered depth.

And when the mood turns to coffee, head east to Kiyosumi-Shirakawa, a neighborhood that proudly calls itself “Tokyo’s coffee town.” Here, you’ll be spoiled for choice. For tea time, Posh, makes the best pairing, with its fruit tarts and vegan pastries.

It is difficult to imagine Tokyo without visiting the eternal Senso-Ji Temple, in Asakusa, taking in the sweeping views from Shibuya Sky, admire the incredible architecture of the Tokyo International Forum, in Chiyoda-ku, and take a break from the bustling city in the suspended rooftop garden of the Tokyu Plaza Harajuku, also known as Harakado. The city is vast, impossible to grasp in one glance, and each neighborhood carries a distinct soul. Where you choose to stay will shape the Tokyo you come to know: Shibuya is young, frenetic, and unashamedly kawaii; Shinjuku, the city’s business hub, never sleeps; while Ikebukuro, once the haunt of 1940's artists, is more family-friendly but still retains its creative spirit through boutiques, arcades, and an aquarium that feels distinctly local.

FOR MUSEUMS

Roppongi district has a refined vibe and is nice to wander through. It is home to embassies, a cosmopolitan crowd, and world-class cultural institutions such as the Mori Art Museum, the National Art Center Tokyo, and the Hideharu Fukasaku Gallery Roppongi. Although, in Meguro, another area of the city, stands the beautiful in-garden gallery, the Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum, centred on a 1930's art deco mansion, built by Prince Yasuhiko Asaka.

FOR SHOPPING

Tokyo is the perfect city to source elevated basics crafted with care. In Shinjuku, Junky Special carries Whitesville T-shirts, a local brand produced by a Japanese manufacturer making garments domestically since 1965 (you may have spotted the white tees on the main character of The Bear TV series). For tanks, tees, and sweaters all made in Japan, step into Front 11201 near Yoyogi Hachiman, where chic home accessories also share the space. Denim seekers will want to stop at Momotaro Jeans, while eyewear connoisseurs should turn to Masunaga1905. Another standout is Words Sounds Colors & Shapes in Shibuya, a boutique blending fashion and thoughtful design. And for an entirely different experience, like flagship luxury houses and Western-style department stores, Ginza remains the destination.

FOR A PERFECT NIGHT’S SLEEP

At the crossroads of hospitality and art, Park Hotel Tokyo brings together more than 400 works displayed across its soaring atrium and hallways. Select rooms are envisioned by artists themselves, each framing striking views of the city — including the iconic Tokyo Tower — from the heart of Minato.

A study in discreet luxury, Mandarin Oriental pairs light-filled, spacious rooms with panoramic views stretching to Tokyo Skytree and, on clear days, Mount Fuji. Its dining is equally elevated, from the refined Cantonese at Sense to the inventive Tapas Molecular Bar, while its award-winning spa, suspended above the city, offers a rare moment of serenity within the financial district.

Tucked along a quiet street between Shibuya and Harajuku, Trunk (Hotel) captures a balance of Japanese minimalism and conscious cool. With just 15 rooms, a bold cocktail bar, two inspired restaurants, an arts-focused boutique, and bicycles at the ready, it offers not only a stay but a lifestyle experience in one of Tokyo’s most dynamic neighborhoods.

Set within the calm lanes of Setagaya, on the edge of Shimokitazawa’s creative pulse, Yuen Bettei Daita is a contemporary ryokan where traditional architecture meets refined minimalism. Guests soak in serene onsen baths, both indoor and open-air, fed by alkaline waters from Hakone’s Ashinoko, before stepping back out to explore vintage cafés and indie stages nearby.

Designed more for the anecdote of a night (or even a midday rest) than a long stay, 9 Hours Capsule Hotel redefines minimalism with futuristic capsules built for efficient, restorative sleep. Across its multiple Tokyo locations, it delivers clean lines, high-tech comfort, and spotless precision; a brief escape that feels closer to a spacecraft than a hotel.