22 Reasons To Visit Tokyo In 2022

Borders may be closed for now but the pleasure is in the planning. LEE TRAN LAM explores 22 essential experiences in Tokyo.

- Lee Tran Lam

Yes, you’ll find exceptional ramen, sushi, yakitori and tea in Tokyo – but you can enjoy the world’s best pizza there, too. That’s how next-level the dining scene is in Japan’s capital. Its wood-fired slices outshine what you’ll find in Naples (just ask verified fans such as Momofuku’s David Chang, Fratelli Paradiso’s Gio Paradiso, Provenance’s Michael Ryan and Pizzeria Beddia’s Joe Beddia). Tokyo doesn’t just have the biggest haul of Michelin-starred restaurants in the world, it has an unshakeable commitment to food: where else can you eat six different scoops of sesame ice-cream in one go (like at Gomaya Kuki) or find a kilometre-long strip dedicated purely to cooking utensils (like Kappabashi Street)? The city is also home to outstanding architecture, memorable galleries, blossom-filled parks and significant sites of worship. Here are just a few ideas to fuel your travel dreams of Tokyo.

1. COCKTAIL HOUR

Takuo and Sumire Miyanohara’s Bar Orchard Ginza has a charming concept: single out a piece of seasonal fruit – whether it’s yuzu, dragon fruit or the “king” of Japanese strawberries (Amaou from Fukuoka) – and this bartending couple will transform it into a craft cocktail for you. It might be served in a toy bathtub with a rubber duck, which is part of the fun. Nearby is another acclaimed bar: Mixology Salon, which is recommended by Kuro’s Wanaka Teramoto.