Last week, I shared with you details of Dot Nagano Hostel – the hostel I stayed with in Nagano. It was antique & unique, small but affordable; it’s the best place to stay in a beautiful city like Nagano.
My 2019 Japan trip started in Tokyo before I went to Nagano. My initial plan was to explore Nagano, Kanazawa, Toyama & Kumamoto for 9 days until my sisters & relatives joined the trip. I had to revise my itinerary to join them most of the time & also to guide them in their first trip to Japan. I joined them for 36 hours in Tokyo before going on my own in Nagano. I met with my sisters in Osaka a few days after.
In this post, I will specifically talk about in 36-hour stay in the world’s most populous metropolis, Tokyo. Please note that this is not my 1st time (actually my 4th) in the city. Also, we’re travelling with a 1-year old kid. Our itinerary was relaxed & kid-friendly.
Flight To Tokyo
Will you believe me if I say that I booked my ticket to Tokyo for only ₱850 one way? Yes, it’s true. I booked this flight August 2018, right before all the fuel surcharges & other charges imposed on airfares. I took advantage of GetGo‘s, Cebu Pacific Air‘s lifestyle rewards program, 8,000 points off promotion that time.
I only paid 3,900 GetGo points & ₱850 for this flight to Tokyo. The flight left Manila at 6:15 am & arrived Tokyo ay 11:30 am local time. Flight time took about 4 hours & paying such cheap fare was definitely worth it. I wrote a previous post on how you can score cheap flights like this; check out this link (& this link too) for more information.
Places Visited Within 36 Hours
36 hours may be too short for a trip to Tokyo; but hey, I got the most out of it. Most of the places we went to were the same places I’ve been to in my past Tokyo visits. It’s their 1st time, so they need to see the highlights. Check out these places we went to:
Asakusa
One of Tokyo’s visited areas is Asakusa. This area is known for the Senso-ji Temple, the city’s world famous & oldest red Buddhist temple. We passed by the temple on our way to the hostel. We also walked around the busy streets & even went to one of the biggest Don Quijote stores in Tokyo.
Nearest train station: Asakusa Station (Tobu Railway, Tokyo Metro & Toei Subway Lines)
Roppongi
The main reason we went to Roppongi was to attend the 6:00 pm anticipated Sunday mass at the Franciscan Chapel Center – Roppongi Catholic Church. We also explored the area, walked around different shopping malls & even saw Tokyo Tower from afar.
Nearest train station: Roppongi Station (Tokyo Metro & Toei Subway Lines)
Meiji Jingu
Meiji Jingu is Tokyo’s most important Shinto shrine & is dedicated to Emperor Jingu. We went there on a Sunday, so the place was flooded both by locals & visitors. I’ve been to this place in 2015 & again, I witnessed a part of a Japanese wedding.
Nearest train stations: Harajuku Station (JR Yamanote Line) & Meiji-jingu-mae Station (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda & Fukutoshin Subway Lines)
Takeshita Street
Harajuku’s Takeshita Street is one of the city’s busiest places. It is a short street full of shops, cafes, restaurants & anything fancy. I reckon it is the best place to buy pasalubong. Look for the stall that sells Kitkats for less than ¥200 & chocolates for less than ¥90 per small box. I forgot the name of the place but it’s the one with chocolates displayed along the streets.
Nearest train station: Harajuku Station (JR Yamanote Line)
Omotesando Hills
Right at the other end of Takeshita Street is Omotesando Hills. This area is Tokyo’s special area for shopaholics. Omotesando Hills is a large shopping complex where you can find all local & international luxury & branded stores. It is also a place where you’ll see many boutique & specialty stores.
Nearest train station: Omotesando Station (Toko Metro Chiyoda, Ginza & Hanzomon Lines)
Shibuya
Sushi for lunch! 
Scallops Sushi
Shibuya is one of Tokyo’s most famous places to visit. It became famous for the intersection & its busy commercial district. It’s also a good place to go shopping & have good food. We had our late lunch in a sushi (train) restaurant. We went around different stores & buildings afterwards. We also dropped by the famous Hachiko statue.
Nearest train stations: Shibuya Station (JR Yamanote, JR Saikyo & Shonan-Shinjuku Lines, Keio Inokashira Line, Tokyo Metro Ginza, Hanzomon & Fukutoshin Lines)
And that’s a wrap! That’s already 36 hours around Tokyo, Japan. I may not have been to new places but I had a great time visiting these places again – but this time with my family. I left for Nagano afterwards while they went to Tokyo DisneySea Resort, Akihabara & Shinjuku days after.
It’s still in my plan to go back to Tokyo for a few days & go to newer places. I heard there’s quite a list of new & exciting places to go to. The last time I went there to explore was in 2015 & it’s been years. I don’t know when will that be but hopefully soon.
Have you been to Tokyo recently? Any fancy, new or interesting places to go to? Share your suggestions & itineraries below. Feel free to also send them via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com if you’re shy enough to comment. Make sure to follow me & please also help me in promoting my social media channels – Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
Watch out for my post about the beautiful Nagano. Ciao!
PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.