Incredible Places In Tokyo Only Locals Know About

With travel and tourism around the globe continuing to flourish, it’s easy to forget that there’s so much more to a city than what a guidebook has to say. To make your experience in Tokyo truly unique, be sure to check out these incredible place in Tokyo only the locals know about.

BnA Hotel & Bar

BnA Hotel is located in the artsy hipster neighborhood of Koenji. The name stands for Bed & Art Project, and that’s exactly what this unique accommodation tries to combine. The artsy boutique hotel had each room designed by local artists, allowing visitors to stay inside a literal work of art. And even if you’re not looking for a place to stay, you can still delve into the Tokyo art scene and support local creators by checking out the onsite art gallery, bar, or rooftop lounge.

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Marunouchi Naka-dori

Adachi Market

After Tsukiji, Adachi Market is the largest seafood market in Tokyo. Held in Kita-senju, the Adachi Market is opened to the public only six times a year (on the second Saturday of odd numbered months). If your visit happens to coincide with these dates, it’s a great opportunity to see how the market works behind the scenes and explore Japanese food culture from a different perspective. But if not, you can still enjoy the fresh ingredients year round at the market’s Uogashi Shokudo, a series of small eateries catering to market workers and visitors.

Todoroki Ravine Park

Todoroki Ravine is a little slice of unspoiled natural beauty in Tokyo, about 20 mins from Shibuya Station by rail. The wooded park is split by a manmade ravine that makes its way down to the Tama River. When you’re done with your hike, there’s a collection of impressive statues at the nearby Buddhist temple, Todoroki-fudoson.

Meijiro Teien

Mejiro Teien is not as talked about as the more famous Rikugien or Hamarikyu Gardens. This small but beautiful strolling garden hosts seasonal celebrations as well, such as their luxury cherry blossom extravaganzas, where a hefty entry ticket gets you bottomless drinks and snacks for the evening.

Daikanyama T-Site

Check out Tsutaya Books’s Daikanyama T-site instead of Tokyo Midtown or Roppongi Hills. This complex is more of a book palace than your everyday bookshop. The structure itself is constructed exclusively from interlocking T shapes (its partial namesake), with the impressive Magazine Street connecting them. Browse books and magazines from around the world, shop Japan’s largest video collection, or take part in the regular events held here.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.