I Finally Visited JAPAN… Was It Worth the Hype? 🇯🇵

@KSquared

KSquaredyoutubethe post

A first-time visitor navigates Tokyo, from arrival at Narita and exploring Ueno, to the bustling Shibuya Crossing and a peaceful morning at Senso-ji Temple, offering practical tips and observations on the city's cleanliness and crowds.

12 places · 3 experiences

Experience · 3 places
Arrival in Tokyo: From Narita to Ueno
afternoon
The creator lands at Narita International Airport, navigates the Keisei Skyliner to Ueno, and checks into their hotel, Four Points by Sheraton Tokyo, Ueno, noting the smooth transit and comfortable accommodation.
1
Narita International Airport (NRT)
International airport · Narita
4.3 (34,720)
Creator's voice
The primary international airport serving the Greater Tokyo Area. The creator notes the efficiency of transit from here to the city.
Narita International Airport (NRT), 1-1 Furugome, Narita, Chiba 282-0004, Japan
2
Keisei Skyliner
Train ticket office · Narita
3.2 (451)Open · until 9 PM
Creator's voice
A comfortable and efficient express train connecting Narita Airport to Ueno. The creator highlights the reserved seating and cleanliness.
Japan, 〒282-0004 Chiba, Narita, Furugome, 1-1 Skyliner & Keisei Information Center, 空港第2ビル駅構内
Tip: Purchase tickets at the Keisei Information Center at Narita Airport for direct service to Ueno.
3
Four Points by Sheraton Tokyo, Ueno
Hotel · Taito City
3.5 (140)
Creator's voice
A newly renovated hotel in Ueno, offering spacious rooms for a reasonable price. The creator emphasizes the importance of a private bathroom.
Four Points Flex by Sheraton Tokyo Ueno, 7 Chome-12-9 Ueno, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0005, Japan
Tip: Book in advance for good rates; the creator found a large room for $175/night.
Experience · 7 places
Evening Lights and Crowds: Ginza and Shibuya
evening
After settling in, the creator heads out to explore Tokyo at night, starting with the high-end designer streets of Ginza before diving into the iconic, bustling Shibuya Crossing and the vibrant Shibuya Parco mall.
4
Ginza
Chuo City
Creator's voice
An upscale district known for luxury boutiques and high-end designer brands. The creator describes it as a beautiful and expensive area.
Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0061, Japan
5
Shibuya Crossing
Tourist attraction · Shibuya
4.5 (24,419)Open now
Creator's voice
The world's busiest pedestrian intersection, famous for its synchronized scramble. The creator describes it as an 'insane' and 'bucket list' experience, especially at night with all the lights.
Shibuya Crossing, Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan
Tip: Visit at night for the full neon-lit experience, but be prepared for large crowds.
6
Shibuya Parco
Shopping mall · Shibuya
4.3 (4,885)Closed · opens tomorrow 11 AM
Creator's voice
A multi-story shopping mall featuring popular character stores like Nintendo TOKYO, Capcom Store, Sega Store, and Pokemon Center. The creator describes it as a nostalgic 'childhood all over again' experience.
Shibuya Parco, 渋谷パルコ・ヒューリックビル B1-10階 15-1 Udagawacho, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-8377, Japan
7
Nintendo TOKYO
Hobby store · Shibuya
4.5 (4,595)Open · until 9 PM
Creator's voice
A flagship store within Shibuya Parco offering Nintendo merchandise. The creator found it 'pretty cool'.
Nintendo Tokyo, 渋谷PARCO 6F 15-1 Udagawacho, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0042, Japan
8
Capcom Store Tokyo
Hobby store · Shibuya
3.7 (375)Open · until 9 PM
Creator's voice
A store within Shibuya Parco dedicated to Capcom games and merchandise. The creator hadn't seen Capcom in over 20 years.
CAPCOM STORE TOKYO, 15-1 Udagawacho, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0042, Japan
9
Sega Store Tokyo
Hobby store · Shibuya
4.4 (205)Open · until 9 PM
Creator's voice
A store within Shibuya Parco featuring Sega merchandise.
SEGA STORE TOKYO, 15-15 Udagawacho, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0042, Japan
10
Pokemon Center Shibuya
Hobby store · Shibuya
4.3Open · until 9 PM
Creator's voice
A popular store within Shibuya Parco for Pokemon fans, though the creator found many items, including cards, sold out.
Pokemon Center Shibuya, 渋谷PARCO 6F 15-1 Udagawacho, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-8377, Japan
Experience · 2 places
Peaceful Morning at Senso-ji Temple
morning
The creator embraces the early morning chill to visit Senso-ji Temple before the crowds, finding a peaceful and beautiful experience, followed by a traditional Japanese breakfast.
11
Senso-ji Temple
Tourist attraction · Taito City
4.6 (99,962)
Creator's voice
Tokyo's most significant Buddhist temple, dedicated to the goddess of mercy. The creator notes its beauty and recommends visiting early for a peaceful experience before the 30 million annual visitors arrive.
Sensō-ji, 2 Chome-3-1 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0032
Tip: Arrive before 7:00 AM for complete privacy; crowds start building by 8:00 AM.
12
Ueno Park
Park · Taito City
4.4 (34,978)Open · until 11 PM
Creator's voice
A large public park with historical significance, once home to a significant Iranian community. The creator mentions its connection to famous Japanese-Persian baseball player Yu Darvish.
Ueno Park, Uenokoen, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0007

Tips from the creator5

How to avoid crowds at Tokyo's tourist landmarks?
Visit popular tourist landmarks in Tokyo, such as Senso-ji Temple or Shibuya Crossing, before 7:00 AM to experience them with minimal crowds.
Logistics32:30
Is it acceptable to set up tripods at Shibuya Crossing?
No — setting up tripods in the middle of Shibuya Crossing is not recommended due to the limited crossing time and high pedestrian traffic, which can annoy locals.
Etiquette32:16
Do hotels in Tokyo offer private bathrooms?
Many hotels in Tokyo, especially those under $130 a night, may require sharing a bathroom. Always verify if a private bathroom is included when booking.
Accommodation12:12
How much does the Keisei Skyliner cost?
The Keisei Skyliner ticket from Narita Airport to Ueno costs approximately $22 CAD ($16 USD) for a reserved seat.
Money9:50
What are common convenience stores in Tokyo?
7-Eleven and FamilyMart are ubiquitous convenience stores in Tokyo, offering a wide range of food and drinks.
Food12:34