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Plan your trip and discover what to pack for Tokyo
Perhaps nothing can prepare you for the amazing sights, tastes, and experiences of this city, but a solid list of what to pack for Tokyo is a good place to start.
When packing shoes, remember that you’ll be taking them off frequently, especially at ryokans, temples and restaurants. Bring pairs that are easy to slip in and out of, and leave the lace-up boots and strappy sandals at home.
Business Travel
When doing business in Tokyo, looking neat and professional is a requirement — and a sign of respect.
- It is customary to bring a small gift to a meeting to show your appreciation for the person’s time. Choose something that holds special meaning to your city or country.
- Though work attire is decidedly conservative, during the humid summer months men often go without a jacket and tie to keep cool.
- Many Japanese restaurants require you to take your shoes off before entering, so only pack your best pairs of socks.
Day Trips
Tokyo’s central location makes it easy to explore the region. Many sights are a bullet train ride away.
- Wear comfortable shoes. Whether hiking up Mount Takao or visiting the beautiful Buddhist temples in Kamakura, you’ll likely be walking all day.
- Travel light and carry a small bag for your necessities. Most public transportation offers limited space to store your luggage.
- Japan’s rainy season is well-known for a reason. Bring an umbrella or raincoat when the forecast looks wet.
Evening Chic
The city comes alive when the sun sets, with sky-high restaurants, bars and nightclubs lighting up the night.
- Dress to impress. Tokyo men and women always look elegant and stylish when going out on the town.
- Bring accessories. Japanese style is modest and conservative, so handbags, jewelry and shoes add personal style.
- Keep in mind that many fine dining restaurants observe strict dress codes. Check with the concierge for advice on what to wear.
Tokyo is the biggest city in the world, making the options for food, cultural sights, and activities seem never-ending. Here is what to book ahead of time so you don’t miss out on the very best this city has to offer.
Tokyo has the most Michelin-star restaurants in the world. Our highly skilled Concierge Team can make reservations for you in advance at one of the hotel restaurants Héritage by Kei Kobayashi or at the eatery of your choice. As expected, tables at these restaurants fill up quickly, making reservations essential.
Tokyo has no shortage of museums, but three are located right in the Roppongi District and make up what is known as the Roppongi Art Triangle: the Mori Art Museum, The Suntory Museum of Art and The National Art Center, Tokyo. Ritz-Carlton guests can book a personalized guided tour of these museums to get an intimate look at each one’s unique collections.
Exclusive treatments await at The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Tokyo. Spend the day or a few hours luxuriating in personally crafted body treatments by ESPA, hand and foot treatments by Bastien Gonzalez, or by receiving a facial featuring Shiseido Synactif products.
If you are lucky enough to be in Tokyo in January, May or September, you can attend a sumo tournament. Japan’s national sport began 1,500 years ago as a performance to entertain the Shinto deities. Today, sumo wrestling retains its religious roots, with training and competition steeped in ritual and reverence. Though each match lasts mere seconds, the fast-paced action makes it a unique and exciting event you shouldn’t miss. Plan in advance — tickets go on sale one month before each tournament.
Cultural Treasures
Looking out from The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo, you get a sense of the city’s scale: It’s like an endless series of cities, home to 14.9 million people. You could spend decades here yet uncover only a small portion of its hidden gems — temples, cuisine, artisans. So, go with an open mind and a sense of wonder.
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Morning
Neighborhood Park. Even though it’s steps away from the high energy of Roppongi Hills, Hinokicho Park feels like a rural sanctuary. Hinokicho translates as cypress, of which there are many in the park. It’s a great place to start your morning and only a three-minute walk from the hotel.
Midday
A Grand Palace. The White House of Tokyo, the Imperial Palace is home to Japan’s ceremonial state head and his family. The parks surrounding the building are popular for locals exercising and those admiring cherry trees in bloom.
Soba, Mastered. Sitting inside Honmura An, you can view the chefs at work pulling and pounding the dough of soba noodles until they’re just right. Close to the hotel, it’s a great place to duck into for a fantastic tasting-menu lunch.
Afternoon
A Stroll in the Museum. The National Art Center holds multiple special exhibitions at a time. Admission is free, and exhibits can range from quirky Yayoi Kusama installations to sleek Giacometti sculptures. The building, which looks like an undulating steel wave, was designed by acclaimed architect Kisho Kurokawa.
An Authentic Rock Massage. Reserve a Hot Stone Massage at The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Tokyo. One of the gifted therapists will apply hot volcanic rocks in long, lulling strokes. After, enjoy the private spa suite where you can unwind in the Amethyst Crystal steam room.
Evening
Sophisticated Tempura. Much more than your average deep‐fried vegetables, fish and meat, tempura, when done correctly, should enhance the flavor of the ingredients – not mask it – and that is what you will enjoy at Hinokizaka‐Tempura. Our tempura restaurant here in Roppongi includes specialty items such as beef fillet, tilefish and cutlass fish, and can also be custom‐made to please any palate.
Morning
A Hassle-Free Morning. Open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., the Club Lounge on the 53rd floor offers a view of Mount Fuji as well as a lavish breakfast: yogurt from the Hokkaido prefecture, cheeses, made-to-order omelets, and mimosas. If you need clothes pressed, bring them and they’ll be ready within an hour.
Midday
An Offbeat Cultural Experience. Japan is the epicenter of the world’s video game community. Akihabara is where those obsessed congregate. Wander the kaleidoscopic skyscrapers full of arcades and spot costumed anime fans.
Ramen for Lunch. Many of Tokyo’s best meals come with a bit of a wait, as is the case at Ippudo Roppongi, which serves exceptional ramen and draws locals who line up for the perfectly chewy noodles. Try the tonkatsu (fried pork cutlet) for a spicier broth, and be sure to order a side of the pan-fried gyoza (dumplings).
Afternoon
Explore Daikanyama. Daikanyama is a lovely neighborhood that’s central but devoid of tall buildings and utterly peaceful. Its picturesque alleys are full of cafés and high-end boutiques, including Okura, where almost every item in the store has been indigo-dyed by hand using traditional methods.
Evening
Rocking Izakaya. The Japanese are music obsessives, as you’ll see at Tatemichiya, a rock ‘n’ roll-themed izakaya (tapas-style bar). Dine on grilled garlic cloves, chicken skewers and meatballs in a perfectly rustic setting of wooden tables and traditional tatami-mat floors.
Midday
Relax in the Gardens. Hamarikyu Garden was originally built for a feudal lord as a residence and falconry grounds. Today, it’s a serene public park where you can stroll among saltwater ponds, ginkgo trees and a variety of blooms.
Ferry Through the City. Catch a ferry from Hamarikyu Garden, and you’ll get a view of the city along the Sumida River. It will drop you off at Asakusa, an eclectic old neighborhood where many traditions are still alive.
Afternoon
Tokyo’s Most Impressive Temple. Ancient Buddhist landmark Senso-ji is the city’s most famous and colorful, and oldest, temple. Inside the vibrant red temple, you can take a moment of relaxation at the traditional contemplative garden or consult with one of the oracles from the stalls for a divination reading.
Afternoon Shopping. Outside the Senso-ji temple, on a narrow alley called Nakamise Dori, you’ll find a classic Tokyo market with nearly 100 stores that sell great souvenirs, including kimonos. Get lucky and you may score a find from as far back as the Edo period.
Evening
A Modern Icon. The world-famous Narisawa excels at thoughtful, playful dishes — bread that rises at the table as you are eating your meal, delicious soup made from soil — and hearty crowd pleasers like top-of-the-line cuts of Kobe beef. The tasting menu takes about three hours.
Culinary Tour
Good food is never hard to find in Tokyo. In fact, the harder task would be to find bad food. The baseline quality of the produce, meat and other goods is simply exceptional. Talented and creative chefs use all of that to their advantage when crafting traditional cuisine — ramen, yakitori and, yes, sushi — and creating unforgettable dining experiences. And don’t pass on the sweets! The Japanese may be better at pastries than the French.
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Morning
Excellent Pastries. The Japanese masterfully execute French pastry methods. Case in point, the Maison Kayser bakery below The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo in the Midtown mall. Samples are provided but make sure to get one of the flavorful and chewy baguettes.
Coffee, Scandinavian Style. Entering the Tokyo location of Norwegian coffee shop Fuglen Roasters feels a bit like stepping into an Edward Hopper painting: vintage seating, dark woods and perfect lighting. And the coffee — lightly roasted to bring out the flavor — is superb.
Midday
A Walk in Yoyogi Park. Once a site of the 1964 Olympics, Yoyogi Park is fantastic for people-watching. Spot effusive Harajuku girls, Rockabillies, and a multitude of other subcultures toward the south end. To the north, a quieter scene: trees, ponds and bike rentals.
Tasty Dumplings. The Anda Gyoza has an inventive update on the traditional dumpling. The kitchen adds roasted oats to the dough and fills it with ginger, cilantro and curry before forming and then steaming the tortellini-like treats.
Afternoon
Shop in Shibuya. The lively streets around Shibuya Crossing contain thousands of shopping options. The Japanese have a finely tuned dial for trends, which you’ll see represented everywhere from future-thinking boutiques to vintage stores.
Evening
A Cocktail Just for You. This sophisticated bar on the 45th floor at The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo which has been selected as The World’s 50 Best Discovery, pairs Tokyo skyline views with shareable plates and an extensive drink menu includes unique cocktails inspired by Japan's micro-seasons.
A Sensory Taste of the Moment. At the hotel’s Michelin-starred French dining Héritage by Kei Kobayashi, Savor a new world of French cuisine with an exquisite modern Japanese edge. The stage is set for a creative blend of traditional expertise, the finest ingredients, and an unwaveringly innovative vision – all unfolding with a timely sense of beauty.
Morning
Sushi, for Breakfast. No trip to Tokyo is complete without a visit to the legendary and energetic Toyosu fish market, the largest in the world. The city’s best kitchens purchase their fish here, as do the sushi restaurants in the alleyways. Brave the line at Daiwa for morsels of fatty tuna and amberjack that will melt in your mouth.
Wander the Market Stalls. After breakfast, visit the various stalls that line the crowded market. Shop for traditional teas, sample mochi (sticky rice dumpling) and grab bites like octopus topped with urchin torched to order. Home goods stores stocking Japanese souvenirs (like cups and chopsticks) abound.
Midday
A Standout Buddhist Temple. Visit Tsukiji Honganji Temple, a gorgeous architectural feat. The intricate curves of the building are a blend of Buddhist, Hindu and Islamic styles, which give it a unique look and calming effect. Inside, you can listen to the large gongs ring.
Afternoon
Hidden Snacks. Ginza is packed with high-end department stores. Shop at any, such as Mitsukoshi, and then head to the basement level, a wonderland of chicken meatballs, shrimp tempura, chewy soba noodles, mochi and hundreds of other delectable bites.
Afternoon Tea. Everyday from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., the Club Lounge on the 53rd floor of the hotel serves afternoon tea—with views of Mount Fuji. The lobby also hosts an entertaining, kids-friendly tea experience in the afternoon.
A Well-Preserved Park. Standing in the blissful Hinokicho Park, it’s hard to remember you’re steps away from the busiest block of Roppongi. Take kids to the playground, walk along the streams and admire the gardens offering views of Old Tokyo.
Evening
An Authentic Teppanyaki Dinner. Have the concierge reserve spots at the intimate 10-seat teppanyaki counter of Hinokizaka restaurant. The chef will present a variety of high-quality meats — pick your favorites and watch them prepared and grilled in front of you.