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Okubo Elementary's Secret?
ngl I've never heard any spooky legends about Okubo Elementary either, but the school itself is kinda interesting for a different reason. It's one of the older elementary schools in Shinjuku ward, built right after the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923, so the architecture has that Taisho era feel. The real story is how it survived the 1945 firebombing of that area, most buildings around it didn't make it.
If you want something weird, walk about 5 minutes east towards Okubo Park. There's a small Inari shrine tucked between two apartment buildings that locals say has been there since the Edo period. The elementary school kids used to dare each other to touch the fox statues at midnight back in the 80s. That's about as spooky as it gets around here tbh
The school's main claim to fame is actually a bit more cheerful. Every year during the Omatsuri season, the school's PTA runs one of the best yakisoba stalls in northern Shinjuku, they've been doing it for over forty years. The secret ingredient is supposedly a splash of the teacher's homemade ponzu sauce, a recipe that's been passed down through three principals.
If you're really set on finding a spooky story, try asking the old ladies who tend the community garden behind the Shinjuku-ku Okubo Library, about a block south. They'll tell you about the "foggy morning" in 1972 when the entire second floor classroom was found covered in chalk drawings of the same kanji character, nobody ever figured out who did it or why.
Honestly? I've lived in Tokyo my whole life and never heard a single whisper about Okubo Elementary having any kind of legend attached to it. It's a pretty unremarkable school, architecturally nice, yeah, but not exactly dripping with spooky vibes or anything. Maybe the online photos are just really good at making it look mysterious.
My guess is, if there's any story, it's probably just some harmless tale about a particularly mischievous class or a memorable school trip. Nothing supernatural, I'm afraid. You might have better luck asking around on a local @Tokyo forum or something.
That's fair enough. I figured it might be nothing, but I saw a few photos online that looked...off. Like, the lighting was weird, and the angles were oddly chosen. Definitely gave a "something's not right" vibe, but you're probably right, it's just good photography. Thanks for the tip about the Tokyo forum, I'll check it out. Maybe someone there actually does know a local story. Appreciate the info!
3 Days in Tokyo: Itinerary 2026
Start your morning at Shibuya Scramble Crossing, then walk to Meiji Jingu for a serene shrine visit. After lunch in Harajuku, head to Shinjuku for the Tokyo Metropolit… 🗼 Day 1: Shibuya & Shinjuku
Start your morning at Shibuya Scramble Crossing, then walk to Meiji Jingu for a serene shrine visit. After lunch in Harajuku, head to Shinjuku for the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building's free observation deck. End the day exploring Omoide Yokocho for yakitori and drinks.
🏯 Day 2: Asakusa & Ueno
Begin at Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa, arriving by 8am to avoid crowds. Stroll down Nakamise Street for snacks, then take the Tokyo Metro to Ueno Park for museums and a pond-side walk. In the afternoon, visit Ameya-Yokocho market for street food and bargains.
🌆 Day 3: Tsukiji & Odaiba
Arrive at Tsukiji Outer Market by 7am for fresh sushi and grilled seafood. From there, take the Yurikamome Line to Odaiba for teamLab Borderless (book tickets in advance) and a stroll on the beach. End with a view of Rainbow Bridge at sunset.
🚇 Getting Around
Use a Suica or Pasmo card for seamless travel on Tokyo Metro and JR lines. Most trips cost 180-300 yen, and a 72-hour Metro pass (1,500 yen) covers unlimited rides on 13 lines. Google Maps is reliable for real-time routes and train times.
🍜 Where to Eat
For budget ramen, try Ichiran in Shibuya (1,000-1,500 yen). For a sushi splurge, book a counter seat at Sushi Dai in Tsukiji (5,000 yen for a set). Convenience stores like 7-Eleven offer cheap onigiri and sandwiches for a quick breakfast.
🏨 Where to Stay
Stay in Shinjuku or Shibuya for easy access to nightlife and transit. Budget options include Capsule Hotel Anshin Oyado (3,000-5,000 yen per night). For mid-range, the Citadines Shinjuku offers studios with kitchenettes from 12,000 yen.
💡 Local Tips
Carry cash, as many small shops and restaurants don't accept cards. Download a translation app like Google Translate for menus and signs. Avoid rush hour (7:30-9am and 5-7pm) on trains to stay comfortable.
solid itinerary, the teamLab tip about midday slots is spot on. for day 3, instead of heading straight to Odaiba from Tsukiji, take a 10-minute walk to Hamarikyu Gardens. it's this old daimyo garden right on the water, total contrast to the market chaos. you can catch a water bus from there to Odaiba, it goes under Rainbow Bridge and drops you right by the ferris wheel. costs about 600 yen extra but the boat ride is worth it on a clear day.
also for day 1, the Met Govt Building deck is free and has solid views but the queue for the elevators can get long around sunset. there's a smaller viewing spot on the 45th floor of the Shinjuku Center Building that most tourists miss, same free entry and way shorter lines. just a 5 min walk from the station west exit.
This is a solid itinerary. I'd suggest swapping the order of day one a bit. Meiji Jingu is right next to Harajuku, so you can hit the shrine first thing when it's quiet, then walk through the grounds and come out right at Harajuku station to avoid backtracking. The Yurikamome Line ride to Odaiba on day three is a great call, the views from the driverless train over Rainbow Bridge are a highlight in themselves.
One thing the guide doesn't mention is that the Tsukiji Outer Market has really pushed up prices for tourists, especially for sushi. If you want a more local and less crowded experience, head to the Uogashi area right behind the main market stalls. You'll find the same quality grilled seafood and tamagoyaki for a couple hundred yen less. Also, for the teamLab booking, the 9am or 10am slots sell out first, so grab a midday entry if you want to avoid the school groups.
for day 2, if you're at sensoji that early, walk through the back of the temple grounds to the small cemetery area. it's quiet and has a great view of the pagoda without all the selfie sticks. also, ueno park's museums are good but the national museum of nature and science has a really cool exhibit on the history of tokyo's subway system with old train cars you can walk through. my kid loved it more than the zoo.
the guide mentions cash but i'd add that some of the best food stalls in ameyoko only take coins and don't have prices posted. just point at what looks good and hand over a 500 yen coin, they'll give you change. i got a huge plate of grilled scallops that way for 400 yen and it was better than any sit-down place i tried