Create meetup in Tokyochevron_right
Select a place on the map to change the location.
I want to meet
Verified required?
wants to go to fmd_goodFunland
wants to eat something at fmd_goodSmoke & Stone
wants to eat something at fmd_goodNonno's
explore Tokyo Guides
bar_chart Trends in Tokyo
Anybody know why street bicycle parking is disappearing?
I know everyone parks wherever they like in Tokyo and even my employer told me to do the same but as a foreigner, I would rather do the right thing when possible!
honestly i think it's also a safety thing they're not saying out loud. those old street racks were basically magnets for abandoned bikes that'd sit there for months with cobwebs. minato ward has a whole team that patrols with stickers tagging bikes that haven't moved in 3 days, if u don't remove it they cut the lock and take it to the impound lot near tamachi station. retrieval fee is like 3000 yen plus proof of ownership so it's not worth the hassle
for azabujuban there's a tiny bike parking lot behind the tsutaya on the main street, it's like 8 spots and costs 100 yen but nobody knows about it because the entrance is between two vending machines. i use it when i go to the dermatologist nearby, never seen it full. way better than hunting for street racks that don't exist anymore
minato-ku has been on a kick since the olympics prep started, they even took out the racks in front of the french embassy school. it's not just about looks though, the ward actually wants people to use the designated bike parking lots because they're trying to track usage data for future infrastructure planning. if you're near azabu, there's a decent underground lot under the 1-chome intersection that's like 150 yen for 2 hours and rarely full before 11am. honestly the safest bet is to just use the paid lots near the station exits, the street parking tickets in minato are 5000 yen if they actually bother to tag you
yeah it's a mix of the 2020 olympics cleanup and the ward governments getting more aggressive about sidewalk clutter. Minato-ku in particular has been removing a ton of street racks since like 2018, they want people using the paid lots or the station coin parking instead. The logic is that bikes left on the street block wheelchair access and emergency vehicles, but honestly it's mostly about making the area look "world class" for tourists and business types. If you're in Azabu or Roppongi, there's a few underground bike parks near the stations that cost like 100 yen for 2 hours, but they fill up fast during lunch. I usually just lock up on a side street off the main drag and accept the risk of a ticket, which is rare unless you block a hydrant or a driveway.
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