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Tokyo is one of those places that feels almost too fabulous to be real. It is like stepping into an impossibly chic parallel universe, where everything is done better, more beautifully, and with more precision than seems humanly possible. It’s a city of contrasts, too—one minute, you are standing in the utter silence in a centuries-old shrine, and the next moment, you are swept into the blur of neon lights and immaculate storefronts of Shibuya Crossing.
The first time I went, I thought I knew what to expect. I did not. Nothing prepares you for the sheer perfection of it all—the food, the manners, the department stores. A bowl of soba can feel as cared-for and exquisite as a couture gown. A stationery store can be as thrilling as a Parisian couture house. Every meal, every shop, every hotel—everything is thoughtful, polished, and elegant. It is a city obsessed with detail, which perhaps explains why the fashion crowd adores it so much.
But for all its sophistication, Tokyo is also playful. There is whimsy everywhere, and that balance of discipline and fantasy is what makes the city so irresistible to me and so many other travelers.For this month’s Insider Guide, I looked back on my many visits to this Japanese metropolis and also enlisted the recommendations of designers Marc Jacobs and Zac Posen, as well as director and our ELLE Women of Impact cover star Sofia Coppola, whose love affair with Tokyo has long shaped the way many of us fantasize about this city. This guide is an edit of the places that capture Tokyo at its most magical, from serene hidden gardens and unforgettable meals to the fashion destinations that make this one of the great shopping capitals of the world.
BEST TIME TO GO:
Tokyo is wonderful year-round, but I especially love the spring, when cherry blossoms soften the city with clouds of pink, or in the fall, when the air is crisp and the autumn light makes everything glow. Summers are humid and winter can be brisk, so spring and fall are ideal for wandering the streets and getting just a little lost in translation.
Sleep
Courtesy of Nina Garcia
(Courtesy of Nina Garcia)
Aman Tokyo: For me, Aman Tokyo offers one of the most spectacular hotel stays—definitely in the city, and perhaps even in the world. The soaring lobby feels like a sanctuary above the skyline, blending grandiose proportions with traditional Japanese restraint. The spa and pool area are unforgettable, with ryokan-inspired bathing rituals and panoramic views. Every detail feels serene and restorative, making it the perfect place to reset after a long flight.
The Peninsula Tokyo: Positioned with tremendous grace overlooking the Imperial Palace and Hibiya Park, this polished classic is centrally located and known for exceptional service. The rooms are spacious, and the rooftop French-Japanese fusion restaurant and bar, Peter, is one of the best places in Tokyo to watch a sunset.
Park Hyatt Tokyo: Made iconic by Lost in Translation, the Park Hyatt remains one of Tokyo’s most legendary stays—and now more than ever since it recently reopened after a 19-month renovation. Its calm, understated elegance is still there, as are the breathtaking skyline views. The New York Bar, where Bill Murray moped so memorably, remains one of the great bars in the world. Stay here and feel like a movie star, because you essentially will be.
Also try:
Dine
Courtesy of Nina Garcia
(Courtesy of Nina Garcia)
Breakfast:
LOVOT Café: Begin your morning in Tokyo like Marc, at a café where you are greeted by small, round, adorable robot creatures called LOVOTs, designed to give and receive affection. A charming, bizarre, only-in-Tokyo experience.
Lunch:
Savoy Pizza: Flying to the other side of the world to eat pizza sounds counterintuitive. But the pizza at Savoy, with its blistered and chewy crust, is among the finest you’ll find anywhere. It exemplifies how Tokyo’s obsessive pursuit of culinary perfection applies to absolutely everything—including Neapolitan pizza.
Ryan: Sofia’s soba restaurant of choice, Ryan is quiet and immaculate, with house-made noodles and savory, crystal-clear broth. Go for lunch and take your time not to rush a single slurp.
Dinner:
Ginza Kojyu: For an intimate kaiseki—an ornate, meticulous, seasonal tasting menu—this three-Michelin-star classic is a must. Every dish reflects a reverence for seasonality and balance.
Tsurotokame: This is the only all-female kaiseki restaurant in Tokyo, perhaps making it no coincidence that it runs like a well-run orchestra. With just 14 seats at a bar surrounding the kitchen, by the end of the night, you feel like part of the family.
Tempura Ono: Think you know tempura? Think again. The batter is impossibly light, the ingredients are pristine, and the atmosphere is refined without feeling formal. A lot of this omakase meal is fried, but it’s far from heavy.
Seryna Roppongi: For something indulgent, Seryna is the place for premium wagyu, crab, and shabu-shabu (Japanese hotpot). They’re doing something right—this Tokyo institution turns 65 this year.
Sumi: This small restaurant is built around the meditative ritual of binchotan, a type of charcoal grilling. Located inside the Janu Tokyo, a sister property to Aman Tokyo, it’s the place for a long, unfussy, unhurried dinner.
Akasaka Kikuoi: Chef Kunio Tokuoka’s flagship restaurant is, in my view, one of the finest dining experiences you can have in Tokyo. The private tatami rooms, the seasonal menu, the sense that centuries of culinary tradition are culminating in front of your eyes—the whole evening is deeply moving and beautiful, and has been attracting discerning locals for over 100 years.
Also try:
Discover
Courtesy of Nina Garcia
(Courtesy of Nina Garcia)
Shibuya Crossing: You simply must. The moment those lights change and hundreds of people cross simultaneously from every direction is one of the planet’s great spectacles, and it gives me a rush every single time.
Nezu Museum: One of the city’s most beautiful museums, the Nezu houses a private collection of pre-modern Japanese and East Asian art, housed in a building by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma.
teamLab Planets: Prepare for an immersive digital art installation unlike anything you’ve seen. You’ll walk barefoot through shallow water into a room of infinite mirrored light, and see some of the most striking installations anywhere in the world.
Yayoi Kusama Museum: Kusama is one of the world’s most important artists, and her five-story museum is an essential pilgrimage for any fan of her iconic polka dots. Book well in advance—tickets go quickly.
Meiji Jingu Shrine: Walking the long, forested approach to this great Shinto shrine through a canopy of ancient trees is one of the loveliest things you can do in Tokyo on a nice day. It is, extraordinarily, right in the middle of the city, and yet the moment you pass through the towering torii gate, the bustle simply melts away.
Harajuku and Omotesando: Two neighborhoods, practically next door to each other, represent the wide range of Tokyo fashion. Harajuku is joyful, creative, and campy, whereas tree-lined Omotesando is where many of the world’s great fashion houses have built some of their most architecturally ambitious flagships.
Also try:
Shop
Courtesy of Nina Garcia
(Courtesy of Nina Garcia)
Daikanyama T-Site: This is the greatest bookstore in the world. Zac introduced me to it, and I visit every time I am in Tokyo. It has every art and photography book you could ever want, every fashion magazine in existence, international editions of ELLE, and a second-floor café with a collection of magazines from the 1980s.
Itoya: Stationery is an art form in Japan, and Itoya is its mothership. Thirteen floors of pens, papers, notebooks, and inks of extraordinary beauty await.
Shihara Lab: Sofia’s jewelry recommendation for minimalist, architecturally precise pieces.
Cosme Tokyo: A must-stop for beauty lovers, this expansive store has four floors to shop. The products are impeccable, the variety is staggering, and you will not leave empty-handed.
Éspace Clé de Peau Beauté: Within Shiseido’s epic flagship store, this spa offers treatments using the brand’s most luxurious skin care line. The facial here can only be described as transformative: You will emerge looking like you have slept for a week—even if you’ve just stepped off the plane.
Casanova Vintage: Rare 1990s Gaultier, broken-in Hermès bags, one-of-a-kind couture pieces—this vintage shop is world-renowned for its exquisite curation and rare finds.
Hysteric Glamour: Shopping for a teen or a teen at heart? There’s no better souvenir than a graphic tee from Hysteric Glamour, which specializes in classic American casual wear filtered through a Japanese lens.
The North Face Lab: For years, you had to fly to Tokyo to find this, the fashion-forward range of the iconic outdoor brand. It ships internationally now, but a visit to this OG concept shop is essential for North Face aficionados.
Blue Blue Japan: This Tokyo-based men’s and women’s brand is known internationally for its handmade pieces and deep commitment to natural indigo dyeing. This is traditional Japanese craftsmanship filtered through a modern lens, and it’s no surprise that it’s one of Zac’s favorites in the city.
Spiral Market: Looking for an elegant gift to bring home? This expertly curated shop has some of the finest, sleekest kitchen and home wares in Tokyo.
Also try:
Want to chat about my Insider Guide to Tokyo? Send me a note at ninagarciainsiderguide@hearst.com. I’ll see you next month. Until then, follow me at@ninagarcia on Instagram for real-time fashion and travel updates—and don’t forget to check out@elleusa too.
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