As we travel to tour the Studio Ghibli Film Concert alongside conductor Joe Hisaishi, we're sharing our players and staff's favourite spots to visit in Tokyo. Whether you’re looking to sightsee, visit an attraction or enjoy a meal after a busy day of exploring, we have some great recommendations straight from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra musicians and staff members. Even if Tokyo isn’t on your itinerary just yet, we invite you to enjoy this insight into the touring experience of an RPO musician.
Open and discover the recommendations with Google My Maps below!
Shopping and Retail
Offering a huge range, from designer brands to unique souvenirs, Tokyo has options for every traveller’s taste and budget. Here are some of our favourite places to shop in the city.
Ginza Itoya
‘I don’t really know Tokyo very well but one place I recommend is Ginza Itoya. It’s Japan’s famous stationery store.’
Ginza, a bustling and high-end shopping district with luxury stores from Chanel to Rolex, is home to Itoya’s flagship store that expands over six floors. Each floor in this speciality stationery shop offers a colourful selection of fine writing instruments and art supplies.
Recommended by Esther Kim, First Violin.
Akihabara Electric town
‘Gadgets, toys, souvenirs, anything. The Don Quijote tax free shop here is especially good.’
Akihabara, also known as Akiba, is situated in the heart of Tokyo and is loved for its tightly packed, colourful buildings that house a range of shopping opportunities. This electric town features exciting anime, manga and gaming retailers alongside electronic stores. Don Quijote, the discount store mentioned above, has an impressive line-up of products from groceries to luxury fashion items. Just remember to bring your passport for any tax-free shopping.
Recommended by Barnaby Archer, percussion.
Refreshments and Food
From quirky tourist hotspots to authentic experiences, Tokyo has the perfect establishments to relax and refuel after a long day of exploring. These handpicked spots are just a few highlights from Tokyo’s vibrant food scene.
Cappiness Capybara Cafe
As the name suggests, a visit to this Capybara Café is sure to bring you happiness. These social animals are closely related to the guinea pig and are known for being friendly. Drinks are provided through a simple self-serve station, allowing you to maximise your time feeding and interacting with the capybara in a relaxed setting.
Recommended by Rachel van der Tang, cello.
Andy’s Shin Hinomoto
‘Amazing seafood restaurant run by Andy, a British expat.’
Conveniently located near JR Yurakucho Station, Andy’s is an authentic Japanese izakaya – a place to enjoy drinks and food with friends. The well-reviewed establishment specialises in seafood and is a popular destination for both tourists and locals. After marrying the granddaughter of Shin Hinomoto, Andy is the third generation to run this family restaurant. Andy, originally from the UK, has contributed his personal touch to the ambience including flags, décor and an English or Japanese greeting to make everyone feel right at home.
Recommended by Barnaby Archer, percussion.
Hiroshima Style Okonomiyaki
‘It's almost impossible to make a bad restaurant choice.’
Whilst exploring Tokyo, be sure to try ‘anywhere serving Okonomiyaki’, a savoury layered pancake dish. This delicious recipe is served complete with a variety of toppings and umami sauce.
Recommended by Bradley Gill, Trusts and Foundations Manager.
Activities and Experiences
Whether you’re looking for art, history or breathtaking city views, here are some fun, unmissable locations that made an impression on our team.
Teamlab Borderless
This visual art immersive experience presents a world of artworks without boundaries. The gallery uses science and technology in an explorative display of projections and lights, inviting you to wander through without a map and experience how the different artworks influence each other.
Recommended by Barnaby Archer, percussion.
Kaminarimon Gate
‘Huge temple and ancient market. Some of the market is indoors so has air con… much needed this time of year.’
At the entrance of Sensoji temple, the unmissable sightseeing hotspot, Kaminarimon Gate, stands a magnificent 11.7 meters high and dates to 942 A.D. The gateway has a remarkable history and features an eye-catching red Kyoto lantern. The figures surrounding the lantern, the benevolent Gods of Thunder and Wind, earn the title ‘Thunder Gate’. In addition to marking the entrance to the temple, Kaminari Mon gate leads to the vibrant shopping street, Nakamise-dori.
Recommended by Barnaby Archer, percussion.
Tokyo Skytree
At 634 metres tall, Tokyo Skytree is the tallest freestanding tower in the world. You can enjoy multiple observation decks and breathtaking 360-degree views. For an even more spectacular visit, consider arriving at sunset to watch the transition to city lights as night falls.
Recommended by Bradley Gill, Trusts and Foundations Manager.
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
‘Tall building, which is free to go up, excellent views.’
Whilst not as tall as the Tokyo Skytree, the 243-metre-tall Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building offers free panoramic views of Tokyo and beyond. The observation decks boast views including Mount Fuji and the Tokyo Tower. You can even see the Tokyo Dome, the venue where we are delighted to perform the Studio Ghibli Film Concert Tour.
Recommended by Barnaby Archer, percussion.
We hope you’ve enjoyed reading our team’s favourite Tokyo recommendations. Performing the spectacular Studio Ghibli Film Concert in Tokyo, alongside conductor Joe Hisaishi, is a true highlight for the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Whether you’re planning a trip or simply curious about life on tour as an RPO musician, we hope this glimpse gave you an insight into the magic of Japan.