We had our first visitors in two years come in August. First thing we learned is DON'T VISIT TOKYO IN AUGUST. Seriously. It is hot, humid, and miserable to walk around. Because, we walk A LOT in Tokyo. Japan also is eco conscious and keeps minimal airconditioning in buildings and trains. So, one doesn't even get much relief when coming out of the sauna that is the city.
In the end, we settled on about half days of activities, with resting in the house or at our pool in the afternoon. We also opted with this group of visitors to not do any day trips (Kamakura, Nikko, Hakone, Enoshima, Karuizawa, etc etc) because we know they will be back. This was truly a "family visit with some Tokyo thrown in," rather than a "see everything Tokyo has to offer" visit.
Day 1: arrive about 4pm at Narita. Enjoy the Narita Express, get a look at Tokyo Station, dinner at home, and crash around 8 or 9pm
Day 2: slow morning. Fancy sushi lunch at Sushi Ten (for the sushi eater) or burger the floor below at Counter Burger (for the carnivore). Walk around Tokyo Midtown to see the fancy shopping mall, gift fruit store, mini food hall. Take the subway to Shibuya to see the big scramble (sadly, the Starbucks viewpoint was a fail) and the Nintendo Store.
Day 3: Fancy lunch at Maison Marunouchi, with table overlooking Tokyo Station to watch the shinkansen coming and going. After walk about Tokyo Station Character Street to do a little shopping. Walking by the Imperial Palace was on the agenda, but one step outside and everyone bailed and went home. Another time when it isn't 90+ degreed and 90+ percent humidity.
Day 4: Early morning visit to Toyosu Fish Market (this has replaced Tsukiji). Optional sushi breakfast. We had planned to possibly visit Odaiba and Team Labs that afternoon, but for various reasons didn't. We had tickets to a Yakult Swallows game, but ended up only enjoying dinner at the ball park because the game was rained out. (cultural note: the game tickets were refunded 14 days later ... not sure how this would have worked for tourists!)
Day 5: Haircut in the morning (yes, Japanese salons are lovely!). We had planned to go to a waterpark (either Yomiuri Land or Summer Land), but still raining so ... hung out at home.
Day 6: Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit and mini summer festival at Kadokawa Culture Museum in Saitama.
Day 7: Morning in Asakusa and knife shopping. We had planned a lunch out, but it was Sunday and many things were closed (no tourists yet). We had also thought about adding on Tokyo Sky Tree, but again the heat was just too much so ... we went home. Late afternoon tour of the Olympic Stadium (this option is now closed).
Day 8 / 9: I forgot to document! I think there was a visit to a mini pig cafe. And Tokyo Tower.
Day 10: Return home
Here's a list of things to make sure and eat in Tokyo. There's more than just sushi and ramen (of course, do eat those)! Karaage (Japanese fried chicken), gyoza, tonkatsu (fried pork cutlet), yakiniku (grilled meat over open fire, usually do it your self), yakitori (grilled chicken, usually done for you), soba or udon (noodles), Mister Donut, Japan McDonald's for the seasonal/Japan specific things.
Other things in Tokyo do do that weren't listed above: Ueno area (zoo and museum). Zojoji Temple near Tokyo Tower. Meiji shrine followed by Harajuku walk (and a cute ice cream shop). Hanging out at Arisugawa park, getting snacks from the convenience store (only if you have kids, bring balls/stuff to play with). Check out what festivals might be around (e.g., Nakameguro Obon festival was during this time, and then could have visited the Starbucks Reserve near by)
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