7 Nights in Tokyo (Golden Week)
Traveling to Tokyo was certainly one of the most memorable experiences of my life so far. The food, the hospitality, the bathrooms. Everything was memorable, and I’d encourage a visit to anyone interested in a unique experience.
In this article, I’ll cover some of my favorite experiences, recommendations, accommodations, and tips.
Golden Week
If you’re visiting Japan in late April or early May, you may find that you’re there for Golden Week. This week is when a cluster of national holidays happen within a 7-day period.
When I discovered that my trip to Tokyo was booked almost exactly with this time frame, I honestly panicked.
Did I just make a horrible mistake? Will the airports and transportation be dreadful? Will I even be able to get around the city?
I’m a planner, so I attempted to look up locals’ advice beforehand. Unfortunately for me, there were mixed reviews online. Some people warned to stay away, whereas others said Golden Week is the best time to be in Tokyo because the locals often travel.
Here’s my review: traveling to Tokyo during Golden Week turned out very well. It was busy, but not excessively. I’d say the latter review was true in that many of the locals traveled outside of their respective cities, so it may be an especially busy time for smaller towns and for any trains leaving the major cities.
Flights to & from Tokyo
The best deal from San Francisco ended up being on a United Airlines flight from SFO to Narita International Airport. Haneda International Airport is another popular option.
The flight experience was a smooth 11 hours to Tokyo and 9 hours back to San Francisco.
Where to Stay
Tokyo is comprised of many neighborhoods, and I stayed at an Airbnb in Ueno Park / Bunkyo City.
Ueno Park is not necessarily the most touristy area, but if you want to go back to your accommodations in a safe neighborhood that has plenty to do without the noise or lights, this is a great option.
I ultimately chose this neighborhood due to its proximity to the Ueno Station, where the Keisei Skyliner will drop you off from Narita Airport in 45 minutes. The other transportation options from the airport were estimated to take at least 80 minutes.
The space itself was truly perfect for 2 people. A good-sized bedroom, hallway, small kitchen, and bathroom. It’s unlikely you’ll do a lot of homemade meals while you’re in Japan, but if you’re trying to make something elaborate while visiting, this is probably not the best stay for you. My partner and I just knew we were going to eat out primarily, so this worked well!
Extremely convenient to local train stops, convenience stores, high-quality restaurants, and shopping.
When traveling, I really prioritize safety, and I felt extremely safe staying in this building and neighborhood.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Ueno Park / Bunkyo City, Tokyo, Japan |
| Type | Airbnb |
| Vibe | Modern, Cozy |
| Link | Book on Airbnb |
| Would stay again? |
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This was a perfect stay for 2 people in a quieter neighborhood that was still lively with restaurants and things to do. Close to a big park and transportation stations, including one that will take you to Narita International Airport within 45 minutes. |
Things to Do & Eat
📍 Asakusa – This was certainly my favorite neighborhood while visiting Tokyo. In addition to being home to the best matcha I had in Tokyo, there are endless walkable streets with eateries and shops.
🎨 For the Art Lovers: The Yayoi Kusama Museum is well worth a visit if you’re in the Shinjuku City area. The Japanese native has recognizable artwork displayed all over the world, but it’s extra special to see an entire museum dedicated to her in her home country.
🍴 Eat This:
Something savory: udon carbonara with bacon tempura from Udon Shin. An unbelievable meal. Warning: you’ll want to get there a few hours before you plan to eat to put your name on the list. Once your time slot is up, return back and wait back in line to eat.
Something sweet: the cutest cream puffs from Shiro-Hige’s Cream Puff Factory. You can go inside the bakery area just for dessert or wait to eat a meal from their cafe upstairs.
If you’d like more details, here’s everywhere I visited, ate, & drank in Tokyo.
Visual Highlights
Packing List Essentials
[ ] Your most comfortable walking shoes
[ ] Passport (to show shops and get a tax-free discount)
[ ] Some cash for small shops & local vendors
Reflections & Lessons
I left Japan wondering when I would be back. There was truly a sense of hospitality, intentionality, cleanliness, and pride in culture that was refreshing to see.
There were two especially surprising parts of the trip:
If you’re taking public transportation, prepare to be quiet. You don’t necessarily want to come off as a loud or rude tourist, and the train could be packed but silent except for the speaker announcements.
If you’re used to nasty public restrooms, you generally do not have to worry about that in Tokyo. Even park restrooms or heavily used were shockingly spotless.
Regarding a language barrier, I learned basic Japanese terms, and those went a very long way in Tokyo. You may get away with speaking English fully while in Tokyo, but I’d recommend learning key terms to show respect to whoever you’re speaking with.
That being said, many of the restaurants and transportation stations involve interacting with a machine and only briefly with a human.
I cannot wait to return to Japan and explore beyond Tokyo. If you end up going to any of my recommendations or anything from my Google Maps list, reach out to me @spacestravel.design!
