Day One
Tsukiji to Ueno
Stay: Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel, Shibuya
For our Tokyo stay, we checked into the Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel in Shibuya, where floor-to-ceiling windows put the city skyline on full display. The hotel has a calm, minimalist feel, but still delivers five-star service and easy access to Shibuya’s energy.
Tsukiji Fish Market – Chuo
We started our trip at Tsukiji Fish Market, the world’s most famous seafood market. For decades it was the hub where Tokyo’s restaurants bought their fish—at its peak, thousands of pounds of seafood passed through daily. Even though the wholesale auction has since moved to Toyosu, the outer market is still alive with food stalls and street vendors. We wandered through alleys stacked with tuna, sizzling yakitori skewers, and shellfish displayed like jewelry on ice. It was crowded, noisy, and smelled of salt and soy—exactly what I wanted Tokyo to be.
Sensō-ji Temple – Asakusa
Our next stop was Sensō-ji, Tokyo’s oldest temple, originally founded in the 7th century. The entrance is impossible to miss—the massive red lantern of Kaminarimon Gate draws you in immediately. From there, the long shopping street, Nakamise-dori, leads to the temple grounds where incense drifts in the air and the five-story pagoda rises dramatically overhead. It’s one of the most visited temples in Japan, but despite the crowds, there’s a sense of calm tucked between the centuries-old buildings.
Lunch at Otooto Ueno Bamboo Garden – Ueno
By midday, we slowed things down with a refined lunch at Otooto Ueno Bamboo Garden. The restaurant is set inside Ueno Park and focuses on elevated takes on traditional Japanese dishes. I had a chirashi bowl layered with jewel-like salmon roe, tuna, and sashimi, paired with miso soup and crisp seaweed. Every dish was plated with precision, and it felt like stepping out of the chaos into something elegant and deliberate.
Ueno Park – Ueno
We ended our day at Ueno Park, one of Tokyo’s largest green spaces, originally created in the 1800s on the grounds of an old temple. The park is enormous, home to museums, shrines, and even a zoo, but we just wandered. The tree-lined paths, koi ponds, and open space offered a rare break from the pace of the city. It was the kind of quiet you don’t expect to find in the middle of Tokyo.
Asakusa Market Streets – Asakusa
After lunch, we wandered into the lively Asakusa market streets, a maze of covered arcades filled with shops, souvenirs, and food stalls. The banners overhead and the buzz of vendors made it impossible not to stop and sample. We tried wagyu sushi, grilled eel skewers, and ended with candied fruit on a stick—sweet, crisp, and the perfect bite to cut through the savory overload.
Jet Lag Wins – No Dinner Tonight
By the time evening rolled around, reality caught up with us. After flying in from New York and packing an entire Tokyo highlight reel into one day, the jet lag hit hard. Instead of searching for another meal, we surrendered, skipped dinner, and let the city lights of Shibuya lull us to sleep. Sometimes the most luxurious choice is simply rest.
Day One Reflection
In a single day, Tokyo gave us its full spectrum—fish market frenzy, centuries-old temples, polished dining, buzzing street food, and serene parkland. It was the perfect introduction: fast, full, and unforgettable.
Wander Weekly 
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