We Asked a Local Musician About Things to Do in Tokyo

Tokyo is almost unfathomably big. There are roughly 37 million residents and the countless homes, apartments, music venues, restaurants, parks and everything else that all those people need to survive and thrive. If you’re taking a trip to Tokyo, you don’t have to worry about “seeing it all” during your stay. That would be absolutely impossible. A better goal is to find the most interesting and authentic things to do. For that, you need a local tour guide, someone with a bit more insider knowledge than the average food blogger or tourism company.

We have the perfect guide for you: Tokyo singer-songwriter Qnel, aka Kensuke Takahashi. After his incredibly fun set at Sunset Sessions, we caught a few minutes to learn about his favorite places to see a show, grab a drink and more. If you ask us, there’s no better guide than a local musician. So, here are his answers—be sure to catch as many as you can!

Best Music Venue: Liquidroom

If there’s one thing a musician can tell you, it’s where to see a show. Qnel says the best music venue in Tokyo is Liquidroom, which he recommends for its great sound. You’ll also find the location convenient, as it’s in Shibuya—perhaps the busiest and most famous ward of Tokyo. Shibuya is known for being chaotic, thanks to Shibuya Crossing and Shibuya Station, the busiest pedestrian crossing and railway station in the world, respectively. If that sounds like a bit much, fear not. Liquidroom is in a different part of Shibuya, called Ebisu. It’s a more relaxed area that’s packed with excellent restaurants and bars. The vibe is unique, too, as Ebisu was built around a nearly 100-year-old brewery that later became Sapporo. In fact, the company headquarters is still in the neighborhood. If you want something to do before a show at Liquidroom, there’s a pretty cool beer museum nearby (and yes, they serve beer there).

Best Bar: Urauchi

In contrast to glittering Shibuya, the neighborhood of Shimokitazawa has a more vintage, bohemian, hip (dare we say “hipster”) vibe. You’ll find art, both in galleries and on the streets in the form of colorful murals. You’ll find vintage thrift shops and vinyl stories. You’ll also find Qnel’s favorite bar, Urauchi, a lived-in local gem with tons of varieties of gin. It’s exactly the kind of bar many Tokyo travelers dream of finding. It’s dimly lit, packed with locals and unmistakably authentic. It’s also open until 4 or 5 in the morning. You won’t find a place like Urauchi in the usual “things to do in Tokyo” travel guide. That’s because other guides don’t have Qnel.

Best Late Night Snack: Mochi

When we asked Qnel about his favorite late night food, he didn’t turn to a restaurant. He actually gave us a tip you can try at home, whether you’ve been to Tokyo or not. His favorite late night snack is mochi, a simple confection that’s everywhere in Japan. Mochi is a soft, chewy rice cake, and it’s often used to make sweet treats like ice cream. You’ll no doubt find mochi-based candy shops all over Tokyo. They'll be especially popular around the traditional New Years holiday, when people in Japan eat quite a lot of the stuff. But since mochi is really just a processed mixture of rice and water, it’s not limited to candy or dessert. Qnel’s favorite way to eat mochi is to wrap it with seaweed and dip it in soy sauce for a perfect savory/sweet late-night snack. Try mochi “Qnel’s way” yourself at home (if you can find the ingredients). If you’re taking a trip to Tokyo, be sure to try mochi in one of its forms. It won’t be hard to find.

Best Free Thing to Do: Yoyogi Park

Tokyo may be a giant metropolis, but there’s actually quite a lot of green space to enjoy. For something free to do in Tokyo, Qnel recommends checking out Yoyogi Park or Hanegi Park, two very spacious parks found on the west side of Tokyo.

Yoyogi Park is a popular municipal park, known for its diverse set of visitors each weekend, including everyone from musicians to cosplayers to athletes. You never know what exactly will be happening to Yoyogi Park, but it’s a place to really get in touch with the rhythms that make Tokyo unique. If you’re a cyclist, there’s a cycling path and a bike rental spot within the park. For a more traditional element, be sure to check out the nearby Meiji Jingu shrine, too.

If you’re going to be in Shimokitazawa, perhaps hitting up Urauchi for a drink, you might want to take a stroll in Hanegi Park. The running track and sports facilities are popular with locals like Qnel, but the biggest attraction for a visitor is probably the plum trees. Between January and March, more than 650 plum trees bloom in the park. The pink and white blossoms are something to behold. If your trip happens to line up in February, you can catch the month-long Setagaya Plum Blossom Festival. There are traditional attractions including tea ceremonies and even handmade mochi (bring your own seaweed and soy sauce).

Best Sunset Spot: Kamakura Seaside Park

We asked Qnel for his favorite sunset spot in Tokyo, but he said you’re better off checking out a special place just outside the city, near a cape called Inamuragasaki. Facing west, perfect for catching a sunset over the water, is Kamakura Seaside Park. It’s just an hour's train ride from the city, and therefore it’s a popular spot for Tokyo residents to escape the bustle and enjoy the water. It’s good for a view any time of year, but July and August is when you’ll find the Kamakura beaches most busy. Many of the restaurants and attractions in the area are seasonal. Besides the subset, you’ll also get a great view of Enoshima Island. Another thing to see in the area is The Great Buddha of Kamakura, a giant buddha statue that stands more than 40 feet!

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