6 Ultimate Moments You Need to Experience in Tokyo

Japan is one of the most popular destinations for Australians to visit right now and for good reason. In the bustling streets of Tokyo you’ll find super-fresh sushi, unique cultural experiences and an exciting blend of innovation and tradition. 

Here's our pick of the best under-the-radar experiences that define this vibrant metropolis, plus a few insider tips for an unforgettable adventure.

Day one: 9am: Fuel up for a day of exploring

Although Tsukiji’s fish market and tuna auctions have moved to a new location across Tokyo Bay, the existing Tsukiji Outer Market remains an essential destination for Tokyo’s chefs, with ingredients such as dried seaweed, seafood and fresh produce on offer. 

The market opened in Tsukiji in 1935 and many of the hub’s original shops remain. Explore the labyrinthine streets from 9am, when the markets are open to casual shoppers and travellers. You can feast on fresh sushi for breakfast but Shouro’s traditional egg sandwiches are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser thanks to their fluffy tamagoyaki omelette fillings. Order the Matsuro sandwich, a simple combination of omelette and mayonnaise, originally made for fast staff lunches. 

By 11am, the streets are filled with shoppers, so stroll to G`inza via Turret Coffee Tsukiji, which serves the strongest lattes in town. 

2pm: Discover Aoyama’s hidden boutiques and cafes

Aoyama is one of Tokyo's best shopping districts and is home to the flagship stores of Japanese fashion brands such as Undercover, Sacai, A Bathing Ape, and Comme des Garçons, as well as international labels including Prada and Balenciaga. Amble down the neighbourhood’s side streets for boutiques offering a blend of big names, indie designers and cool accessories. Loveless café mixes fashion with books and records curated by Haden Books – the ideal stop for a coffee fix. 

Around the corner, Super A Market sells niche fashion brands and has a chic café upstairs – you’ll notice that many of Tokyo's coolest shops have an in-house café to help fuel your shopping adventures. As you wander the stylish streets, don't miss the Gentle Monster flagship, which opened in March. The innovative Korean eyewear brand is known for its creative shop design, which includes large-scale animatronics and art installations.

TIP: Tokyo is one of the boutique shopping capitals of the world. Save your dollars for the haul and book your flights with the help of the annual $450 Qantas Travel Credit² that comes with your Qantas American Express Ultimate Card. Each year, you’ll receive a $450 Qantas Travel Credit to use on eligible domestic or international Qantas flights when booked through American Express Travel.

5pm: Soak in the retro atmosphere of downtown Tokyo

A relaxing soak at one of Tokyo's traditional sentō (public baths) is the ideal way to immerse yourself in local culture (contrary to popular belief, tattoos are usually welcome). These baths have served as community hubs since the first one was built in Edo (now Tokyo) more than 400 years ago and you'll still see people flocking to the local baths in the evening. As Tokyo's demographics and lifestyle evolve, the number of bathhouses has dwindled but new owners are continuously updating the concept. 

At Koganeyu in eastern Tokyo, the third-generation owners worked with architects and a manga artist to create an industrial-chic space that retains the original baths while adding new social spaces. In the evenings, craft beer-drinking hipsters mingle with bathers and sauna-goers while DJs spin tracks on vinyl.

TIP: Start your jam-packed Tokyo trip with a moment of relaxation at the airport. With the Qantas American Express Ultimate Card, you’ll receive two complimentary Qantas Club Lounge invitations each year after your first Card spend on selected Qantas products and services⁴ and two Amex Centurion® Lounge passes to use at Sydney or Melbourne International Airport⁵. Lounge access entitles you to complimentary food and beverages, including wine and beer, after 12pm. Enjoy free and fast Wi-Fi and more.

9pm: Enjoy a nightcap and settle in for the night at Tokyo’s hottest new hotel

Opened in March 2024, Janu Tokyo is located in the heart of Azabudai Hills, the city’s most exciting new district. As part of the Aman Group, Janu (which means soul in Sanskrit) focuses on luxury and wellness. 

Visit the sleek Janu Bar for cocktails inspired by Tokyo's neighbourhoods, from the gilded luxury of Ginza to the discreet teahouses of the Kagurazaka geisha district. Refresh in the morning at the spa, which includes a steamy hammam and bath. 

Most guest rooms have a balcony, which is a rarity in Tokyo – be sure to book one with a view of the iconic Tokyo Tower. Janu also offers easy access to the new teamLab Borderless: MORI Building DIGITAL ART MUSEUM in the same complex, along with shopping and art galleries.

TIP: Whether you’re eating, drinking, shopping or soaking up Tokyo’s unique culture, tap your way closer to your next trip with your Qantas American Express Ultimate Card. You’ll earn up to 1.25 Qantas Points per $1 spent on everyday purchases¹ so you can continue to grow your points balance. You'll also enjoy uncapped Qantas Points earning potential for every dollar you spend on your Card.

Day two: 11am: Visit a surreal artist’s home

Ask any Tokyoite if they've heard of artist Tarō Okamoto and they'll tell you about his monumental sculpture, the 70-metre Taiyō no Tō (Tower of the Sun), which stands in Osaka's Expo ’70 Commemorative Park. You'll find other examples of his work in Tokyo, including the expansive Myth of Tomorrow mural at Shibuya Station. 

After his death in 1996, Okamoto’s home and studio in Minami-Aoyama, where he worked from the 1950s, was opened to the public as the Taro Okamoto Memorial Museum. Tucked down a back street, you’ll likely have the museum to yourself on a weekday. Don't miss the brightly-coloured living room filled with Okamoto's furniture and sculptures, including a life-sized mannequin he made of himself. Refuel afterwards with coffee and cake in the garden cafe.

TIP: When racing between attractions and experiences on holiday, make sure you’re covered for all possibilities. The Qantas American Express Ultimate Card's Complimentary Travel Insurance³ offers domestic and international insurance for you, your partner and your dependent children, when you pay for your return trip on your Card. Terms, conditions and exclusions apply (such as maximum age-limits, pre-existing medical conditions and cover limits).

2pm: Tea tasting and traditional arts

A 100-year-old Chinese cypress that’s less than a metre tall stands guard outside Matsubaya Saryo – the tree’s white, curving trunk striking a dramatic contrast to the black walls behind it. Opened in late 2023, this minimalist temple to the art of bonsai, tea and Japanese sweets stands apart from the glamorous shops of Aoyama with its dark, austere spaces and staff dressed in kimono. 

The multilingual staff can introduce you to the traditional gardening art of bonsai during your visit. Stop by the café for seasonal drinks and sweets, book a private tea ceremony and experience a healing sound meditation using frequencies designed to regulate your nervous system and relax your brain.

TIP: After learning about tea, trees and meditation, learn to appreciate an artform of a different kind: wine. With your Qantas American Express Ultimate Card, you’ll get complimentary Qantas Wine Premium Membership. Not only will you get access to exceptional wines and exclusive events, you'll also earn 3 Qantas Points per dollar spent on all Qantas Wine purchases⁶.

Have Fun Getting There

Fly Qantas Sydney to Tokyo Economy return for one person for 63,000 Qantas Points plus AUD $318 taxes, fees and carrier charges^.

Make it happen – and discover Japan’s ultimate moments – with the Qantas American Express Ultimate Card. Receive 50,000 bonus Qantas Points* when you apply online by 14 January 2025, are approved, and spend $3,000 on eligible purchases on your new Qantas American Express Ultimate Card within the first 3 months of your approval date. T&Cs apply. Available for new American Express Card Members only.

You’ll also receive:

• An annual $450 Qantas Travel Credit² to use on eligible domestic and international Qantas flights booked through American Express Travel.
• The potential to earn more Qantas Points with up to 4 Additional Cards for family or friends, at no extra fee⁷.
• Two Qantas Club invitations each year after purchasing select Qantas products and services⁴, plus two complimentary entries to The Centurion® Lounge⁵ at Sydney and Melbourne International Airports.
• Complimentary Qantas Wine Premium Membership⁶, allowing you to enjoy gourmet food, exceptional wines and exclusive access to events around Australia.
• Domestic and international travel insurance³ (for you, your partner and dependent children) when you pay for the return trip with your Card. Terms, conditions and exclusions apply (such as maximum age limits, pre-existing medical conditions and cover limits).

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