"Takeshita Dori is a pedestrian street in Harajuku that is Ground Zero for Japanese pop culture. Young kids from all over Japan come here on a pilgrimage of sorts to shop for kawaii (cute) fashions and knickknacks. Pastel-colored cotton candy and crepes are the snacks du jour. Adults can take refuge from the crowds at Baird Beer Taproom, down a side street. You'll also find a Daiso 100-yen shop that is fun to peruse for unusual gifts to take home. Takeshita Dori can get uncomfortably crowded on weekends when school is out, so come early or on a weekday for a fascinating peek at the innocent youth culture of Japan."

"This historic merchants' district has many traditional shops, including Japan 's first department store, Mitsukoshi, and Takashimaya, an important cultural property, with its famous designer-attired and polite elevator girls. The area is named for the bridge of the same name, which literally means "bridge of Japan." All distances on major roads are measured from the middle of the bridge, and though the current one dates from 1911, a span has stood here since the beginning of the 17th century. A number of modern shops and restaurants are housed in the newer Coredo buildings. Nihonbashi is close to Tokyo Station, yet surprisingly few tourists have found their way to the specialty shops here that sell washi paper, chopsticks, tea, seaweed, traditional sweets, and kitchenware."

"If you love to cook, you won't want to miss Kappabashi, the wholesale district where chefs and restaurateurs come to buy all they need to open a new restaurant. On this long street, you'll find everything from plastic fruit samples to dishes and pots and pans. There are shops that specialize in knives, kitchenware, lacquerware, ceramics, and tableware. Surprisingly, there is not great food to be found in the area, but Asakusa, a short walk away, has plenty of eating options."

"Long known as the neighborhood where consumers—both locals and visitors—come for electronics, Akihabara has evolved to include a manga and anime subculture, with anime character models roaming the streets and anime videos playing in stores and restaurants. Retro computer-game fans will not want to miss Super Potato Retro-kan for its selection of vintage and used games."

"Ameya-Yokocho, often shortened to Ameyoko, is a boisterous open-air market that sits under the Yamanote line train tracks. It’s open for business year-round, so it's a good alternative if you want to visit a fish market when Tsukiji is closed. As Ameyoko fishmongers call out discounted prices for blocks of tuna to passing customers, the sound of the overhead passing trains adds to the atmosphere. You'll also find a mishmash of shops selling pantry staples, jeans, luggage, shoes, and Japanese candies, and the area is filled with cheap eats, including a handful of izakaya , or pubs, that are open from mid-morning on for a cold beer and grilled chicken skewers."

"In this historic district not far from the Sumidagawa River, the Sensoji temple has a past that can be traced back 1,300 years. The gate with the large red lantern, Kaminarimon, is the starting point to the colorful pedestrian open-air market Nakamise Dori. Vendors tempt visitors with the aroma of fresh-grilled traditional wagashi sweets packed with sweet azuki bean paste, sembei rice crackers roasted over charcoal, and souvenirs like fans and kimonos. For artisanal crafts and gifts, head down the street to the Marugoto Nippon complex. The area is filled with traditional eateries, in particular ones serving tempura, soba, and unagi . If visiting in spring, be sure to walk along the river, whose banks are lined with blooming sakura cherry trees."