✈️ How to Explore Tokyo in JUST 12 Hours! 🇯🇵 | DIY Layover – Tokyo Narita (NRT) 🗼🍜

✈️ How to Explore Tokyo in JUST 12 Hours! 🇯🇵 | DIY Layover – Tokyo Narita (NRT) 🗼🍜

Kon’nichiwa and hello from Tokyo—again! I’ve got a 12-hour overnight layover at Narita and instead of sleeping like a well-adjusted adult… I’m running wild through one of the world’s most exciting cities with zero chill and an even smaller budget We’re starting in Shinjuku where the lights never sleep and neither do I Then it’s off to dodge 3,000 people at once at Shibuya Scramble stare romantically at Tokyo Tower and question my life choices on Takeshita Street where the fashion is louder than my inner monologue Need zen? Me too So we’re heading to Meiji Jingu Shrine for spiritual balance… before getting legally high at the Tokyo Cityhall with panoramic views and a price tag of free We’ll wave at the Imperial Palace heading back from the historic Tokyo Station and somewhere along the way—yes I’m eating all the street food like a man on a mission All attractions free All doable All under 12 hours Let’s do this DIY Layover-style! Tokyo — a city of contrasts Once a humble fishing village called Edo today it’s a sprawling metropolis of 37 million people You’ll find ancient temples shadowed by skyscrapers centuries-old traditions next to vending machines that sell… well, just about anything It’s fast it’s fascinating so let’s get going! ladies and gentleman! welcome to Tokyo we have just landed we have just de-boarded our journey has just began! Good news! If you’re from a developed country no transit visa needed and you’ll be greeted with smiles bigger than a sushi roll Got luggage? Unless you want a free gym session during your layover ask to check it all the way to your destination If that’s a no-go or your carry-on’s a beast don’t worry Narita’s got luggage storage that won’t break the bank Staying overnight? I highly recommend crashing near Shinjuku Getting into the city buses save you money but watch out Tokyo traffic is as predictable as a cat on a skateboard So, let’s see if Japan’s trains really live up to their legendary “on time” rep I know you are can save some money by taking the bus but c’mon! if you are doing layover pay for the train and get down to Tokyo asap with that being said let’s get goin! here is a advice for those of you who are taking the Japanese train they are super on time even if you missed by one minute you will cry I can guaranteed that so with that being said… don’t be late run if you have to! You’ve got two train options I picked the Keisei Skyliner direct to Ueno and honestly because it was the next train arriving It’s a great choice for day layovers Ueno Park is right there, with the Tokyo National Museum Ueno Zoo home to many shrines and the famous Ameyoko Shopping Street just a stroll away and this is where I got some amazing street food come and visit us in Japan Your other option? The Narita Express faster to the big stations across Tokyo, but yeah… your wallet will feel it a bit more Yes, they both accept foreign credit cards for those of you who want to get high but don’t know where to? here is your answer right here is it marvellous the Tokyo Tower one of the two towers where you can get up the other one is is the Tokyo Tree but this one is the most recommended because it is surrounded by skyscrapers if you got the time hey feel free to go right up! Now, if this giant red-and-white beauty looks familiar you’re not wrong Tokyo Tower was heavily inspired by the Eiffel Tower because if you’re gonna copy something copy the best Completed in 1958 it was Japan’s symbol of rebirth after World War II proof that the country had entered the modern era And at 333 meters tall it’s technically taller than the Eiffel Tower You can go up to two observation decks for panoramic views of Tokyo and on a clear day, even catch Mount Fuji in the distance Though if you do see it, immediately buy a lottery ticket because that’s rare Fun fact: the tower requires about 28,000 liters of paint to keep its iconic color fresh and they repaint it every 5 years Next stop—Shinjuku! If Tokyo is the city that never sleeps then Shinjuku is the part that never even blinks This place is pure sensory overload bright lights, giant video screens, the smell of yakitori wafting through narrow alleyways and enough people to fill a small country now if you come here during the daytime you probably not going to recognized anything speculator if come in the night time it’s truly night and day check this out! this city truly doesn’t sleep I am just telling you! it’s like 24 hours there is people out there By the way welcome to Kabukicho Street Shinjuku’s neon jungle If Vegas and Blade Runner had a baby it might look like this this part of Shinjuku is super, super famous in fact it’s world famous for all the leon lights oh yeah look at this By day it’s a maze of restaurants and shops By night? Well… let’s just say what happens in Kabukicho stays in Kabukicho You’ll find everything here karaoke bars robot shows tiny ramen joints… and yes, you’ll find love hotels here Honestly, they can be cheaper than a regular hotel so if you just need a few hours of sleep between sightseeing… well, I’m not saying I did it But I’m also not saying I didn’t And don’t worry—tonight I’m keeping it PG… mostly if you need to grab a bite or anything there is always something open for you to eat I absolutely love some of the restaurants that come and prepare you with some nice face towels to freshen up before eating let’s see what we have on the menu Quick tip — bring some Japanese yen! Lots of small shops here still run on cash Easiest way? Grab it from a free ATM And when it offers you that fancy pre-determined conversion rate just say no thanks that’s a 5% tourist tax you don’t need Go with the local rate more yen more sushi Easy! beautiful! with that being said let’s eat! it’s actually like really, really easy quick walk we have arrived right here look at that! world famous… let’s check it out! c’mon! Shinjuku is also famous for the Golden Gai six tiny alleyways 200 even tinier bars If you’ve ever wanted to drink in a space smaller than your carry-on this is the place Each bar has its own theme jazz, punk, horror movies, or just grandma’s living room with booze It’s quirky it’s cramped it’s cash-only… and after a couple drinks you’ll swear you’ve discovered the meaning of life a lot of them are close right now because it’s like… it’s close to like 3 in the morning but there is still some that is open Fun fact: Golden Gai survived waves of redevelopment because the bar owners banded together and refused to sell Good thing too because this is one of the few places in Tokyo where you can sip sake in a bar that seats… five people Next stop — Shibuya Scramble the world’s most famous pedestrian circus During the day? Easy — three quick train stops from Shinjuku 20 minutes later you’re dodging locals and selfie sticks After midnight? Now it’s Tokyo on hard mode You’ve got options:🚶‍♂️ Walk it — 40 minutes to burn off all that yakitori and sake. Taxi — if your wallet’s still heavier than your eyelids Late-night bus — yes Tokyo has them but schedules are a bit like a secret menu If you catch one — great If not — you’re back to option one or two Share bike — my personal pick There’s nothing like cruising through empty neon streets pretending you’re in a sci-fi movie Just remember they charge every 30 minutes… this is definitely one of the Tokyo’s most famous, famous… famous… famous landmarks I am crossing one of the busiest crossing in the world now today it is a bit quiet because it’s Sunday At peak times over 3,000 people cross here at once like the world’s most polite stampede This intersection has starred in more movies than some actors you’ve seen it in Fast & Furious Lost in Translation, and about one million travel vlogs The best part? In true Japanese style it’s chaos… but somehow nobody bumps into each other I call it organized anarchy — and yes it’s weirdly satisfying to walk it over and over like you’re in a music video Unless you plan to run on a nuclear dose of caffeine it’s time to get some rest Now, if you happen to find true love tonight — congratulations the love hotels are ready for you If not… don’t worry, there are plenty of budget-friendly hostels nearby Bonus — many come with free breakfast because nothing says romance quite like toast and instant coffee at 6:30 am You’ll want to wake up early and keep exploring before that flight out Tokyo doesn’t sleep — but you probably should Next morning, first thing after waking up — I needed fuel Problem is most shops were still closed But no worries — this is Japan where 7-Eleven is basically a national treasure honestly if you are doing a layover you probably not going to have time what I recommend is just go to a local convenient store in my case I am going to grab a bite here at 7 Eleven they got quite a lot of good options if you choose to grab a frozen food they’ll warm up for you And unlike the ones in the U.S. here it’s not just sad hot dogs on rollers you’ll find high-quality bento boxes, fresh onigiri, great coffee all for pocket change And no — I’m not getting paid to say this… but hey, 7-Eleven I’m ready and waiting to sign that endorsement deal anytime Call me! it’s actually pretty good pretty decent for only $3.50 you can’t really go wrong with this After the fuelled up I hop on the bus ready to tackle Tokyo round two Pro tip: have exact change ready Trust me, nothing says ‘tourist’ like holding up the entire bus while digging for coins First stop — Takeshita Street and Meiji Jingu Shrine — conveniently right next to each other Now here’s where I made my rookie mistake I got there way too early walked through an empty Takeshita Street It was just me and the shop shutters Not exactly the Tokyo vibe I had in mind So — if you’re here in the morning take the JR train to Harajuku Station instead Hit Meiji Jingu Shrine first find your zen then wander down Takeshita Street once it wakes up Unless of course you enjoy window shopping with no windows open well behind me is the world famous Takeshita Street or referred to as the Harajuku Station now this is between Shinjuku and Shibuya this street behind me right there is what a lot of people would considered the extreme teenage culture The Takeshita Street — Tokyo’s most colourful catwalk where fashion has zero rules This narrow, 400-metre street became world-famous in the 1980s and ’90s when it became the epicentre of Harajuku youth culture Think punk, Lolita, goth, kawaii — sometimes all at once basically a giant ‘why not?’ to the fashion world man the heat to me is pretty unbearable this is the kind of place I really want to hang out where there is a lot of shaded tree Next up — Meiji Jingu Shrine Tokyo’s ultimate urban escape Built in 1920 this shrine honours Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken the royal pair who helped transform Japan from a feudal society into the modern nation we know today Think of them as the original influencers — but with way more impact Hard to believe but this massive, peaceful forest sits just steps from the madness of Harajuku and Takeshita Street The forest? Over 100,000 trees, all donated from around Japan making this place a man-made forest that feels ancient Surprise — it’s actually younger than Tokyo Disneyland Now, a couple fun bits: And those huge barrels of sake and wine on display? They honour the emperor’s love of — you guessed it — a good drink Cheers to that! So here at Meiji Jingu you’ve got sake on one side wine on the other basically the world’s classiest open bar… for the gods only No samples for us, sorry So take a deep breath, soak up the calm… and try not to trip over the professional Instagrammers staging their ‘serene’ shots along the way after 15 minutes finally we have made it to the shrine and it’s absolutely Meiji Jingu isn’t just a pretty place it’s a living center of Shinto spirituality Japan’s indigenous faith The towering torii gates mark your entry from the everyday world into the sacred over here is something called the wish board so you go and write all your wishes on there and hopefully it will come true with that being said… good luck everyone! You’ll see people purifying their hands and mouths at the water basins a ritual called temizuya and writing wishes on wooden plaques called ema hoping for health, love, success… or maybe just a lucky vending machine pull And if you visit on a lucky day you might spot a traditional Japanese wedding here trust me, the outfits alone are worth the visit So while the city rushes around you this is your moment to pause, breathe, and maybe offer a quiet wish of your own here is advice grab one of these thermo water bottles fill up with ice you will need it throughout the day and this one actually comes from Dao one of the sponsors for DIY Destinations – Northern Laos episode so hot outside it’s crazy thank goodness for the air conditioned buses Our next stop — the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building is technically just a 15-minute walk from Meiji Jingu But let’s be honest it’s Tokyo in the summer which basically means walking through a giant hot miso soup So instead of arriving looking like I just ran a marathon I grabbed a quick bus ride cheap, fast, and air-conditioned Sometimes in travel — as in life cool beats cool-looking so this elevator takes up to 45 floor should be really quick ride so there you go so this is the north observation deck so let’s have a look The locals call it Tocho Designed by star architect Kenzo Tange and completed in 1991 this twin-towered mega-building looks like Gotham City meets City Hall and it’s one of Tokyo’s most underrated freebies now to be honest with you this is absolutely magnificent I can’t believe it’s free the good thing is open all the way from 9:30 to 5:00 pm the line is really, really quick at least from our experience with that being said… let’s check out the other side On a clear day, you can spot Tokyo Skytree, Tokyo Tower and if you’re lucky even Mount Fuji photobombing your skyline shots So remember — while some tourists are paying big bucks to go up other towers you’re getting high for free right here You’re welcome! they have filtered waters and yes I filled it right to the top with this lovely Dao mug cheers everyone! delicious! now we get to go the south observation tower oh okay another set of views right here You’ll also find a little souvenir shop, a café, and occasional exhibitions all designed to keep you entertained while giving your wallet a break as much as I like to stay little longer Tokyo has so much to offer and I think it’s time for us to head off to our next attraction whatever that is… you have to keep watching Thank you (Japanese) If you’re heading back to Narita on the Airport Limousine Bus — congratulations you’ve earned a nap But if you’re catching the Narita Express — buckle up we’re squeezing in one last adventure! A quick 20-minute ride on the Marunouchi Metro Line will drops you at Tokyo Station a place that’s part train station, part historical landmark and part shopping mall designed to make you accidentally miss your train Tokyo has I don’t even know how many metro stations, train stations, and… well if you are asking me which one is my favourite here you go! check out this one right here oh yes.. this is the Tokyo Station First opened in 1914 this gorgeous red brick beauty somehow survived both World War II and decades of commuters with too much luggage Today it handles over 4,000 trains a day and approximately one billion confused tourists trying to find the right platform Pro tip: Head to the second floor there’s a secret outdoor terrace where you can admire the architecture and the station’s iconic domes all while smugly enjoying a rare moment of peace above the crowd Especially nice at night here is the very strong evidence on film on camera from the previous night this is where you can take a deep breath and enjoy the view And the cherry on top? Here we are the grand finale of our Tokyo layover just a 5-minute walk away — the Tokyo Imperial Palace Once the site of Edo Castle this place was the seat of the mighty Tokugawa shoguns for over 250 years Then, in 1868, the Emperor moved in and it became the Imperial Palace we know today the beautiful East Gardens and outer grounds are open to the public and they are absolutely free You’ll find ancient stone walls moats full of koi fish and enough greenery to make you forget you’re in the heart of one of the world’s biggest cities Fun fact: beneath those peaceful gardens lies a network of secret underground bunkers built during World War II because even emperors need a good hiding spot And another surprise? The Imperial Palace grounds cover a whopping 3.4 square kilometers that’s bigger than Monaco! I am standing on the Imperial Palace Garden and obvious you can’t take this with you but what you can take home is something special this it’s call Tokyo Banana it’s a sponge cake with banana puree you can get it at the Tokyo Station or you can get it at the airport it’s absolutely delicious and made for great gift And now… the most famous souvenir in Tokyo that looks like… well, a banana! An soft sponge cake filled with creamy banana goodness It’s so popular, I’m pretty sure half the luggage at Narita is just boxes of these things Warning: buy one box for your friends, and one box just for yourself Sharing is… optional As much as I’d love to do more maybe a sumo match, a tea ceremony, and an impromptu J-pop audition we’ve officially maxed out our 12-hour Tokyo layover And hey — I proudly declare that I squeezed in a luxurious 3 hours of sleep during that time Call me a pro Now, here’s your final mission: make sure you arrive at Narita Airport at least 1.5 hours before a domestic flight, or 2 hours before your international departure Nothing ruins a trip faster than sprinting through Narita security in socks while clutching a half-eaten onigiri If you’re leaving from Tokyo Station, you’ve got options: The speedy Narita Express — under an hour The Airport Limousine Bus — about 1 hour 20 minutes IF Tokyo traffic is behaving, which is about as rare as finding an empty seat on a rush-hour train Me? I had to swing back to Shinjuku to grab my bags And no — there’s no magical direct train to Narita Tokyo’s train map looks like a bowl of spicy instant noodles and I didn’t want to end up in the wrong part of Japan So I grabbed the most direct option — simple, stress-free, and with the added bonus of a nap now if you are going to ask me how I am going back to the airport this is the way to go for me at least it’s a direct us from Shinjuku to Narita I just don’t want to get lost yes it cost little more and also about a hour and 45 minutes but at the same time there is no risk of me going on the wrong train with that being said… let me scan my QR code and we are ready to rock and roll yes! thank you! let’s go! look like we are getting off next this is my friend Yaemi right here Before we wrap up, I’ve gotta give a massive shoutout to my good friend Yaemi who basically became my Tokyo layover guru she helped me plan all these incredible spots AND figure out how to zip around the city like a local And get this — her husband is no ordinary tour guide He’s the 35th head monk of the Tsubaki Joryu-ji Temple Yep — 400 years That’s older than most countries While I was there, he gave me a crash course in the Nichiren school of Buddhism its sacred text — the Lotus Sutra — and even taught me the art of meditation Let’s just say after the craziness of Shibuya Scramble my mind needed some serious calming! So if you’ve got a little time left to kill — and your soul could use a tune-up they’re ready to welcome you in for the same amazing experience Just tell them the guy who ran around Tokyo in 12 hours sent you! I hope I can do this right Thank you (Japanese) Thank you so much! I’d like to dedicate this episode of DIY Layover to the late, great Japanese composer Ryuichi Sakamoto whose beautiful track Heartbeat of Asia you’re hearing now When I was just a little boy, this very soundtrack played in an 1990s Hong Kong based airline commercial and that one ad sparked my lifelong dream to travel the world Funny how music can plant the seed for a thousand journeys And in the spirit of giving back all proceeds from this episode will go to support children impacted by the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza because no child should have to grow up in fear when they deserve to dream of their own adventures Thank you Mr. Sakamoto — for inspiring me, and so many others to go far it’s also my dream as a children to come here in person and today I am here! And that’s a wrap on this whirlwind 12-hour adventure through Tokyo proof that you don’t need weeks or a giant budget to experience the heart and soul of one of the world’s greatest cities From ancient shrines to neon-soaked streets from sushi to street snacks and from peaceful moments to pure mayhem this is why I keep coming back If this episode inspires even one of you to turn a layover into an adventure then my job is done After all — life’s too short to sit in an airport lounge when there’s a whole city out there waiting for you Until next time — safe travels, and as always: if I can do it, YOU can do it! and thank you for watching and I’ll see you next time “Sayōnara” Goodbye (Japanese)

Got a long layover at Tokyo Narita Airport? Don’t waste it sleeping — turn it into an unforgettable adventure! In this brand new episode of DIY Layover, I show you how to explore the best of Tokyo in under 12 hours — all on a budget.

✨ What’s in this Episode?
✅ Tokyo Tower at night 🌟
✅ Shinjuku & Kabukicho neon streets 🎆
✅ Golden Gai tiny bars 🍶
✅ Shibuya Scramble Crossing 🚦
✅ Harajuku’s Takeshita Street 🎀
✅ Meiji Jingu Shrine ⛩️
✅ Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (FREE observatory!) 🏙️
✅ Tokyo Station secrets 🚉
✅ Imperial Palace gardens 👑
✅ Tokyo Banana snack surprise 🍌

PLUS: Travel tips, budget hacks, fun history, and laugh-out-loud moments!

🎥 Watch now and learn how to turn any airport stop into a true adventure.

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