So let’s define weeaboo trash. According to Urban Dictionary, it’s a term that came from otaku which means weirdo in Japanese. This is a joking term used by anime, manga and Japan lovers to describe their intense feelings about their passions.
Picture this: anime, robots, manga, Lolitas, the Shibuya crossing. Alas, you see it now don’t you? The world you’ve read about, the world you’ve seen on TV and even knew through anime. The strange place that is Tokyo, a foreign animal within itself.
Many times I get asked, “Help! What do I do in Tokyo? There’s so much to do.” Everyone has a broad range of interests, but if you were like me in the early 2000s and obsessed with Japan’s funky, strange and animation culture, then this ultimate Tokyo itinerary for weeaboo trash is for you.
Blog Posts You Might Like
- Five Reasons You Need To Experience the Robot Restaurant in Tokyo
- Fun and Cheap Things To Do in Tokyo
- The Best Places For High Tea in Tokyo
- The Best Tokyo Accommodations
- Where To Rent Kimono in Tokyo
Cheap Flights To Tokyo
Raise your hand if you want a cheap flight to Tokyo. The best time to book a trip to Tokyo is from March, mid May to early June and September-mid December.
[tp_search_shortcodes slug=”528684ff”]Where To Stay in Tokyo
If you’re looking to splurge or where to stay in Tokyo on a budget, check out these awesome places to make your life so much cooler. The best places to stay are Shinjuku, the Tokyo Station Area, or Shibuya. If you’re a tourist in Tokyo, I also suggest staying in Ginza or Nihonbashi as well. Basically, the best places to stay are off the JR Green Yamanote Line.
Luxury
- Shangri La Tokyo – Facing the Imperial Palace, the luxurious Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo is conveniently situated right next to JR Tokyo Station. Aside from a 20 m heated indoor pool and a spa, the hotel also provides restaurants and a lobby lounge.
- Ritz Carlton Tokyo – Located at the heart of the downtown Roppongi area in Tokyo’s tallest building, the 53rd-storey Ritz-Carlton offers elegant luxury high above Tokyo’s busy streets. It features an indoor pool and 8 dining options. Free WiFi is available throughout the property.
- Mandarin Oriental – Boasting fine restaurants and an award-winning spa on the 37th floor, Mandarin Oriental offers 5-star luxury in the historical Nihonbashi area in the heart of Tokyo. Among the most spacious in Tokyo, rooms feature gorgeous city views. Mitsukoshimae Subway Station and JR Shin-Nihonbashi Train Station are directly connected to the hotel.
Mid-Range
- Manga Art Hotel Tokyo – Ideally located in the Chiyoda district of Tokyo, MANGA ART HOTEL, TOKYO is situated 300 m from Kotoku Inari Shrine, 300 m from Bellesalle Kanda and 300 m from Rengo Kaikan Hall. The 1-star hostel has air-conditioned rooms with a shared bathroom and free WiFi. The property is non-smoking and is set 300 m from Goto Inari Shrine.
- Shinjuku Granbell Hotel – Situated right at the heart of the lively Kabuki-cho area in Shinjuku, Granbell Hotel offers modern and stylish guest rooms with unique design concepts. Higashi-shinjuku Subway Station is just a 4-minute walk away, while JR Shinjuku Station East Exit is a 15-minute walk from the property.
- Ginza Capital Hotel Moegi – Ginza Capital Hotel Moegi offers accommodation in Tokyo. The property is located a 10-minute walk from Kachidoki Bridge and Tsukiji Fish Market. Marunouchi Building is a 20-minute walk away. A free shuttle service to Tokyo Station is available 3 times a day.
Budget
- Irori Nihonbashi Hotel & Kitchen – Well located in the Chuo Ward district of Tokyo, Irori Nihonbashi Hostel & Kitchen is located 500m from Asakusa Mitsuke Memorial and 600 from Hatsunemori Shrine. Featuring a shared lounge, the 1-star hostel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom.
- Oak Hostel Cabin – They are located a 7-minute walk from Suitengumae Subway Station. It offers capsule rooms, coin launderette and free WiFi. Showers can be used before and after check-in, and guests can also use the common kitchen to prepare their own meals.
- Guest House Fete – They are located 600m from Edo Tokyo Museum. The property offers a vegan and vegetarian cafe on the ground floor.
Blog Posts You Might Like
- Where To Stay in Tokyo – This list will help you find everything from great location, luxury, and convenient places to stay in Tokyo.
- Robot Restaurant in Tokyo – This is a tourist trap you WANT to get caught it. It’s crazy, lively, and all sorts of fun!
- Fun and Cheap Things To Do in Tokyo – If you’re visiting Japan’s capital on a budget, then you need to check out these awesome things to do.
- Where To Rent Kimono in Tokyo – If your dream is to dress up like a Japanese princess, then I cannot recommend Kimono Rentals Yae enough. Check out all the details and how to book.
- The Best Places for High Tea in Tokyo – Afternoon tea gets a whole lot fancier in Tokyo. Check out this top five list of my favorite high tea spots in Japan’s capital.
- Asakusa Night Foodie Tour – This area is more than just temples and culture. There’s actually a hidden foodie culture as well.
Akihabara
If you are a diehard otaku, then you need to visit Akihabara first. If you want to browse electronics and latest high tech gadgets, Akihabara is a no brainer. Many stores and establishments such as maid cafes proudly display anime and manga banners. You’ll find everything from manga cafes to figurines of the most popular characters.
And if you wanna take it to the next level, might I suggest a street go karting experience a la Super Mario style? Yes, I’m talking dressing up like Princess Peach, Luigi, or whatever your flavor is. The thing is, you can go kart around like a bad ass.
See the Gundam at Odaiba
Anyone a fan of Macross or Gundam Seed? Gundam is a billion dollar franchise and known all over the world. I’ve gone back to rewatch some series countless times. Any of my American friends remember geeking out to Mobile Suit Gundam Wing on Toonami after school at 3:30pm? The Gundam Front is for all that love any of the iconic Gundam series. It’s best for selfies and shopping at the mini pop up for figurines.
Related: Fun and Cheap Things To Do in Tokyo
Visit Hachiko at Shibuya Station
Every weeaboo knows the story of the loyal Akita named Hachiko. His heart warming tale and love for his master made Hachi wait every day at Shibuya Station even after his owner’s untimely passing. Unfortunately for Hachi, the professor never returned, but they were reunited in death. Today, it’s a popular meeting and smoking spot. If it rains, try not to bring a clear umbrella. Everyone has one.
Get Weird at the Robot Restaurant
Robot Restaurant is certainly the embodiment of the “Cool Japan” Prime Minister Abe is pushing. The show has been described as silly, wild and an all around good time. You’ll be treated to some snacks, dancing and robots with some Power Rangers inspiration. It’s definitely the best tourist trap I’ve ever been to. Sober or drunk, the Robot Restaurant is definitely a place you can’t miss when you’re in Tokyo.
Kawaii Monster Cafe in Harajuku
In this interesting cafe the world of the imagination meets cute nightmares and wonderland. You get it, right? Everything in there is adorable, freaky and candy themed. There are loads of lips everywhere so imagine this as a drug trip Kylie Jenner never came down from and presto! You’ll even get to sit in a fantastically decorated macaroon room. This place is super crowded so make sure you get a reservation before you go!
Harajuku’s Takeshita Street
Have you ever wanted to spot the Lolitas, eat crepes and shop for the cutest accessories? Everything is pink and girly themed including the Daiso (100 yen store). Just be aware no matter what time of day you go, Harajuku will be packed with people, cosplayers, touts and Tokyo’s trend setting youth.
Ghibli Museum
Have you grown up watching Spirited Away or My Neighbor Totoro? As a lover of both these animations and any of the works of Hayao Miyazaki, this museum doesn’t disappoint. You’re not allowed to take photos inside, but you can snap photos outside and with the robot from Castle in the Sky on the roof. Since the Ghibli Museum is always poppin make sure you reserve your tickets ahead of time to join in on the magic.
Mega Pokemon Center
Oh yes, you read right on this one. Ready to get static shocked by cute Pikachu plushes? I know I am ready to get electrocuted out of the world with all the adorable vomit inducing Pokemon. Gotta catch em all? The only decisions you’ll be faced with is which Charmander in costume is cuter. Do you need any more convincing? Most likely not.
Check Out Tokyo Tower’s Views
If you remember Sailor Moon, you’ll remember the iconic moment when she and Darien ride up the elevator to meet their doom at the hands of Zoisite. You’ll also remember her moving determinedly toward this Eiffel Tower knockoff in Crystal when they battle Malachite and Usagi discovers her hidden past as the princess of the Silver Millennium. Am I getting too ahead of myself here? Well hopefully you’re on the same page as me. In any case, the Eiffel Tower inspired Tokyo Tower, is a pretty neat landmark.
One Piece Tower
The series that took the world by storm and many interesting adventures has its own theme park. It features games with the characters, merchandise, and Franky’s cola bar. You can dine at Sanji’s Oresama Bar and geek out to your heart’s desire. Yes, please. Get your discounted combo pass here so you can even go up to the main Tokyo Tower Observatory.
In short, wear your weeaboo tag with pride. While living in Japan, I ventured many times to otaku places and never felt sorry about it and neither should you. The world in J-dramas, animes, and picture books is real and it can make you tingle with excitement in all the right places. P.S. Don’t take that the wrong way. Leave me a comment if you’ve been to any of these places or there’s more that should be added to the list.
This post contains affiliate links which means at no additional cost to you, I make a small commission to help keep Gina Bear’s Blog running. Thanks for your support!
Japan Travel Guide E-Book
Planning on traveling to Japan?
Enter your name and email address and click the button below to receive your Easy Japan Travel Guide so you can travel like a local!
This made me laugh SO HARD… because it’s all true and you are my people, Gina haha. Heading to Tokyo in a few days to film and almost all of this is on our list! Excited for the Robot Restaurant ,everyone talks about it.
Yahhsss! I’m so glad I could make you laugh! I was really passionate about writing this post and compared to others it didn’t take me that long to right! We are each other’s people and understand the love for Korea and Japan. I’m so excited to see your YouTube video on it! Can’t wait to see the footage from the Robo Restaurant.
Great post! I would absolutely love to visit Tokyo. The idea of the Robot restaurant defenitely sounds interesting!! Thanks so much for all the great suggestions and colourful pics!
Kristie (you.theworld.wandering)
Tokyo is definitely funky. Please let me know if you end up visiting this funky cafe!
Wonderful guide. the robot restaurant and Ghibli Museum particularly sound very interesting to me. I would definitely visit them when in tokyo
Are you a fan of the Ghibli movies? Which one is your favorite?
The Ghibli museum just stole my heart and I landed straight into a fairytale day dream. The candy themed Kawaii monster cafe is one of a kind, combine these with pokemon and tokyo towers and you will get the ultimate Tokyo itinerary.
I definitely think so too! Many of us grew up during the golden age of anime so many of us would recognize many of these iconic characters and sites.
I never knew the meaning of weeaboo, and never ever thought it would mean ‘ weird’ of all things 🙂 . But after going through your post, I can relate. My daughter will totally love this place. I will plan to take her here
I don’t know if we are weeaboo, but this is a list of all the reasons to visit Tokyo! We have Daiso in Bangkok and regularly just go for a browse there, it’s so random!
There are such diverse things to do in Tokyo. And that also, for all age groups. That’s what I like best about this city. You have compiled a wonderful list of the best things to do in Tokyo. Bookmarked.
I LOVED AKIHABARA! I wish this post was up before I left for my maiden Tokyo trip in Jan 😀 There are so many things on your list that I would’ve love to experience but I’m sure my mum would just look at me and ask, “WHY” – Lol! Definitely pinning this because I really want to try the Kawaii Monster Cafe!
Oh my godness, how awesome is this?! I think it’s definitely time for me to go to Tokyo now!
Macross fan, present!
(Although TBH I only dabble in the rest and never committed to the subculture. I clicked to find out what ‘weeaboo’ was. 😀 )