Wonderguide by

Jason G. Sturgill

Tokyo for creatives

For people looking for inspiration and off the beaten path places.

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Lodging

cool places to stay

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HOTEL THE KNOT TOKYO Shinjuku

Jason G.:reasonable price and a great location

Place

Bunka Hostel Tokyo

Jason G.:Stayed here with my students, really nice place to stay when traveling with a limited budget.

Limited offer

Gift from Jason G.. Get a discount off all experiences!

Sightseeing

the fun stuff that doesn't fit into other categories

Place

Shinobazu Pond

Jason G.:Beautiful place, super fun to rent the swan pedal boats. There was an excellent shaved ice cart outside when we went.

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Tokyo DisneySea

Jason G.:Super interesting to see the Japan version of an American iconic experience. Buy one of the popcorn buckets to try the fun flavored popcorn in each area. They also have their exclusive mascot Duffy the bear that you won't find at any other disney. It was originally designed to be another park in California but was scrapped to develop Euro Disney instead. A Japanese company bought the rights to it

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Fujiko F Fujio Museum

Jason G.:Haven't been yet, but I've been wanting to go every time I visit. It's a short train ride outside of Tokyo so it's a destination trip for sure. Must see if you're a fan of Doraemon.

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Namco Namjatown

Jason G.:Super unique theme park based around food and Namco. Highly recommended.

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Ghibli Museum

Jason G.:If you know, you go. Hard to get tickets, you need to order them in advance of going.

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Mokuhankan - Japanese woodblock prints and more

Jason G.:Woodblock printing workshop, did this with my students that I took to Japan.

Shopping

I mostly shop for cute stuff, this is where to go.

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Mandarake Shibuya

Jason G.:Vintage and new collectibles. I go here to look at rare toys and to buy vintage illustration ephemera.

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Tokyu Hands Shinjuku

Jason G.:Insane shopping mall for pretty much everything you’re looking for. Amazing stationary collection.

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ヴィレッジヴァンガード新宿ルミネエスト店

Jason G.:AKA Village Vanguard. There's multiple locations so google for the one nearest you. A really good place to go for gifts to bring back home and things you won't find anywhere else.

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nostos books

Jason G.:Haven't been but looks great. https://nostos.jp

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Mandarake Cos-Play-kan

Jason G.:Another Mandarake that specializes in cos-play but has all the other great Mandarake collectibles. Inside a crazy mall.

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BeamsT

Jason G.:There's lots of Beams stores, one of my favorite clothing shopping places. This one is my favorite because they specialize in t-shirts and artist collaborations. All locations are great though, worth seeing if there's one in the area you're at. https://www.beams.co.jp/shop/

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PAPIER LABO.

Jason G.:Super cute stationery store.

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KIDDY LAND

Jason G.:insane super kawaii toy store with stuff for kids and adults

Art

Galleries and museums

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commune Press

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Ginza Graphic Gallery

Jason G.:graphic design gallery, see what exhibitions are up when you're there.

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3331 Arts Chiyoda

Jason G.:Haven't been but looks super interesting.

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H TOKYO 三宿店

Jason G.:Gallery/Shop

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Hand Saw Press

Jason G.:Amazing Risograph Studio https://www.instagram.com/handsawpress/

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LAID BUG

Jason G.:I had my art show here. Super cute husband/wife design studio that has a super small gallery/shop. Tell them I sent you!!

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teamLab Borderless

Jason G.:Visual stimulation overload. Go early to avoid long lines but it moves pretty fast if you get there late. A must see.

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teamLab☆Planets

Jason G.:Didn't go to this teamLab project, I went to Borderless instead, but looks amazing. https://www.teamlab.art/

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UTRECHT

Jason G.:Awesome art shop/gallery https://utrecht.jp

Dining and Drinking

I’m not a foodie so this list is primarily based on atmosphere and ambiance.

Jason G.:The famed Danish brewery in Tokyo. Super intimate space and worth going to for the ambiance.

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BPM

Jason G.:Cafe to check out if you're in the area and also has an art gallery.

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Tsuki no Hanare

Jason G.:Off the beaten path restaurant with a super cute patio. Had really amazing fish and chips here. Went to see an instagram friend's art show. It's a nice calm oasis from the go go go. There's local artists that go there to draw portraits you can pay for, there wasn't one there when I went but I would have loved to get one done for a nice memento or gift.