Feel Tokyo’s Past and Present During This Tokyo Day Trip!

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Written by GOOD LUCK TRIP

Summer’s heat is fading, and the refreshing fall air is taking its place. This time of year is perfect for spending your time enjoying art and delicious foods. This article will introduce a 1-day plan for enjoying Tokyo’s past and present at our recommended locations.

The “Toei One-day Pass (Toei Marugoto Kippu)” is a convenient and great-value ticket that lets you ride on Toei-serviced lines (including the Toei Subway, Toei Bus, Tokyo Sakura Tram [Toden Arakawa Line], and Nippori-Toneri Liner) as much as you want for one day!

What is the Toei One-day Pass (Toei Marugoto Kippu)?

Valid for one full day, the Toei One-day Pass (Toei Marugoto Kippu) offers unlimited access to Toei subways. This allows users to freely hop on and off Toei buses (including in the Tama area), the Tokyo Sakura Tram (Toden Arakawa Line), and the Nippori-Toneri Liner. Mastering the Toei lines enables users to travel smoothly without missing anything that Tokyo has to offer.

Fall Tokyo Sightseeing Plan Using Toei’s Bus and Subway Systems

Start!! 11:25am at the Toei Bus Tsukishima-Sanchome Stop

Our trip starts at the Toei Bus Tsukishima-Sanchome stop! It’s time to enjoy some B-class gourmet Tokyo food for an early lunch. About a 5-minute walk from the bus stop is our first destination, Rojiura Monja Monkichi Hon-ten.

11:30am Rojiura Monja Monkichi Hon-ten(Main Store)

Rojiura Monja Monkichi is a famous monja (Japanese pan-fried batter dish) restaurant located on the back alleys of Monja Street that is popular with locals. Monja is a dish made with various ingredients mixed into a flour batter and cooked on a teppan iron griddle.
Their most popular dish is their “Monkichi Special Monja,” packed with plenty of fillings like shrimp, scallops, and more.
The monja is cooked by the restaurant staff, so you can sit back and relax even if you don’t know how to prepare it yourself.

A retro-styled atmosphere inside the restaurant
A retro-styled atmosphere inside the restaurant
Monkichi Special Monja 1,500 yen
Monkichi Special Monja 1,500 yen
Watching the restaurant staff’s dexterous techniques is a highlight of eating here
Watching the restaurant staff’s dexterous techniques is a highlight of eating here
Use this small spatula to eat!
Use this small spatula to eat!

Basic information on Rojiura Monja Monkichi Hon-ten(Main Store)

Postal Code
104-0052
Address
3-8-10 Tsukishima, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Telephone
03-3531-2380
Closed
No holidays
Business Hours
11:00am-9:30pm,
Mon. 11:00am-10:00pm
Official Website
Official Website (English)

Once you’re full, it’s time to take a bit of a stroll. After about a 7-minute walk we arrive at the Tsukudaijima area.

1:00pm Tsukudajima

Tsukudaijima is an area where you can see both futuristic-looking high-rise buildings next to the old-fashioned shitamachi area. Let’s take a stroll through these streets with their unique blending of new and old.

Tsukuda Park, one of the area’s photo spots
Tsukuda Park, one of the area’s photo spots

Basic information on Tsukudajima

Postal Code
104-0051
Address
1 Tsukuda, Chuo-ku, Tokyo

After taking a stroll, it’s time to head over to a museum.
Return to the Tsukishima-Sanchome stop and board the Toei Bus “Gyo 01(業01)” going to TOKYO SKYTREE Ekimae, getting off at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo stop (Tokyoto-Gendai-Bijutsukan). (About 15 minutes by bus)
The Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo is just a short walk away.

2:15pm Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo

This is an art museum where you can really experience contemporary art. It regularly features exhibits with unique themes, including the “MOT Collection,” which features approximately 5,400 items that introduce the history of art in both Japan and overseas.
The museum’s art library features approximately 270,000 books about modern and contemporary art that are available to the public.
The museum is located in Kiba Park, so you can see the park’s beautiful scenery through the glass windows.

Photo: Kenta Hasegawa
Photo: Kenta Hasegawa
Photo: Kenta Hasegawa
Photo: Kenta Hasegawa
”Now, it’s time to play” Yoshiaki Kaihatsu, Examination Wall, reproduction of 2016, 
Installation view at Ichihara Lakeside Museum  Photo: Yoshiaki Kaihatsu
”Now, it’s time to play” Yoshiaki Kaihatsu, Examination Wall, reproduction of 2016,
Installation view at Ichihara Lakeside Museum Photo: Yoshiaki Kaihatsu

Basic information on Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo

Postal Code
135-0022
Address
4-1-1 Miyoshi, Koto-ku, Tokyo (in Kiba Park)
Telephone
03-5245-4111
Admission
Varies by exhibit
Closed
Mondays, other temporary closures
Business Hours
10:00am-6:00pm (Last admission is 30 minutes before closing.)
Official Website
Official Website (English)

Once you’ve enjoyed some contemporary art, let’s move on to buying something perfect for souvenirs!
Take the Toei Bus “Gyo 01(業01)” going to TOKYO SKYTREE Ekimae from the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo stop (Tokyoto-Gendai-Bijutsukan), getting off at the Kamezawa-Yonchome stop. (About 15 minutes by bus)
From there our next destination, MERIKOTI, is just a 5-minute walk away.

4:00pm MERIKOTI

This shop specializes in cloth zori sandals and toe socks, including five-toe socks and tabi socks. While zori are more of an old-school item, the shop selects its wares based on current trends, and they also sell chic colored cloth zori.
The cloth zori are made by talented craftsmen, and they have become very popular as indoor shoes thanks to the fabric’s breathability, making them cool in the summer and warm in the winter. They also make perfect souvenirs!

Inside the store
Inside the store
Colorful cloth zori
Colorful cloth zori
You can also experience making your own cloth zori sandals
You can also experience making your own cloth zori sandals

Basic information on MERIKOTI

Postal Code
130-0014
Address
1F Hirai Bldg., 1-12-10 Kamezawa, Sumida-ku, Tokyo
Telephone
070-6986-0708
Closed
Mon. *Open if Mon. is a public holiday
Business Hours
10:00am-6:00pm
Official Website
Official Website (Japanese)

After all of that you’re sure to be hungry, so it’s time to get some dinner!
First, head to the Toei Oedo Line’s Ryogoku Station. (About a 5-minute walk)
From the Toei Oedo Line’s Ryogoku Station, take the train and go to Kuramae Station. (About 2 minutes by train)
After about a 5-minute walk from the station, you’ll arrive at our destination, “「〼kuramae”

5:30pm 〼kuramae

This izakaya offers up a cozy atmosphere at a C-shaped counter. Here you can enjoy dishes made using seasonal ingredients, like fresh fish sourced directly from the Hakodate Market and Arita chicken from Saga Prefecture. They also offer a wide selection of sake at great prices. Enjoy delicious dishes made before your eyes and carefully-selected sake.

Fresh sashimi sourced directly from Hakodate Market
Fresh sashimi sourced directly from Hakodate Market
Restaurant exterior
Restaurant exterior

Basic information on 〼kuramae

Postal Code
111-0055
Address
Lions Plaza Kuramae #103, 1-4-1 Misuji, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Telephone
03-5809-1494
Closed
Mon.
Business Hours
5:00pm-10:30pm,
Sun. & Hol.: 5:00pm-9:30pm

Once you’ve finished your meal, it’s time to walk back to the Toei Oedo Line’s Kuramae Station. (About a 5-minute walk)

Goal!! Toei Subway Kuramae Station

How was your trip around locations that offer up a taste of Tokyo’s past and present?
Consider using the following article, which compiles must-visit tourist spots and must-try gourmet experiences for Tokyo sightseeing, as a reference to create your own unique Tokyo tourism plan.