Morning
Excellent Pastries. The Japanese masterfully execute French pastry methods. Case in point, the Maison Kayser bakery below The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo in the Midtown mall. Samples are provided but make sure to get one of the flavorful and chewy baguettes.
Coffee, Scandinavian Style. Entering the Tokyo location of Norwegian coffee shop Fuglen Roasters feels a bit like stepping into an Edward Hopper painting: vintage seating, dark woods and perfect lighting. And the coffee — lightly roasted to bring out the flavor — is superb.
Midday
A Walk in Yoyogi Park. Once a site of the 1964 Olympics, Yoyogi Park is fantastic for people-watching. Spot effusive Harajuku girls, Rockabillies, and a multitude of other subcultures toward the south end. To the north, a quieter scene: trees, ponds and bike rentals.
Tasty Dumplings. The tiny Michelin guide restaurant Anda Gyoza has an inventive update on the traditional dumpling. The kitchen adds roasted oats to the dough and fills it with ginger, cilantro and curry before forming and then steaming the tortellini-like treats.
Afternoon
Shop in Shibuya. The lively streets around Shibuya Crossing contain thousands of shopping options. The Japanese have a finely tuned dial for trends, which you’ll see represented everywhere from future-thinking boutiques to vintage stores.
Extra Tasty Ice Cream. Silkream serves cremia, a rich Japanese soft serve made with whipping cream and milk from the northern prefecture of Hokkaido. It’s extra milky, almost like denser whipped cream, and served with a freshly baked cookie.
Evening
A Cocktail Just for You. The bartender at the cozy, dimly lit Ben Fiddich will ask you to select a spirit, then spend 10 or more minutes burning twigs, muddling herbs, and looking for the perfect vintage liquor to perfect your drinkable masterpiece.
A Modern Icon. The world-famous Narisawa excels at thoughtful, playful dishes — bread that rises at the table as you are eating your meal, delicious soup made from soil — and hearty crowd pleasers like top-of-the-line cuts of Kobe beef. The tasting menu takes about three hours.