Tokyo Whiskey Bars

Seen all the main sights in Tokyo and want something new to experience. How about visiting one of Tokyo’s famous Whiskey Bars.

Scotland may be the home of Whiskey, but there is no better place on the planet to sample this liquid of the gods than Tokyo. Tokyo’s whiskey culture is at another level with dozens of small bars offering thousands of top quality whiskies. The Japanese have a broad taste in Scotch, American Bourbons and locally produced whiskey.

There are a multitude of bars in Tokyo. Some are tiny, dark basements others more stylish places with bow-tied experts mixing drinks.

The following are some of Tokyo’s highly recommend whiskey bars


Shot Bar Zoetrope – Half-way up a high-rise in Shinjuku, this is a great place to sample some unfamiliar foreign whiskeys.

Location: Third floor, Gaia Building #4, 7-10-14 Nishi Shinjuku

Website: homepage2.nifty.com/zoetrope

Campbelltoun Loch – This basement bar is a favourite with serious drinkers because it stocks nothing but the finest whiskey. It can only seat 8 customers at a time so if you get a set you are drinking with the local elite.

Location: Matsui Building B1, 1-6-8 Yurakucho Chiyoda-ku

Ginza S – Another basement bar, but darker and more glamorous than the above.

Location: Chuo-ku B2, Ginza

Website: ginza-s.com

The Helmsdale – Has a very Scottish appearance with tartan carpets and Scottish football on TV. A visit here takes you back to a traditional pub in the mother country.

Location: Minami Aoyama 2F, Minato-ku

Website: www.helmsdale-fc.com

The Mash Tun – Inside is a taste of Scotland with bare concrete walls, a few tables and a rotating stock of around 250 quality malts.

Location: Kami-Osaki 2F, Shinagawa-ku

Website: themashtun.com

Quercus – This is a very homely and affordable bar and the type of place that you want to end up at 4 am.

Location: Okuma Boulevard B1, Higashi-Ikebukuro

Bar High Society – This bar occupies a whole corner of the 27th floor of the Park Hotel. It is also the HQ of the Japanese branch of the Scotch Malt Whiskey Society.

Location: Shiodome Media Tower, Higashi Shimbashi, Minato-ku

Website: parkhoteltokyo.com

10 Things to do on a Budget in Tokyo

Tokyo, Japan’s modern capital is one of the most exciting places on the planet, but this doesn’t mean a holiday to this amazing destination has to break the bank. Like most places in the world, a trip to Tokyo can be done either in luxury or on a shoestring budget. I’ve been lucky to have been able to travel around most of Japan in my ten years of living there and overall I have found Japan to be an incredibly affordable holiday destination.

If you are planning a trip to the land of the rising sun, be sure to check out these things to do in Tokyo, for people travelling on a budget!

The Imperial Palace Gardens

- Located in the heart of Tokyo, the Imperial Palace is a must see tourist attraction, whether you’re travelling on a budget or not. Visit the magnificent gardens surrounding the home of Japan’s emperor and Imperial family. It is an easy walk from Tokyo Station and entry is free.

Visit Harajuku

- A trip to Harajuku is the experience of a lifetime. This is the home of Japanese street fashion and cosplay and the best spot in Tokyo for people watching. Also located close by is the famous Meiji Shrine.

Visit a Shinto Shrine

- Most temples and shrines in Tokyo are free to visit. The more famous ones will charge an entrance fee but this is usually as little as USD$6. Various religious festivals are held throughout the year, with the shrines themselves being a major attraction. Colourful features and intricate detailing can date back hundreds of years to when the shrines were first built.

Buy something from a Vending Machine

- Yes, I know most countries have vending machines, but in Japan they’re at another level. Using a vending machine in Japan is like taking a step into the future with high tech machines that can recommend drinks for you based on the weather and your age and gender. You can pretty much find them on every street corner in Japan. Tokyo has Vending machines that sell just about anything and the prices are very reasonable, sometimes cheaper than a shop.

Karaoke!

- If you’re going to have one night out in Japan, make sure it’s at a karaoke box! The Japanese love to sing and it’s one of the best experiences you’ll ever have. Your night doesn’t need to be expensive with karaoke boxes offering great deals for small groups that include food and drinks.

Get Electric in Akihabara

- Better known electric town, it is the home of technology. Tokyo’s gadget district is frequented by millions of visitors every year. If you’re travelling on a budget, it may be a good idea to leave your wallet at home for this shopping experience. Although you can find some pretty good deals there!

Yoyogi Park

- If you’re looking for some free entertainment, you can’t go past a Sunday afternoon in Yoyogi Park. Local bands battle it out, dressed in the craziest rock gear you’ve ever seen!

Sumo Wrestling

- While sumo wrestling bouts can take a chunk out of your spending money, you can see sumo wrestlers in action during training matches, for free. Training venues aren’t generally made public, so talk to your hotel concierge about finding one nearby.

Eat Noodles!

- Throughout Japan you will find a variety of noodle dishes and restaurants. In my experience, the best noodles are found at the small traditional shops that are usually hidden away in alleys or between buildings. A yummy bowl of noodles will cost you around USD$4.

Island Hop

- If you want to travel, but known that world trip tickets come with a hefty price tag, try discovering the islands of Japan instead. Japan flights between islands are very affordable and give you the chance to experience various types of Japanese culture.

Visiting The Tokyo Skytree

The new Tokyo Skytree offers unsurpassed views of Tokyo and is a must see on your next visit to the city. The Skytree opening last month was eagerly awaited and it has already gone on to become one of the biggest attractions in Japan. Tokyo is a city awash with modern skyscrapers, but they are all eclipsed by the Skytree, which at 634 meters dominates the city skyline.

The Skytree is the world’s tallest free standing tower and has two public observatories at 350 meters and 450 meters offering 360 degree views of the city. On a clear day you can see everything including the beautiful Mount Fuji.


The structure was inspired by Japanese pagoda architecture. The Skytree is also conveniently located in the heart of downtown Tokyo, near Asakusa, which is a major tourist area.

Tickets until July 10th have already been allocated via an online lottery system.

Key Information about Tokyo Skytree: 

Hours: 8:00 am – 10:00 pm
Open: Daily
Entry Fee: 2000 yen (USD$26) to visit the first deck and an additional 1000 yen for the second deck
Note: From July 11th tickets can be bought on the day


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More information about the Skytree is available at the Tokyo Skytree homepage 

Find out more about the major tourist attractions in Tokyo

Tokyo Skytree

Tokyo Skytree opened in Tokyo today and the city’s newest landmark is set to become an everlasting symbol of Tokyo. What is the Tokyo Skytree? It is a broadcasting, restaurant and observation tower in Sumida, Tokyo, Japan. It is conveniently located in the heart of downtown Tokyo, near Asakusa, which is a major tourist area.


A few facts about Tokyo Skytree:



• Stands at 634 meters
• The tallest structure in Japan
• World’s tallest freestanding broadcast structure
• Second highest building in the world behind Burj Khalifa in Dubai

The project was led by Tobu Railway and a group of broadcasters headed by NHK. One of the main purposes of the structure is to relay television and radio broadcast signals as the current facility, Tokyo Tower at 333 meters is no longer tall enough to provide complete coverage. The aim of the project was to create a structure that “transcends time and space”, and a design that allows the tower to function as both a transmitter and observatory. The project was completed on 29 February 2012 and opened to the public today on 22 May 2012.

Tokyo Skytree features two observation decks positioned at 350 and 450 meters from the ground that offer spectacular views over Tokyo. You can find more information on the Tokyo Skytree homepage

A must see on your next visit to Tokyo is the Tokyo Skytree.

Find out more about the major tourist attractions in Tokyo

Tokyo Japan

Tokyo is the perfect short-stay destination for a kick of adrenalin. You can spend a lifetime exploring Tokyo and never run out of new things to do and discover. It`s best not to think of Tokyo as one city but as a collection of separate smaller cities all connected by rail as it makes it much easier to explore the city. Each of these smaller cities has its own distinct character and attraction.

The highlights of Tokyo include, The Imperial Palace, Meiji Shrine; Asakusa district famous for Sensoji temple and Nakamise shopping street with cheap, antique kimonos, geisha bags and beautiful paper products, Sensoji temple, and the Kappabashi kitchen street for those plastic replicas of food seen in restaurant windows. Ueno for its park and museums, Akihabara for electronics, Shinjuku for its shopping with its huge Takashimaya department store and food hall, Tokyu Hands eight level craft store and Uniqlo store for really cheap, high quality, basic clothing, Harajuku for cheap shopping and Japanese street fashion, and Shiodome for entertainment.

Other places of interest include Shibuya for its famous intersection where the style tribes gather and Shibuya 109 the 10 level fashion emporium. Roppongi traditionally known for its nightclubs and bars, but now for its numerous upscale boutiques, smart cafes and Roppongi Hills with the 52 storey Mori building and Tokyo City View a walkway that wraps around the building offering 360 degree views stretching as far as Mt Fuji. Ginza for Matsuya department store and food hall.

At night time Tokyo really comes alive with mazes of blazing neon lights, tiny street stalls, bars complete with karaoke boxes, and the amazing pub food of yakitori and izakaya.
I recommend using the JR Train Line (Yamanote loop line) to get around Tokyo and explore the small cities. There are also lots of budget hotels to stay at all around Tokyo. Try a Business Hotel for a good compromise with prices around $70 for a single room and $100 for a double. Capsule Hotels are also found in most large hubs and cost around $40-$50 including access to the hot baths and sauna. I highly recommend trying these at least once for the fantastic experience.
I also love Yokohama which is just outside of Tokyo for its atmosphere. It was like a smaller version of Tokyo without all the hustle & bustle. Try the world famous China Town in Yokohama for great food and the bay area for entertainment.

These are some great resources to help you explore Tokyo