Tokyo National Museum (東京国立博物館) The first stop for anyone with a keen interest in Japanese history, art, design or fashion.

Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum (東京都美術館) A prefectural art museum, largely built underground so as not to stand out too much in the green park.

A surprisingly interesting (and free!) museum, showcasing Japanese advertising over the centuries. From Kimono ladies selling beer to retro packaging, the museum is a fascinating change from the usual museums in Tokyo. FREE

Shinjuku Gyoen in autumn A great place to start of your adventures

The Grutto Pass

Meguro and Ebisu (目黒と恵比寿) Well known to expats and fashionable Japanese, Meguro and Ebisu are not tourist hotspots, but places that everyday people love to hang out at.

Mount Takao The essential hiking day trip from Tokyo. Super cheap to access, easy to navigate and all you can drink beer at the top!

While most visitors just skip ahead to Ghibli Museum, Kichijoji is well worth spending an afternoon in with its blend of local bargains and less crowded tourist spots.

4. Shimo-Kitazawa A maze of narrow streets, that look completely unchanged from the 50’s or 60’s. No ugly skyscrapers here.