If you are planning to visit Tokyo, then this article is going to help you as we introduce a lesser-known but highly recommended 1-day Tokyo itinerary that starts with the local and foreign tourists’ favourite, Odaiba. On this man-made island, you can not only see the impressive skyline of the megacity and Rainbow Bridge, but also spend an entire day exploring the unending list of attractions available. Afterward, hop onto the sightseeing cruise that takes you to Asakusa as it crosses Tokyo Bay and meanders through rivers that are sandwiched in between skyscrapers and landmarks. As you arrive at your destination, the old cityscape of Asakusa will send you back in time to the Edo period (AD 1603 – AD 1868). Read on to find out more about the best souvenir shops, the halal-certified Yakiniku restaurant, and other spots worth checking out.

Odaiba: A Massive Artificial Island in Tokyo Bay

Jam-packed with fun activities, shopping spots, and restaurants, Odaiba surprisingly is an entertainment district that is still relatively unknown to Muslim travelers. It is an artificial island made from land reclamation and has some of the quirkiest architecture in the country. One of which is the Fuji Broadcasting Center, designed by the renowned Japanese architect Kenzo Tange. Characterized by the spherical observatory on the 25th floor, the building is a great spot to enjoy a clear view of the city with landmarks like the iconic Tokyo Tower and Rainbow Bridge. Nearby is the shopping mecca of the area, DiverCity Tokyo. With designer brands and boutiques galore, visitors often will find themselves staying longer than they expected. But before entering, the 19.7m high moving and glowing robot standing next to the entrance will surely catch your attention. It is a full-scale replica statue of the Unicorn Gundam from the popular anime Gundam Series and a much favored photo hotspot. Inside the mall, there is also the halal-certified Sojibo Soba where they serve authentic delicious soba noodles.

Muslim travelers can make use of the prayer room in another shopping complex nearby, the DECKS Tokyo Beach. Their prayer room comes with a simple wudu area as well. The cruise ship-themed building houses many shops and attractions, including a retro-looking shopping arcade modeled after Japan in the late 1950s, and a LEGO® indoor theme park. And just across the street is a public beach that you can enter freely. With so many entertainment options and a fantastic view to look at, Odaiba is going to give you the perfect day out in Tokyo.

1. Fuji Broadcasting Center
Address: 2 Chome-4-8 Daiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Access: [Tokyo Station] → [JR] approx. 3 mins → [Shinbashi Station] → [Yurikamome Monorail] approx. 15 mins → [Daiba Station (Yurikamome)] → Walk approx. 3 mins
Website: Fuji Broadcasting Center

2. DiverCity Tokyo Plaza
Address: 1 Chome-1-10 Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo
Access: [Tokyo Station] → [JR] approx. 3 mins → [Shinbashi Station] → [Yurikamome Monorail] approx. 15 mins → [Daiba Station (Yurikamome)] → Walk approx. 5 mins
Website: DiverCity Tokyo Plaza

3. Sojibo Soba Diver City Tokyo Plaza
Address: 1 Chome-1-10 Aomi, Koto Ward, Tokyo, Japan（Inside DiverCity Tokyo Plaza）
Open 11:00-23:00 (Last order 22:00)
Sojibo Soba Diver City Tokyo Plaza

4. DECKS Tokyo Beach
Address: 1 Chome-6-1 Daiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Access: [Tokyo Station] → [JR] approx. 3 mins → [Shinbashi Station] → [Yurikamome Monorail] approx. 15 mins → [Odaiba Kaihin Koen Station (Yurikamome)] → Walk approx. 2 mins
Website: DECKS Tokyo Beach

Sightseeing with Class. Appreciate the Skyline of Tokyo on the Sumida River

Despite metro and train in Tokyo being super convenient, “TOKYO CRUISE” is an alternative to tourists opting for a more relaxing and scenic mode of transport. Tourists can get to Asakusa from Odaiba easily by taking the 50-minute Odaiba-Asakusa Direct Line that cruises the Sumida River. When planning your cruise schedule, look for the ones operated with Hotaluna and Himiko, two vessels that are designed by the famous comic artist Leiji Matsumoto. The futuristic cruise takes you pass several key landmarks, from the great suspension bridge Rainbow Bridge to the sumo arena Ryogoku Kokugikan. Passengers can also look out the giant windows and glass ceiling and watch how the ship makes its way through a total of 13 bridges built in different eras, with the vessel being only inches away from some very low-hanging ones. Be sure to keep a look out for when Kiyosu Bridge aligns with the tallest structure in Tokyo, the Tokyo Skytree for a perfectly symmetrical shot.

Address: 1 Chome-4-1 Daiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Access: [Tokyo Station] → [JR] approx. 3 mins → [Shinbashi Station] → [Yurikamome Monorail] approx. 15 mins → [Odaiba Kaihin Koen Station] or [Daiba Station] → Walk approx. 5 mins
Website: TOKYO CRUISE

Shopping and Experiencing the Old Japan in Asakusa

The bustling old town of Asakusa is a treasure trove of quirky, reasonably priced souvenirs. If you are planning to buy some for your loved ones or yourself, keep an eye out for Tokiwado Kaminariokoshi Kaminarimon Main Store and Sparkle. Tokiwado was founded 200 years ago, and the one next to the symbol of Asakusa, Kaminarimon, is their very first store. Best known for their halal-certified Kaminariokoshi, Tokiwado attracts many by showing the process of making these Japanese traditional sweets. On the other hand, Sparkle is a souvenir shop mainly for foreign tourists. It comes with a small prayer space and a huge selection of T-shirts, paper fans, wallets and purses, socks, you name it! With so many cute miscellaneous goods in-store, there is bound to be a fitting souvenir for all of your loved ones. Last but not least, the Masudaen Souhonten located a mere 5-minute walk away from Kaminarimon is also worth checking out for their halal-certified tea, snacks, and matcha ice cream. Fun fact: there is a mosque in Asakusa too!

Asakusa Mosque
Address 1-9-12, Higashi Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo
TEL +81-3-3871-6061
Close station/bus stop
Higashi Asakusa Bus stop (1-min walk)
Asakusa Mosque

1. Tokiwado Kaminariokoshi Main Store
Address 1-3-2, Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo
TEL +81-3-3841-5656
Open 9:00-20:30
Closed No regular holiday
Close station/bus stop
Ginza Line/Toei Asakusa Line (1-min walk)
Tokiwado Kaminariokoshi Main Store

2. Sparkle
Address 1-37-2, Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo
TEL +81-3-6802-7661
Open 10:00-19:00
Closed No regular holiday
Close station/bus stop
Asakusa Station (2-min walk)
Sensoji Temple (30-second walk)
Capacity of praying space 2people
Praying equipment
mat, compass
English/foreign language speaking staff
Always available
Sparkle

Complete Your Day with Some Japanese Wagyu in Asakusa

The fact that you can find halal-certified restaurants serving Japanese cuisine, sushi, and ramen in Asakusa makes this place even more appealing to Muslim travelers. One of the many Muslim-friendly eateries in the area is Yakiniku PANGA, a yakiniku place within walking distance from Asakusa station. Since they purchase high quality wagyu beef cattle by cattle, their menu contains a wide variety of meat options as well as soup made with rare parts and cow bones. If you go just outside of Asakusa towards Akasaka, the Gyu-Kaku branch there also has a halal-certified menu available. The Wagyu All-you-can-eat plan offers premium parts of ribs, lean loin, and prized Japanese Black-haired Wagyu, on top of the basic plan menu.

1. Gyu-Kaku Akasaka
Address Central Akasaka Building 2FL., 3-12-11, Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo
TEL +81-3-5545-5029
Open Weekdays 11:30-15:00, 17:00-24:00, Weekends 16:00-24:00
Closed No regular holiday
Close station/bus stop: Akasaka Station Exit 1 (2-min walk)/ Akasaka-Mitsuke station Exit (5-min walk)
Lunch 1,200-1,300yen / Dinner 5,000-6,000yen
English/foreign language speaking staff: Always available
Gyu-Kaku Akasaka

2. Yakiniku Panga
Address 3-27-9 Taito, Taito-Ku, Tokyo
TEL +81-3-3839-8929
Open Mon.-Sat. 11:30-14:00, 17:00-22:00 Sun.,Hol. 17:00-22:00
Close station/bus stop: Shin Okachimachi Station (4-min walk)
Lunch up to 999yen / Dinner 4,000-4,999yen
Yakiniku Panga

This Odaiba-Asakusa 1-day itinerary is a must for first-timers to Japan. It covers everything from shopping to gourmet and sightseeing, all the while showcasing the traditional, modern and futuristic side of the island country. With suggestions of Muslim-friendly attractions, whether it be halal-certified restaurants or places that have a prayer space or prayer room, this guide will hopefully make your planning a lot easier and give you a stress-free trip to Japan.