In our Perfect Days column, we ask notable Tokyoites to share how they’d spend an ideal day in their home city. 

Born and raised in Northern California, Shelby Rei moved to Japan in 2022 with a personal goal: to learn Japanese so she could speak to her grandparents in their native language. What was supposed to be a one-year chapter quickly unfolded into something much bigger. Four years later, she’s working full time in Tokyo and sharing her favorite hidden gems across the city on her social media accounts.

My perfect day in Tokyo is …

My perfect day would, of course, start at a cafe. I love discovering new spots, so there are a lot I could choose from — Paddlers Coffee in Nishihara, which I love for its hot dogs and lattes, or maybe Verve Coffee Roasters Yoyogi Park (it has the best seasonal lattes!). But if I have to pick, I’d start at Nem Coffee & Espresso in Hiroo. I would order the avocado toast and sip on an oat maple cinnamon latte while soft jazz plays in the background — the perfect slow start to the day. A short walk away is Truffle Bakery, which has absolutely amazing truffle salt bread; I’d grab a few of those before going to my next destination.

Ideally, it would be spring, so I’d head to Yoyogi Park for a picnic with friends. There’s nothing better than a spring day in the park, and Yoyogi is my favorite because of how lively it feels, with street performers, friends playing soccer, couples relaxing on the grass, etc.

For lunch, I would make my way to Shimokitazawa for soup curry at one of my favorite spots, Ponipirika. Ever since trying its famous Sapporo soup curry in 2022, I’ve been hooked. The crispy vegetables, the perfectly cooked chicken and the rich, flavorful broth make it a dish I crave often, and I still haven’t found another place in Tokyo that compares!

While I’m in Shimokitazawa, I would stop by one of my favorite vintage pop-up stores, Pour Elles, if it happens to be on, for a little shopping break. There are a few other vintage stores in the area I like browsing: New York Joe, Treasure Factory Style, Ruby’s … 

For dinner, I’d head to one of my favorite cafe and wine bar restaurants — Massif in Ikejiri-Ohashi — and then end the night at Lobby, a small, dimly lit bar that I love not only for its delicious cocktails, but also for its cozy, relaxing vibe.

Tokyo’s best-kept secret is …

I’m not sure it’s truly a secret, but kissaten. There’s something incredibly special about their atmosphere that feels uniquely Japanese and hard to find anywhere else.

A place I have always wanted to try is …

James Turrell’s “House of Light” in Niigata — the only one of his art pieces where viewers can stay overnight, admiring the sky as it changes. Soba House, a beautiful private lodge in Nagano, is also on my list. Both seem like such unique, immersive experiences.

More Info

Follow Shelby on Instagram.

Updated On April 22, 2026