A traditional unagi restaurant near Sensoji Temple that I grew up eating at. Come for the eel, stay for the old-school Asakusa atmosphere.

Yes, Sensoji is famous—but Asakusa is much more than a tourist stop. Here’s how I enjoy one of Tokyo’s most historic neighborhoods.

This is the soba I grew up with. Handmade Tokyo-style soba in Ueno, owned by my grade-school friend and still one of my favorites.

Ueno has a long connection with American casual style. Hinoya is one of my favorite places to see that history through Japanese denim.

One of the first sushi restaurants I felt comfortable visiting on my own. Sit at the counter, talk to the chef and definitely try the negitoro.

Great chicken, yakitori, sake and oyakodon to finish. This is one of my favorite ways to spend an evening around Ueno.

Enjoy hyper local Japanese western fusion food called Yoshoku.