Why Tourists Shouldn't Be Deterred By This Common Occurrence When Visiting Tokyo

When it comes to travel, there can be a lot of standing around between customs, car rental desks, and hotel check-ins. So when you get to a place like Tokyo, a city with over 14 million people, you may want to avoid anywhere with a queue or line — I mean, who wants to stand around even more when there's so much to see and do? Well, don't be deterred by this common occurrence when visiting Tokyo; it's a sign that there's something worth the wait. In Japan, patience is deeply ingrained in the culture, meaning that locals are willing to wait in line if it means they will receive something exceptional. It's pretty standard to see lines out the door of beloved local restaurants, cafes, or shops.

Sometimes it's good to slow things down when you're on a trip. It's easy to plan too much into one day, and this is a common mistake tourists often make when visiting Tokyo. So while it may be tempting to go elsewhere when you arrive at a queue, consider waiting to see what the fuss is about — you may be pleasantly surprised by what you discover. While standing in line, you get the opportunity to look around you, listen to the quiet chatter of the other folks queuing, and practice some of that patience for yourself. To avoid standing around too long, try getting to some of the places you see gathering crowds early to get a closer spot in line. Be considerate of the others around you, avoiding loud talking, cutting, or placeholding. It's essential to know how to be a considerate tourist when visiting Japan.

In Tokyo, there are literally thousands of excellent restaurants, bakeries, and cafes to choose from. But one unique bakery stands out, and is undoubtedly worth the longer wait: Age.3 (pronounced "ah-geh three"). This shop serves up fried bread sandwiches with a variety of interesting fillings, ranging from cream and fruit to tiramisu, as well as savory options like fried fish with a poached egg. It can sometimes take upwards of 30 minutes or more to order and receive your fried treat, but you won't be disappointed.

For something a little more filling, you'd be missing out if you don't try Gyukatsu Motomora. This is a restaurant in Shibuya that serves delicious katsu-style fried beef cutlets accompanied by rice. You receive a generous selection of food with your order, including miso soup, potato salad, pickled vegetables, dipping sauces, and even some mochi. The beef itself comes cooked to rare, but no worries if that's not your style — they also serve your meal with a hot stone so you can further cook your steak to exactly how you like it. This is a place known for longer lines, but it is absolutely worth the wait for a fantastic Japanese lunch or dinner. You'll love it so much that you'll certainly want to leave a nice tip, but think twice — this American restaurant habit may confuse your waiter in Japan.

Some places worth queuing for aren't restaurants or shops, but rather somewhere interesting to visit. There are numerous exceptional places to visit in Tokyo, ranging from museums to temples. However, one place that most locals and tourists will agree is worth waiting in line for is the Tokyo Skytree. The tallest structure in Japan, standing at 2,080 feet tall, this tower offers two observation decks at 1,148 and 1,476 feet with 360-degree views of Tokyo. You'll definitely be waiting in line to get up to the observation decks, but you'll be stunned and awed by the vista you receive of all of Tokyo from above.