Kuchisabishii is a Japanese phrase one utters when their mouth is lonely and bored; craving something new and exciting. You will not hear this phrase uttered in Tokyo where, it seems, almost every floor of every building on every corner offers eye-popping delights that will make your taste buds do judo flips.

Tokyo is electric—a cosmic flywheel of innovation spinning at high velocity. It reinvents itself neighbourhood by neighbourhood. Overnight, intersections of cuisine and design transform traditional enclaves into bohemian hubs where Tokyo’s young and hip can bask in a microcosm of Japanese trends that pique curiosities and seduce palates.

From convenience stores to food gardens, and izakayas to the constellation of Michelin-starred restaurants, Tokyo is a gastronome’s paradise. Even train stations brim with boulangeries exhaling buttered air and confectioneries with storybook-perfect fruit.

Department stores like Ginza Mitsukoshi or Shibuya Tokyu Foodshow resemble snack-themed amusement parks. Here, you’ll find sushi so plump it could burst, designer tea beside edible art chocolates, unctuous wagyu beef and crackling chicken karaage, piquant barbequed squid crêpes and savoury seafood okonomiyaki, all waft their smoky plumes of temptation.  These snack parks will send you into delirium as they bounce like pachinko balls through a cosmic maze of gastronomy.

A few stops away from Shibuya, Shimo-Kitazawa Station is your portal to Tokyo’s “Curry District.” Quirky cafés punctuate a burgeoning arts scene. Locals come here to unwind with a glass of wine or a refreshing beer, which they pair with the neighbourhood’s fabled dish. Think you know curry? There are more than 100 curry restaurants that simmer their signature recipes there.  From European and Indian to homegrown Japanese styles, this spicy smorgasbord celebrates the city’s obsession with depth and umami. October’s Curry Festival lasting several weeks lets visitors curate their own spice adventures, armed with a curry map and plenty of appetite.

When Tokyoites need a breather, they head to nature. The mountains of Okutama are just two hours away, offering forest therapy, river hikes, and wasabi farming. You’ll never go back to green horseradish paste after tasting freshly grated wasabi root—its sweetness and warmth are almost spiritual. Visitors can join harvesting tours and learn about the root’s cultural and environmental significance.