Looking to unwind in the bustling city of Tokyo or find some good local grub? Take these tips from Matador Network to turn your journey from “tourist status” to “feeling like a local” in nothing flat. 

“Saying Tokyo is overwhelming to visit is a gross understatement. Searching for a decent happy place to unwind or simply enjoy a lazy afternoon can become a full on, all-consuming quest,” writes Jennifer Gracey. 

She suggests heading somewhere like Yoyogi Koen, Shibuya, to truly unwind. 

“Of all Tokyo’s green spaces, the city’s fourth largest, Yoyogi Koen (‘koen’ means ‘park’ in English), has the most character,” writes Gracey. 

A hot bowl of ramen is a must in Tokyo and Gracey suggests heading to Ichiran Ramen in Shibuya. 

“No one does hot bowls of ramen quite like the Japanese and every true Tokyo local, has a handful of ‘favorite’ ramen shops—Ichiran is one such list topper,” she says. 

READ MORE: You Will Never Believe What Visitors Are Doing With Sake In Japan 

A stop at the market is another way to get into local culture. United Nations University Farmers’ Market in Aoyama is where to go, suggests Gracey. 

“A beautiful mix of fresh produce, ready-to-eat snack and drink offerings, and plenty of handmade goods, this is great either before or after brunch,” she says. 

For more places in Tokyo where you can get a taste of local life, read on here.