The largest city in the world, Tokyo is truly unique in every sense. Some have compared it to other megalopolises like New York, Hong Kong, or Singapore, but the culture that this vibrant city has created is unlike any other. In fact, Tokyo is not one big monolyth, but rather a communion of varying cultures that developed in small scales. The iconic crossing of Shibuya, “kawaii” girls of Harajuku, and anime culture of Akihabara are just a few of the million cultures you ought to experience in this exciting city.
Getting to Tokyo:
You can get to Tokyo Station from either Haneda Airport (also known as Tokyo International Airport as it is located within Tokyo), or Narita International Airport.
From Tokyo International Airport:
-Take Tokyo Monorail to Hamamatsucho Station (18 minutes ¥490)
-Transfer to Yamanote-line to Tokyo Station (4 minutes ¥160)
From Narita international Airport:
-Take Narita Express to Tokyo Station(60 minutes ¥3020)
Tourist Attractions:
Although there are way too many tourist attractions for anyone to cover fully in a short stay, here are some of the most popular and fascinating places and activities you ought to experience while you are here.
Roppongi Hills:
The complex located at the very heart of Tokyo is one place you would like to pay a visit to because there is so much to do just within this site. There are restaurants, bars, museums, theatre, office, modern architecture, shopping of all sorts including fashion and souvenirs, a hotel, various seasonal events taking place, and the list goes on. If you are in town for only a few hours and want to get the most out of your stay, this is the place to be.
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Roppongi Hills is at the forefront of every movement possible, may it be design, music, fashion, food, and culture. it is the go-to place if you are looking for the latest fads in Japan.
Tokyo Skytree:
Perhaps the newest tourist hype of Tokyo is the Tokyo Skytree which is the tallest tower in the world, and the second tallest structure right after Burj Khalifa. Naturally, one of the biggest fascinations of the structure is to climb up 450 meters above sea level to see the truly stunning view of Japan.
However, the fun does not end there. At its base is the Tokyo Soramachi which is a complex with restaurants, shops, planetarium, and more fun activities for all visitors.
Asakusa:
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Here’s a glimpse into traditional Tokyo culture. Asakusa is the center of Tokyo’s traditional culture, inheretting the vibrance and cityscape of the preindustrial era of Japan (Edo period). With the iconic gigantic lantern and rickshaw rides that take you to the most important tourist spots around the area, you could feel the traditional Japanese vibe, not so modest as Kyoto, but the more energetic side of Japan.
Odaiba:
This relatively new landfill located in the middle of Tokyo Bay is a like a huge amusement park of its own. Not only are there artificial beaches (just as good as real ones), but there are ferris wheels, Madam Tussauds Museums, theatres, brand stores, pretty much everything you’d find in a major amusement park! It also has one of the best night views in Tokyo, especially the view from the beach where you could see the Rainbow Bridge light up into various colors.
Here’s one advice for all Fun Japan readers that not many locals know. When going to Odaiba, don’t take a train. Take a cruise from Asakusa along the Sumida River to enjoy the full cityscape and landscape of Tokyo Bay.
Yoyogi Park:
Many people refer to it as “Central Park of Tokyo”. Yoyogi Park is one of the few places where you’d see a massive greenery at the heart of Tokyo, only 5 minutes away from Harajuku Station. Not only is it a very relaxing place for locals, but it is also a very exciting venue of events year-round. You go there during any weekend, and you’ll see some kind of festival taking place, many of them international like Thai festival, Brazilian festival, and so on.
It is also a great place to just enjoy walking, or spend some quality time with your family. There is a huge lake in the middle of the park, where you could simply lie down and read a book, or even take a nap. It’s Japan, no one is going to steal your stuff.
Shopping and Duty Free:
As is the case for most major cities, it’s safe to say that there are only a few things that you can’t find in Tokyo. The international city has the widest variety of goods to choose from, and here are the major shopping streets to get what you want.
Ginza:
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If highend brand is your thing, there is no better place than Ginza. Ginza is to Tokyo, as SoHo is to New York. With the world’s best boutiques like Caltier, PRADA, Gucci, Hermes, and Dior are just a few of the long list of worldly brands that have a shop in this district. They also have original goods only available in Tokyo, so it is worth checking it out even if you have these boutiques in your home country.
Akihabara:
Recently more famously known as the Otaku capital of the world, Akihabara is in fact the go-to spot for any electronic devices. You can get anything from the latest tech products, to the rarest mother boards you won’t find in other countries. And sure, you’ll find a lot of anime and game related products there as well. Since the city has become one of the biggest tourist attractions, most shops have staffs that speak multiple languages, so that’s also a huge plus for foreign visitors.
Harajuku:
If Akihabara is the Otaku capital of the world, Harajuku must be the “kawaii” capital of the world. With small and cute goods absolutely everywhere along the streets, this is the mecca for all school girls in Japan. It is one of the few, if not the only place in the world where you would feel completely natural wearing a light pink maid costume. It is also a great place to purchase street wears like vintage T-shirts or jeans, so there’s definitely a lot to look for.
Recommended times to visit:
There is no such thing as the “best time of the year” in Tokyo, because everyday is like a carnival here. However, due to its popularity, holiday seasons like New Years and summer do tend to be more crowded than usual. Evidentally, that means there are a lot more fun out on the streets, but if want a more swave trip, we recommend you visit the capital during the “off season”.
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