2022
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AriMar
Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is the host city for the 2020 Summer Olympic and Paralympic. The Greater Tokyo area, home to 13.75 million people, is the most populous metropolitan area in the world. One of Japan's 47 prefectures, it consists of 23 central city wards; multiple cities, towns, and villages west of the city center; and Izu and Ogasawara islands. Tokyo is the only prefecture that has more than 10 million residents.
Tokyo is a city of crowds -- visitors are often surprised by the rush-hour trains on weekdays or the masses of people at Shibuya Crossing, the world’s busiest intersection. At the same time, however, visitors are also impressed by “Omotenashi” hospitality, the Japanese way of treating guests with a warm welcome. Japanese people try to help their guests have good experiences and a great time during their stay in Japan.
Tokyo has so much to offer and its culture has many different uniquely interesting aspects, both modern and traditional.
Here are some places you should go during your first visit to this amazing city.
The tallest telecommunications tower in the world, Skytree Tower is one of the more popular sightseeing spots in Tokyo. The tower was completed and opened to the public in 2012. From observation decks located at heights up to 450 meters, you can enjoy spectacular views of the city. At the tower’s base is Tokyo Skytree Town, which includes Konica Minolta Planetarium, Sumida Aquarium, Postal Museum Japan, and Tokyo Solamachi, a shopping and restaurants complex.
2. Asakusa
Starting from the big paper lantern of Kaminarimon Gate, walk through Asakusa’s oldest shopping street, Nakamise Dori, and try a variety of delicious traditional Japanese snacks. “Ningyo Yaki” is a sweet cake filled with sweet red bean paste. “Imo Yokan” is sweet-potato jelly, a traditional Japanese confection. “Kaminari Okoshi” is sweet puffed-rice crackers that very popular Asakusa souvenir. After you explore the stores, you will arrive at Senso-ji, a Buddhist temple dedicated to the bodhisattva Kannon. There are several other temples in Asakusa, as well. You can enjoy the atmosphere of traditional Japan walking around the area. Next to the Senso-ji temple is a small amusement park called Hanayashiki, which claims to be the oldest amusement park in Japan.
3. Harajuku
Harajuku, located between Shinjuku and Shibuya, is the center of Japan's youth pop culture and fashion styles. Walking along Takeshita Street with young crowds, you will find many trendy shops, fashion boutiques, used clothing stores, and fast food stands, all geared toward fashion and trend conscious teens and young adults. South of Takeshita Street, the atmosphere changes sharply on Omotesando, a broad, tree-lined avenue. Here you will find upscale shops, cafes, and restaurants for adults. Omotesando Hills is the neighborhoods stylish shopping complex. But Harajuku is not only about youth culture and fashion. Meiji Jingu, one of Tokyo's major shrines, is located just west of Yoyogi Park. You can also check out ukiyo-e paintings at the Ota Memorial Museum of Art, and at the Nezu Museum, a variety of Asian art and a traditional Japanese garden.
4. Sugamo
Sugamo is a shopping district that famously caters to the elderly. The streets are flat, with textured bricks to prevent slipping. People can enjoy shopping at reasonable prices, but won’t find many trendy items. Instead, you’ll find comfortable clothing for designed for the elderly. Most shops are barrier-free and have ramps to facilitate access with walking sticks or wheelchairs. Jizo Dori shopping street is known as the "Old Ladies' Harajuku." Koganji Temple, home of the Togenuki Jizo (a splinter-removing Buddha) is located along Sugamo Street. It is very well known for curing the ill. People believe that if you pour water on a part of the statue and polish it with a cloth, ailments affecting the same part of your own body will disappear.
5. Ryogoku
Are you Sumo fan? Sumo is a Japanese style of wrestling and Japan's national sport. In the Ryogoku district, you will find the Ryogoku Kokugikan, Sumo Stadium, many sumo stables, chanko restaurants, and other sumo-related attractions. Sumo fuel foods are the places where sumo wrestlers live and train. You may come across Sumo wrestlers by chance or may be able to view the Sumo practice in the early morning. Chanko Nabe is the staple food of Sumo wrestlers. It is a hot pot that comes in many varieties and contains seafood, chicken, beef, tofu, and lots of vegetables. Many restaurants in the area serve it, so give it a try. You can also visit Edo-Tokyo Museum to learn about Tokyo's history and culture, ukiyo-e museums, Sumida Hokusai Museum to see ukiyo-e paintings, and Yokoamicho Park, which commemorates the two most destructive events to hit the capital during the 20th century.
6. Shinbashi Yurakucho Gado-shita
“Gado-shita,” a commercial strip located under the JR Yamanote train line between the Shinbashi and Yurakucho stations, is the perfect place to find cheap drinks in Tokyo. This area is filled with small bars and restaurants that are often visited by men and women after work. For a reasonable price, you can sample authentic Japanese dishes with Shochu or Sake and shout “Kanpai” with the locals amid the musical vibrations of trains passing overhead. After you warm up, you can check out Ginza. Known for its refined atmosphere and prestige, Ginza offers a wide selection of nightlife activities for people looking for a classy night out.
7. Tokyo Odaiba Oedo Onsen Monogatari
If you want to take time out from your busy travel schedule, take a day trip to Hakone and Atami and enjoy an “onsen” (hot spring). If you don’t have a lot of time to spare, but still want to experience it, Tokyo Odaiba Oedo Onsen Monogatari is a hot spring theme park where visitors can relax. It is located in Odaiba, Tokyo’s Bay Area. It is a natural hot spring complete with an indoor and outdoor bath, steam bath, foot bath, and other types of baths. You can also enjoy the attractions, shopping, and restaurants that make this a theme park. The onsen will not only warm and relax you, but also entertain you in the Japanese way.
Lastly, here’s another post to help first-time travellers prepare for their Japan trip: General Tips & Etiquette for Foreign Travelers in Japan written by Local Guide and Connect Moderator @iyudhi. In it, you’ll learn “when in Japan, do as the Japanese do.”
Would you like to add any places to the list? Or have you visited any of places before? Tell us in the comments below!
