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Tokyo is a bustling, busy, crowded city and you will love every second of it. How many other cities in the world where you can see ancient temples squeezed in between huge modern sky scrapers and look like it belongs? It is a unique experience. Tokyo is a hub for nightlife, tons of restaurants from mom and pop (strongly recommend trying, the food is amazing) to large high class restaurants that offer one of a kind cuisine, to bars, and lots of shopping (I mean shopping malls that are like self contained cities). Amongst it all you can also find culture like museums and historical sites. Unfortunately, due to Japan's history of natural disasters and as a result of aerial bombing during WWII, many of the historic temples and castles were destroyed. Fortunately, many have been rebuilt and restored for our generation to enjoy. Most were rebuilt more than once (due to fires and earthquakes) but what is so amazing about japanese culture is that they take such great care in rebuilding their history by using the same tools and methods of that period. |
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Tokyo is devided into 23 wards, each offering something different. Shinjuku is known for the largest and also the busiest train station in the world; called Shinjuku Station. It is virtually a self-contained underground city. Over 3 million people pass through this train station every day! My husband and I got lost every time we arrived back to the station, because of it's countless number of exits. It is also known for its enormous department stores which surround the station. Chuo ward is best know for Ginza the most exclusive and most expensive shopping and fashion area in Tokyo, Japan. Shibuya ward is best known for Harajuku - the birth place for Japanese teen fads and outlandish fashion of Japan. Taito ward is best known for Akihabara, the Electronics Center. Akihabara consists of over 500 stores dedicated exclusively to electronics spanning multiple blocks and multi-level buildings. You'll find all sorts of imaginable (as well as some unimaginable) electronics, computers, games, and anime merchandise. Duty Free Shops are also present. |
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The Main Shrine at Meiji |
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You will also be surprised to find a lot of familiar American franchises like Starbucks, 7/11, AM/PM, KFC, Wendy's and of course McDonalds. The menus are different from what we are used to in America. If you want a quick snack to hold you over try rice triangles that have fillings from salmon to vegetables. You can find them at 7/11 or AM/PM. They are really good and cheap. |
For such a huge and crowded city you would expect it to be dirty and full of garbage Nope. You will not find a single piece of trash or cigarette butt on the ground. My husband and I were very surprised consider how difficult it was to find a trash can. When you walk through Tokyo or especially Shinjuku it will give you a feeling that the entire Japan smokes. It is difficult to find a person without a cigarette. And another quick tip when you take the bullet train unless you smoke DO NOT book a seat in a smoking cabin. My husband and I tried that because we were in a hurry and there were no seats available in the regular cabins thinking how bad can it be? Well very bad. We got in and got out a second later. The entire cabin was covered in smoke where you could not see the other end of the cabin and breathing well forget about. |
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Some of the best places to see in Tokyo |
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Meiji Shrine |
The Meiji Shrine was build in 1920 to commemorate the virtues of Emperor Meiji (122nd emperor of Japan) and his consort, Empress Shoken. However the original Meiji Shrine was burned down during WWII and the shrine that we see today was rebuilt in 1958. The shrine consists of The Main Shrine, The Inner Shrine, The Outer Shrine, and The Tresure Hall. |
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Tokyo Tower |
The Tokyo Tower opened in 1958 and stands 333m (1092ft) tall which is taller than the Eiffel Tower. The first observatory is located at 150m (492ft) that offers 360 degree views of the Kanto region of Tokyo. For an additional cost you can go up to the second observatory that is located at 250m (820ft). From up there you can see as far as Mt. Fuji. At the foot of the Tokyo Tower you will find tons of restaurants and shops full of souvenirs. You will also find an AQUARIUM, TOKYO WAX MUSEUM, GUINESS WORLD RECORD MUSEUM and much more. It can take up half of your day. |
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Charm Stand on the grounds of Meiji Shrine |
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