Tokyo, Japan
I knew that I would love Japan before I ever visited. Its reputation for unique fashion and eccentric experiences were something that I needed to see for myself. I first visited a few years ago and was thrilled to find that it lived up to my expectations. I visited Tokyo during my first trip and in July I returned to Tokyo for the second time. I had to make sure that it was still as awesome as I remembered it being during my first trip.
There is so much to see and do in Tokyo that longer trips are ideal for this destination. I arrived in Tokyo after a 3h30 min bullet train ride from Kyoto. It was my first time on a bullet train and was a smooth ride. Seeing the beautiful nature backdrops and cities that I have yet to visit was an awesome way to be exposed to new destinations that I will return to in the future. Japan has the most efficient and extensive public transportation system that I have ever seen.
For accommodations, I booked Tokyo Stay Shinjuku because it included a continental breakfast, was close to the train station and I really enjoyed staying in Shinjuku during my last trip. Tokyo Stay hotel rooms are compact but clean. Fresh coffee is provided in the lobby all day and the breakfast buffet held in the restaurant next door has a good variety of choices. Due to it being a popular tourist destination, Tokyo hotels can be relatively expensive depending how far in advance you reserve a room.
The weather in Tokyo was significantly hotter and more humid than Kyoto or Shirahama that I visited immediately before Tokyo. Stepping into the air outside the hotel felt like a sauna. Wearing cool clothing, staying hydrated and carrying a handheld fan are important to comfortably enjoy your Tokyo trip during the summer.
Things to do in Tokyo
Shinjuku
Shinjuku streets
Shinjuku at night
This is a great neighborhood to find accommodations for first time visitors. It is home to some great restaurants and is centrally located for sightseeing. During my trip to Japan, I did not eat a bad meal. Kobe beef and wagyu are incredible in Tokyo and should be included into your dining experience. Great shopping options and a multitude of entertainment options are found here. Shinjuku has a vibrant nightlife scene of bars and nightclubs. The gay district called Ni-chōme and the red-light district called Kabukichō are both found here. For the gamers, multi-level arcades are plentiful offering modern and classic video games.
Kabukichō
Kabukichō street
This is one of my favorite places to visit. Densely populated at all hours of the day and night, it feels like a cleaner version of Times Square in New York. Full of bright lights and tall buildings, I love the aesthetics of this neighborhood. Multi-level colorful arcades line the streets. Fashionistas dressed in chic attire and Harajuku style walk around the lively streets. Promotors stand outside of restaurants to entice you with delicious meals. Pretty ladies are outside of bars and clubs entice debauchery. Girl bars are widespread throughout Kabukichō offering companionship to visitors. I’ve never been inside of one but I thoroughly enjoyed the bar and nightclub scene. Kabukichō is very visually stimulating and always offers a good time.
Harajuku Street
Takeshita Street
For fashion lovers, Takeshita Street is the best place to acquire trendy or unique Japanese clothing items and souvenirs. Stores are brightly colored and trendsetters can be seen walking the streets of this popular neighborhood. Delicious dessert and boba shops are widespread along this street providing fuel to shop until you drop. For the ladies, this is a great place to pick up stylish platform shoes that are difficult to find elsewhere. If you are looking to elevate your fashion sense for a reasonable price, this is the place to go!
Ginza
Luxury items and popular high-end brands are found here. Chic cafes and restaurants line the streets and this is the place to visit for those interested in fine dining and eating at Michelin-star restaurants.
Animal Cafes
Puppy at an animal café
Cat cafes are popular throughout Tokyo. Adorable kittens in glass containers can be seen from the street tempting you to enter and take a closer look. I loved the cafes that showcased rambunctious puppies playing together. Depending on the café users may be able to adopt the pets that are showcased. Some cafes even have many pigs or owls Please be aware that some cafes engage in unethical practices so please only patronize ethical establishments.
Temples
Meiji Jingu Shrine
Torii gate
This popular Shinto shrine is located in Shibuya, Tokyo. Compared to other historical shrines in Tokyo, this is relatively newer having been built in 1920. Admission is free and is easily accessible by public transportation. It is conveniently located next to the Harajuku train station. The grounds are massive and it’s easy to spend the whole day wandering around inside. A beautiful forest, large shrine, museum, and peaceful garden are all present on the grounds. A refreshment center with an assortment of food and drink options and restrooms is found soon after entering the torii gate.
Sake barrels
Wine barrels showcased directly across from sake barrels
There is a significant contrast between the bustling city just outside the gates and peacefulness of entering the walking trail. The trail leading inside is surrounded by lush trees and greenery. I really appreciate how well Japan integrates natural beauty seamlessly into city life. Beautifully decorated sake barrels are found along the path donated by sake brewers for celebrations and commemorate the deceased Emperor Meiji and his wife Empress Shoken. The barrels were provided as offerings to the gods. Like many shrines and temples throughout Japan, there were posted requests for no photography so I was unable to capture images of the actual Meiji Jingu shrine.
Kakuun-tei
Pond inside the Inner Garden of Meiji Shrine
There is a 500 Yen charge to enter the Meiji Shrine Inner Garden (Yoyogi Gyoen) and in my opinion it is worth paying to see what was once the Imperial gardens. The beauty of the garden grounds provides a peaceful oasis inside Tokyo city. Soon after entering the gardens, a lake filled with lily pads is a great place to pause and enjoy the scenery or pose for a photo. Overlooking the lake is a tea ceremony house called Kakuun-tei constructed for Empress Shoken. Kiyomasa’s Well (Kiyomasa no Ido) within the garden grounds holds cultural significance. Constructed during the Edo period, the well maintains a continuous flow of water and is believed to have healing properties and to provide positive energy. Meiji Jingu Shrine is a short walk to Takeshita Street and these two activities may be easily grouped together in a single day.
Shinjuku Garden (Shinjuku Gyoen)
Conveniently located within walking distance to Shinjuku train station, Shinjuku garden is a great place to enjoy a relaxing stroll. This popular botanical garden has a rich history having been created during the Edo period (1603-1868) and subsequently enjoyed by Imperial family. The entrance fee is 500 Yen for adults and admission for children 15 or younger is free. Check out the gazebo overlooking the lake for a serene atmosphere. Be sure to look for the beautiful Koi fish in the pond. Indigenous Japanese plants and endangered species are showcased in the conservation greenhouse. The garden grounds feature three garden styles including Japanese traditional, French formal and English landscape.
Asakusa
Sensō-ji main entrance
Buddha statue inside Sensō-ji
Asakusa is located about an hour outside of downtown Tokyo by public transportation and the unique character of this traditional Japanese district will enhance your cultural experience while in Japan. A short walk from the Asakusa station brings you to the Sensō-ji Buddhist temple. The temple is one of Tokyo’s oldest having been constructed in 645 AD. The temple is free to enter and the pathway leading up to it is full of venders offering a variety of trinkets and food or drinks. It’s a great place to find one-of-a-kind souvenirs or have a snack because food and drink is not allowed inside the temple.
The Sensō-ji grounds contain monuments, shrines and a temple that allows visitors to pray or meditate. Visitors provide coin offerings to the ancestors before praying. Posted signs request that photos are not taken inside the temple. Asakusa was traditionally known as the entertainment district and I was lucky to catch some live music at the temple.
Akihabara street
Akihabara
This is a must-see destination for anime lovers and video gamers. It is also popular amongst electronics enthusiasts. Colorful Harajuku fashion and multi-level arcades are abundant in this neighborhood. Arcades have an eclectic mix of old school and modern games and a visit to a few of these is a great way to experience Akihabara. I checked out some arcades in the evening and it was awesome to see the contrast of people still dressed in their business attire beside locals and visitors that were dressed down. Gaming seemed to be a great way to blow off steam after a long day. I’ve always wanted to try Dance Dance Revolution but have been too embarrassed but finally released my inhibitions and danced the night away at one of the arcades.
Mt. Fuji
Views of Mt. Fuji
Waterfall near Mt. Fuji
Nature lovers will appreciate the majestic beauty of this mountain peak surrounded by beautiful lake waters. The views of Mt. Fuji are unlike anything else that I saw in Japan. My bus tour a stop at the beautiful waterfalls and the gushing waters further added to the serenity of my day trip. Tokyo is such a vibrant and busy city and spending the day near mount Fuji allowed me the opportunity to step into a meditative mindset.
There is so much to see and do in Tokyo that I will keep returning so that I may appreciate all that this wonderful city has to offer.
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