Many of my friends and family are coming to Japan for holiday this year. They thought that I can give them super cool advices or recommend them nice tourist attraction since I have stayed in Kantou region for almost 3 years.
"Is it cold?"
"Where to visit?"
"Any earthquake?"
"How's the radioactive leakage in Fukushima?"
These are the common questions asked.
Japan is a very peaceful and safe country despite the occasional mild earthquakes. Most of them has magnitude 3 or lesser and there is very few chances that the earthquake will hit magnitude 4 or more. As for the radioactive concern, trust me, the Japanese are a paranoid society. If they can live like nothing wrong is going on, then it means that everything is just fine. So just relax and put all that fear out of your mind and enjoy the beautiful Japan.
I believe everyone knows that Tokyo is a big metropolitan with a lot to offer. So what exactly are the must visits if one has only got limited time? After considered them for quite some time, this is the list that I personally feel that you shouldn't miss out if you are visiting Tokyo.
1. Tokyo Sky Tree
Tokyo Sky Tree (東京スカイツリー) is a broadcasting, restaurant, and observation tower in Sumida, Tokyo, Japan. It has replaced the Tokyo Tower as the "Tower of Japan" since 2011. With a height of 634 meters (634 can be read as "Musashi", a historic name of the Tokyo Region), it is the tallest building in Japan and the second tallest structure in the world at the time of its completion. Visitors are able to enjoy the panoramic view of the city from the observation deck. A large shopping complex with aquarium is located at its base.
2. Tokyo Tower
Tokyo Tower(東京タワー) is a communications and observation tower located in Shiba Park, Minato, Tokyo, Japan. With 333 meters, Tokyo Tower is the world's tallest self-supporting steel tower. Visitors can ascend to the main observatory at 150 meters and the special observatory at 250 meters to get a bird's eye view of Tokyo. Under good weather conditions, Mount Fuji can be seen in the distance. An wax museum and several more attractions can be found on the ground floors of the tower. I am not sure about the others but I really do think that Tokyo Tower look a lot like Paris Eiffel Tower. The only difference is that it is in red and white and maybe a little shorter than the Paris sweetheart.
3. Shibuya & Harajuku
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| Shibuya Crossroad |
Shibuya(渋谷) and Harajuku(原宿) are undoubtedly the heaven for fashionista. Not only they have various shops from Cosplay to international brands, street fashion lovers are fearless about showing off their style and often seen at every corner of the street as if a live catwalk is going on. For the girls, do not missed out Shibuya 109 shopping heaven that has 10 floors of various shops offering different brands of Japanese brand accessories, apparels and footwear. Men that loves fashion should not feel disappointed as you can visit 109 Men's located just opposite of Shibuya 109.
For Harajuku visitors, do not missed out Omotesando, a broad, tree lined avenue sometimes referred to as Tokyo's Champs-Elysees. Here you can find famous brand name shops, cafes and restaurants for a more adult client. While Takeshita Dori, a teenage culture side streets, which are lined by many trendy shops, fashion boutiques, used clothes stores, crepe stands and fast food outlets geared towards the fashion and trend conscious teens.
4. Asakusa
Asakusa (浅草) is a district in Taitō, Tokyo, Japan. The main attraction is Sensoji (浅草寺, Sensōji, also known as Asakusa Kannon Temple), a Buddhist temple built in the 7th century located at the center of Tokyo. Kaminarimon, the first of two large entrance gates leading to Sensoji Temple is popular among tourists too. Asakusa can easily be explored on foot. Alternatively, you can consider a guided tour on a rickshaw (jinrikisha, literally "man powered vehicle"). A 30 minute tour for two persons costs around 8000 yen. Shorter and longer courses are also available. From Asakusa's nearby bridge--Azumabashi(吾妻橋) , you can have the perfect view of Tokyo Sky Tree.
5. Odaiba
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| Rainbow Bridge from Odaiba square |
Odaiba (お台場) is a large artificial island in Tokyo Bay, Japan, across the Rainbow Bridge from central Tokyo, featuring many hypermodern and just plain strange buildings. Odaiba is in the waterfront area and a definite must-see place in Tokyo where the whole family can enjoy the day. The area is now a very popular shopping and entertainment destination.
6. Akihabara
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| photo from starshadowx2.deviantart.com |
Akihabara (秋葉原), also known as Akiba is a district in central Tokyo, that is famous for its many electronics shops. It is absolute that Akihabara is the largest town collecting all kinds of electronic appliances and devices in the world. They offer everything from the newest computers, cameras, televisions, mobile phones, electronics parts and home appliances to second-hand goods and electronic junk.
7. Tsukiji
8. DisneyTheme Park
Tsukiji (築地市場) is the world's largest, most famous of over ten wholesale markets that handle the distribution of fish, meat, produce and flowers in metropolitan Tokyo. Over 2,000 tons of marine products are handled per day. The main reason for going at 5 a.m. is to catch the live tuna auctions. The number of visitors to the tuna auction is limited to 120 per day, the maximum number which the market's infrastructure can accommodate. Tourists, who wish to see the auction, have to apply at the Osakana Fukyu Center (Fish Information Center) at the Kachidoki Gate, starting from 5:00am on a first-come, first-serve basis (may start earlier on busy days). A first group of 60 visitors will be admitted to the auction between 5:25 and 5:50, while a second group of 60 visitors will be admitted between 5:50 and 6:15. A visit to Tsukiji Market is best combined with a fresh sushi breakfast or lunch at one of the local restaurants.
8. DisneyTheme Park
9. Maid Cafe
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| photo from Google |
Maid cafés (メイド喫茶 / メイドカフェ, Meido kissa / Meido kafe) are a subcategory of cosplay restaurants found predominantly in Japan, where guests are served by waitresses that are typically dressed as French maids. In addition to serving food, the maids engage in conversation and games with the customers and treat them with the care and respectful language due to the master of a house.
10. Purikura Booth
Purikura(プリクラ) is the shortened form of the trademarked name プリント倶楽部(purintokurabu) or Print Club, are Japanese photo booths that let you take digital pictures with your friends and then decorate and edit them using a touch screen and stylus. Purikura booths can be found at shopping areas and arcades around Japan and are incredibly popular among the Japanese. Strike a pose and snap on!
Hope you have a great time in Tokyo Japan.
Maid cafe sounds good
ReplyDeleteThere are various Maid Cafe to try out! =)
Deletewoots wanna try the photobooth! haha so cute :p
ReplyDeleteYes! A must-do when you are in Japan!
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