Why should I visit Tokyo?
Why should I visit Tokyo?
Why should I visit Tokyo you may wonder. Well, there are actually a lot of reasons why Tokyo deserves at least a few full days on your Japan itinerary. It is hard to know where to start! As Tokyo experts, let us help you a bit by telling you what our favorite things are about our incredibly diverse city.
Tokyo Overview
If you look at Tokyo from far away, it looks like a concrete jungle that just stretches endlessly. Looking at it from above, you wouldn’t think that you would find many dozens of small neighborhoods with their very own character. But that is exactly what Tokyo is; an eclectic mix of diverse areas, sights, and things to do. Each area has its own vibe, and deserves to be discovered by discerning tourists who love to go a bit off the beaten path.
And if you have a keen eye, even in tourist hot spots like Asaksua, Shibuya, and Harajuku, if you wander away from the main street you will find so many hidden wonders. It is often behind the streets with the steady streams of people that you will find what a city’s true character is. Our guides definitely like to show you those spots as well in addition to interesting highlights.
Crazy Tokyo
Many people know Tokyo from TV and YouTube, in which often a kooky and crazy side of the metropolis is shown. Of course, this makes for entertaining content, so it only makes sense that this side of Tokyo is often shared. But the good thing is that in reality, you can also experience some of the craziness Tokyo has to offer even when you are only here for a few days.
Akihabara is one of the best neighborhoods to find some truly strange places like cuddle cafes, concerts of AKB48, and cafes catering to all kinds of niches such as trains, ninjas, gaming, or French maids. There are also a plethora of themed shops with mainly anime, manga, and game specialties. If you are a collector, you will also find yourself in heaven in either Akihabara or Nakano. And if you want to have our personal recommendations for offbeat places, check out this article.
Calming Tokyo
Have you had enough of the craziness, or are you looking for a different Tokyo experience altogether? Also if you are looking for quiet, peaceful environments, Tokyo has got you covered. There are several beautiful landscape gardens scattered around the city in which it is easy to forget that you are in the world’s largest metropolis. Some of our favorite Japanese gardens in Tokyo are the Koishikawa Korakuen, Kyu Shiba Rikyu Gardens, Happo-en, and the Kiyosumi Garden. The most famous garden in Tokyo is the Hamarikyu Garden.
There are several large, green parks as well in the city. Shinjuku Gyoen is very popular because of its gorgeous cherry blossoms and differently themed gardens. The Imperial East Garden is interesting with the beautiful moats. Ueno Park is green and full of interesting historical sites.
All mentioned gardens and parks are either free to enter or charge a nominal fee of a few hundred yen per person. We also recommend you to enjoy a cup of matcha tea which is for example possible in the Happo-en and Hamarikyu Garden. Finishing your evening in one of Tokyo’s onsen or sento is also a great way to unwind after a long day full of impressions. Tokyo Dome Spa LaQua is one of the city’s most centrally located onsen.
Historical Tokyo
You won’t see many buildings that date back to before WW2, as unfortunately Tokyo has been bombed heavily during the war and almost everything you see was (re)built after the war. However, this doesn’t mean that there is nothing historical to see in Tokyo.
There are a few areas which have been spared from the bombings such as Yanaka, and here you can still get a feel of what Tokyo must have felt like in the early 20th century. Also don’t skip Kagurazaka, one of Tokyo’s few leftover geisha districts and one of the most beautiful little neighborhoods.
And if you are interested in more modern history like the period between 1950-1990, there is still plenty to see in Tokyo. The late Showa period as it is called was a very interesting one, as Japan boomed economically once they started rebuilding the country after the war. These glory days can still be felt in certain areas of the city such as Shinjuku (Omoide Yokocho in particular) and Shimbashi.
Entertaining Tokyo
There is so much to do in terms of entertainment in Tokyo, that you will have to make choices. Let us just give you a few examples: a traditional performance at the kabuki theater, an intense experience at a 360 degree theater, immersive digital art, augmented arcades like Joypolis, and even a dinner with a sumo show in Hana no Mai. Or, of course, you could go see the real thing at the sumo stadium or during a morning practice.
Dining is something else in Japan’s capital. Boasting many Michelin-starred restaurants, there is no lack of (super) high end dining options. But also if you don’t want to spend large amounts of money, there are so many things you should try while in Tokyo!
Having a meal in an izakaya (Japanese gastropub), enjoying conveyor belt sushi, eating (standing up) at a noodle bar, digging into some yakiniku (Japanese barbecue) or shabushabu (Japanese hot pot), and going to a themed restaurant like Ninja Akasaka. It’s all so delectable that it will be hard to know where to start. If you want to get a great introduction into Tokyo’s dining scene by a local, our dinner food tour is a good option for you. The guide will let you dive into one of Tokyo’s best yokocho areas to experience a real local dinner.
Shopping in Tokyo
It really is shop till you drop in Tokyo! No matter what you are looking for, you can find it somewhere in Tokyo. Of course, fashionistas go to Ginza or Omotesando for high-end and mature shopping. Even just window-shopping is fun here because of the beautiful modern buildings that many of the big brands are housed in. Younger people are going to want to check out Shibuya (109) and Harajuku (Laforet) for the latest in Japanese fashion. Are you looking for something different? Vintage-lovers should head to Shimokitazawa.
But not everything is fashion when it comes to shopping. Many visitors in Tokyo have a great time checking out stores like Donkihote (crazy variety store), Tokyu Hands (all things arts and crafts), and the Loft (lifestyle store). For traditional souvenirs, it is best to go to specialty stores such as Ozu Washi for Japanese paper or Kyosendo for traditional fans.
Where to start in Tokyo
As you can see, there is simply too much to do, see, taste, and feel in Tokyo for just a few days. If you only have a few days, you will have to make choices based on what you are most interested in. Booking one of our private guides for a day will not only give you a fun and educational day, but the guide is also always happy to help you decide what you are going to do on your other days in Tokyo, based on their own experiences.
If you have any questions about Tokyo at all or want personal advice, please let us know!
