Tokyo

You cannot visit Tokyo and not visit a karaoke bar! What better place than the one where Bill Murray sings “More Than This”? Tokyo is fun and exhilarating and full of energy.

Must-see things to do are: get a shiatsu massage, take one of the super-fast trains, go to a sumo wrestling contest, visit a Shinto shrine, take a look at the amazing Shibuya Crossing, and visit the Ebisu neighborhood for sushi.

If you are a foodie you will not want to miss the Tokyo Fish Market. If you are a shopaholic, then visit Shibuya Shopping for fashion finds and Omotesando for its many boutiques and cafes.

Top 10 things to do in Tokyo

1. Find a night view. In the biggest city in the world, it’s well worth it to make sure that you take in the view from above at least once. There are a few options. Tokyo Tower (#7 on the list!) is one option. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government towers in Shinjuku, however, are the highest point in the city, and are absolutely free.

2. Have a blast at Disney Sea and Tokyo Disneyland. These two theme parks are immensely popular among Tokyoites,

3. Go to Harajuku on a Sunday morning. Harajuku is a hip, fashion-forward district near Shibuya, and its peculiar Sunday traditions have become world famous. Young people in elaborate, mind-blowing costumes hang out near the train station, posing for pictures and generally socializing.

4. Yoyogi Park is one of the most popular parks in Tokyo. And it just happens to be located right beside Harajuku Station, making it an ideal way to spend the rest of your afternoon after checking out Harajuku’s Sunday gang. An internationally diverse crowd visits the park each weekend to drink and picnic, and people are generally friendly and ready to share. Musicians, drummers, dancers, and all sorts of other types can be found performing, drinking, and eating.

5. Browse Akihabara. Akihabara is the epicenter of manga, gaming, and anime culture in Japan, and the geek culture that surrounds this lively district is unique and entertaining, even for the non-nerd. Costumed girls advertising maid cafes abound, electronics can be bought on the cheap, and multi-story comic stores are on every corner.

6. Visit Asakusa, then head to Sensōji Temple. Asakusa is home to a variety of temples and shrines, so you’re likely to see several, but Sensōji is the most famous for a reason. Asakusa is also home to great restaurants, small shops, and outdoor shopping arcades, a great place to find souvenirs. It’s a great place to get a taste of the “Old Tokyo” feel, and you can also take a charming boat ride down the Sumiya River.

7. Have some sushi at the Tsukiji Fish Market. It doesn’t get fresher than this. 1,600 stalls sell a dizzying array of sea creatures, some of which might surprise you. Many offer free samples. Things get crowded, so be careful not to knock anything over, and don’t touch the fish! Tsukiji is best visited early in the morning, when it’s bustling and fresh.

8. Go to an arcade. Tokyo arcades are numerous and something to behold. Akihabara has large ones, and many can also be found in West Shinjuku, near the bus station. Even if you’re not interested in arcades, you’re sure to find some surprising and weird games on offer, and throughout the evening young people will be hitting it hard – arcades are a popular date spot. They almost always also have “purikura”, high-tech photo booths that print stickers, extremely popular among girls and young women.

9. Walk across Shibuya’s “Scramble”. Shibuya has the largest pedestrian crosswalk in the world, right outside the station. Home to thousands of stores, restaurants, and clubs, Shibuya is one of the biggest shopping and night-life hotspots in the entire world. Simply wandering around Shibuya and taking in the sights is an excellent way to immerse yourself in Tokyo’s busier side.

10. Ueno is home not only to the excellent Ueno Zoo, but also several of Japan’s best museums, including the Tokyo National Museum and the National Science Museum. These are all situated in and around the equally pleasant Ueno Park.

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