October, 2011

My first trip to Japan was in 2011 and to be honest I wasn’t that excited to go.  The thought of the culture, the food, and the language – I don’t speak it, I can’t read it, and I don’t understand it – it all seemed so overwhelming at the time. I honestly didn’t really know what to expect.  I just knew that I needed something drastically different to shock my system into a full re-set, so off I went to explore this ultramodern, yet traditional country.

Something you will learn about me is I do not prefer large cities when traveling, as my preference is always for a small-town vibe, getting off the beaten path and completely immersing myself into the culture.  I still incorporate trips to the larger cities to see the sights, experience the busyness, but usually limit my stays to between 48 to 72 hours.

Tokyo, Japan’s capital, is by far the busiest city I have ever experienced.  From neon-lit skyscrapers, to historic temples, it has something for everyone.  You can people watch until your head literally spins, feel like a real-life cartoon character, and even get Sapporo beer in vending machines throughout the city.  Come along with me and let’s explore Tokyo in just two days!

First up – where to stay?  The Courtyard by Marriott Tokyo Ginza is a 5 minute walk to the subway station, essential for getting around the city, and a 10-minute walk to the Tsukiji Fish Market.  

Since you are almost there, start with the Tsukiji Fish Market.  The activity starts early, so you will definitely want to visit early in the morning to get a glimpse of the action at this market.  Enjoy wandering through the narrow alleys exploring all the shops. It is a unique experience.

Make your way to the Sensoji Temple, the oldest temple in the city. Of course, grab your picture with the five-story pagoda.  You will feel like you have left the ultra-modern part of the city, having entered traditional Tokyo here. After exploring the temple, make your way to the Nakamise shopping street which connects the temple, the Kaminarimon gate and the main hall. It is lined with souvenir shops and food stalls.  Besides grabbing traditional souvenirs such as folding fans, this is the perfect location to try some local snacks.  I recommend grabbing an affordably-priced seafood bowl sourced locally from the market and finishing with Ningyo Yaki, a sweet cake filled with red bean paste.

Make your way to Akihabara, the buzzing shopping hub for all electronic goods or your next character collection if that is your jam.  Department stores to tiny stalls with toys, cards and collectibles galore.  I recommend having an afternoon tea at one of the animal or maid cafés as you will find quite a selection here.  Sip and people watch for hours of endless entertainment.  

Depart for Shibuya Crossing, my true ‘welcome to Tokyo’ moment.  It is rumoured to be the busiest intersection in the world, upwards of 3000 people flood the intersection when traffic from 7 crossroads comes to a halt.  Immerse yourself in the chaos or, if that seems overwhelming, you can still enjoy the atmosphere from Mag’s Park, the rooftop of the Shibuya department store.  This will still offer great photos with no need to interact with people. This by far was the most overwhelming moment for me in this city.

Want to enjoy a little Paris romance on the busy streets in Tokyo?  Venture toward the “Eiffel tower” of Japan, the Toyko Tower, standing 333m high in the centre of Tokyo. It offers a fantastic bird’s eye view of the city that you will not want to miss.

Finish your first day with the unique experience of visiting the Robot Restaurant in Shinjuku.  The main attraction here is the entertainment, not the food! Enjoy the bright lights, music, cabaret dancers and of course, robots!  From here, while en-route back to the hotel it is definitely worth visiting one of the many karaoke bars where the trend originated and belt out a few tunes! A few Sapporo’s deep and you will be joining in with the locals singing all your favourite hits! Or maybe that was just me?

Feeling rested and ready for another day of adventure?  Head to the Mitaka District to visit the Ghibli Museum.  It’s an animation studio which feels like a hidden secret located in the lush Inokashira Park.  Welcome to the gateway into Ghibli’s animated world where you can have fun embracing your inner child while exploring the beauty and wonder of art and animation. 

I like to pair new world with old world charms, so next up is the Fukagawa Edo Museum.  It houses a whole life-sized town with shops, homes and the daily goods.  It has been recreated down to the last detail highlighting the lifestyle of people from the Edo period (1603-1867). This by far was my favourite museum in Tokyo and wasn’t over-crowded and offered lots of history and education.

From there, head to the Odaiba area passing the colorful Rainbow bridge toward the Venus Fort, the European-style mall. A Venetian themed interior with artificial sky lined with stores and restaurants.  Across the way is the Megaweb Toyota City Showcase for new and future technology, which is definitely worth a tour.  Finishing the day on the Daikanransha Ferris Wheel, you will have the best night views of the gulf, the bridge and the tower before heading back to your hotel.