In Tokyo, life moves at a frantic rate; yesterday's new idea is tomorrow's forgotten dream. The city exudes an amazing energy, dazzling with its traditional culture and passion for everything new.
Despite all its glowing neon, traffic, people and high-tech gadgetry, Tokyo has a more traditional side. If you dig a little you will find unexpected glimpses of its cultural heart beating beneath the glittering shopping districts. Every neighbourhood has a small Shinto Shrine and a Sento or public baths. Tokyo's brilliance lies in this unique blend and intertwining the old and new, modern and traditional, it's a hyperurban cosmopolis that you can come to absolutely love.
Things to see and do:
If it swims in the sea, it is more than likely on sale at Tsukiji Fish Market, the largest and greatest fish market in the world, opening around 3am everyday with the tuna auctions beginning at 5am. Walking around the market you will see fish of all sorts and sizes from the infinite varieties of shellfish to row upon row of colossal tuna and species of fish you've never seen before.
The outer market is where you can indulge in the gastronomic delights of everything Japan has to offer. Dine in one of the many small sushi restaurants knowing that the fish you are eating is as fresh as it can be.
Shinjuku is the image of modem Japan with its flashing neon, pop culture, soaring glass skyscrapers, outrageous fashion that changes from week to week.
The cosmopolitan area of Roppongi is well known for its amazing nightlife, excellent dining scene and boutique shops and some of the best hotels in Asia, but there are also quiet tree-lined boulevards and peaceful gardens to relax in, you can catch an outdoor artistic performance or simply marvel at the beauty of the area. Roppongi is not for everyone, but it is well worth an afternoon or evening to experience.
Akihabara also known as Electric Town is the hub of the Japanese electronics industry, here you will find thousands of small shops selling every hi-tech gadget imaginable and some unimaginable as well. Japanese pop culture is a phenomenon that has reached far around the world. Sunday afternoons being a fun time to visit as you will see all the anime heroes come to life. It's a busy, bustling area, but fun to watch.
Asakusa is a more sedate district with its many shrines and temples. The most famous of these is the Sensoji or Asakusa Kannon, Tokyo's largest Buddhist temple and a major attraction for local Japanese worshippers. Close by is the Asakusa Jinja, this Shinto Shrine is simple, maybe not a lot to look at, but it comes to life during the Sanja Matsuri festival. Not far away is Kitchen Town, a must for any budding cook in search of a hand crafted Japanese knife or a little gadget or two.
West of Tokyo is the mountainous area known as Hakone, famous for the active volcanically Fuji Hakone Izu National Park and with Lake Ashinoko, famous for its hot springs and excellent views over Mount Fuji.
The iconic Mount Fuji is Japan's highest mountain, and on a clear day it is visible from Tokyo. Mount Fuji has been immortalised in countless paintings and images of Japan. July and August are the months in which you can climb this holy mountain, an excellent time as Tokyo is sweltering in 40 degree heat. It should be noted that Mount Fuji is extremely shy and is shrouded in clouds most of the time, so don't be too sad if you don't see this magical mountain during your stay.
Things to see and do:
If it swims in the sea, it is more than likely on sale at Tsukiji Fish Market, the largest and greatest fish market in the world, opening around 3am everyday with the tuna auctions beginning at 5am. Walking around the market you will see fish of all sorts and sizes from the infinite varieties of shellfish to row upon row of colossal tuna and species of fish you've never seen before.
The outer market is where you can indulge in the gastronomic delights of everything Japan has to offer. Dine in one of the many small sushi restaurants knowing that the fish you are eating is as fresh as it can be.
Shinjuku is the image of modem Japan with its flashing neon, pop culture, soaring glass skyscrapers, outrageous fashion that changes from week to week.
The cosmopolitan area of Roppongi is well known for its amazing nightlife, excellent dining scene and boutique shops and some of the best hotels in Asia, but there are also quiet tree-lined boulevards and peaceful gardens to relax in, you can catch an outdoor artistic performance or simply marvel at the beauty of the area. Roppongi is not for everyone, but it is well worth an afternoon or evening to experience.
Akihabara also known as Electric Town is the hub of the Japanese electronics industry, here you will find thousands of small shops selling every hi-tech gadget imaginable and some unimaginable as well. Japanese pop culture is a phenomenon that has reached far around the world. Sunday afternoons being a fun time to visit as you will see all the anime heroes come to life. It's a busy, bustling area, but fun to watch.
Asakusa is a more sedate district with its many shrines and temples. The most famous of these is the Sensoji or Asakusa Kannon, Tokyo's largest Buddhist temple and a major attraction for local Japanese worshippers. Close by is the Asakusa Jinja, this Shinto Shrine is simple, maybe not a lot to look at, but it comes to life during the Sanja Matsuri festival. Not far away is Kitchen Town, a must for any budding cook in search of a hand crafted Japanese knife or a little gadget or two.
West of Tokyo is the mountainous area known as Hakone, famous for the active volcanically Fuji Hakone Izu National Park and with Lake Ashinoko, famous for its hot springs and excellent views over Mount Fuji.
The iconic Mount Fuji is Japan's highest mountain, and on a clear day it is visible from Tokyo. Mount Fuji has been immortalised in countless paintings and images of Japan. July and August are the months in which you can climb this holy mountain, an excellent time as Tokyo is sweltering in 40 degree heat. It should be noted that Mount Fuji is extremely shy and is shrouded in clouds most of the time, so don't be too sad if you don't see this magical mountain during your stay.
