Tokyo: Japan’s Thriving Metropolis.
Japan’s bustling capital, Tokyo, is filled with excitement and iconic landmarks. A city of towering skyscrapers, sprawling neon lights, bustling streets, and traditional temples, Tokyo is a contrast of old and new. This city brilliantly combines old-world traditions and cultural heritage with the constant innovations of a modern, dazzling metropolis and offers an experience like no other.
A vibrant hotspot for locals and tourists alike, Tokyo has an abundance of mouth-watering culinary delights to tantalize any taste buds, and with tons of shopping districts, you can grab bargains galore. To top it all off, the city is also home to numerous attractions from historic shrines and gardens, to ample religious shrines and views of dynamic, futuristic architecture.
No matter what you’re looking for — from culture and characters, to food, shopping, and scenery — Tokyo has something for everyone. Follow us on this journey to uncover all the great things about Tokyo and find out why it is the world’s largest urban agglomeration.
Experience Nature and History
Tokyo is rich in historical sites, many of which date all the way back to the Edo, Meiji, and Taisho periods. Some of the major places of interest include timeless gardens, such as Hama-rikyu Gardens and Kyu-Shiba Rikyu Gardens, which feature traditional bridges and ponds surrounded by lush greenery. If you’re looking for something a little more modern, Mori Building in the Roppongi Hills area combines vibrant views of Tokyo’s skyline with artwork and a library.
Rather than simply uncovering Tokyo’s past, you can also be immersed in it at the Asakusa’s Senso-ji Temple, an ancient Buddhist temple that traces back to 645 AD. This grand temple is decorated with traditional deities, such as its bright orange lantern, called the “Nioh-gata”. To get the best of Tokyo’s historic sites, the Toshodai-ji Temple near Nara is worth a visit too.
Sink Your Teeth into Tokyo Cuisine
Tokyo is not only abundant in attractions, it also has an array of delicious cuisine that can be found almost everywhere in the city. From exquisite sushi to ramen noodles, tempura, soba, udon, and kaiseki (a traditional multi-course Japanese feast), Tokyo serves it all.
If you’re feeling brave, you can kick it up a notch and try some of Tokyo’s most exotic and wild dishes, like ajitama, or boiled egg with a wobbly centre, and sakura shrimp, or boiled shrimp served with soy sauce. You can even try takoyaki, which is a grilled octopus ball.
Shop ’til You Drop
Nowhere else can you be serenaded with the constant ring of street vendors as you wander through shopping districts in Tokyo. The ultimate shopping paradise, Tokyo has abundant shopping areas including the famous Ginza and Shibuya districts, both well-known for their bright neon lights and big billboards.
Ginza features some of the world’s most recognizable brands such as Dior, Prada, and Louis Vuitton and stores like Mitsukoshi, the world-famous department store. In Shibuya, electronic stores that have plenty of gadgets and gaming consoles, trendy fashion stores, and unique souvenir shops dominate the streets. There are also areas of Tokyo that are more local and contain more traditional Japanese items such as Japanese swords, kimono, and pottery.
The city really comes alive at night and you can find yourself stumbling across street markets, outdoor concerts, and off-the-beaten-track bars and restaurants. With so much to do and explore, Tokyo is an exhilarating and eccentric city.
So, whether you are drawn to the old or the new, Tokyo is sure to provide you with days of fascinating exploration and experiences. With so much to offer, Tokyo is a city not to be missed and you are sure to leave inspired.
