My Top Ten things to do in TOKYO
1. Go to the MEIJI JINGU shrine in HARAJUKU. I think it's the most beautiful shrine in Tokyo, and if you go at the weekend you will often see lots of traditional shinto weddings going on. At New Year's this place is packed with people hoping for luck in the coming year, and around Shichgosan, you can see tonnes of cute kids in traditional kimonos. Make sure you have a 5-yen coin to make a wish.
2. SENSOJI TEMPLE, in Asakusa. It has a cool gateway and a very fun shopping arcade before this very active temple where you can have your fortune told with sticks. Don't forget to take a look around the gardens, check out the huge sandel, and of course, make a wish again.
3. Wander around SHINJUKU and SHIBUYA. They are best seen at night. Eat here. Shop here. Drink here. Oh, and do karaoke here. I like them much better than the skankier ROPPONGI, but there is an insane karaoke place which looks like a big cave. Try it, if you dare.
4. Go see some Kabuki at the KABUKI-ZA in GINZA. It aint fun, but it's intereting. Do NOT do this if you are jet-lagged, tired or hungover. You WILL fall asleep!
5. Go to the EDO-TOKYO MUSEUM. It's really cool. If you like museums, go also to the National Art Museum in Ueno Park.
6. Check out HARAJUKU on a Sunday. On your way to Meiji Jingu, there's an area where lots of cos-players gather (kids dressed up as anime characters etc.). Some of the costumes are amazing. And if you're lucky, you might get to see a little Japanese band playing on the street corner. Also, check out the main shopping street opposite the station for some fun fashion. At the end of this road, take a right and walk a bit and you'll come across a flee market which is really cool. This market is open the first sunday morning of every month only.
7. If it's spring or Autumn, go for a walk around the IMPERIAL PALACE GARDENS. They're really pretty, but not recommended if it's bastard hot as there aint much shade, or bastard cold, because you'll feel more like your in a place of desolation and despair rather than a garden. Personally, I think the palace itself is a bit of a waste of time because it's a really long walk to see a corner of a building and a bridge.
8. AKIHABARA. Buy all your electrical good here. This place is quite fun just to wander round a bit because it's insane.
9. If you have the time, take a day-trip to NIKKO. There are tonnes of very cool temples in really quite pretty surroundings. Make sure you go on a weekday or the place is heeeeaaaving.
10. Go into one of the many entertainment centres and go find the Taiko Game (recognisable for its two big drums). Then go forth and play. Once completed, go find photo booths and take some. Once this is done, exit buiding and proceed to find a karaoke joint when you should order a nomihodai (drink all you can) for two hors whilst singing your little tonsils out. hoorah! |
