TOKYO

Tokyo; a city that never sleeps. 24 hours of action. With some of the biggest TV screens, neon lights and dazzling billboards that just captivate the tourists; this is really a city to be experienced.

Now just 45 minutes away on the new TX Tsukuba rail link, it has become much easier now to frequent the city of lights and to let your hair down. Besides being the nightlife area to experience, there are also many other attractions to visit and and to enjoy the Japanese cultural. Not only that, there are many other fascinating things to see and do in Tokyo.

This is a short list of some of the vast array of activities that await those that are inclined to immerse themselves into the life style that Japan has to offer the tourist.

A place, a city, a culture, an experience like no other never to be forgotten.

TOKYO　東京

Things to do in and around Tokyo:

Go and feed the doves at Asakusa’s SensojiTemple (Asakusa Station, Ginza Line). Walk through Asakusa towards Kappabashi-Dogu-gai, a street whose shops sell strictly items for food preparation (Asakusa Station, Ginza Line). Go to the Ninja Restaurant in Akasaka. Take a boat (“Water bus”) down Sumidagawa to Odaiba

In Odaiba, go to Venus Fort (Aomi Station, Yurikamome Line), a mall, that changes its ceiling’s color every hour. Also don’t miss Japan’s (possibly) biggest toilet complex inside Venus Fort. Village Vanguard is one of the craziest stores Japan has to offer. Drive in circles in the “Toyota Show Case” (Aomi Station, Yurikamome Line). Ride in the ferris wheel next to Venus Fort. Try to get scouted at Fuji TV (Daiba Station, Yurikamome Line)

Go to Ueno’s Ameya-Yoko-cho (Ueno Station, Joban-Line) to buy cheap and funny Engrish t-shirts. Don’t forget to visit one of the many museums in Ueno. Or go during the cherry blossom season; befriend a group of sarariiman and get a couple of free beers.

Go to a sumo tournament (usually in January, May and September) at the Kokugikan (Ryokoku Station, Soubu Line). If you can’t afford that visit one of the many sumo stables – the visit doesn’t cost anything. However, you have to make a “reservation” beforehand.

For another great view of Tokyo, go up the Tocho (Tokyo Metropolitan Office, Shinjuku) – after that, spend a day shopping for music in East-Shinjuku. You definitely should have your lunch among countless sarariiman in the Omoide-Yokocho, a street that has preserved it’s Showa-Era charm and offers great food in tiny restaurants. Head to Kabukicho to see the seedier side of Tokyo life. There’s also a cheap liquor store that sells whisky (Scotch, single malt) at very reasonable prices. If you liked Kill Bill, then go and see Hanzo Hattori's tomb.

Visit the MoriArt Museum in Roppongi Hills. Go up the platform to get a great view of Tokyo. Go partying in Roppongi and the next mornings… go to Tsukiji (fish market). Visit the Tsukiji Honganji, a temple that looks more like a Indian-Christian-Shinto amalgamation.Eat lunch at Inoue Ramen, allegedly Tokyo’s Soup Nazi.

Have a maccha cream frappuchino at Starbuck’s (inside Q front building, Shibuya). Watch the human traffic crossing the famous Hachiko crossing. Make friends with a ganguro girl. View a small Japanese film at one of Shibuya’s countless arthouse cinemas (“mini shiataa”). Fulfill your every shopping need at Shibuya’s Tokyu Hands. Spend the afternoon record shopping at recofan and Tower Records. Get your favorite newspaper (SA, NZ, CAN, USA, UK, IRL, AUS, anything is available) printed out at Tower Records. Eat dinner at Christon Café (open 5pm to 5am). Take a walk around Love Hotel Hill.

Arrive at Ginza’s Mitsukoshi to enter the department store precisely at 10 am in order to be greeted like a king/queen. Watch the hiru-no-bu Kabuki at Kabuki-za. Have a look at tomorrow’s technology at the Sony Showroom. Browse in the MacStore.

Go to Nikko – and say “kekko” (Nikko Station, Tobu Line or JR Nikko Line).

Go and see the impressive number of temples as well as the big Buddha in Kamakura.

Visit the “Chokoku no Mori” (HakoneOpenAirMuseum) in Hakone. Stay overnight at a hot spring.

Spend a day at the EdoTokyoMuseum.

Go to Harajuku station on a Sunday. Cross the bridge to Meiji Jingu, and take pictures with the Gothic Lolitas sitting there. Walk around Meiji Jingu (preferably on a daian day, ask your JTE – those days are very popular for weddings). Walk down Takeshita Dori for some more loud pop culture and Tokyo’s very own Beatles record store (they sell only Beatles records). Then go down Omotesando to test the latest Shiseido products in the Shiseido Shop (you may only try out, but not buy, the products). Buy the latest toys at Kiddieland. Buy some more presents at the Oriental Bazaar. Get your hair cut at Tony & Guy.

Get lost in Tokyo… get off at any station you don't know, walk to the surface and start wandering. More than likely than you find something of interest to you.