Tokyo is the ultimate modern Asian city and it is understandably the capital tends to be the main focal point of most Central Honshu holidays. The capital since 1868 is an open 24 hours a day gleaming, bustling, buzzing cocktail of packed streets, intense crowds, dazzling neon and vaulting skyscrapers.
This brash, adrenaline pumping side of Tokyo is well known, but behind this façade is a much, quieter, more relaxed city where traditional culture comes to the fore in quieter temples and neat gardens laced with perfectly trimmed Bonsai trees. For adults Tokyo is the ultimate city of contrasts and so it is too for families as its very energy and frenetic modern living thrill teenagers, while younger children can still find their own corners to take things a little slower.
Even getting around is half the fun no matter your age on the ultra-efficient transport system as you join Tokyoites in bobbing around on the local ferries, zooming below ground on the metro or whishing around on the Shinkansen, or the ‘Bullet Train’ as the world’s most famous high speed train has become known. Join me now as I share with you 9 great things to do in Tokyo.
Visit the Imperial Palace – The historical focus of Tokyo is very much on the Imperial Palace, set in an almost bucolic by comparison (to much of the busy city) oasis of shaded lanes, water filled moats and chocolate box pretty temples. The ghost of the Japanese Emperors haunt the grounds and their legends make for fascinating stories. The great joy for me here is walking around the green grounds imagining all the royal intrigue taking place within those hallowed walls.
Tokyo Tower – To get a real feel for Tokyo at the start of your trip the best advice is to get as high as you can. There are numerous options. Tokyo Tower works well. It is one of the tallest structures in the country, swooping 145m high above Tokyo with an observation gallery where you can survey many of the city’s sights and be awestruck at its sheer scale. There is a lot to do around the base of the tower, but you are bound for the elevators and the ‘Special Observatory’. It’s most certainly that!
Dive into the vibrant urban scene – The best plan is to choose a district to spend proper time in. None are more exciting than Shibuya – Voyageurs Collection can organise a luxury bolthole for you there on their Tokyo Holidays. Here you will really get to take the pulse of Tokyo – you can watch students rushing around for their morning coffee, the tempting, buzzing restaurants and the myriad stores, where designer label shops abound. Shibuya is undoubtedly Tokyo’s fashion mecca. You can really appreciate it with Voyageurs as they can also organise a local guide for an intimate tour that will help you deliver the real Shibuya. No trip to Tokyo is complete without a night-time visit to Shibuya Crossing to witness the senses blasting riot of neon.
Savour the food – As a travel writer who has been to over 100 countries I reckon Japan is hard to been for food. I’m so impressed by the different sides of Tokyo dining out. I’ve witnessed the famous tuna auction at Tsukiji Market (the world’s largest fish market) where I tried boat fresh sushi prepared as simply as possible. Note that in 2018 the market was split into two distinct parts – it’s well worth visiting both! You can take in this remarkable market on a Voyageurs trip too. Look out too for Wagyu (Japanese beef), with the top category Gifu Hidagyu (A5) steaks served at the city’s classiest restaurants. You can eat so well in Tokyo, everywhere from street food stalls up to top notch Michelin fine dining gastronomic temples.
Go crazy for Kit-Kats – Tokyo is famous for its niche/cult shops. Kit Kat Chocolatory and Café in Ginza is one of the most fun and is a must for anyone with a sweet tooth. They offer all manner of weird and wonderful flavours and designs here – the wasabi variety makes for a great souvenir or present to take back home. If you’re lucky you can snare some of the old flavours like strawberry and even sake! One really rare creation are the Kit Kats made in the shape of sushi. My favourite are the delicious passion fruit flavoured Kit Kats.
Enjoy the theme parks – There is Tokyo Disney Resort, which is split into two parts – Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea, and together they combine to appeal to all ages. There are multiple themed ‘lands’ with rides ranging from sedate adventures through to white knuckle rides guaranteed to thrill kids and big kids alike. There is Mickey’s House – where you can meet Disney’s legendary mouse – and serious Disney Magic in the Sky fireworks and musical extravaganza. Younger children are catered to by rides like Dumbo the Flying Elephant and Pooh’s Honey Hunt, found in Fantasyland. Fast-paced white-knuckle thrills, meanwhile come in the guise of the driverless mine car that rushes along the Big Thunder Mountain rollercoaster and the watery Splash Mountain adventure.
Visit the National Museum – This is the best place to delve beneath the skin of the modern city and also to uncover the other sides of Japan that have always intrigued me. It is not only a first class cultural institution, but also the country’s oldest museum, a genuine national treasure that you simply must not miss. There is plenty to see with over 100,000 artefacts awaiting your visit. It sits in one of the city’s most famous parks too so you can enjoy a stroll afterwards while you digest the weight of history. It’s a good place to see the legendary cherry blossom.
Party!– Tokyo’s nightlife is legendary and if you’re staying in Shibuya with the Voyageurs Collection then you are definitely in the right place. You can explore its dive bars, basement rock clubs and…karaoke bars! Karaoke is something of a national obsession in Japan and the best advice is to just forget your inhibitions and dive in! Karaoke bars tend to be multi-level places with lots of private rooms bedecked in garish colours with glitzy lights. Think gloriously tacky! Think Lost in Translation with Bill Murray and Scarlet Johansonn.
Take a day trip – Tokyo makes for a great base for exploring on a multitude of tempting day trips. If you don’t want to strike out totally on your own – in what can be a confusing country to navigate – Voyageurs Collection are on hand with their day trip to Kamakura. This a former political and cultural capital that is tucked betwixt the sea and the hills. Today beyond its history it has developed as a classy residential suburb of Tokyo, which is handily just one hour away by regular train. Amongst its highlights are visiting the fascinating Kita-Kamakura shrines and also watching the surfers bash around in the surf in Sagami Bay.
This post comes in association with the Voyageurs Collection who offer an array of tailor-made Japan Holidays.
