Posted: 02/09/2007--25/11/2008 || Rate this Article: 3 || Views|| Sign In || Register ||Hello Guest
Time travel may not be possible yet, but consider the next best thing on your next vacation abroad: Tokyo. Without a doubt the futuristic city to end all futuristic cities, Tokyo is packed with cultural attractions and everyday spectacles that come together in a striking and sometimes shocking mix of the sacred and the secular, the organic and the synthetic.
Although Tokyo can't nearly compete with the ancient capital of Kyoto as far as traditional Japanese culture goes, it does offer quite a few temples, shrines, and other historical relics. The greatest concentration of museums and temples can be found in areas such as Asakasa and Ueno. One tremendously popular temple is Meiji Shrine, where locals flock literally by the thousands to pay their respects around the New Year. The temple is centrally located in Yoyogi Park, Tokyo's largest public park. If you visit the park on a Sunday afternoon, you might be lucky enough to witness a newer weekly tradition: the flamboyant parade of the CosPlay (literally "costume play") crowd, where animation and cartoon fanatics dress up as their favorite characters.
One major sightseeing attraction that shouldn't be missed is Tsukiji, one of the biggest fish markets in the world. Open to the public, it's the seaport where all the city's restaurants and local grocers converge every morning to stock up on fresh ingredients. Once you make it past the literal mountains of white Styrofoam containers and enter the dark recesses of the market itself, you'll be greeted by gregarious merchants and an astonishing spectrum of colorful and exotic sea life that will leave you wondering, "What is that?" Cameras are allowed, but be prepared to dodge workers bustling down the aisles. One piece of advice: don't wear your nicest shoes on this adventure. You'll have to arrive early (around 5 am) if you want to witness the giant frozen tuna auction. And for those who dream about sushi for breakfast, there's a 24-hour sushi restaurant conveniently located nearby to guarantee optimal freshness.
If you're curious about typical Japanese cuisine beyond sushi, head to an izakaya. Like a cross between a cozy bar and a diner with tatami mats, this type of dining establishment offers light dishes in appetizer-style servings for sharing. Most of the big chains offer picture menus, so it's perfectly possible to explore without speaking Japanese. Those who are fortunate enough to have knowledge of the language or a local guide might venture to the yakitori stands and tiny restaurants clustered underneath the tracks of Yurakucho station.
No trip to Tokyo is complete without a walk through the chaotic street crossing at the Hachiko exit of Shibuya station. The exit is a popular meeting point for teenagers and an unrivaled site for people-watching, that is, if you don't get swallowed alive by the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds.
It can be hard for even longtime Tokyo residents to take in the ocean of advertisements, neon lights, and street noise, so for a truly breathtaking perspective on Tokyo, head to the twin towers of the eerily UFO-like Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (better known as "Tocho") in Shinjuku, where you can take an elevator up forty-plus floors for the best view of the city. Unlike the most popular tourist destination for a city-wide view, Roppongi Tower (situated in a notoriously bar-ridden party district), Tocho is free. Roppongi Tower, however, is a landmark that is memorable, particularly when viewed at night. Another source of relief is a nighttime stroll in the Ginza district. In the evening the wide streets, away from the throngs of commuters and shoppers in other commercial districts, provide the perfect relaxing atmosphere for admiring the neon lights that pervade buildingtops.
Finally, if you have the urge to do as the locals do, indulge in some shopping, arguably the favorite pastime of the city's residents. A glance at the average young person shows that people here aren't afraid to take fashion risks, and you, too, can pick up clothing, shoes, and accessories that can't be found anywhere else. Big-name department stores such as Takashimaya and Isetan are known for stocking the hottest in designer fashion, which means upscale international designers as well as distinct, hip Japanese designers. The crowded basement floors of these stores are reserved for food items and are an excellent place to pick up beautifully packaged Japanese sweets for souvenirs and gifts. For those who'd rather drool over the latest high-tech gadgets, you can ooh and ahh over the industrial design of digital cameras, cell phones, portable audio players, and other electronics at major superstores such as Yodobashi Camera and Bic Camera. A higher concentration of electronics stores that sell tax-free export models can be found in the Akihabara district.
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