I’m not a travel writer at all but in a Twitter conversation the other day, we were discussing Japan and somebody requested that I write about it. It’s been 10 years since I was last there but I’m sure most of the main places haven’t changed that much so I’m just going to show you some awesome places to check out and why I love them.
Tokyo is such an amazing place. We spent 2 weeks there on two separate occasions and still didn’t see near half of what we wanted.
I have also added links to the various places if you want to find out more detailed information.
First let’s talk getting around.
We used the subway system. You can buy a day pass for a very reasonable price and use it to go anywhere in the zones. The Tokyo subway is super efficient and always on time. The trains are clean and well maintained and there are priority seats for disabled, elderly and pregnant women. My main tip here would be to avoid using them during rush hour if possible. Maybe leave a little later for you trip and come back before or after as it can get very crowded – like shoving people onto the trains to pack as many as possible. There are stops within easy walking distance of most tourist places and the trains are very regular.
Food
Tokyo and surrounding districts is a food lover’s paradise. You can find modern, western food chains here such as McDonald’s, Burger King etc but why would you want to? Every street is littered with hole-in-the-wall vendors selling delicious ice-creams, waffles, crepes and traditional Japanese snacks. There are restaurants galore offering all types of world cuisine but when in Japan, trying sushi, sashimi and other traditional dishes is a must. You’ve not eaten sushi until you’ve had it Japan. It’s so fresh and tasty.
Asakusa
Asakusa is one of my favourite places in Tokyo. It is the home of the huge sensoji shrine, the oldest Buddhist temple in Tokyo (1373 years old). People visiting the shrine will often waft the incense smoke over themselves in order to cure ailments and encourage wellness.
The surrounding streets are filled with pretty market stalls selling handmade goods and souvenirs. Great to wonder around slowly for a few hours. Due to being bombed during the war, most of the buildings here are fairly modern however, unlike other areas of Tokyo, it is not as tall and over-shadowed by skyscrapers. There are may traditional eateries here too.
Harajuku
Harajuku is one of the funkiest districts in Tokyo. Home to the Harijuku girls, who dress in extravagant, manga style costumes and meet there, it’s a vibrant and funky place. There are blasts of colour everywhere and it’s an amazing place to go shopping for funky clothing or nik naks. You can also find the Kuwaii (cute) monster cafe here too for a whimsical food experience.
Odaiba (Tokyo Bay)
Odaiba is a man-made island linked to main Tokyo by The Rainbow Bridge (that looks not too dissimilar to the Golden Gate bridge) and has it’s very own miniature statue of liberty.
It’s a modern development housing shopping malls, business parks and museums. There’s a huge observation ferris wheel where you can see amazing views of Tokyo. There’s also a convention centre where regular concerts take place. (we missed the Foos last time ). Great for shopping and some sight-seeing too, filled with restaurants and lots of museums.
Ueno Park
Ueno Park is by far my favourite place in Tokyo. As a park itself it’s beautiful If you can catch the cherry blossom around Easter time it’s colour is magnificent. You can walk for hours through the park, there are many shrines, temples and museums to visit during this time. That alone makes this an amazing attraction to visit but there’s the added bonus of it having the best zoo I have ever come across.
Ueno Zoo is an animals lover’s dream. It is so clean and well looked after and home to some amazing animals. The monkeys are really entertaining, you can watch the elephants meander around their paddocks, hear the big cats roar across the park and my personal favourite, relax with the otters twirling and swirling around their area.
Akihabara
Akihabara is also known as electric city. It is a paradise for shoppers of gadgets and electricals where there’s always a bargain to be found. It also houses endless shops selling manga, comics and anime. It’s also the go-to place for your more tacky and traditional souvenirs. It can be a sensory nightmare with a lot of lights and different sounds around every corner you turn.
Shinjuku and Shibuya
I didn’t spend much time in these districts but in Shibuya you can visit the famous crossing that’s always shown on movies etc.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXtOdSgf6Ic
These are both business and shopping districts with Shinjunku known as the ‘skyscraper district’.
Tokyo is full of so many more places to visit that I didn’t get to. There’s Tokyo tower, and since I last visited there is now Sky Tree Tower. There are many castles, temples, themed cafes and museums too. It’s an amazing place with amazing people and if you get the chance to go – I’d highly recommend it.
Thank you so much for sharing this! I desperately want to visit Japan, I’d want to see the cherry blossom trees so if the best time for them is around Easter that’s probably when I’d plan to visit – they’re stunning! Everything just looks amazing, the Rainbow bridge looks so pretty, Asakusa would definitely be a place I’d like to visit too, I think if I went i’d probably make sure I’m there for at least 2 weeks – there’s so much to see, I’d probably pre-book a lot of things too.
Chloe xx
http://www.chloechats.com
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The blossom has it’s own holiday. People drink sake under the trees when it comes out. We went at Easter but I think the celebration is just before x
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Thanks for reading xx
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Great review! I really want to check out Japan. Idk if I can make it happen. Maybe down the line when my boys are older we can all go. I want them experience new places as well.
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I’m looking forward to taking the kids. There’s a Disney and lots of of options for a quieter child friendly holiday x
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Great post. We’re desperate to visit Japan one day and absolutely want to explore Tokyo. This has been a very interesting read and given us more insight into the many districts!
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There’s so much more and is recommend buying book or finding itineraries on pintrest before you go. My husband worked out there a lot so knew good bars etc. It’s not expensive to eat out etc either.
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isn’t toyko where they have filmed those insane subway scenes w/ people pushing others into the car and others falling out? 😮
Joy at The Joyous Living
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Yes. In rush hour they employ some9ne to push people in 🤣
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I was in Japan last summer (aug 2018), and I could cry I miss Asia so much! I was living in Taiwan for a year so I travelled everywhere. I went to a lot of the same places you write about in Tokyo! Love your photos. I spent 10 days and went to Tokyo, Nara, Kyoto, Osaka and Hakone. I could have spent a month there! I can’t wait togo back again. Lovely post 🙂
xo Chelsea | https://completelychelsea.com
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We contemplated living there a long time ago. The photos are from Google I’m Afraid. Mine are all on a disc somewhere. I only have an odd one from Facebook.
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Ah well, they’re still good pics, and they made me reminisce fondly!
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Thanks for dropping by 😍
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I’ve been wanting to visit Japan for absolute ages – I’m hoping to go within the next few years as I have such an appreciation for the food and culture. I like the nice range of places you’ve put on this list – the monster cafe looks and sounds amazing! Thanks for sharing your experience x
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Thanks for reading. Japan is amazing and there’s do much more than I saw. X Hope you get there
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What a thorough blog! I am all about that monster cafe. Going to Japan is a dresm of mine!
https://www.melanie.city/
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It’s an awesome place. I hope you get there. There are so many places I didn’t get too or have been built since x
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Oh my lord I would love to visit Japan. It’s certainly on our when-the-kids-have-left-home-we’re-going-to-do-the-travelling-we-never-got-chance-to-do-before list. That crossing looks insane!
#ablogginggoodtime
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The crossing is crazy but it works well. I hope you visit. It’s amazing x
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I loved reading your post about Tokyo! I still have never been to Japan, but it totally is on my travel bucket list. I am looking forward to discovering it some day, I guess I’d better start learning some japanese beyond “sayanora” 😀
Thanks for sharing your Tokyo travel with us!
Karen | https://www.OurCarpeDiem.com
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Thanks for reading. It’s such a wonderful place xx Hope you get there
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Great review! I’m glad you enjoyed Japan! I have lived in Japan for 4 years now and I would highly recommend Yokohama if you ever have the chance!
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I actually did go to Yokohama for a day. Such an amazing culture. I would have loved to live there. Hopefully we’ll get to do a big tour when we retire.
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This is such an awesome post – I’m off to Japan for two weeks in April (Tokyo for several days, plus Hakone, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, and Takayama), so I love seeing your recommendations!
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Ohhh enjoy x
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Asakusa sounds just divine and right up my street! This is a very thorough review of where to go etc – very helpful for anyone heading on a trip to Japan. #thesatsesh xx
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It’s great – The shrine is huge and it’s fab just wondering around the large market. The streest are full of places to eat too.
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I know so little about the country although my daughter is so interested in it so we should try and get there at some point. Also a very rich and well-travelled family told me that of all the countries in the world I should visit, Japan comes in at number one. Thanks for such an information-packed post #GlobalBlogging
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It’s such an amazing place. Go if you get the chance. It’s like so advanced in some areas and so traditional in others
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Wow it looks amazing. It’s on my parents wish list so I hope they get there one day
Thanks for linking to #ablogginggoodtime
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I hope they do too x
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Akihabara and Ueno Park would be my first stops. I hope to visit Japan next year!
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Keno park is brilliant . Have a fabulous time x
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Growing up in Hawai’i meant I was surrounded by Japanese food and I’ve desperately wanted to travel there one day to taste my way through their country. #GlobalBlogging
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It’s delicious. Hawaii is a place I really want to visit too x
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I love this article. Tokyo is one of my favourite places ever!
https://serialjetsetter.com
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Mine too. Can’t wait to go back
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All of this looks amazing! I am so jealous of your trip. I am dying to go to Japan. Hopefully I can save up enough to go next year!
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It’s just amazing. I’m hoping we get to take the children in the next few years
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