A city like no other where the old and the new mix together. Ancient Shinto Temples are flanked by futuristic skyscrapers, while tranquil gardens filled with gorgeous cherry trees are topped by bright billboards advertising the latest technology and the most expensive fashion brands. There is so much to admire in this city, so here are ten of our top reasons to love Tokyo.
1. Food
From world-renowned restaurants where some of the world’s best chefs work, to family-run restaurants serving delicious traditional dishes, and even street food stalls that smell so good it’s impossible not to stop, Tokyo is full of gastronomic delights. . Once you’ve enjoyed Japanese specialties like fresh sushi, tempura, and soba noodles, you can also immerse yourself in Tokyo’s culinary world of fusion cuisine and international foods.
2. Culture
With historic sites celebrating Japan’s heritage, famous museums, and an ever-changing program of theater performances, art galleries and music events, culture vultures will never tire of Tokyo.
In March, the park’s cherry trees bloom with their cotton candy pink flowers. They, also known as sakura, have long represented culturally the beautiful but fleeting nature of human life.
3. Style
Whatever your personal style, the expression of yourself through clothes is celebrated, indeed, revered, in Tokyo. Harajuku, the famous bustling shopping district, is home to some elaborate cosplay shops, teen fashion outlets and vintage clothing stores. Tokyoites are known for their fashion sense and are incredibly stylish – just a stroll around this city can give you all the inspiration you could ever need.
4. The house of the “New”
Tokyo is a global center of technology and innovation. So densely packed with lights (think neon signs and billboards that would make Times Square look like your grandparents’ old TV), it’s one of the brightest places on earth when viewed from space! Marvel at the high-tech toilets with heated seats, shop the latest gadgets at a nine-story electronics department store, and hop on a high-speed train to explore some of Japan’s other cities – it’s easy to feel like you’re living here in the future.
5. And of the “Old”
Some parts of Tokyo are hyper-modern, but the city is also steeped in history. Wherever you go, you can always find a beautiful Shinto shrine, temple or protected gardens. Meiji-jingu Shrine is just outside Harajuku, and Hie Shrine and Nezu Shrine both have a staircase lined with red torii gates like in Kyoto’s famous Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine (so pack your camera) . Don’t forget to live like a local and spend an evening exploring the restaurants and bars of Nonbei Yokocho , a charming alley lit by paper lanterns, hidden from the busy tourist streets.
6. Mount Fuji
Japan’s tallest mountain and one of the country’s three sacred peaks: Mount Fuji can be seen from the city on a clear day and is close enough to visit when in Tokyo. Take a train and hike to the top for incredible views of Tokyo and the lakes surrounding the volcanic mountain.
7. Extraordinary extravagance
Although traditional Japanese culture is relatively conservative, Tokyo pushes the boundaries of creativity. In other words, the city is full of truly weird things to do, see and experience.
Looking for a place to sleep tonight? Here are the keys to your tiny room in a ‘capsule’ hotel . Do you need an umbrella, some fermented soybeans or some vegetables? Tokyo machines take care of it. Do you want to eat something you will never forget? You will never forget that you dined at a robot restaurant.
8. The language
Japan is home to over 125 million Japanese speakers, making Tokyo a great place to learn Japanese. This vibrant city also attracts travelers, students and professionals from all over the world, therefore, it is also an inspiring city in which to chat, meet new people and test your language skills. And if you are at the beginner level, there is nothing like spending a few weeks in Tokyo with a Japanese course to improve your knowledge of the language.
9. Skiing and Snowboarding
Japan’s snowy winters and mountainous volcanic terrain provide fantastic opportunities for skiers and snowboarders in the winter. Several resorts, including Shiga Kogen and Hakuba, which hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics, are located within hours of Tokyo.
10. Onsen
If you are going to go outside Tokyo for a day, go to an Onsen town. Japan, being on a land rich in volcanic and geothermal activity, is home to thousands of natural hot springs. These sorts of hot, steaming pots, called Onsen, are the perfect place to soak, relax, and let the mineral-rich water work its wonders on the mind, body and soul. Oh, and just so you know, you are expected to bathe naked, but men and women bathe in separate pools.
