Tokyo — The Eastern Capital



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What to do
Shopping for antiques and souvenirs is a must for every tourist and Tokyo offers many such opportunities. The Oedo Antique Fair is held on the first and third Sunday of every month in the courtyard of the Tokyo International Forum. The Shibuya and Ginza areas have the best collection of department stores which are all huge, spotless and filled with gadgets and goodies you never knew existed.

You can shop for the latest in electronics and technology and at the same time for traditional crafts and mementos like dolls, lacquer ware, ikebana accessories, silk, ceramics, swords and many such items. The choices offered will leave your head spinning. The Akihabara Electric town, as the name suggests, is a paradise for gadget freaks. It offers many products that are not even available anywhere else in the world. It is also a good place to pick up a few manga (Japanese comic books) and anime. Nearby there are two important shrines, the Yushima and Kanda which were destroyed in the 1923 earthquake and were then rebuilt.

Ueno Park attracts people with its countless cherry trees. It is a great place to just relax and watch the world go by as residents take a lunch break, or kids playing and some even singing karaoke, a national obsession in Japan.

The Kiyomizu-do kannon temple overlooking Shinobazu pond is one of the oldest temples in Tokyo. It is dedicated to Kosodate Kannon, the protector of childbearing and child rearing women. Women leave behind dolls as symbols asking for the goddess’ mercy and protection.

Do not miss the opportunity to see the big boys whilst in the city. Sumo wrestling is ‘big’ here and the wrestlers, most weighing over 300 ponds, are a sight to behold as they throw each other around in the ring.

For the museum buff there are countless options. The Tokyo national museum is te largest museum of Japanese art in the world. On display are Samurai amour, lacquer ware, kimonos, etc. The Edo-Tokyo museum chronicles the fascinating history of the city. Tokyo’s highest museum, the Mori Art museum on the 53rd floor of Mori tower offers spectacular views of the city along with works of emerging and established artists from all over the world. The Open-air folk house museum in the neighboring town of Kawasaki is in a village setting with traditional houses and historic buildings making it a pleasant change from the city atmosphere. There are many other museums in the city to choose from depending on your topic of interest…from the Beer museum to the John Lennon museum, its all there for you to explore.

This city packs in a lot of punch. There are many things to see and do here. Get the catch of the day and watch the action at the Tsukiji fish market early in the morning which is the largest one in the country and sample the freshest sushi you’ll ever have; go to the observatory at the 45th floor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government office and get a bird’s eye view of the city and on a good day, of Mount Fuji; walk around the Imperial Palace and the attached East garden especially in springtime when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom; see the Meiji shrine; go for a stroll in one of the many gardens the city has to offer, Hama Rikyu, Koishikawa Korakuen and Shinjuku Gyoen to name a few; and attend a Kabuki play at the Kabukiza theatre and admire the stunning sets, elaborate costumes and a thrilling tale unfold.

Just when you thought you’ve seen enough of the city, and are ready to head back home, you realize you need to extend your trip for a few more days to visit the Tokyo Disneyland or Sanrio Puroland home to so many Hello Kitties to last you a lifetime; take a leisure boat ride on the Sumida river; soak in a sento, or public bath; and after a full day’s sight seeing, get the famous shiatsu pressure-point massage.

The relaxing massage will recharge you for the rest of the evening’s entertainment. Trendy nightspots are spread throughout the city, most famous being the Ginza, Kabuki-cho and Roppongi areas. Shibuya is considered to be the most happening place in town and needless to say, also the most crowded. Even if you are not the partying kind, just walking through the streets and absorbing the electrified atmosphere revs you up. The typical geisha bars are relatively high-end where trained women entertain male customers by talking to them, singing, dancing and playing musical instruments…nothing more than that.

Where to stay
With the space crunch in the city, trust the Japanese to come up with an innovative alternative to expensive hotel rooms. Capsule hotels are the rage among business travelers on a tight budget…that is if you are not claustrophobic. For others budget options are also plenty like the Sakura hotel or the New Central Hotel.  To get the total Japanese experience, you could also stay in ryokans, which are traditional Japanese inns that offer a sample of the simple Japanese way of life. For longer stays you could even book a weekly-mansion where you could rent a flat. For those willing to splurge, there are hotels such as the Century Hyatt Tokyo, Hotel New Otani, Marunouchi hotel near Tokyo station and the Imperial Hotel.

What to eat

The most popular Japanese cuisine known to the rest of the world is sushi, which is rice topped with fresh seafood, often wrapped in seaweed. Have sushi and sashimi with the pungent wasabi…it will be an experience you won’t soon forget. Start with a nice bowl of soup and move on to the many varieties of snacks and main dishes. Rice and noodles are the staple diet of the region. And to wash it all down, a nice cup of sake, or rice wine completes the meal.

You may also come across a roadside Yakitori chicken stall. Yakitori is a grilled chicken dish where the chicken is grilled on bamboo skewers with a soy and sugar glaze.

Be adventurous when it comes to trying out the local fare here and bring your appetite with you.

Customs
The Japanese have a distinct sense of honor and duty and you need to be aware of their customs lest you offend them. They are strict followers of etiquettes and customs. The main form of greeting in Japan is bowing instead of the handshake. You need to remove your shoes before entering a Japanese home, temple, shrine or a Japanese style restaurant or inn. And never show up at your hosts’ house empty-handed. It is well to note that smoking is banned in all public areas in the city, including train and subway stations and office buildings.

The Japanese tea ceremony is a unique experience. It was developed to achieve inner harmony and the ritual takes years to learn. The simplistic movements and the tranquil setting where the tea is served are meant to bring you peace. Ikebana, Japanese flower arrangement, is also a similar art meant to bring harmony into your life.

Expect a mix of urban madness and traditional tranquility in this fast paced city. It never ceases to surprise its visitors.

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