If you haven’t come across a city that thrives on contradiction, then you should visit Tokyo in Japan. It is one of the most thrilling and exciting metropolises around the world. It isn’t a wonder to find yourself exploring this charming city for weeks and still don’t get enough of it.
Tokyo has more than interesting features to offer any traveler ready to have fun. There could be a possibility of a language barrier particularly to foreigners but Tokyo is still a much-loved travel destination for many.
Tokyo is an extremely fascinating city. It is high-tech, clean, and safe. Beyond that, here are more convincing reasons why Tokyo should top your list of places you intend to visit this year.
Incredible public transportation
Tokyo is one of the fewest cities in the world that prides itself on having a great public transportation system. Here, you don’t have to worry about renting a car or taking a cab when going about your daily activities. You can easily use public transport to get around and experience Tokyo like a resident.
Japan’s public transport is super organized. White-gloved attendants have been stationed on various roads to streamline things firmly but in a polite manner. However, try to avoid Shinjuku station during peak hours. With over 3.5 million people passing through it each day, it can really get busier and chaotic.
Yummy dishes
If you haven’t travelled for food yet, try doing so for Tokyo; the food lover’s paradise. There are all kinds of Japanese specialty dishes from udon, yakitori, chankonabe, ramen, sushi, and more. If you love trying out unique dishes and don’t get intimidated to order your meals from a menu you can’t understand, you will surely have an amazing time in Tokyo.
Make sure you splurge on traditional dishes at family-run restaurants to get the best of Tokyo. You can also pop in at one of the city’s classy cafés for something more memorable. If you have kids with you, then take them to eateries inspired by comics and cartoons. They will more than the meals.
If this is your first time here, a quick Google search is enough to direct you to a nice restaurant.
The drinks
Most meals can’t be complete without drinks and Tokyo understands way too better. From cocktails, beer, wines to whisky, you are guaranteed to find a nice memorable place to enjoy your drinks whether alone or with company. After a long day filled with exciting activities, what makes a great evening than relaxing on a comfy bench in a cool restaurant sipping your favourite drink?
Rich history
Japan is a country full of interesting history and most of it can be found in Tokyo. Thus, come to Tokyo prepared to learn and witness a lot. You’ll see historical buildings that have survived natural disasters, as well as war, and they are still standing strong.
Get to learn about revered traditions that inspire Japanese cuisines to visit the various museums to learn more about Japanese culture. By the time you are winding up your visit, you’ll have naturally soaked up in Japanese history without forcing issues.
Best and magical museums
Tokyo can be said to have some of the weirdest yet most wonderful museums in the world. For example, the kite museum is situated on the fifth floor of a nondescript building, Nihonbashi. The floor and ceiling of this particular museum are filled with traditional kites with some dating back as early as the Edo period.
Then there is Meguro’s Parasitological Museum which will drop your jaws with awe with its variety of parasites. If the beauty of the parasites carries you away, then you can purchase a few from the ones preserved in the keyring.
Ghibli museum can’t be left out either. Come here prepared to have fun and create unforgettable moments. There is so much you can do here. You can go to the tiny cinema to watch a short film, spend time with a giant robot creature at the ceiling or simply wander through the recreations of animator Miyazaki Hayao’s. What’s more, this fascinating museum has intriguing oddities such as ink bottles, sketches of creepy creatures, and kaleidoscope in every corner.
Watch sumo tournaments
Why wouldn’t you travel to Japan purely to watch sumo tournaments popularly known as honbasho? You need to see these giants crushing as you see in movies. Three of the major sumo tournaments are held in Tokyo so you are guaranteed to witness this interesting sport.
For a perfect view, avail yourself of the sumo hall in Ryogoku early in the day before the hall fills up. At first, you’ll get entertained by the small matches but as the day progress, the fights will become bigger and stronger. By this time, it will be difficult to get a good spot to watch the sport because the hall will have filled enormously. So, you must have settled before things get juicer so that you can clearly see the entire fight until one is declared the winner.
Its diversity
Compared to other cities and towns in Japan, Tokyo is the most diverse city of them all. A trip here will give you a good chance to see Japanese culture mixed with others in food, dress code, and even their way of doing things.
To see the ancient and modern combined
Tokyo is a very interesting city. It hasn’t allowed the new to sweep away the old. Instead, it has strived to find a balance for the new to thrive alongside the old. Japan may be a traditional country but this hasn’t stopped Tokyo from advancing technologically.
Explore the big city
Tokyo is among the busiest cities in the world. Don’t be surprised if you feel a little overwhelmed by the large population especially if this is your first visit. Shinjuku and Shibuya are the busiest but this isn’t to mean that the others are any better. It get crazy if you don’t know the directions of the place you are going to. You don’t have to worry about the busy traffic of people, treat it as part of your adventure in Tokyo.
If you want to admire the huge traffic of people as they go about their typical duties, look for higher space. The best one would be the observation deck of Tokyo Tower Skytree’s Tembo Deck. But the most interesting of them all is the New York bar on the 52nd floor of Park Hyatt. You’ll have an incredible time exploring the city from a bird’s view as you sip your sweet drink.
Conclusion
There you have more than enough reasons to include Tokyo in your travel bucket list. Besides, words can’t be enough to explain a trip to Tokyo. You have to visit in person for an unforgettable experience.
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