Things to do in Tokyo
Tokyo is modern. The city was razed to the ground twice in the last century, once by an earthquake and once by World War II. As such, those looking for architecture and artefacts from a bygone era will, with some exceptions, be disappointed. However, if you accept Tokyo for what it is ? a hectic, modern and ever changing city ? there is much to enjoy here.
Stepping off the plane and being confronted with the wonder that is Tokyo is an unforgettable experience. The neon lights, the skyscrapers of Odaiba and Roppongi Hills and the vast shopping complexes at Shinjuku and Shibuya are truly awe inspiring.
The city is hardly a walker's paradise so it is best to zip around on the initially confusing train system. This way you avoid long stretches of walking past corporate buildings as you head between districts.
For museums, Ueno Park is the place to go. The area has a huge range of interesting exhibitions and art galleries. It is here you will find the Tokyo National Museum, which houses almost 90,000 Japanese and Asian art works and many sculptures.
To see where the city's moneyed classes hang out, head to Ginza. This area has a huge range of stylish department stores and showrooms where you can try out the latest technology. In addition, you will also find a number of tearooms and coffee shops, which are perfect for a spot of people watching. The Sony building also has its home in Ginza and provides eight floors of entertainment for visitors, including one devoted to PlayStation.
Near Shinbashi you will find the Shiodome. This enormous indoor complex is futuristic even for Tokyo, with its aerial walkways and monorail. Here you can shop, eat and drink, visit the ADMT advertising museum or go to the theatre. There is also a reconstruction of the old Shinbashi station.
For a taste of old Tokyo, head to the imperial park and palace, located close to the Marunouchi business district. It is the focus for many a visitor's first look around the city. Although the palace itself is only open to outsiders on December 23rd and January 2nd, the grounds are well worth visiting.
The Russian Orthodox Nicholai Cathedral, built in 1891 and slightly damaged in the 1923 earthquake, is also worth a look, with its enormous dome one of the main attractions. Times of services vary so enquire before going.
For a morning with a difference get up early and head to the Tsukiji Fish Market, preferably before 10:00am. It is one of the world's largest and smelliest fish markets, with a huge range of creatures on offer, including many exotic varieties such as sea cucumbers and poisonous blowfish. Customers here tend to buy in bulk, so if you try to buy a nice piece of fish for dinner you may receive a short reply. Instead, head to one of the many nearby sushi bars for a top draw breakfast.
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Things to do
