PUBLISHED July 23rd, 2014 08:18 am | UPDATED April 21st, 2016 12:02 pm
Murmur Japan and you are instantly regaled with breathless tales from family and friends about how beautiful the country is. One love stricken fan even described Japan as the Paris of Asia. If you are budget conscious and/or have a short vacation to spare, visit Tokyo to get a sense of the country! Here are some vacation tips in order to get a brag worthy album of Facebook pictures from Tokyo:
First up, a note on language. Tokyo is a tourist hub, so basic English is understood. With hand gestures and basic Japanese phrases, the tourist should have no problem getting around. Do however learn ‘Sumimasen’, or ‘Excuse me’ – simply because people in Tokyo are brisk walkers, and it’s hard to push past crowds of salary men during peak hour in the metro without apologizing.
Cut down on transport woes
Once you’ve reached Narita airport, head straight for the Airport Limousine Bus Counter and purchase a two day two-way city bus and metro pass. This all-rounder pass is worth S$75 and is a great convenience. It takes you to and from the airport, and also around the city. You get to choose between touring the city via the comfy 40 seater limousine buses, which stop at all the prime areas in Tokyo such as Shibuya and Ginza, or to ride the metro. This pass is only available at Narita airport, so grab it while you’re at the airport. You will be thankfully seated on the bus during peak hour jams on the train.
On that note, Tokyo has a sprawling transportation system. Trains come within the space of two minutes, and stop at all major spots in Tokyo. Tokyo Metro has a great application available on both iPhone and Andriod. Download the app, which works without 3G connection, and key in the destination and arrival stops. The app instantly calculates the travel fare for you, as well as where to transfer. An instant time saver since the names of the train stops on the station map are all written in Japanese.
Soak in Japanese culture
For a dose of culture, Asakusa is a must visit in Tokyo. Home to Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple, Sensoji (also known as Asakusa Kannon Temple) is located in the midst of colourful souvenir shops, juxtaposed with eateries and bric-a-brac stalls. The architecture of Sensoji is traditionally Japanese, so do have a stroll to admire the intricate structure as photos are allowed. Ready to be instagram famous? You can rent a kimono for ladies, or a yukata for men, and walk around the place to take photos. If you plan to visit at night, you might get lucky – for those keen to see geishas, Asakusa is also host to teahouses, which feature traditional performances nightly. If you’re looking for some heart-warming, cheap ramen amongst the locals look no further than Asakusa. A delicious bowl of ramen topped off with a ramen egg costs merely 900yen or S$9.
Another worthy visit is to the Kabuki Theatre in Tokyo. Located near Ginza district, a prime shopping belt in Tokyo, the Kabuki Theatre offers tourists a chance to view a traditional Japanese dance form for 30 minutes, at a price of 800JPY or S$9. English translation is available via audio guides, so not to worry if you don’t understand what’s going on.
Revel in nature
Although Tokyo is a city, it is also home to landscaped parks and lush gardens with rich history. The Meiji Shrine houses the most important and popular Shinto shrine in Tokyo. A pleasant stroll down a winding path leads you to the shrine. If you visit on a weekend, be sure to look out for wedding ceremonies. The Japanese mark their matrimonial rites at a Shinto shine. Another place to visit is the Imperial East Garden. Located outside the Imperial Palace on the grounds of a former castle, the expansive grounds contain a tea pavilion, traditional Japanese gardens, and a moat surrounded by a stonewall. The best time to go is in March, when sakura trees are in full bloom at the garden.
If you have time, take the bullet train, or Shinkasen, to places outside of Tokyo. A ticket can be bought at the subway station to ride on the Shinkasen. Clean, fast and safe, a trip on board will also allow you to view the snow-capped peaks of Mt. Fuji. In Or if you feel a little bit more adventurous and wish to head to the mountains, located in Yamanashi Prefecture, book a day trip via local tour agencies at Tokyo Station. A coach will bring you there to the 5th station of Mt. Fuji, where you can take photos against a backdrop of the scenic skyline. Satisfy your hunger at Miharashi-tei which provides a scenic view of Lake Kawaguchi. Order the house special, ‘Mt Fuji Yogan Yaki’, which allows you to cook delicious wagyu steak, Japan’s famous meat export, on a hot plate. The hot plate is made of Mt. Fuji’s lava rocks, which supposedly helps to turn out tender and delicious meat.
Hot spa resorts (also known as onsen) abound Yamanashi Prefecture, so do make arrangements to go to one. A dip in the public bath is done in full nudity so as to experience the goodness of hot spring water, which will revive your senses after a long day of traipsing around the mountain!
Experience the high life
End your visit with a trip to the brainchild of building tycoon Minoru Mori, Roppongi Hills. The mega-complex was meant to be an integrated development where high-rise inner-urban communities allow people to live, work, play, and shop in proximity to eliminate commuting time. Admire a sprawling architecture defined by clean lines of glass and steel interspaced with tree-lined public areas. Dotted with the city’s top bars, restaurants and shops, the place is home to Tokyo’s wealthiest. The centerpiece is the 54-story Mori Tower, where one can enjoy a view of Tokyo.
Be sure to enjoy VIP treatment for dinner at Jidaya in Roppongi Hills. Jidaya is a restaurant tucked at the corner of the Hills, and sells its concept as a ‘living museum’ fitted with traditional Edo-style touches. Walk down a winding staircase and be seated comfortably, Japanese-style, cross-legged on a raised platform. Order the 7-course Sukiyaki meal and savour the beauty of each dish, arranged with precision on intricate ceramic plates, and served by an extremely attentive kimono-clad waitress.
Other tips
It is really easy to get around in Tokyo – what enhances the ease will be staying near Tokyo Station. Tokyo Station is the heart of the city, and from there you can book local tours from tour agencies, hop on the bullet train, or simply ride the metro to anywhere you wish to visit in Tokyo.
Top Image Credit: Yoshikazu TAKADA