Seeing the Tokyo Skytree<\/strong><\/li>

Witnessing the cherry\nblossoms bloom<\/strong><\/li>

Watching a live sumo\nmatch<\/strong><\/li>

Drinking in the rich\nnightlife<\/strong><\/li>

Dining at some of the\nbest restaurants in the world<\/strong><\/li>

Paying respects at the\nMeiji Jinju Shrine and countless others<\/strong><\/li>

Experiencing the\nefficiency of the bullet train firsthand <\/strong><\/li>

Passing through Shibuya\nCrossing <\/strong><\/li>

Taking in natural\nlandmarks <\/strong><\/li>

Visiting a themed caf\u00e9 <\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
In this article, I\u2019ll elaborate on everything\nin the above list. That\u2019ll prove that not only should you visit Tokyo, but you\nvery well might want to draw up an itinerary ASAP!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. The Tokyo Skytree <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
$\"Is$
The Tokyo Skytree grows right into the sky<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re anywhere near it, it\u2019s\nimpossible to miss the Tokyo Skytree. That\u2019s because it\u2019s more than 2,000 feet\ntall. That makes it not only the biggest building in Tokyo, but one of the most\nsprawling towers you\u2019ll find on the planet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019ve written about the Tokyo Skytree\ncountless times on this blog; here\u2019s<\/a>\none such post. While it\u2019s technically a broadcasting tower, the Skytree\ncontinues to get used for so much more than that. For one, it\u2019s an\nawe-inspiring observation deck. Trust me when I say there are few comparable\nviews in the entire world than seeing Tokyo from the heights of the Skytree.\nYou get 360-degree views of the city. Some of the Skytree even has glass\nflooring that lets you glimpse all the way to the bottom. Don\u2019t look down if\nyou\u2019re afraid of heights! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Skytree has its fair share of shops\nand restaurants to draw in crowds. Depending on where you go, you can sit at a\ntable overlooking the busyness of Tokyo city streets by day. If you can, try to\ncome back at night, because the views are even more breathtaking then. Tokyo\nlights up like a Christmas tree after the sun sets, and you\u2019ll get a bird\u2019s eye\nview into the whole thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Cherry Blossom Festivals and Viewing Events<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Japan is known for its cherry blossoms,\nthat\u2019s for sure, and few cities take these flowers as seriously as Tokyo. In\naround late February or March through April and even early May (that was for\n2019; it can vary from season to season), Tokyo residents will gather in large\ndroves to lay down tatami mats at parks around the city and watch those pretty\npink petals dance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s about more than just flower-gazing,\nso if that\u2019s not entirely your cup of tea, don\u2019t worry. I don\u2019t want to skip\nover just how wondrous it is to witness the cherry blossoms fall, though. The\ntrees that grow these lovely flowers are sometimes hundreds of years old. The\ncherry blossoms seem to envelop everything and everyone in the parks, covering\nthe grass in a blanket of pink.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Okay, so what else can you do at these\ncherry blossom festivals? Well, go boating for one. That\u2019s a very popular\nactivity at parks like Kitanomaru Park in Chiyoda and Ueno Park. The cherry\nblossoms litter the water, tinging it pink. It\u2019s a super romantic activity if\nyou\u2019re in a couple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Otherwise, you can enjoy food like takoyaki<\/em>,\nTokyo\u2019s much-beloved chocolate bananas, okonomiyaki, yatai<\/em>, and other\nfestival eats and drinks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Live Sumo Matches<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n
You may love American sports, but there\u2019s\nnothing like a live sumo match in Tokyo. The strength, power, and athleticism\nthe sumo wrestlers possess are unmatched. Plus, in seeing a sumo match, you get\nto visit one of the most renowned venues in all of Tokyo, the Ryogoku\nKokugikan. It\u2019s no surprise this arena was once known as Ryogoku Sumo Hall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now, the sumo tournaments happen at very\nspecific times each year, but there are sumo exhibitions in between. You may\neven get the chance to watch in on a sumo practice, which happens in the\nmorning. If you have your heart set on the tournaments, the first one occurs in\nJanuary, then in March, May, July, September, and the last one of the year in\nNovember. Make sure you plan your trip to Tokyo on those months for the most\nsumo fun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can either sit in stadium seats or on\nfloor cushions, and I suggest you do the latter. It will give you that\nauthentic Japanese experience you\u2019re traveling to Tokyo for. Plus, you can sit a\nlot closer than you can with the arena chairs. You\u2019ll be right outside of the\nring! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Tokyo Nightlife <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
$\"Alleyway$
And is Tokyo safe for solo women?<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>
$\"\"$
A must-read before you go to Tokyo!<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Tokyo truly comes alive at night, so if\nyou\u2019re an adult looking for a thrill or at least something to drink, then make\nsure you don\u2019t retire to your hotel every night of your stay. Otherwise, you\u2019ll\nmiss out on all the excitement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What kind of nightlife can you expect in\nTokyo? You really have endless options. I\u2019ll go over them for you now:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
See the Tokyo Skytree or\nanother observation deck by night, as, like I said, these offer spectacular\nviews of Tokyo by dark. <\/li>
Attend a magic show and\nenjoy some booze at the same time at the Magic Show Bar. <\/li>
Sing your heart out at a\nkaraoke bar. <\/li>
Go for a night cruise\nalong Tokyo Bay.<\/li>
Check out a baseball\ngame, such as at the Tokyo Dome, where you can see teams like the Yakult\nSwallows and Yomiuri Giants play. <\/li>
Go pub crawling, which is\nknown as Izakaya <\/em>hopping in Japan. <\/li>
Enjoy some clubbing in Shibuya\nand Roppongi especially.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
As the above list tells you, there\u2019s no\nshortage of options for enjoying Tokyo once the sun goes down. Try one or try\nthem all, but you\u2019ll never be bored on your trip, I can promise you that! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. Tokyo Restaurants <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$
Tokyo is amazing when it comes to food and restaurants!<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
You have to eat, and you have a multitude\nof choices in Tokyo. No matter what kind of budget you set, I\u2019m certain you can\nfind quality meals. Bento boxes and ramen await those who need cheap fuel. I\nrecommend you try places like Taiyaki Wakaba (a dessert place), Al Dente\nShinjuku (and Italian joint), Nakajima, Manneken, Tsuta, Harajuku Gyozaro, or\nYamabe Okachimachi if you want meals that are inexpensive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You don\u2019t even necessarily have to eat\nJapanese food if you don\u2019t want to. Lots of chain restaurants have migrated to\nJapan, among them McDonald\u2019s, Starbucks, Krispy Kreme, Red Lobster, TGI\nFriday\u2019s, Hard Rock Caf\u00e9, Domino\u2019s, Wendy\u2019s, Subway, KFC, and Burger King. You\ncan get a taste of home in Japan anytime, although the menu probably won\u2019t look\nexactly like it does back on American soil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even if you don\u2019t particularly like fast\nfood but you\u2019re still feeling homesick, there\u2019s more than just Japanese cuisine\nin Tokyo. From Italian (like Dente Shinjuku) to French, Chinese, and even\nAmerican dishes, you can eat what you like.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might find that a bit of waste though\nconsidering Tokyo has some of the best restaurants in the universe. That\u2019s not\na personal opinion, either. The city has eateries with more Michelin stars than\nany other worldwide. These include such establishments as Kanda, Ramen Yamadaya,\nJoel Robuchon Restaurant, Ginza Kojyu, Sushi Yoshitake, Quintessence,\nNihonryori RyuGin, and Ishiwaka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Obviously, you\u2019re going to pay more to eat\nat a Michelin-starred restaurant than anywhere else, so you probably won\u2019t get\nto eat at all those places during your stay. (That\u2019s not even the full list.)\nThat only gives you another reason to come back to Tokyo, so you can experience\nmore of the food. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
6. Meiji Jinju Shrine and Many Others <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
$\"\"$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Shrines are a common part of Tokyo\nculture, and you\u2019re likely to run into one just about anywhere. The Meiji Jinju\nShrine has a reputation as one of the better-known shrines around the city, but\nit\u2019s far, far from the only one. Some others of note include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Atago Shrine<\/li>
Tomioka Hachiman Shrine<\/li>
Tsukiji Hongwanji Shrine<\/li>
Nogi Shrine<\/li>
Zojoji Temple<\/li>
Hanazono Jinja Shrine<\/li>
Tenno-ji<\/li>
Nezu Shrine<\/li>
Hie Shrine<\/li>
Senso-ji <\/li>
Kana Shrine<\/li>
Yasukuni Shrine<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Even though you\u2019re visiting from another\ncountry, you\u2019re more than welcome to pay your respects at any of these shrines.\nMost of the time, this process will begin before the torii <\/em>gates or the\nentrance to the shrine. You\u2019ll likely have to purify yourself with water, then\nring a bell, and maybe present your own symbolic offering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The shrines, besides being inspirational\nand gorgeous wonders, have more to offer than looks and history. Many shrines\nhave parks attached or nearby. Others boast museums, and Ueno Park even has a\nzoo on its grounds. There\u2019s food and entertainment as well, so plan to stay for\na few hours at least. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
7. Riding the Shinkansen <\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
$\"Japan$ <\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
If you take public transportation every\nday, especially a train, then you probably have some complaints. For one, you\nfeel the train just goes too slowly. Well, wait until you ride the shinkansen\n<\/em>or bullet train. Your entire world is about to get rocked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019ve written about the shinkansen <\/em>many\na time on this blog, but that\u2019s because it\u2019s such a standout feature of Tokyo.\nAt their fastest, the bullet trains will go 200 miles per hour (MPH), but they\nhave the capacity to go even quicker. In fact, in test runs, it\u2019s become common\nknowledge that the trains can race along at 275, even 375 MPH. You wouldn\u2019t\never travel that quickly on a commercial shinkansen<\/em>, nor would you need\nto.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tokyo has a fascinating rail network. It\u2019s\nso easy to get from one part of Tokyo to another as well as many other\nneighboring cities in Japan through the train system. As I\u2019ve mentioned in a\nprevious article, most people in Tokyo and other parts of Japan travel via cab\nor through public transport like the shinkansen<\/em>. Given the reliability\nand far reach of this train system, you can see why. Once you go back home,\npublic transport just won\u2019t be the same. It\u2019ll feel like you\u2019re traveling in\nslow motion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
8. Shibuya Crossing <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
$\"A$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Speaking of trains, Shibuya Station has a\nmarvel not too far from it, Shibuya Crossing. This pedestrian scramble or\ndiagonal crossing is sort of like Times Square, New York for Americans who have\nnever gone abroad. It\u2019s wide open, allowing for lots of foot traffic. While\nfavorable in the US and Canada back in the 1940s, you don\u2019t see diagonal\ncrossings in those countries as much anymore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That alone makes walking through Shibuya\nCrossing a treat. You have to depart at the Hachiko exit at Shibuya Station and\nthen you can walk with the crowd. You\u2019ll notice a statue of the exit\u2019s\nnamesake, a dog named Hachiko, as you leave. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It really does look and feel like Tokyo\u2019s\nown Times Square, what with the ginormous LED advertisement billboards and\nsurrounding businesses trying to lure you in. If the spot looks familiar to you\nonce you get there, it\u2019s probably because you\u2019ve seen Shibuya Crossing in a\nblockbuster film. It\u2019s appeared in Resident Evil: Retribution<\/em>, Resident\nEvil: Afterlife<\/em>, The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift<\/em>, and Lost\nin Translation<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
9. Natural Landmarks <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When you think of Japanese natural\nlandmarks, your mind probably jumps to Mount Fuji first. That\u2019s understandable,\nbut that monstrous mountain is actually not in Tokyo, but Honshu. If you\u2019re\nmore of a nature lover, you won\u2019t be totally at a loss for what to do around\nthe city, though.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, Shinjuku Gyoen National Park\nhas a history dating back to the 16^{th<\/sup> century. It was then that the\npark\u2019s grounds were used as the base of a mansion that Lord Naito owned. You\ncan see such blending of landscaping as English gardens, French formal gardens,\nand Japanese gardens in one park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n}
The Nippara Limestone Cave will take you\nabout 40 minutes to get through, but don\u2019t rush. You\u2019ll want to witness the\nstalagmites and stalactites within the cave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lake Okutama is a manmade lake cut from\nthe Tamagawa River. Some people refer to it as the Ogouchi Reservoir because of\nthe nearby Ogouchi Dam. No matter which name you prefer, this lake has a lovely\nfloating bridge you should definitely take a few minutes to cross.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you really want to see a mountain in\nTokyo, then try Mount Kumotori. This is no slouch, as the structure is more\nthan 6,500 feet tall. You can even spot Mount Fuji from the higher peaks of\nMount Kumotori as well as parts of Yamanashi and Saitama Prefectures. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
10. Themed Caf\u00e9s <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
$\"Inside$ <\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Finally, if your itinerary isn\u2019t\ncompletely full by now, you can always add a few themed caf\u00e9s to the list. I\njust wrote a comprehensive\nguide<\/a> about more than 20 of the best of\nthe best Tokyo has to offer in terms of caf\u00e9s with themes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re in the mood for the macabre, try\nthe Vampire Caf\u00e9 with its devilishly delicious eats or Alcatraz ER for a tasty\nslice of prisoner life. If you like cutesy cartoons and anime, the Straw Hat\nCaf\u00e9, Doraemon Caf\u00e9, Totoro Cream Puff Caf\u00e9, One Piece Caf\u00e9, and Pok\u00e9mon Caf\u00e9\nought to suit you well. There\u2019s also the Cinnamoroll Caf\u00e9, Pompompurin Caf\u00e9,\nMoomin House Caf\u00e9, and PEANUTS Caf\u00e9 for those who love kawaii.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speaking of kawaii, the Kawaii Monster\nCaf\u00e9 is adorable by day and sexy by night. The Gundam Caf\u00e9 and Godzilla\u2019s\nRestaurant will provide some cool vibes to make your trip unforgettable as\nwell. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Conclusion <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
I may be biased, but I\u2019d say every time, regardless\nof budget, Tokyo is worth visiting. No matter where your interests lie, be that\neating and drinking, nightlife, sightseeing, shopping, kawaii things, or\nenjoying nature, there\u2019s something for you here. Why not plan your trip and see\nfor yourself? You definitely won\u2019t regret it. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
You know how it goes. You\u2019ve had plans to visit Tokyo for years, but things keep getting in the way. Maybe it\u2019s bills or work stuff. You could have family<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2406,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thetokyotourist.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2402"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thetokyotourist.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thetokyotourist.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thetokyotourist.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thetokyotourist.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2402"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/thetokyotourist.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2402\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2419,"href":"https:\/\/thetokyotourist.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2402\/revisions\/2419"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thetokyotourist.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2406"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thetokyotourist.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2402"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thetokyotourist.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2402"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thetokyotourist.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2402"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}

10. Themed Caf\u00e9s <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n