Unfamiliar with Tokyo’s hot spots? Here’s a list of tips for you
Japan’s capital city is renowned for being one of the most high-tech and busy cities on earth. It’s also known to be pretty expensive, but armed with the right information and forward planning, Tokyo is pretty affordable and easy to navigate around.
ROPPONGI HILLS
A virtual nesting ground for expats, Roppongi Hills is located within the city and is rife with numerous watering holes, restaurants and shopping outlets of both local and international variety. Most tourists however make a trek to Roppongi for a single solitary purpose – to get a bird’s eye view of the city. Housed at the Mori Arts Center, the Toyko Observation Deck is located 250m above sea level and offers a 360-degree sprawling view of Tokyo. For the more inquisitive traveller though, a Sky Deck located a couple floors above the Observation area offers a higher and more unobstructed view.
Admission: USD16 for the Observation Deck with access to Mori Arts Museum; USD3 additional for the SkyDeck.
TOKYO DISNEY RESORT
At nearly 120 acres, Tokyo Disney Resort is one of the biggest theme park attractions in the world. Accessible via the Tokyo Subway (take the Keiyo line from Tokyo to Maihama), Tokyo Disney Resort is made up of two theme parks – Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea and boasts its own hotels, mall and private monorail line. Both theme parks charge an admission of USD51for a one-day passport, which is pretty affordable considering both parks offer 30 rides and attractions.
Tip: Purchase your theme park tickets earlier at the Disney Store in Shibuya.
CHINATOWN
Every city has one, Tokyo is no exception. To get to Chinatown, alight from the Yokohama station and take the Minato Mirai Line to Motomachi-Chukagai. Chinatown is a short stroll away from that station. Filled with numerous shops, food kiosks, restaurants and temples, Chinatown offers a welcome distraction from the sheer madness of Tokyo. It’s also a great place for shutterbugs to visit as well owing to the multitude of lanterns and neon that light up the area at night. It’s also a great place to take in some more ‘familiar’ cuisine.
TSUKIJI FISH MARKET
Yes, we know what you’re thinking – a fish market?! But let us assure you that Tsukiji is far removed from any fish market you’ve ever visited. Located just above the Tsukiji Shijo Station, the market is the biggest wholesale fish and seafood market in the world and it reportedly stocks over 400 varieties of seafood. It’s also the best place in Tokyo to savour authentic Japanese cuisine because you’ll never ever have seafood this fresh elsewhere in the world. The area is best known for its numerous tuna auctions held in the inner market area, which is opened to only 140 tourists a day (it’s closed to tourists during the peak period of December and January). The Tsukiji Fish Market opens from 4am daily.
SHINJUKU & SHIBUYA
These are two of the city’s most famous destinations for tourists and visitors and they’re just a short train ride away from each other. Shinjuku is rife with skyscrapers, malls, eateries and the reason most people come here – the insane amount of electronics stores. Shibuya on the other hand is the go-to destination for young fashionable shoppers owing to the numerous malls, boutiques and shops, which stock items that set the tone for Tokyo’s fashion trends.
