Tokyo Travel Tips
Tokyo, Japan's capital city, is a place where the urgent rhythms of consumer culture collide with the quieter moments that linger from older traditions. It is hectic madness leavened by the most Zen-like calm; a wonderful and worldly culture where tradition constantly mixes with the modern.
From visiting ancient shrines to the latest in shopping, watching Sumo wrestling to learning calligraphy, the range of things to do in Tokyo is breathtaking. Help make sense of the range of activities with our top tips for Tokyo trips.
Daruma Doll Fairs in Tokyo
Written by Emma, Australia, January 2012
If you are in Tokyo in January you may be wondering about the proliferation of rather funny looking eyeless dolls. Known as the Daruma doll, these dolls are believed to bring good luck and are ...
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Day Trip from Tokyo: Seeing the Cherry Blossoms in Kyoto
Written by Emma, Australia, April 2012
Late March and early April are the best times to view cherry blossoms (Sakura) in Japan . While cherry blossoms can be seen all over Japan (including in Tokyo ), Kyoto , with its ancient ...
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Edo-Tokyo Museum
Written by Emma, Australia, January 2013
Housed in a rather unappealing post-modern concrete structure said to resemble a rice granary, the Edo-Tokyo Museum offers a trip back in time to the start of the Edo period right through to the ...
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Explore Fukagawa
Written by Emma, Australia, February 2012
Fukagawa is an old neighborhood in Tokyo just 3km (1.8m) east of the Imperial Palace and Tokyo Station. It started life as a merchant district in the old city of Edo and the parks and temples here ...
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Explore the Countryside – 4 Great Day Trips from Tokyo
Written by Viator, August 2011
1. Kamakura Tour Explore the countryside, temples and shrines outside Tokyo on a full-day walking tour through Kamakura. This fully guided excursion takes you to Kamakura’s famous Great Buddha ...
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Fashion and Fun in Tokyo’s Harajuku District
Written by Emma, Australia, April 2012
It’s Sunday in Japan and Harajuku (in central Tokyo )
is the place to be. In a small area just outside Harajuku station and
Yoyogi Park a crowd of eccentrically dressed young Japanese is ...
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Get your game on at the Tokyo Game Show!
Written by Emma, Australia, September 2011
The Tokyo Game Show
is one of the world’s biggest video game exhibitions. A highlight on
every avid gamer and developers calendar, the show offers the chance for
technology giants such as Sony, ...
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Get Your Motor Running: The 42nd Tokyo Motor Show
Written by Emma, Australia, December 2011
One of the world’s top motor shows takes place for the first time in Odaiba in December 2011. Previously held at Makuhari Messe, a commercial district just outside central Tokyo , this will be the ...
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Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan
Written by Emma, Australia, September 2012
Sumo is a Japanese style of wrestling that can trace its roots back to ancient Japan
and the Shinto religion. Although you are unlikely to see a sumo
wrestler outside of his training school – ...
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Guide to Tokyo's Imperial Palace
Written by Emma, Australia, December 2011
Built on the grounds of a former Edo Castle in central Tokyo , the Imperial Palace is the official residence of Japan ’s Imperial Family. Editor’s Note: This recommendation was taken from ...
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How to Get Around Tokyo
Written by Emma, Australia, April 2012
The best way to get around Tokyo is via the very efficient train and subway system. The train station signage is bewildering at first but can actually be quite simply understood when armed with a ...
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International Anime Fair in Tokyo
Written by Emma, Australia, February 2012
For fans of Japanese animation, March means only one thing –The Tokyo International Anime Fair (TAF). Held annually at Odaiba’s Big Sight convention center in Tokyo Bay, it is one of the largest ...
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Ippan Sanga (Citizens’ New Year Greetings to the Imperial Family)
Written by Emma, Australia, February 2013
There are only two days in the year when the general public are allowed to enter the inner grounds of Tokyo’s Imperial Palace and pay their respects to the Imperial family. The first is December ...
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Kabuki Theater in Tokyo
Written by Emma, Australia, May 2012
Kabuki is a traditional form of theater that originated in the Edo
Period (1603–1867) – a relatively peaceful time in which popular culture
flourished. Unlike the older and more refined Japanese ...
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Kamakura: Top Picks in Temple Town
Written by Emma, Australia, December 2011
Just an hour south of Tokyo on the coast lies the ancient city of Kamakura. Once an important political and religious center, Kamakura is now known for its proliferation of Buddhist temples and ...
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Photo by: Nikolas L, Australia
Doing what: Mt Fuji, Lake Ashi and Bullet Train Day Trip from Tokyo
