Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
76
Chuo Dori, with everything from Japa-
nese folk crafts to designer togs for sale,
plus an art gallery, restaurants, and a huge
food emporium in its basement. See
p. 231.
!
Shinbashi Enbujo Theater
If you've managed to stay awake this long,
about a 10-minute walk from the Ginza is
the Shinbashi Enbujo Theater, where you
can see performances of Kabuki with its
gorgeous costumes; plots that revolve
around love, loyalty, revenge, and other
easy-to-understand themes; and great
stage presentations. (Keep in mind that
performances end by 9pm.) See p. 248.
0
KIHACHI
There are many different kinds of restau-
rants in the Ginza in all price ranges, but
for a contemporary take on fusion Japa-
nese-French cuisine you can't go wrong
here. Located at 2-2-6 Ginza. (
&
03/
3567-6281
). See p. 130.
3
THE BEST OF TOKYO IN 2 DAYS
You'll be packing in the activities for Day 2 as well, starting out at the Edo-Tokyo
Museum, and then strolling through the electronic-goods haven, Akihabara, also home
to anime and manga shops. Next, it's on to Harajuku, one of Tokyo's most vibrant neigh-
borhoods; Tokyo's most venerable Shinto shrine; a museum devoted to woodblock prints;
and Oriental Bazaar, a great shop for souvenirs. Finish the day with a trip to Shinjuku,
where you'll have a bird's-eye view of the sprawling metropolis from an observation deck
(it's free!). After dinner, take a stroll through Shinjuku's Kabuki-cho happening nightlife
district, ablaze with neon.
Start:
Subway or JR Sobu Line to Ryogoku.
4
1
Edo-Tokyo Museum
This wonderful museum chronicles what
life was like for the people who lived here,
beginning with Edo's founding in 1590
and continuing to 1964 (when Tokyo
hosted the Olympics). The museum pres-
ents vivid accounts of the lives of shoguns,
merchants, craftsmen, and townspeople.
Be sure to take advantage of free museum
tours. Closed Monday. See p. 173.
Take the JR Sobu Line from Ryogoku Station two
stops to Akihabara Station.
2
Akihabara
For a mind-numbing spin through the
latest in Japanese electronic wizardry,
check out a few of the 600-some shops
and stalls vying for your attention in
the nation's largest electronics district.
In recent years, a growing number of
shops specialize in manga and anime
(Japanese animation). See p. 225 and 226,
respectively.
Take the JR Yamanote Line, which loops around cen-
tral Tokyo, directly to Harajuku Station (via Tokyo
Station). Quicker is the Sobu Line which cuts across
Tokyo, but you have to transfer to the Yamanote at
Yoyogi Station.
3
Harajuku
Harajuku is teeny-bopper heaven, with
throngs of young Japanese combing shops
for the latest fashions. It's one of Tokyo's
most energetic neighborhoods, full of
sidewalk cafes, boutiques, accessory stalls,
and street vendors. Don't miss Takeshita
Dori, the quintessential Harajuku street.
See p. 237.
