Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Itineraries
The Japanese tend to holiday with their every second mapped out beforehand,
but it's hard to do the same in their own capital city - it's a gigantic place whose
every neighbourhood can eat up a full day of your time, if not several. If time is
an issue, these itineraries will give you at least a taster of what Tokyo is all about,
lassoing together some of most spellbinding districts, most enchanting sights,
and tastiest food in the city.
EXPLORING THE NORTHEAST
Tokyo's northeastern districts are some of the
most traveller-friendly in the city: Akihabara will
help you get a handle on contemporary culture,
Ueno boasts museums and parkland aplenty,
and Asakusa is Tokyo's most traditional corner.
Maid café Start the day with coffee served by
cartoon character-costumed maids at Mai:lish .
See p.161
Ueno Work your way north to take in Ueno's
sights. In a couple of hours you'll be able to stroll
around the lily-filled lake, visit the zoo, experience
a couple of temples and gardens, or hit a few of
the area's excellent museums. See p.60
Maguro Bito Head to Asakusa, and hunt
down this excellent sushi restaurant for lunch.
It's a kaiten-zushiya , which means that much of
the grub moves around the bar on rotating
racks - the peruse-and-pluck concept is a lot of
fun, not to mention perfect for sushi novices.
See p.150
Hot springs If you're willing to bare all to total
strangers, Asakusa is a great place to do it
- there are a couple of great onsen in the area.
See box, p.201
Sensō-ji This charming temple is the focus of
the traditional Asakusa neighbourhood; try to
visit it in the early evening, then head on up to
Bar Six to see the illuminations come on after
sundown. See p.69
Jicoo Take an evening trip down to Tokyo Bay
on this space-age ferry. What better way to toast
your arrival to the spectacular bay area than
with a delicious on-board cocktail? See p.170
THE BEST OF MODERN TOKYO
To get a handle on Tokyo's contemporary
delights, you're best off heading out west to
Harajuku, Shinjuku and Shibuya, a triumvirate of
districts famed for their teeming masses and
buzzing neon.
Harajuku See the city's most colourful
youngsters dressed up to the nines in
outlandish attire; if you dig their look, you'll
find plenty of nearby boutiques to help you
replicate it. See p.112
Shibuya Crossing You've likely seen this crossing
before. The sheer number of people making their
way across the road when the tra c lights change
outside Shibuya station is mind-boggling - Japan
in self-parody mode. See p.115
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
This twin-towered beast is one of the most
astonishing looking buildings in the
otherworldly neon craziness of Shinjuku. Head
to its lofty observation decks for Tokyo's best
ABOVE SUNSET FROM THE TOKYO METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT BUILDING; SHINOBAZU POND, UENO KŌEN RIGHT MAID CAFÉ
 
 
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