Ever since the early 1990s when I worked as a sustainability coordinator for a wonderful Japanese land development company in Vancouver, Canada, I have desperately wanted to visit Japan. It took me over 20 years, but I finally made it. And it was worth the wait! Such an incredible city – wildly chaotic yet orderly and respectful all at the same time.
From my quest to find the perfect bowl of ramen, to a trip by bullet train to Nagano to visit the Jigokudani Monkeys in Yamanouchi, I saw and did all I could and experienced every moment to its fullest. I spent a morning strolling the famous Tsukiji fish market, an afternoon spotting trendy Harajuku girls, and even had an opportunity to meet 3 of only 1000 traditional geisha left in Japan while enjoying traditional washoku. Truly an honour.
For a visit you won’t soon forget, here are the top 7 things that made my stay in Tokyo so special:
1 Enjoy the City Lights
It is said that the brightly-coloured neon lights of Tokyo can be seen from space. When not in space, make sure to visit the neighbourhoods of Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Shibakoen at night to enjoy them in all of their sparkly splendour.
2 Browse the Markets
No matter where I travel, I’m a sucker for a local food market and Tokyo simply doesn’t disappoint. Even though the world-famous tuna auction has since moved to the Toyosu Market across the bay, the historic Tsukiji Seafood Market is most definitely worth an early morning visit – if only to enjoy the freshest of breakfast sushi (is it ever too early?) while admiring the colourful array of seafood on display for purchase.
Should the market truly spark your interest in Japanese cuisine, be absolutely sure to take a simple 15-minute subway ride on the Hibiya Line from Tsukiji Station to Iriya Station then walk a short distance to the restaurant supply shops of Kappabashi Street. Well worth the diversion, and I have quite a number of gorgeous handmade dishes and kitchen utensils to show for it. It’s also worth admiring the intricately detailed and remarkably pricey sampuru for sale, the realistic plastic food found outside of many Japanese restaurants worldwide.
3Taste the Food
As many of you know, I get deeply inspired on the road and love to recreate my travels through food upon my return. From the yakitori I sampled in the warren of small alleys of Omoide Yokochu, the UNESCO-recognized washoku I delighted in within the traditional bonsai gardens of Happo-en, the breakfast sashimi I devoured at the Tsukiji Seafood Market, to my search across the city for that perfect Michelin Star-worthy bowl of ramen (and there were many), Tokyo had no shortage of culinary inspiration.
4 Watch the People
From the traditional geisha with distinctive white face, red lips and perfectly coiffed hair to the cosplay kids and lace clad goth Lolitas of Harajuku, many days can be spent just people-watching in Tokyo. Even a leisurely coffee overlooking the crowds at Shibuya Crossing is worthy of a break in the sightseeing.
5 Experience the Traditional Culture
Tokyo is an amazing blend of old and new, with examples of history, tradition and custom found amoung the ultra-modern, new and innovative. When visiting the sights and lights of Tokyo, don’t forget to slow down and appreciate the harmony reflected in its traditions.
6 Ride the Tokyo Subway
Like a murmuration of starlings, passengers of the Tokyo subway system move in a calm continuous swarm of hundreds of people working together in unison. The system is efficient, clean, and remarkably safe. It’s also surprisingly easy to use even if you can’t understand or read the language, so I highly recommend you pick up a multi-day pass and use it as your main method of transportation.
7 Take a Day Trip into the Mountains
Despite the draw of Tokyo’s many attractions, I was excited to leave the city for a day trip by Shinkansen (bullet train) to see the snow monkeys of Jigokudani, and I’m so glad I did.
Following a gentle 40-minute walk through fresh snow in the mountains around Nagano, I spent the day watching these beautiful and wonderfully expressive wild Japanese macaques bathing in their natural hot spring and it was an experience I won’t soon forget.
On your next visit to Tokyo, enjoy all that this extraordinary city has to offer, then treat yourself to a day immersed in nature in the mountains around this bustling capital.
Exposure to nature not only improves our mood and makes us feel better emotionally, but it also contributes to our physical wellbeing – reducing blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and the production of stress hormones.
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