At first, you might be shocked by so many noises, lights and people moving all at the same time in different directions. Probably you’ll even feel disoriented, because no neighborhood is like the other: one minute you’re looking up in the sky to a giant skyscraper, and the next you’re standing next to an ancient temple from a time of a completely different Japan. But don’t worry, at the end of the day, you just need to let yourself be engulfed by the lively spirit of Tokyo and its endless charms that have the perfect combination of modernity and antiquity, creating a culture that you won’t see anywhere else in the world. Now that the Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted, it is time to rediscover one of the most beautiful cities in Asia.
Your first encounter with Tokyo:
Let’s begin exploring the city in one of its most iconic places. We’re talking about Ginza, which had been the commercial center of Japan for centuries, before becoming the busiest shopping area that we know today. Once, it was the place where five ancient roads that connected the country’s major cities met, but now, it is an area surrounded by exclusive shops and gigantic, luminous billboards for the most luxurious products. If you’re not interested in shopping, don’t worry, this is still a great place to go, because you’ll see for yourself how ancient and modern can coexist: there are imposing palatial stores that borrow traditional architecture to embellish modern brands. For a bit of relaxation, make a stop at one of the many cafés of the area and watch as the world passes you by. See? You don’t need to shop to enjoy Ginza!
And that’s not all. Ginza is home to the famous Kabuki-za Theater and the Shinbashi Enbujō Theatre, where you’ll be able to enjoy some traditional Japanese performances. Additionally, this area is also the perfect location to go over to Hama-rikyū Onshi-teien, one of Tokyo’s finest gardens, that once were a shogunate summer villa right next to Tokyo Bay. Wander around the pond and drink some matcha at the Nakajima no Ochaya teahouse, and don’t forget to enjoy the view of a majestic 300-year-old black pine tree near the entrance.
Between the madness and the calm:
To be truthful to Tokyo’s contradictory nature, we wanted to contrast two of its most famous facets. First off, we have the iconic Shibuya Crossing. Chances are, if you’ve seen a picture of the city, you’ve seen this crossing. In the simplicity of traffic lights, roads and people walking, you can comprehend just how big Tokyo is and why it is the most populous metropolis in the whole world. With the backdrop of neon lights and enormous billboards, you can grasp the myriad of lives lived in the capital of Japan. During its peak times, around 3,000 people cross the five-way intersection at once, so before you attempt to go through the Shibuya Crossing, we highly recommend that you go over to the rooftop of the Shibuya 109-2 department store, where you’ll have the perfect view of the crossing and you’ll be able to brace yourself for the very short journey. Aside from the obvious attraction that the crossing is, it is worth visiting the rest of the neighborhood, because there’s quite some restaurants, shops and establishments to keep you entertained for a long time.
Now that we’ve seen the most hectic part of Tokyo, it is time to go over one of its calmest facets. Because of the neverending sight of skyscrapers, you could think that the city is exclusively a concrete jungle, without much greenery. But that would be a mistake, since Tokyo has numerous parks that serve as an oasis between so much ruckus. For example, you can head to the Inokashira Onshi Park, located in the Kichijoji area, filled with trendy cafés and boutiques to make it all more amusing.
You know spring has come to Japan when the cherry trees start to blossom and the streets are flooded by delicate pink and white flowers. For locals, this means the start of the hanami (cherry blossom viewing) season, when they get together to appreciate and celebrate this natural wonder. One could even say that these days of celebration are the best of both worlds of Tokyo, because its energetic and frenetic face merges with the natural calm and beauty of the city in people’s get-togethers to create a space of joy and festivities. Precisely, the Yoyogi-kōen is one of Tokyo’s biggest parks, and one of the best places for hanami, because the event is completed with DJs, barbecues and the beautiful spectacle of yozakura (illuminated blossoms during the night). If you are planning on visiting Tokyo in spring, now you know which activity must be the number one on your list.
Museums:
An optimal way to dive into the culture of a particular city or country is by visiting its museums. And that’s what we’re going to do now in Tokyo! We’ve chosen two museums that will transport you to different times, places and disciplines. The first one is the Edo-Tokyo Museum, which documents the city’s transformation, something pretty interesting, when you consider that before being the modern mega-metropolis that it is, it was a small group of constructions on flatlands. Take a look at how daily life has evolved in Tokyo through interactive displays and re-creations of the villas and homes, as well as hundreds of artifacts.
Then, we have the beloved Ghibli Museum, dedicated to the numerous worlds created by the master animator Miyazaki Hayao and the Studio Ghibli as a whole. Even if you’re not a fan of anime or these films, you’ll certainly enjoy this magical space, filled with beautiful creatures and sceneries, that will also give you a privileged view into how the world of animation works. For those who love the films of this studio, wandering around the Museum will be an extraordinary experience, reminiscing about the characters and movies, while enjoying a moment in a charming place.
The traditional face of Tokyo:
Part of the magic of Tokyo is its ability to present modernity and tradition as two parts of a whole. Now, it is time to explore a little bit more of its traditional side through its wonderful shrines. The most famous shrine in the city is the Sensō-ji Temple, located in the Asakusa district, which was first founded more than 1000 years before Tokyo actually became Tokyo. This Buddhist temple, dedicated to Kannon, the goddess of compassion, is considered the spiritual home of the city’s ancestors, and it has maintained its timeless atmosphere that reminds you of the Edo period, in between the modernity of today’s Tokyo. Take the opportunity to visit the Kaminari-mon Gate and its 3 meter-high red paper lantern with the “Thunder Gate” inscription, and give yourself a moment to watch the main plaza with a five-story pagoda, from where a giant cauldron of incense smokes the crowd constantly, in what is believed to be an effort to drive away ailments.
The Meiji Shrine is also a very popular temple in Tokyo, mostly because it was dedicated to Emperor Meiji and his wife Empress Shōken. In contrast with the Sensō-ji Temple, the Meiji Shrine is only almost 100 years old, because its construction began in 1915 but wasn’t finished until 1926. After WWII, it had to be rebuilt and since it was completed again, it has been one of the city’s most important religious sites. Something that makes it a very special place is that it is surrounded by a 175-acre forest, where there’s around 120,000 trees that represent species from all over Japan. Thus, aside from its spiritual nature, the Meiji Shrine is also an oasis in a concrete jungle like Tokyo. Both on the inside and the outside parts of the Temple, you’ll be able to marvel at the history of one of Japan’s most relevant Emperors, learn more about his life and picture how life was during that time.
Eating your way through Tokyo:
We cannot end our guide on Tokyo without talking about its gastronomy. Of course, that’s something that you will only be able to understand thoroughly once you’re exploring the city, but we wanted to give you some clues. Tokyo is a city with one of the best food scenes in the whole world. For example, its top restaurants have more Michelin stars than the ones from Paris and New York combined. Now, if you’re on a budget, don’t worry, because there’s quality food for everyone at any price in Tokyo. Some of the dishes that you absolutely have to try are nigiri-zushi, which originated as a fast-food option in Tokyo and is now universally loved. Head over to the Tsukiji Outer Market to try delicious fresh sushi like a local. Monjayaki is another typical dish which is basically a pancake mixed with ingredients such as cabbage or meat, that is later cooked on a hot grill. It is so popular that there’s a "Monjayaki Street" in Tsukishima, the perfect place to try it during your visit.
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