Tokyo pocket guide.
Neon-laden streets of Shinjuku (📷)
The sprawling metropolitan area of Tokyo accounts for the largest city in the world, and with just shy of 10 million inhabitants in the central districts, is amongst the most populated cities on Earth.
Public transport and commercial centres may be chaotic at times, but the city is so well maintained in terms of cleanliness and order that everything runs extremely smoothly.
For a city of its size, Tokyo side-steps some of the pit-falls that other mega-cities of the world fall victim to. Even when visiting the most popular sights, a prevailing sense of calm and respite can be found.
⛩ Neon-drenched futurism meets delicate history.
The magical spell that Tokyo weaves on all its visitors derives from its stark contrast of history and modernity. Simply viewing the Imperial Palace (📷) back-dropped by gargantuan skyscrapers serves as one of the most exemplary sights in the city, capturing the drastic contrast between the past and the revolutionary modern age that Japan has always been at the forefront of pioneering.
Immerse yourself in the rich history of Japan at the stunning Sensō-ji (📷) complex. It’s impossible not to feel enchanted as you stroll through the opulent gates leading to the incredible multi-story pagoda, the incredible centre-piece.
Across town, you will come across Meiji Jingu (📷), a beautiful memorial shrine to Emperor Meiji and his wife Empress Shōken. With the original structure destroyed during WWII, the re-built shrine stands proudly commemorating the Emperor.
An emblematic symbol of the city, Tokyo Tower (📷) cuts above the skyline at a dizzying height of 1,092 feet. Modelled after the Eiffel Tower — which it inches out by a total of 13 meters — this lattice steel tower ignites every night, casting its golden shimmer across the city.
A stellar example of the futuristic prowess flaunted in Tokyo is found in an unlikely place. Appearing as if lifted from another galaxy, the astounding exterior of St. Mary's Cathedral (📷) is undoubtedly one of the most surreal churches on Earth. The interior of this mesmerising building is just as awe-inspiring, with huge sloping walls converging to create a cavernous ambience.
☮️ Find inner-peace in impeccably tranquil gardens.
The tranquillity and beauty of Japanese gardens have gained notoriety across the globe, with Japanese-style gardens cropping up in locations far from the Land of the Rising Sun.
For an unforgettable afternoon, wander through the picture-perfect Rikugi-en (📷). Tiny wooden bridges connect this pristine fairy-tale garden, showcasing stunning shades of red, orange and green during the autumn months.
The expansive urban park of Shinjuku Gyoen (📷) is perhaps the most popular spot of natural beauty in all of Tokyo. Attracting a well-balanced crowd of tourists and locals, it is so easy to fritter away the hours relaxing here. During the month of April, cherry blossoms begin to flourish, transforming the treeline into a sea of pink. It should be noted that tourism is hectic at this time so prices are higher, but it’s worth it.
🍸 Experience diverse and exhilarating nightlife.
Completely unafraid to be unique and diverse, the nightlife scene in Tokyo is definitive of a city that cherishes innovation. Running the gauntlet from low-key retro music bars to gigantic mega-clubs, no matter what you are looking for you will find your niche catered for.
A certified mainstay of the city, the immense nightclub of Womb (📷) provides a jolt of pure adrenaline into its young and lively clientele, who flock here to dance the night away in the presence of engaging live DJs.
Attracting a similar crowd, enormous ageHa features a sizeable indoor dancefloor, alongside incorporating an outdoor drinking area complete with pool and a seasonal purpose-built beach — it really is as crazy as it sounds!
If you consider yourself a music enthusiast, a visit to Kōenji is absolutely essential. This trendy neighbourhood has undergone a dramatic renaissance in recent years, becoming a hub for Tokyo's hip alternative crowd to congregate and build a vibrant community for themselves.
With an abundance of vinyl record stores for crate-diggers, and fun bars and restaurants, Kōenji is well worth investigating if you want to have a chilled evening in the city. Emerging from the same school of thought, make sure to stop by Jazz, Blues + Soul Bar (📷), adorned with countless records.
Although routinely closing before midnight, a visit to the dystopian Anata no Warehouse (📷) awards those who venture off the tourist circuit with an unparalleled experience. The distinct cyber-punk aesthetic adopted by this arcade has been honed to perfection. Winding seedy alleys tinged with neon lighting create a fully immersive experience akin to an interactive set from Blade Runner.
🍣 Food + Drink.
Japanese cuisine has gone on to inspire an international frenzy, with Japanese dishes becoming prominent across the globe. If you love Japanese food, Tokyo is absolutely the place to be. Bustling fish markets reel in catches of the day to supply world-class chefs, who transform fresh produce before your eyes into works of culinary art.
Naturally, sushi here is top-notch, but do your research before settling down to a meal. Whilst it’s pretty tough to find bad sushi, you want to make sure you're getting the prime dishes. Located adjacent to Tsukiji Market, seafood is crafted into wonderful sushi dishes at the well-established Sushizanmai (📷) — one of the best spots in town.
Ramen noodles are a staple dish in the palate of modern day Japan. Locals slurp delicious broth from countless inventive and affordable joints. Set your sights on a firm favourite like Yoroiya Ramen, where you can grab a steaming bowl of ramen topped off with fresh veg and soft-boiled eggs to fuel your jam-packed day of sight-seeing for a reasonable price.
Savour the delightful breaded pork dishes served up at Gyukatsu Motomura. These dishes are available across the city and have a unique texture having been cooked to dissolve on the tongue. The quirky colourful mural painted on the exterior of Kaikaya by the Sea lures in locals and tourists alike to sample a tasty seafood menu pairing traditional and modern approaches.
💤 Accommodation.
In spite of its reputation as an expensive city, the damage that eating and drinking in Tokyo does to your wallet can be salvaged by pinpointing relatively cheap and quality accommodation. If you are a backpacker who is used to sleeping in shared spaces, there are various top-tier hostels across Tokyo that are spotless and energetic.
Aside from hostels, opt for a unique experience lodging in one of Tokyo's famous 'pod hotels'. Boutique hotels pave the way for great mid-range options, whilst those on a high-end budget will invest a small fortune in exchange for total luxury.
💰 Dorms from £19.00 per night.
💰 Dorms from £17.50 per night.
💰 Rooms from £83.00 per night.
💰 Dorms from £16.00 per night.
