8 Unique Things to do in Tokyo

You may be wondering what you can do in Tokyo that doesn’t include shopping or maybe you want to do something you can’t do anywhere else. Here’s a quick list that might turn your Tokyo vacation into a Tokyo adventure.

image01Walk in the footsteps of countless pilgrims by visiting the Senso-ji temple, one of Japan’s icons and Tokyo’s most famous Buddhist temple. This imposing structure features a massive paper lantern at the entrance that’s dramatically painted in bright reds and black. Beyond the Kaminarimon or “Thunder Gate” is the Nakamise-dori an open air market of unique shops, followed by the Hozomon or “Treasure House Gate” which provides the main entrance to the temple complex. A great place to take in Japanese modern and ancient culture all at once.

image02You can watch the famous tuna auctions but be ready to set your alarm clock to 4am so you can register for a space to view as viewing spaces are limited to a maximum of 120 daily viewing spots. Make sure to check the website http://www.tsukiji-market.or.jp/tukiji_e.htm before setting off as the market doesn’t operate every day.

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image03If you want to see more traditional and natural surrounding then walk over to the Meiji-Jingu shrine. You can escape into a densely wooded escape that envelopes the capital’s premier Shinto shrine. If you make sure to come on festival days you may be able to spot men wearing traditional clothing and the women in gorgeous kimonos that can give you the complete feeling of a full Japaneses vacation.

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image04Discover Odaiba, an island of reclaimed land in Tokyo Bay linked to the city by the Rainbow Bridge. Walk over the single-span suspension bridge to Odaiba where you can view a scale copy of the Statue of Liberty, ride on the Daikanransha ferris wheel, walk the Megaweb an exhibition hall of the car maker Toyota,  Tokyo Leisure Land, 24 hour video gaming, karaoke, bowling, a Venice-themed shopping mall or hang out in Zepp Tokyo, one of Tokyo’s largest performance halls and nightclubs.

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image05Get lost in the crowds of the Shibuya crosswalk area. Every few minutes a wave of people from all forms of Japaneses fashion and culture, swarms across the Shibuya Crossing. A good place to take in the chaos is on a vantage point in the bridge corridor that links Shibuya Station with the Shibuya Mark City complex where you can also view the Myth of Tomorrow mural.

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image06One of the city’s most interesting free museums is the Advertising Museum Tokyo or ADMT . The museum displays historical exhibits of ads across Japan over the last century including the Edo period that developed a sophisticated and refined culture despite the feudalistic system of the time and features the top five people who made significant contributions to the history of advertising in Japan.

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image07Fans of the animation culture of Japan will want to explore the Tokyo Anime Center as part of their explorations of Akihabara, it’s basically the geek central for electronic goods, cafes and all things anime. The Tokyo Anime Center hosts regular events including live radio interviews with creators and voice actors, merchandising fairs and other anime culture events. You can also view movies at the AKIBA3D Theater when available.

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image08If you’re looking for more contemporary art, you can visit 3331 Arts Chiyoda where many free contemporary art galleries are hosted and offer a mix of exhibitions and interactive installations. You can also enjoy the art galleries of the Bakuchoro area where several are gathered in the Agata-Takezawa Building.

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image09You can also admire beautiful gardens and horticultural beauty in many of Tokyo’s traditional gardens. Some of the best gardens include the Tokyo Imperial Palace East gardens and Asukayama Park where you can enjoy many cherry trees that blossom with beautiful pink flowers during the cherry tree blossoming season. You can also enjoy an entire afternoon at Inokashira Park and appreciate the small shrine dedicated to Benzaiten, spend time at the petting zoo and splash around at the small aquarium. Vendors, musicians, artists and street performers also gather at the park and the park buzzes with crowds on the weekends, holidays and especially during the cherry blossom season. Tokyo offers a nearly endless list of gardens to enjoy. You can also enjoy Tokyo in amazing an amazing Five-star Tokyo tour and vacation that includes everything from round-air, hotel stay, transfers and city tours. That way you can feel confident discovering an exotic city.

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