This is part 2 of Code for Something Amber’s guest post on Tokyo – Explore. I know I’ll be ticking off most of those things when I get to Japan and I’m pretty sure all pizza should be mouse shaped. The list of links at the end is also just brilliant. You can read part 1, Eat and Sleep here.
London, Paris, New York… Tokyo. You’ve seen the films, read the books, and you know you’re in love long before you arrive. I travelled to Japan in 2007 (gosh, has it been that long?) – and still the sweet scent of fresh green tea, the retina gouging lights of Shinjuku and the tranquil sounds at the Meiji Shrine haunt my thoughts. If you’re lucky enough to be visiting this mega metropolis, here are a few essential moments you can’t miss!
EXPLORE
- Let your ears down at Tokyo Disney. Embrace, snuggle, and feed your inner child so much sugar that it vomits. Or buy nothing, save a mouse pizza or two. Either way it’s brilliant! When it comes to rides, I particularly recommend Pooh’s Hunny Hunt. This attraction is psychedelic enough to begin with – but when you throw in hordes of Japanese schoolgirls shrieking in faux horror, it becomes truly trippy. Allow one full day for a Disney visit.
- Play dress ups. If you’re an anime addict, lolita luvvie, or a candy raver kid, costume shopping should be high on your list. However, browsers beware, costumes hanging in a window doth not make a costume shop! Do not do as I did, dragging my mild mannered English friend headlong into the filthiest sex store I’ve ever seen. An experience was had in any case; just make sure your companions are up for it before you charge inside.
- Go wild in toy town. Another must do for the eternally youthful is a trip to one of Tokyo’s iconic toy stores. I loved shopping at the Kiddyland flagship on Omotesando, Harajuku. Stocking both Japanese and international brands, you’ll find several floors of plush, adorable fun. Or perhaps you consider yourself to have a more grown up taste? Head to Nakano Broadway – the destination for vintage, retro and rare collectibles. From watches to the specialty Mandrake store, they have everything a refined geek desires.
- Become a face in the crowd. Watch people teeming across one of the world’s busiest intersections – the mesmerising Shibuya Crossing. You can’t miss it – it’s a scrambled junction of roads right at the doorstep of Shibuya Station. Buy a Frappe and take a perch on the second floor of the Starbucks – it’s a great vantage point.
- Make some new animal friends. Renowned for their appreciation of all things adorable, Tokyo citizens naturally only allow the sweetest faces to become their pets. Stopping in at a local pet store will have you begging for mercy – it’s real life cute overload!
Check out the following resources for other individual takes on Tokyo:
* Gilda’s Guide to Tokyo is a really cute, fun and heartfelt guide from someone who really loves the city.
* Jean Snow is a Tokyo resident with all the latest design, art, pop culture and gaming news. If it’s featured on his site then it’s well worth further investigation.
*Annette from Nut & Bee is a big fan of all things Japanese! When she was in Tokyo last she wrote comprehensive journal entries describing her experiences – and they are full of wonderful tidbits.
* Superfuture’s Tokyo guide (US$20) is a great push in the right direction if you’re going to indulge in some serious Tokyo materialistic-shiny-shopping fantasies.
*Modern art junkie? Tokyo Art Beat is a fantastic bilingual website to hit up for gallery and event listings.
I need to eat the pizza!
I need to wear an anime costume n get drunk on sake n run around bombay screaming DATTEBAYOO KAKASHIII SENSEI!!
I loved the part about the “costume shop.” I leave for Japan for the very first time this Sunday, so I’ve been snooping around wordpress trying to find as many tips and pointers as humanely possible. Your post was a very enjoyable read
. I’ll definitely let my inner child loose!
Mollee