Tokyo is a fast-paced city that dazzles in tradition and culture with an unadulterated passion for the new age of technology. This remarkable capital can offer you an explosion of cultural experiences unlike any other. With jaw-dropping sights that surround you wherever you turn, during your cruise to Tokyo, you’ll uncover treasures of bygone eras as well as fashionable and cutting-edge technology that’ll blow your mind. Here, we chat with four bloggers about their favourite Tokyo cities:
Akihabara
Chosen by Olivia Maurer
Olivia from Aloha it’s Olivia chose Akihabara, the gaming capital of central Tokyo. “You can reach Akihabara, which is famous for its many electronic shops, within 10 minutes on a train from the city centre. What seems crazy during the day, awakens even more at night with skyscrapers, LED advertisements and loud music.
“Make sure you stop by the famous Gamers Store which is located only a few minutes from the train station. Spread over seven floors, you can find any kind of manga, novels, card games, character souvenirs, CDs and computer games. Akihabara belongs on every must-visit list.” Over recent years, Akihabara has undergone a major transformation which included the renovation of the local station and neighbouring business complex that includes huge electronic stores, not uncommon for this gaming lovers area.
“The city holds a tremendous amount of fascination; gambling halls, male hostesses, toilets with heating pads and giant rainbow cotton candy. By walking through perhaps the most vibrant district of Akihabara, I feel like I am part of a virtual world as a character in a fiction movie. To get lost in those countless shops with anime and video games or by drinking a cup of tea brought from waiters dressed as butlers and maids, I can completely lose the sense of reality. It’s this extra portion of weirdness that made me fall in love with this place.”
Harajuku
Chosen by Lauryn Lytwyn
Lauryn from The Creative Adventurer recommends visiting Harajuku to see its vibrant and lively atmosphere. “Tokyo is the best place to take some incredible pictures but nowhere in Japan is wilder, brighter and more colourful than Harajuku.
“This neighbourhood is filled to bursting with amazing places to see. My favourite spot in Harajuku is the Moshi Moshi Box. Kawaii artisan Sebastian Masuda designed the piece with all the different brightly coloured toys and accessories. Standing in front of this fantastic display is like standing in front of a giant work of art. There are so many explosive and colourful areas of Tokyo, it’s one of the parts I love most about this city.”
Odaiba
Chosen by Medhi Fliss
Medhi from Asian Wanderlust thinks that this image of Odaiba could persuade anyone to cruise to Tokyo. “No, this is not New York, it’s Tokyo! Not a lot of people know it but you can also find a Statue of Liberty in Tokyo city. It is located in Odaiba and was offered by the French in 1988 to celebrate the friendship between both countries. And, as you can see, the statue is even more beautiful in spring with the pink cherry blossoms. I also recommend you visit Odaiba at night so you can see the Statue of Liberty illuminated with the rainbow bridge in the background. Fantastic view!
A popular shopping and entertainment area, Odaiba is a district situated on Tokyo Bay Island, a man-made island off the south coast of the city. Much like Liberty Island, Tokyo Bay attracts crowds in the thousands that cross the waters to see the Odaiba Statue of Liberty and visit the shopping malls, a variation of futuristic hotels or cross the Rainbow Bridge.
Shinjuku Gyoen
Chosen by Bino Chua
Shinjuku Gyoen lies on the western edge of Tokyo and is one of the city’s largest and most populated parks. Divided into areas designed to emulate the finest gardens from across the globe, you can meander through a French, English and Japanese garden as you explore the sights and smells of the location.
Bino from I Wander told us why travellers should visit Shinjuku Gyoen, “Tokyo in autumn takes on a different character with most days being sunny and crisp while foliage turns into a mesmerising blend of yellow and red. This is an excellent time to visit the city as leaf-peeping is a popular activity in Tokyo’s numerous parks. Visits to Shinjuku Gyoen and Showa Kinena Park are highly recommended.” The bustline wonderland that lies behind the facade of the once imperial garden can be left behind as you enter the gates to the peaceful and tranquil atmosphere of this secluded gem.
