(Image by Guilhem Vellut via https://www.flickr.com/photos/o_0/13593201395/ Located in the Kita ward of northern Tokyo near Oji station, Asukayama Park is a public green space that offers a picturesque landscape featuring approximately 600 Japanese cherry trees, making it a popular destination among Japanese people. While foreign tourists tend to favour parks such as Ueno or Yoyogi, Asukayama offers a great alternative for experiencing the local festive atmosphere during the cherry blossom season in early spring. Dating back to the early 18th century, Asukayama Park was established as a pleasure ground for the Edokko, the inhabitants of Edo, by Yoshimune Tokugawa, the eighth shogun of the Edo period. By 1720, the park … 続きを読む

(Image by hiroaki maeda via https://www.flickr.com/photos/torisan3500/3190982088/) Ginza is one of Tokyo’s prime areas for glitzy shopping and dining, uniting some of the world’s most well-known brands. In Ginza’s main street, you will find Japan’s most famous stationery specialty store: Itoya. The shop offers a vast, wonderful selection of Japanese and international brands, with dozens of original stationery items that are both stylish and functional. Whether you’re a die-hard stationery fan and seek to enrich your arsenal of pens and paper or you’re simply looking for a fun souvenir, Itoya is a must-visit in any case. We will guide you through each of the 12 themed floors and showcase highlights and … 続きを読む

(Image by t-mizo via https://www.flickr.com/photos/tmizo/8344508921/) Have you ever heard “Monjayaki”? If you visit Tokyo, Monjayaki is a food delicacy that you should definitely try! While Tokyo’s monjayaki is not as well-known abroad as Osaka’s okonomiyaki, the dish inspires heated regional rivalries in Japan. Residents of the two cities frequently fight over which is better. If you have yet to try monjayaki, Tsukishima Monja Street is worth a visit. Though the dish itself might not look particularly tasty, take a bite, and you’ll quickly realise why monjayaki is so popular in the area! The area is also known as the Mecca of Monjayaki! (Image by nakashi via https://www.flickr.com/photos/nakashi/31442304074/) Tsukishima Monja Street … 続きを読む

(Image by elminium via https://www.flickr.com/photos/lumen850/5460873303/) Kanda Myojin Shrine has been historically revered by Tokyo’s residents as the “guardian deity of Edo”. Contrasting the nearby electric neighbourhood of Akihabara, Kanda Myojin is a tranquil sanctuary of a shrine. Over its history dating over 1,300 years ago, Kanda Myojin Shrine has seen the worship of many samurai warriors and daimyo warlords. The breathtaking vermillion architecture is a symbol of this shrine, which survived both the Great Kanto Earthquake and Tokyo Air Raids. History of Kanda Myojin Shrine Kanda Myojin Shrine was founded in 730 near present-day Otemachi and has a history of nearly 1,300 years. It was moved to the current location … 続きを読む

(Image by Ann Lee via https://www.flickr.com/photos/cyesuta/29679818878/) The Tobacco and Salt Museum first opened in the Shibuya ward of Tokyo in 1978. The museum was founded by the Japan Monopoly Corporation (now Japan Tobacco Inc). At the time, tobacco and salt were under protections by a government monopoly, abolished in 1985 and 1997, hence the themes of the museum. In 2015, the museum moved to Yokokawa in the Sumida ward, into a renovated warehouse building. Today, permanent exhibitions are split into two sections, salt on the second floor and tobacco on the third. The museum also hosts several temporary exhibits throughout the year. The museum houses more than 30,000 items including … 続きを読む

(Image by Dick Thomas Johnson via https://www.flickr.com/photos/31029865@N06/8283321851/) With its lush nature, varied activities and extremely easy access from Shinjuku, Mount Takao in Tokyo is a hugely popular destination for weekend outings and hikes. Its popularity spiked even further with its achievement of 3 Michelin stars in 2007, and Mount Takao now attracts nearly 3 million people annually. Mount Takao has 8 hiking courses catered to hikers of all levels, and nearby venues including a hot spring and museum, make the Mount Takao a great destination for any fun-seeking traveller. To keep it short, this article will only introduce Mount Takao’s 6 must-see spots hidden within it! 6 Spots to Visit … 続きを読む

(Image by Alvin Leong via https://www.flickr.com/photos/leonghongrui/5167114604/) Hello Kitty may be one of Japan’s most famous international exports. Luckily for Sanrio, she isn’t just their company’s one hit wonder – they have a string of characters hits to their name, from the sugary-sweet My Melody rabbit to the famously apathetic egg, Gudetama. If you can’t have enough Sanrio in your life, it’s time to fulfil those dreams and head on over to Sanrio Puroland in Tama City. It’s a relatively small theme park, but it’s loaded with enough pastel-coloured kawaii to keep you and your kids happy for the day. As a bonus, there’s plenty of themed merchandise on sale. If … 続きを読む

(Image by Zengame via https://www.flickr.com/photos/zengame/28643787448/) If you can’t get to the coast or corals, why not try the Aqua Park Shinagawa in Tokyo? Let the lava lamp loveliness of jellyfish wash over you. Experience the weird wonder tunnel vision of sharks and rays flying over your head. Get your seat early for the dolphin show and make sure you’re wearing waterproof kit! The aquarium is packed with awesome otters, sneaky seals and if you’re peckish like a penguin, tasty treats. An Aquarium Inside A Hotel With About 25,000 Fish Maxell Aqua Park Shinagawa (マクセル アクアパーク品川) is an indoor aquarium (inside the famous hotel, Shinagawa Prince Hotel, and not to be … 続きを読む

(Image by Guilhem Vellut via https://www.flickr.com/photos/o_0/13842616063/) Tokyo boasts an abundance of antique markets selling many kinds of valuable antiques. As fascinating as the diversity of merchandise on offer at the markets are the vendors themselves, who have plenty to say about their wares. Interacting with them is one of the delights of a market visit. One of Japan’s Premier Open-Air Antique Markets Those with a sharp eye for antiques vouch for the high quality of this market, guaranteeing a lucky find or two. This market is called Oedo Antique Market, and it is considered as one of Japan’s premier open-air antique markets. The Oedo Antique Market is Japan’s largest outdoor … 続きを読む