A colourful guide to - Tokyo, Japan

by Becca Collier-Cook

Things are certainly uncertain. No-one is sure as to when we can travel again. But we are sure that we will.

When the lockdown ends, and we do have the chance to venture out into the big old wide world again, I fully suggest booking a trip to Japan.

I became a complete Japan-o-phile after visiting a couple of years ago and was so lucky to return for three weeks last year.

Japan is a beautiful country, so I thought it’d be great to put pen to paper (or hand to keyboard) to tell you all about the colourful things we got up to.

colourful hidden gems

Ikebukuro

A place I’ d barely heard of before visiting Japan. I found about Ikebukuro, by scrolling to the end of a travel blog and finding the place by chance. It seemed like a pretty cool place, so I thought why not? This quirky and colourful place is based in central Tokyo. The main part is named Sunshine City and if that name doesn’ t convince you, then hopefully my pictures will. Filled with the best shops ( Tokyo Hands, Daiso), tonnes of good quality arcades, and an aquarium with more fish species than I’ d ever seen. The aquarium even had a top floor with an open ring for seals and pelicans tobathe in the sunshine. Definitely not one to be missed.

Odaiba

Odaiba or Tokyo Bay is another beautiful place to visit. They currently home the Mori Art Team Lab Borderless exhibition, which is a true treat for the senses. Immerse yourself in a world of colourful projections! I was told the exhibition would be coming to an end but after further research, it appears that the exhibition is permanent. Odaiba has plenty to offer with an onsen theme park, several large shopping malls ( The Fort Venus mall is literally modelled on Rome, fountain andeverything!), a rainbow Ferris wheel and even a small versionof the Statue of Liberty.

Shibuya & Shinjuku

If you’ ve ever looked at any type of Japan travel guide, then I’ m sure you’ ll have seen Shibuya and Shinjuku pop up on the list every time. I’ m going to say something controversial here, they’ re pretty cool locations, but they’ re not the bee all and end all. If you find yourself in Shinjuku, you will definitely want to see the Godzilla head on top of a cinema. It’ s also foodie galore, so definitely check out all the food the town has to offer. From ramen to soba noodles! If you visit Shibuya, then of course head on straight over to the CRAZY ramble crossing, but for the realeffect, visit late at night to see all the colourful lit up skyscrapers.

Asakusa

A place that I did not visit on my first trip to Japan and regretted it! The home of street food for foreigners in Japan, from melon pan to giant strawberries with fresh custard mochi. The beautiful orange and red temples and pagodas are also a sight to behold. Many people dress in the traditional kimonos here, which just intensifies the traditional Japanese atmosphere.

Harajuku

A guide to colourful places in Japan would not be complete without a mention of Harajuku. Penned famously in Gwen Stefani’s ‘Hollaback Girl’, and wellknown for everything cute, pink and kawaii.