tokyo The exciting capital with endless opportunities

WORDS Anithya Balachandran

Tokyo, the bustling capital of Japan, is a perfect example of a city where modernity and tradition co-exist. From neon-lit skyscrapers to historic temples, the city truly has it all. The climate is mild in winter and hot and humid in the summer. The city is made up of 23 wards and there are a plethora of things for visitors to engage in and imbibe the culture of the city. Prior to 1868, Tokyo was known as Edo. The city also is home to the Izu and Ogasawara islands which are known for their tropical white sandy beaches, rugged volcano-crafted landscapes and lush forest covered mountains. Today, Tokyo is the hub of an unlimited choice of shopping, entertainment, culture and dining offerings. The city's history can be appreciated in districts such as Asakusa and in many excellent museums, historic temples and gardens. Contrary to common perception, Tokyo also offers a number of attractive green spaces in the city centre and within relatively short train rides at its outskirts. A visit to Tokyo will leave you enamoured and most visitors often come back to the city multiple times in their lives.

Editor’s rEcommEndations of things to do

✤ Sky BuS Tokyo

Take a tour of Tokyo's sights on a double-decker open-top bus. The route is as such that you can see Tokyo's famous landmarks while on board the bus. There are many different routes available in the night time and day time. On the Odaiba Night Course, the bus takes passengers to see the Tokyo Tower lit up against the night sky and also runs through the Rainbow Bridge.

✤ Ameyoko (Shopping STree T )

Ameyoko, is the place to be if you want to shop till you drop! The busy market street along the Yamanote Line tracks between Okachimachi and Ueno stations, is where you can find various products such as clothes, bags, cosmetics, fresh fish, dried food and spices. Ameyoko is one of the most famous shopping streets in Japan with more than 400 stores lined up in a 500 metre stretch. Opening hours and closing days depend on individual stores, but stores typically open around 10:00 and close around 20:00.

✤ Tokyo Tower

The architectural wonder stands 333 meters high in the centre of Tokyo. Tokyo Tower is a self-supported steel tower and is about nine metres taller than its model, the Eiffel Tower. Tokyo Tower was the country's tallest structure from its completion in 1958 until 2012 when it was surpassed by the Tokyo Skytree. In addition to being a popular tourist spot, Tokyo Tower serves as a broadcast antenna. The tower's main deck at 150 meters is reached via elevator or can be accessed through the staircase which is appoximately 600 steps. There are also some "look electronics shops and has also gained recognition as the centre of Japan's otaku (diehard fan) culture. In this shopping district one can find many shops and establishments devoted to anime and manga as well as the electronic stores. On Sundays, Chuo Dori, the main street through the district, is closed to car traffic from 13:00 to 18:00 (until 17:00 from October through March).

✤ teamLab planets Tokyo

An immersive experience, teamLab Planets Tokyo is a museum where you walk through water, and a garden where you become one with

Tokyo Station is one of Japan’s busiest station by number of trains, and connects the entire length of the country through its bullet train network. The station isn't restricted to its rail connectivity as it also features many shopping areas inside and outside the ticket gates. One can explore First Avenue Tokyo Station, home to Tokyo Character Street; stroll around Yaesu Chikagai, an underground mall of 180 outlets; or pop into the upmarket department store Daimaru Tokyo branch, one of the biggest in central Tokyo.

✤ AkihABArA

Akihabara is a district in central Tokyo that is famous for its many

There are many ways to enjoy the sights of Tokyo, but by boat is a highly recommended experience! There are 3 different cruises available and they are the H IMI kO, H OTALUNA and E MERALDAS. Manga and anime artist Leiji Matsumoto was inspired by the image of a teardrop when designing the H IMI kO and derived inspiration from a spacecraft whilst designing the H OTALUNA . The design of the H OTALUNA . The EMERALADAS is the third type of cruise available which has also been designed by Leiji Matsumoto and is based on the concept of being a ferry that children want to ride on.

✤ The nATionAL ArT CenTer, Tokyo

The National Art Centre, Tokyo, is Japan's fifth national art museum. The National Art Centre, Tokyo, opened its doors to visitors in 2007 and is one of the country's most important art spaces. Don't miss out on the Fine French dining establishment with a view, Brasserie Paul Bocuse Le Musée and the extensive Art library on the third floor.

✤ ginz A

Renowned for being Japan’s premier shopping district, Ginza is one of Tokyo's most famous upmarket shopping, dining and entertainment district. The area features numerous department stores, boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, night clubs and cafes. Also, for those who enjoy the theatrical arts a visit to kabukiza, Tokyo's premier kabuki stage is highly recommended. A visit is most pleasant on weekend afternoons when the central Chuo Dori street is closed to automobile traffic and become a large pedestrian zone.

✤ Shinjuku Gyoen national Garden

Nature

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, one of Tokyo's largest and most popular parks, is situated a short walk from Shinjuku Station. In spring Shinjuku Gyoen becomes one of the best places in the city to see cherry blossoms in bloom. Shinjuku Gyoen comprises several different types of gardens; representative modern western-style garden in the Meiji era, blends three distinct styles, French Formal Garden, English Landscape Garden and Japanese Traditional Garden. The garden is a traditional Japanese landscape garden featuring large ponds dotted with islands and bridges. Well-manicured shrubs and trees surround the water together with several pavilions and the Kyu Goryo Tei (also called the Taiwan Pavilion) which was built on the occasion of the wedding of the Showa Emperor. The park's other main gardens include a symmetrically arranged, formal French garden, and an English landscape garden featuring wide, open lawns surrounded by flowering cherry trees. The rest of the park consists of forested areas, lawns and several structures including a restaurant, an information centre and an art gallery. Don't miss out on visiting the beautiful greenhouse with many tropical and subtropical flowers.

✤ ueno Park

Ueno Park is a large public park next to Ueno Station in central Tokyo. The park grounds were originally part of Kaneiji Temple, which used to be one of the city's largest and wealthiest temples and a family temple of the ruling Tokugawa clan during the Edo Period. Today Ueno Park is famous for the many museums found on its grounds, especially the Tokyo National Museum, the National Museum for Western Art, the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, the National Science Museum and others. It is also home to Ueno Zoo, Japan's first zoological garden. The park is particularly popular during cherry blossom season as it has various spots to admire the flowers as there are around 800 cherry trees lining its central pathway.

✤ ChidoriGafuChi Moat

The name of this moat northwest of the Imperial Palace, Chidorigafuchi, is said to come from its unusual shape. The structure of the moat resembles plovers, called chidori in Japanese. Chidorigafuchi's path is the most scenic spot around the moat, with a 700-metre-long tunnel of cherry trees in the spring. The pathway is a five-minute walk from Kudanshita Station or Hanzomon Station. From around the end of March to early April, the walkways around the moat are tinted pink by hundreds of cherry trees. The Chiyoda Sakura Festival is held at the same time, so for the duration of the cherry blossom season the trees are lit up at night.

✤ Mt. takao

Mt. Takao is one of the closest natural recreation areas to central Tokyo, offering beautiful scenery, an interesting temple and attractive hiking opportunities. The mountain is still located within metropolitan Tokyo and takes only 50 minutes to reach from Shinjuku by train. A network of numbered hiking trails leads up the slopes of Takaosan. The majority of visitors use trail number 1, which is broad, mostly paved and passes all of the major sites as it winds its way to the top of the 599 metres high summit. The other trails are narrower, unpaved and see significantly less traffic. The hike to the top of Mt. Takao along trail number 1 takes about 100 minutes from the base of the mountain, but that time can be cut in half by utilising the cable car or chair lift that leads halfway up the mountain.

✤indian restaurant

Japan has over 2100 Indian restaurants serving authentic Indian cuisine. Mumbai serves succulent Kebabs, classic Curries, piping hot Naans, aromatic Biryanis and luscious Lassis, all can be found at Tokyo’s most popular Indian restaurant - Mumbai. Since opening their doors in 2005, Mumbai Group of Restaurants have become the ambassadors of real, delicious Indian cuisine in the land of the rising sun. The restaurant stays true to the Indian culinary heritage, but presents its dishes with a modern and refined twist. The menu has Halal, Vegetarian, Jain options and accommodates a variety palettes and preferences. The chefs can also provide a variety of Regional Indian dishes,