6 Things To Do In Tokyo

The region of Asia has plenty of unique islands, but one that seems hard to choose from the multitude of things to do in is Japan. Tourists usually start out in Tokyo, the country’s bustling capital and its largest metropolitan area. Here you are able to experience six classic Japanese experiences that you simply can’t afford to miss out. Here they are for your perusal!

Eat Ramen

The Ramen noodle is found world-wide in various low-quality ultra-inexpensive forms. It’s at the core of Japanese cuisine and even if you’re not a foodie, no doubt you’ll find yourself enjoying a pile of it during you trip. Each prefecture has its own style of Ramen – Michelle Lee mentions the Hokkaido Ramen as one thing to try in his article 5 Things To Try in Hokkaido. For Tokyo ramen, try Menya Mushai near Shinjuku (long queues at lunch!).

See the Snowy Peak of Mount Fuji

Mount Fuji’s near picture-postcard peak is one of the most beautiful sights mother nature has given Japan. It’s not far from Tokyo so you can easily wander out for a glimpse – although keep in mind that, like any tall mountain, the view can often be obscured by clouds. You’ll see it on the bullet train from Tokyo to Osaka, but if you’re feeling particularly brave many visitors opt to go and climb the mountain (particularly in July/August).

Visit a Love Hotel

There’s no need to explain what goes on behind closed doors at a Japanese love hotel, but just seeing one is an experience in itself. The neon, garish signs are hard to miss, and inside the cheap and tawdry furnishings look out of place anywhere apart from here and maybe Las Vegas. Many Japanese families have little privacy in their own homes, so this type of ‘getaway’ isn’t as seedy nor as uncommon as you might think. The Tokyo Journal has printed a Top Ten List of Love Hotels.

Soak in an Onsen

An Onsen (or rotenburo) is essentially a hot spring spa; Japan’s covered in them, and they are the perfect place to relax and let the mineral waters rejuvenate you. An important point to mention is that an onsens are thermal hot springs, whereas a sento is a public bathhouse where the water is heated. Either is a good experience, but many say there are medical benefits from using the spring waters and plus some of the locations are simply spectacular. There are more sentos than onsens in Tokyo, but this flyertalk post has an extensive list of onsen – likely there will be one near your accommodation.

Enjoy the View from the Park Hyatt in Tokyo

I’m sure there are more film backdrops that you can find elsewhere in Japan, but this one strikes me as a more poignant one – it is where much of the melodrama unfolds in the Hollywood hit Lost in Translation. One thing that isn’t lost is the price – be prepared to pay for this experience, as even a cocktail or snack will pinch your wallet pretty hard. But it’s worth it, especially to come around sunset and watch the red sky fade into a twinkling urban landscape.

Go Shopping

Tokyo, like many other Asian capitals, is home to shopping mayhem. You can find plenty of high-end electronics and every gadget you could ever possibly want (and many more that you might never want). You can also pick up baskets full of cheesy, quirky, immature but fun gifts – top souvenir choices for me are Kokeshi dolls and stickers, of course. Don’t forget your silk goods, woodblock prints, and high street fashion. Two good areas for window shopping are Shibuya and Shinjuku.

If You Go

When you go to Japan, you’ll no doubt be expecting a cultural shock, depending on where you’re from. So why not brush up on this lengthy (and sometimes hysterical) list of Japanese manners and etiquette before you go?

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5 Things You Must Try in Hokkaido

A popular place in Japan amongst tourists from all over the world, Hokkaido is the ideal place to experience a quaint getaway. From the subtle and peaceful way of life to its alluring and breath-taking sights and scenery, this paradise hidden at the northern-most part of Japan just one and a half hour flight from Tokyo oozes with charm and never fails to captivate.

Ramen

Miso Ramen can’t get anymore authentic anywhere else than Sapporo, Hokkaido. As the birthplace of Ramen, Sapporo bustles with ramen stalls and restaurants all over the city. Two famous Ramen joints popular amongst tourists are Ramen Republic and Ramen Yokocho. A narrow lane tightly-lined with ramen shops serving the famous Sapporo ramen, Ramen Yokocho is 3-mins by foot from Susukino Subway Station.

The area is also a popular entertainment and red light district, coming alive with energy and zest as the sun sets. Two stations away from Susukino Station is a ramen theme park known as Ramen Republic located at the 10th floor of the Sapporo ESTA, a commercial complex just in front of the Sapporo Station. Unfortunately, these popular ramen havens have been much commercialized, targeting and pricing themselves mainly for tourists and visitors. But fret not, a good bowl of ramen is available anywhere in the city. All you need to do is look out for several important signs that spell a good ramen place – small, maybe a little bit run-down, but crowded with people queuing up even in the dead of winter.

Beer

One thing you can’t miss when experiencing Hokkaido – bottoms up! Other than sakes, Hokkaido is famed for their beers with numerous breweries all over the island. Be sure to hop into one and sample their beer freshly brewed. The top four breweries include Kirin, Sapporo, Suntory and Asahi. However, other microbreweries offer beers that are just as satisfying.

One recommendation is to try the Genghis-Khan dinner (BBQ lamb) with the special beer at Sapporo Beer Factory. A perfect blend of delicacy and booze – a sinful pleasure indeed!

Seafood

Hokkaido’s range of seafood choices is a paradise for seafood-lovers. Crabmeat, salmon, scallop, sea-urchin, salmon roe, any of these underwater delicacies are fresh and supple for your enjoyment. Monstrously huge crabs are popular amongst locals and tourists alike. One place to catch seafood live in action is the morning market at Hakodate. Just a stone throw away from JR Hakodate Station, the Hakodate Asaichi (Hakodate Morning Fair) houses close to 360 shops, all of which are either vendors or restaurants selling seafood. Do get prepared to rise early and experience the market at its “freshest” between 6 to 7am.

Chocolates

One word – heavenly. You can never leave Hokkaido without bringing home a box of Shiroi Koibito or Royce products. These chocolates are set to sensationalize your palettes with its rich and tantalizing coco aroma, evoking every sinful desire in you for sheer chocolate indulgence.

Make a trip down to Shiroi Koibito Park – Ishiya’s chocolate factory where the Shiroi Koibito chocolates are made. Costing only 600 yen, entering the factory feels like walking into the world of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” by Road Dahl (thanks Adam for pointing this out!). Besides watching the production process live, there is a gallery featuring chocolate packaging, tins, a display of hundreds of hot chocolate cups and tea cups, and even a galore of old toys played by kids all over the world. Certainly brings us down memory lane with much nostalgia.  

Snow

Winter is when all the action begins. Despite harsh frosty conditions in February, Odori Park is all fired up with people geared up for the biggest snow event of the year. The world famous “Sapporo Snow Festival” lures 2 million visitors to Hokaiddo each year, attracting snow-builders from all over the world to congregate and compete.

Snow sculptures of all kinds are erected along the streets, crafting a magical kingdom out of snow. Ice structures as huge as three-story high buildings, life-size cartoon characters, famous monuments and icons, all of which, made out of sheer ice, are an absolute delight to marvel at. Night time would be the best time to enjoy these works of art as the street will be prettily decorated with lights, illuminating the whole vicinity and turning it into one bright, giant fairyland.

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