Glimmering city lights, billboard with awe-inspiring calligraphy, swift bullet trains from the future, extraordinary modern architecture, and innovative gadgets you never thought someone would actually invent – these are only some of the things that welcome you to one of the liveliest city of the East – Tokyo. Somewhere between all the modernism and imaginative innovations, you will find well-preserved bits of one of the most glorious culture and civilization that date back to earliest centuries.
The city has so much to offer that most tourists are unable to decide things, activities, experiences, and sights they should fit in their limited timeframe of visit. Fear not Samurai! Here we are, with the most amazing list of must visit places in Tokyo. Let’s start the tour.
Tokyo Tower
We begin our journey from the point that can give you a 360 degree panoramic view of the city. Tokyo Tower is to Japan, what Paris is to France, except it exhibits a bit more love for Thomas Edison and his invention. The glimmering tower is one of the tallest self-supporting towers in the world and it symbolizes Japan’s rebirth and rise as a major economic power during the last century.
Sensoji
Japan is a land of shrines and temples. While its sounds utterly blissful, it is a fact that can raise the level of confusion to an alarming level. So, if you are not able to choose the spiritual place you should visit, we recommend a trip to Sensoji – unarguably the largest and the oldest Buddhist temple in the city. It is dedicated to Guan Yin, the goddess of mercy.
Shibuya
Shibuya is the shopping central of Tokyo featuring high-fashion malls and electronic outlets. It is one of the busiest squares in the world and you will be surprised by how Japanese mechanically adjust their pace and never bump into each other like people do in other busy squares around the world. If you specifically want to shop for gadgets or anime related stuff, Akihabara would be a better option though.
Studio Ghibli
Hayao Miyazaki is the Japanese equivalent of Walt Disney; only he is very much alive and still creating some Oscar –winning animated features. Studio Ghibli is museum slash amusement park that displays his amazing imaginative work and it is nothing short of a paradise for anime lovers. You might actually be lucky enough to witness one of frequently held exhibitions that can put Comic Con to shame.
The Imperial Place
Now for a real glimpse of the regal side of Japan! The Imperial Palace is where the current emperor of Japan lives. It is surrounded by a beautiful inner garden that is not open to the public, except on Jan 2 or Dec 23, the day for New Year’s Greeting and the Emperor’s birthday respectively. On these days, you can even catch a glimpse of the royal family making a public appearance on a balcony.
Culture, creativity, and modernization in its purest form – these are the few words that describe Tokyo. Make sure you experience it all during your trip.