Hey Travelers,
Writing this to you LIVE from the Tokyo Narita Airport,
where I have a few hours to kill waiting for my connecting flight to Singapore!
While I don’t have time during this layover to explore Tokyo,
I’ll be stopping back over for an extended period on my trip home, so thought
it would be good to share some digging I did into potential tourist attractions
to see.
From what I’ve read/heard, Tokyo is a very modern city with
very old fashioned manners, complete with high-tech gadgets and wildly crowded
yet quiet streets. So take a read through the below To Do’s if you ever find
yourself in Tokyo, and as always, send your recommendations my way if you have
any!
1.
Tsukiji Fish Market: Tsukiji is known as
the world’s largest and busiest fish market. Public access is limited so you’ll
want to get there early (I’m talking 5 AM early) if you want to witness the infamous
live tuna auctions. Aside from the wholesale market, Tsukiji also has an
outdoor market that caters well to tourists, which is open 24 hours and can
provide you with as much wasabi as your heart desires.
2.
Meiji Shrine: Tokyo’s famous Shinto
shrine, dedicated to the late 19th-century emperor, features a
200-acree park complete with 1,500 year-old cypress. Be sure to stop at the
cleansing station where you can take a dip in the communal water tank or prepare
for prayer. Within the Shrine there is a famous wall where you can write little
notes on paper and tie to them to the wall, which is said to provide good luck
to all those who touch it.
3.
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden: Shinjuku
Gyoen is home to numerous artistically cultivated gardens, complete with cherry
blossoms galore and copious lawn space for picnics. A gourmet food hall lies on
the central lawn and there is said to be an incredible book store complete with
Japanese manga, tea sets, and extensive stationary. Admission is only $2 for
adults, so this is certainly one that you don’t want to miss.
4.
Dinner + Drinks in Ebisu: Japan is a very
expensive city, but there are lots of neighborhoods with cheaper local cuisine.
One notable area is called Ebisu, which could arguably be compared to the
Williamsburg of New York. Here, you’ll find a plethora of grilled meat and vegetables,
sashimi, and other casual plates, all served on tiny plates hot of the grills
in tiny kitchens.
I’ll try to hit some of these in my stop-over on my way home
from Singapore to share some live-time updates from a standard tourist perspective.
Until then, I’ll be baking in the Singapore sun.
Cheers, travelers!
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