Tokyo Travel Guide

6) Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea

It does not matter if you have been to Disneylands in other countries, you still need to visit Tokyo’s famed Disney parks in the district of Chiba. While Tokyo Disneyland is similar to that of its Californian counterpart, the adjacent DisneySea promises to bring magical aquatic thrills. A 1-day pass for both parks costs US$61.50 for adults, US$54 for seniors, US$53 for teens 12-17, and US$41.40 for children 4-11. Kids 3 and under are admitted for free.

7) Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office

Marvel at Japanese architectural feats by securing a trip at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office, located along Nishi-Shinjuku. Designed by famed master planner Kenzo Tange, the capital’s city hall features three buildings that illustriously decorate the Tokyo city skyline. Building number 1, which towers at 240 meters, is the best place for tourists who wish to revel in the spectacular urban view for free.

8) Tsukiji Fish Market

As the largest fish market in the entire world, Tsukiji is a must-visit for travelers who do not have any idea of what goes on in a fish auction. Here, you can marvel at the sights of more than 450 kinds of seafood coming from fishing vessels all over Japan. With the seafood bounty in the market, Tsukiji is a great place for tourists who want to feast on freshly-prepared sushi. Admission is free.

9) Inokashira Park

When you are visiting Tokyo especially in Springtime, be sure to visit Inokashira Park. When the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, visitors abound to enjoy the hanami at night. Inokashira Park is a vast expanse of 95 acres of land and water forms. There are large ponds that people can explore with boats. Boats for rent are available in three types – the row boat, the paddle boat, and the romantic swan boat.

10) Tokyo Sky Tree

Not everyone knows this, but the world’s second highest structure is found in Tokyo. The Tokyo Sky Tree is an observation tower in Sumida, Tokyo, which is also a television broadcasting tower. Many people visit the tower because it is also happens to be a shopping complex with restaurants and cafes. It even has a large aquarium that children can enjoy and learn from. The 360-degree panoramic view of Tokyo, as seen from the height of 450 meters, is really the most awe-inspiring.

Where to Eat

Inakaya, Tokyo
Photo credit: http://erininthelioncity.com/2012/06/
Japan has always been known to produce the most brilliant chefs and the most delectable gastronomic selections in the world. So when you’re in Tokyo, never fail to visit these food specialists.

1) Kamon

For the finest Teppanyaki cuisine, head straight to Kamon, located on the 17th floor of the Imperial Hotel. Kamon, which translates to “Gate of Celebration,” is truly a befitting name, especially when you enter this lavishly-designed restaurant. Apart from teppanyaki, guests can enjoy succulent seafood with set lunches starting at US$39, and set dinners clocking at about US$145.
Address: Uchisaiwaicho 1-chome, Chiyoda-ku

2) Nobu Tokyo

As the sister restaurant of Nobu New York, Nobu Tokyo is just as elegant, with its beautifully-presented food, seasoned with a hodgepodge of flavorful ingredients. Must-try foods include Nobu’s sushi, sashimi and wagyu steak. Sushi costs about US$6.40 per piece, while lunches start at US$25 a set. A dinner plate costs about US$128.
Address: 1F Toranomon Tower Office, 4-1-28 Toranomon, Minato-ku

3) Sushiko

The best sushi in the entire world, bar none, is served at Sushiko in the Ginza region– a bold but factual statement. Unlike other sushi bars, you will not be presented with a menu, and fish is kept refrigerated until you have told the chef your sushi of choice. While this 11-seater restaurant is very quaint, its prices are larger than life, ranging from US$160 to US$213 per meal. It is located at 6-3-8 Ginza, Tokyo.

4) Waentei-Kikko

Eat the finest Kaiseki cuisine in a small, traditional house that is the Waentei-Kikko restaurant. Located in the Asakusa district, it is just a few miles away from the Sensoji temple. Here you can enjoy obento lunches (starting at US$27) and kaiseki meals (from US$73 to US$150) prepared with utmost care by the friendly husband and wife team overseeing the restaurant.
Address: 2-2-13 Asakusa, Taito-ku

5) Casita

When it comes to Fusion Crossover and Pacific Rim delicacies, the best place to go to is the Casita restaurant. If you are craving for non-Japanese food, Casita can cater to your gastronomic needs with its healthy Caesar salad, succulent caramelized foie gras and delicious wrapped langoustines, among many others. Be sure to get reservations, and be prepared to pay anywhere from US$34 to US$59 for main dishes, to as much as US$134 for set dinners.
Address: La Porte Aoyama, 5th floor, Harajuku & Aoyama.

Where to Stay

Tokyo has plenty of accommodation options for tourists of all budget considerations. See which one among the hotels in this list cater best to your budget.

1) Khaosan Tokyo Guest House Ninja in Chuoku

A favorite spot amongst backpackers, Khaosan features a communal space with first-world amenities, such as cable TV and Wi-Fi. Its twin rooms are available at US$63 per night, while its dormitory cabin beds are very cheap at just US$33 a night.
Address: 2-5-1 Nihombashi Bakurocho, Chuo-ku

2) Royal Park Tokyo in Chuoku

Located in the district famously known as “Downtown Tokyo,” Royal Park is heralded as the best moderately-priced hotel for tourists and business travelers. After all, it is located near Japan’s religious temples, employed with chefs who cook up mean batches of omelettes! Room rates start at a friendly US$255 a night.
Address: 2-1-1 Nihombashi Kakigaracho, Chuo

3) Conrad Tokyo Hotel in Minato-Ku

With views of the Hamarikyu Garden and Rainbow Bridge, it does not come as a surprise why Conrad is one of the pricier hotels in Tokyo. Its design philosophy is “tradition meets modernity,” surely befitting its room rates of US$373 to US$430 a night.
Address: 1-9-1 Higashi-Shinbashi, Minato

4) Grand Hyatt Tokyo in Minato-Ku

Grand Hyatt almost always serves as temporary reprieves for celebrities and VIPs staying in Tokyo. Its popularity among international tourists is viral, since it is located near foreigner-friendly establishments. With interiors designed by top names such as Super Potato and Tony Chi, the “cheapest” rooms cost about US$499 a night, while its most lavish suites can cost as much as US$591 per night.
Address:  6-10-3 Roppongi, Minato-Ku

5) Khaosan Tokyo Guest House Ninja

Khaosan Tokyo Guest House Ninja is one of the most affordable options for backpackers staying in Tokyo. The hotel has a communal set-up and even holds parties for the different guests, which is quite unusual in Tokyo. The hotel accommodates guests in twin rooms for US$63 and dormitory cabin beds for US$33. Wi-Fi and cable-TV are amenities accessible to guests, whether they are staying for a short period or for extended terms.
Address: 2-5-1 Nihombashi Bakurocho, Chuo-ku

6) Ryokan Sansuiso

Ryokan Sansuiso is a low-priced hotel located in Gotanda District. The amenities are simple, such as shared baths. The rooms are quiet and offer comfortable futon beds for the weary traveler. It is very close to popular destinations that tourists and shoppers frequent. Shibuya, Ebisu and Roppongi are close by. Rooms can be occupied by a maximum of three people, but bath is shared. Every room is air-conditioned and provided with TV and Wi-Fi at the price of around US$111. Guests who intend to stay out until dawn will have to find another hotel, because the Ryokan is open to its guests only until midnight. It closes beyond that and opens again in the morning.
Address: 2-9-5 Higashi Gotanda, Shinagawa-ku, Gotanda
Tokyo, indeed, is a city of stark contrasts. This makes it refreshing for any traveler who wants to visit a city with endless surprises and interesting diversity– a promise that he will never get bored!
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