This cosmopolitan city is a pure inter-galactic multi-sensory experience
Tokyo is an inter-galactic multi-sensory destination. Sights, sounds and the indelible mix of old world with innovation are gingerly balanced. Other cities try to keep their cultures intact but inevitably fall prey to western ideologies. Tokyo, on the other hand, has mastered its heritage while keeping haute like no other city on earth.
I love to explore the world past my doorstep. From Calgary to Cairo, Eastern China to Eastern Europe, Hyderabad to Hong Kong, the travelling bug and I have a pretty adventurous relationship.
Tokyo, however is another planet entirely. Grab a map and familiarize yourself with the various neighbourhoods that are scattered about Tokyo. All are very easily accessible via their super-organized subway system, where attendants in dashing uniforms are ready to help. Even if you’re speaking in English, they know a few choice words to get the job done. Super efficient. And efficiency is the key. With your English-Japanese guidebook, a map and your appetite for sushi, get ready to be seduced by the Land of the Rising Sun.
Here are a few key spots to check out!
Asakusa
Check out Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist Temple, built in 645 in honour of Kannon, the God Of Mercy. The Temple (called the Sensoji) is located in the heart of the Asakusa along the bank of the Sumida River. The most scenic way to get there is by boat, and as you cruise along the Sumida, you get to see the Tokyo skyline as well as the various bridges (each of them with their own meaning) that dot the river all the way to the Temple. The shrine itself is at the end of the Nakamise Shopping Arcade, a centuries-old pathway that extends 200 metres to the Temple. It's a souvenir shopper’s paradise. Here’s a tip: Never buy from the first store. You will quickly notice many of the same objects for sale with varying prices that generally increase the closer you get to the Temple. Once you reach the Temple, the majesty is all encompassing.
Mount Fuji
Plan the day and watch the sunrise at Mount Fuji, the historical trademark of Japan. Mount Fuji is what the Hamptons are to New Yorkers. So stay away on weekends during May and June, as highways are usually jammed with weekend revelers and cottagers looking for a quick getaway to Fuji Five Lake. However, spending the day watching the mist dissipate to gradually reveal the perfectly formed volcanic mountain (the one we recognize from Fuji film boxes of our youth) is quite remarkable. Take a train or drive up. f you’re driving, be sure to hit the local eateries on the way, where you can opt for a western breakfast (eggs, toast and potatoes) or a traditional Japanese breakfast (sushi!) and get energized.
Harajuku
This stylish hub is lined with gorgeous trees and filled with multiple-story designer boutiques. Nike’s first flagship store is located here and that alone is worth an afternoon. In keeping with the Japanese penchant for the coolest streetwear, you will find designs specifically created for the Japanese market. Another interesting marketing twist is the NIKEiD Studio where people can come in, plop themselves in front of the computer and actually create their very own Nike footwear. Unfortunately, this service is only limited to Japanese residents, (yes, this Canadian was heart broken, but quickly recovered with some fabulous cheetah printed/bright yellow sneaks) but it gives you some fabulous eye candy as you walk from one computer station to the next and see firsthand what is being created in front of you. On Sundays, the Harajuku girls come out. Sporting their inimitable style, the school kids flock to this district for some mall hopping and provide a fantastic afternoon of people watching. Bring your sketchpad and camera and pretty soon you’ll find your memory card filled with an incredible array of street culture.
Akihabara/Electric City
For those who are totally into the latest gadgets, this seems like—correction—this is the hub of the technological universe. Just like the city itself, you don’t have to be an electronics junkie to really appreciate this unique shopping destination. In keeping with the frenetic pace of innovation, even the landscape of this neighbourhood teems with hyper colours like pink, blue, yellow and purple; buildings adorned with lights, and a wonderful use of Anime. If you are in a rush, this neighbourhood is NOT for you, as once you get there (it’s steps away from the Tokyo Station), you quickly surrender yourself to the amped-up rhythm of the pedestrian traffic. As with all the malls in Tokyo, each one boasts about six to eight (some even going into the double digits) floors, with the entrances to the street level packed with the latest phones, flat screens and all sorts of gadgets that seem to have dropped from another planet. Enthusiastic sales clerks are positioned strategically in between these street level displays, armed with their bullhorns and harking to the crowd something or other that’s free. (“Free” is the the only English word I picked up in their chants. It was more like, “something in Japanese . . . something in Japanese . . . “
FREE!”. . .something in Japanese.). Even with the language barrier, everything they say sounds like a great deal!
Roppongi Hills
The Japanese are famous for their intense work ethic and even more fabulous play ethic, which rivals that of any hardened rockstar. The nightlife in this city knows no bounds. This chic neighbourhood houses a mind-blowing collection of lounges, clubs, sushi bars, rock bars and everything else in between. Need to chill in between your bar hopping? No worries, you can hang at the various McDonald’s and Starbucks that pepper this neighbourhood—and the entire city for that matter. Grab a burger or a latte (in the wonderful world of efficiency, you just need to identify your order by choosing it from their huge picture display cards, leaving no room for errors). Then sit back and watch the intense fashion show unveiling before your eyes. Or grab a drink at the ultra cool Grand Hyatt Hotel. That’s where my days usually ended. After just an hour into your people watching, you realize what a cookie cutter world North America can be. Here, it’s all about experimentation, edge, and a balance of couture and class. If you are hankering for some new threads, no problem! You can easily walk into one of the boutiques that are open all night long, and you’ll be able to fix every possible wardrobe malfunction that may arise during the heat of the night.
(PHOTOS COURTESY OF HINA P. ANSARI)
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