I never thought that I can make my second trip to Japan this year, and here I want to share 10 Things You Shouldn’t Miss in Japan. The numbers on this list will increase soon when I can think of something else which may not yet include in this post. Tokyo is definitely one of those top places in every traveler’s to-do list. So here you go, I have lots of pictures from this month visit to Japan; that’s why I want to share all of our experiences in Japan and update more information about #myfunfoodiaryJapan trip in this post.
1. Watch the grand fireworks festival in Tokyo, Japan.
There are four seasons in Japan; Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. So, if you visit Tokyo during Summer like us (from July to August), you can enjoy grand fireworks that light up in the sky. The Firework festivals are usually held at various locations including Tokyo Bay, Sumida River, and Jingu Gaien. We were so lucky to watch the amazing fireworks directly from Edogawa-Ku Shinozaki, Japan, and it was truly an unforgettable moment!! Marvelous!
Tips: Use lightweight shirt and sneakers. We must walk far from the station and thousands of people, both locals and tourists, wants to get to that location. Bring your own mats and some foods as if you’re going to a picnic. You’ll understand what I mean when you see this video.
2. Visit Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, Tokyo and Shopping at Asakusa Don-Quijote.
It’s best to visit the Sensoji Temple around 10.30 am. Sensoji Temple is the oldest temple in Tokyo and the symbol of Asakusa. After crossing Kaminarimon Gate, and walking through Nakamise Street, which is lined with about 90 shops, you will reach the Main Hall, where the statue of the holy Buddha of compassion is enshrined. Nakamise ‘shopping’ Street is not only full of souvenir shops, but also lots of Japanese snacks, drinks, and desserts. There was a long queue at the ice-cream shop, and we were tempted to try it. The souvenirs that we bought here can be found cheaper or reasonably priced than in other Japanese towns. Read more on http://bit.ly/sensojiasakusa
3. Explore the outer market and try some of the famous street snacks in Tsukiji Fish Market.
Tsukiji Market ((築地市場 Tsukiji Shijō) has become one of the places that must be visited while in Tokyo, Japan. This place has been known as a large wholesale market for fish, fruits and vegetables in central Tokyo. We went there on our second trip to Japan in July 2015. Here I want to share 7 street snacks that you should try when in Tsukiji Market, do not miss it! Ranging from the Ramen, Grilled Eel, Steamed Oyster, Tamago, Dried Octopus, Pork Dumpling, and Corn Fritter. In addition to those delicious snacks, you can also take a stroll through the outer market and find lots of interesting shops. We bought some wooden items, fresh Japanese peaches (MOMO), cute Japanese eraser for souvenirs, etc. It was really fun to be in the Tsukiji Market. Read more on http://bit.ly/tsukijimarket
4. Visit Ginza Area.
There are many department stores available in this area such as Matsuya and Mitsukoshi, as well as Japanese and foreign brand shops, world-class designer boutiques, well-established Japanese accessory and sweets shops, and famous shops that masterfully make their products with skills that have been passed down the generations. It’s why the Ginza area in Tokyo is also known as Japan‘s biggest luxury shopping and entertainment district. The Wako Clock Tower that stands at the Ginza Yon-chome intersection is a symbolic landmark of Ginza. Read more on http://bit.ly/mannekenginza
5. Visit Tokyo Skytree Tower and eat various Sushi at Kaiten Sushi Toriton.
Tokyo Skytree (東京スカイツリー, Tōkyō Sukaitsurī) is the tallest building in Japan that offers spectacular 360-degree views out over Tokyo from its observation decks. Tourists from all over the world always want to visit this spot! The tickets for the first observation deck (heights of 350 meters high) are sold on the 4th floor, and tickets for the second observation deck (heights of 450 meters high) can be purchased at the first observation deck. Tokyo Skytree itself is the centerpiece of the Tokyo Skytree Town in the Sumida City Ward, not far away from Asakusa. Besides the Tokyo Skytree Tower, tourist usually also visits the Sumida Aquarium, one of the main attractions of the Tokyo Skytree Town, which was opened in May 2012. In addition to the attractions, there’s also Tokyo Solamachi, the large shopping, dining and entertainment complex at the base of the Tokyo Skytree. If you’re a fan of Japanese food and want to experience Sushi like never before, I highly recommend you to eat at Kaiten Sushi Toriton located on the 6th Floor of Tokyo Solamachi. WHY?? Read more on http://bit.ly/toritonsushi
6. Visit Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo Disney Sea – a Paradise for all ages.
Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo Disney Sea is like a paradise for all ages! Although Tokyo Disneyland is not much different from the others Disneyland, yet still, when you’re in Tokyo, you have to visit Tokyo Disneyland. The theme rides and attractions at Tokyo Disneyland is more for kids and families, while, at Tokyo Disney Sea, it’s more for teenagers and adults. I remember how we were so excited when we’re in Tokyo Disney Sea because most of the theme rides are scary and challenging. It’s really a HUGE park, so you better be there early in the morning because we couldn’t even finish all the rides in one day. Remember, it’s cheaper for you to get both tickets. We bought a two-day passport and spent one day at each resort. Woohoo! Read more on http://bit.ly/summertokyodisneyland
7. Enjoy City Views from Mori Tower in Roppongi Hills or from the top of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office building (TMGO) for free.
I’m so sad now because I lost most of our Japan files from our first trip to Japan last year (2014), including all photos when we were in Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office (TMGO) building on July 31, 2014. Yes, we went there to get a FREE city view of Tokyo from the observation deck located on the 45th floor. There we can get a good panoramic view of Tokyo, and we can even see the mountains too. Up there, we also find a cafe and some souvenir shops. FYI, it’s not a place to hang around, but it’s worth a visit. And if you happen to be in Roppongi Hills, you might want to go up to the Mori Tower on the 52nd floor. There’s an observation deck called Tokyo City View, and you have to pay the admission fee of about ¥1.800 (adult ticket), which already includes admission to the Mori Art Museum. As we visited Roppongi Hills on our second trip to Japan in July 2015, we were surprised by hundred or more of life-sized size Doraemon at all over the plaza, the walls, etc. These cute Doraemon was apparently part of the Summer Festival by TV Asahi. We found so many different stunning expressions of Doraemon, so Kawaii!! We ended up spending so much time taking photos with Doraemon and didn’t go up to the Mori Tower. Ha-ha.. And before the sky is getting dark, we bought the super delicious Cream Puff with a generous filling at Cream de la Creme, located nearby the Plaza. Thank you Gaby for the dessert recommendation! 🙂
Oh, btw, if you’re really a BIG FAN of Doraemon, don’t forget to visit Fujiko F Fujio Doraemon Museum located in Yokohama when in Japan. A must visit!
8. Experience Shibuya Crossing, the busiest and also the famous intersection in Japan.
Finally, this year we went back to visit the busiest intersection in front of Shibuya Station, which is famously known as ‘The Scramble‘. I was amazed when all traffic lights simultaneously turn red, the traffic stopped completely, and people walked into the intersection from all sides. From heavy traffic turned into massive mass human traffic and returned to heavy traffic again in a minute. Not only to experienced the famous intersection in Japan, but we also brought mother-in-law to take a picture with the Bronze statue of Hachiko (Japan’s most loyal dog that keep returning to the Shibuya Station to find his master) located outside the Shibuya JR station. After that, we headed to Shibuya 109. Shibuya 109 is known as a trend-setting shopping mall in Shibuya, which features ten floors of women’s clothing boutiques and restaurants. It’s time for shopping, gals!
9. Watch the Summer Festival – Natsu Matsuri Ueno and Enjoy Street Food Snacks at Ueno Park
There are many parks in Tokyo, but perhaps unlike Ueno Park that has so many attractions in the park. Ueno Park is the heart of Tokyo’s art scene, with more than 9 museums, shrines (Gojo Shrine and Toshogu Shrine), natural attractions (Ueno Zoo and Shinobazu Pond), temples (Kiyomizu Kannon Temple, Bentendo Temple, etc), cafes, and Academy (University of Tokyo) in an area of roughly .35 square miles. So, no wonder if Ueno Park became a popular spot during the summer months for tourists and even for the local people of Japan. During the summer season (from mid-July to early August), Ueno Park celebrates midsummer with Natsu Matsuri Ueno, which is a unique summer festival to entertain everyone who strolls in the park under the summer heat. We were lucky to be there when the festival started, and we also bought a lot of delicious street food snacks at the festival, ha-ha.. We had so much fun at the Ueno Park! We’re not afraid of the heat because there is also a Starbucks store at the park that offer delicious Peach in Peach Frappuccino Drink (for ¥658) during the summer. It’s a limited drink, and we really loved this drink!
10. Culinary Time! Cafe and Restaurant Hopping in Tokyo
If you follow my Instagram account, you will notice that we usually do a cafe and restaurant hopping every time we travel to other city or country. So, if you’re confused about where to eat in Tokyo, Japan, you can check out the following link: http://bit.ly/tokyofoodguide Myfunfoodiary’s Tokyo Food Guide: 27 Recommended Foods and Desserts to Eat in Tokyo. It’s great for a reference, so you can also have the chance to try the awesome Charsiu Pork Ramen at Mutekiya Ramen, a HUGE portion of Japanese Udon unlike anywhere else, and many more that are worth to try.
