"Tokyo -- A City that Grows on You" Tokyo by AKtravelers

Tokyo Travel Guide: 3,918 reviews and 9,239 photos

A view of Tokyo harbor from the Maritime Museum - Tokyo
A view of Tokyo harbor from the Maritime Museum

I love Tokyo. I couldn't always say that, but the city grows on you after you visit it several times and find its small pleasures. With its sheer size, dense crowds and indecipherable (for me) signs, Tokyo can be intimidating if you let it. But instead of looking at Tokyo as one big mass of urbanity, I suggest thinking of it as several towns and cities (some small, some not) that have gradually merged into a glob of humanity, concrete, high-tech and neon. Then you can divide the city in chunks and enjoy it leisurely.
The favorite chunks for most tourists are also my favorite as well. I love Asakusa for its old Edo feeling (something you can't find anywhere in a city that was flattened by bombs 60 years ago), Shinjuku and Ginza for lights, Shibuya for its energy and Ueno for its museums. But now that I live in Tokyo I'm reminded how much I like it no matter where I am.

Tokyo has Quiet Spots
A family strolls in the Nezu Shrine - Tokyo

A family strolls in the Nezu Shrine

Though the city is loud, bright and bustling, its residents are still Japanese. And the Japanese do appreciate quiet places, so every corner of Tokyo has a park or place of repose where one can escape the madness. Often, these places are small religious shrines, which are definitely worth a visit. But Tokyo has some great parks and gardens that deserve your attention, like the Imperial Palace gardens or Ueno Park. My favorite is Yoyogi Park, which not only has space for relaxation, but also -- every Sunday -- plays hosts to numerous local rock bands and performers who busk for your entertainment you should throw them a coin or two if you appreciate their effort). There is no better place to people-watch in the world!
...When you wander around Tokyo's neighborhoods, you often forget you are in one of the world's great cities -- but you never forget you're in Japan. Everything is on a smaller scale -- actually, a smaller scale than most westerners are used to. Here the pace is slower.

Utterly Modern With A Taste of Tradition
A traditionally-dressed subway rider with ipod - Tokyo

A traditionally-dressed subway rider with ipod

Tokyo is quite likely the most modern city in the world, with high-tech gadgets everywhere. This makes the city a fascinating place to wander around in. Even if you do nothing touristy, you'll be regaled by high-definition video advertisements, notice that almost every vehicle has a dashboard computer, be informed by traffic-monitoring screens on the highways and watch people pay for purchases by waving their cellphones at the cash register. And you may be totally confused by the toilets. All of this activity will be accompanied by the same ubiquitous high-pitched sing-songy female voice responding "arigato gozaimisu" or some other equally-polite phrase. Sometimes it's hard to keep up with it all and you may feel like -- even as an American -- like you come from a Third World country. Happily, when your energy sags, there's always a Starbuck's around every corner to pep you up and keep you from feeling overwhelmed.
At the same time, Tokyo tries desperately to hang onto some of its past despite the relentlessly modernizing crush. You see this by the scores of traditionally-dressed women attending events around town and feel it at the timeless temples and shrines. Yet don't expect much of old Japan in Tokyo -- fire-bombing in World War II reduced much of the city to charred rubble, so anything older than 1945 is rare.

Pros and Cons
  • Pros:Energetic, hypermodern and polite
  • Cons:continuously assaulting your senses
  • In a nutshell:Watch out for the toilets!
  • Last visit to Tokyo: Oct 2009
  • Intro Updated Feb 24, 2010
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Reviews (49)

People behaving bizarrely! - Tokyo The Best People-Watching City in the... Favorites (4)

I am never bored in Tokyo, mostly because the people-watching is unsurpassed anywhere in the world. There are always... more travel advice

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....Every year in late April/Early May, the 1300-year-old Shiofune Kannon Temple's grounds come afire with brilliant... more travel advice

Harajuku Girls enjoying a sunny Sunday in May - Tokyo The Famous Harajuku Girls Things to Do (15)

.....Starting in the 1990's, as Japan's economic jauggernaut started losing its steam, groups of rebellious Japanese... more travel advice

Janet fronts the transvestite float - Tokyo Kanamara Matsuri is Kawasaki's P e n i s... Off The Beaten Path (11)

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Comments (5)

  • Reply
    Toshioohsako's Profile Photo
    May 18, 2010 at 7:48 AM

    very useful and articulated Tokyo tips. Enjoy!

  • Reply
    piglet44's Profile Photo
    Nov 18, 2009 at 5:35 AM

    hey Kev nice pages can't wait to experience Japanese hitech toilets (coming over in June)

  • Reply
    jadedmuse's Profile Photo
    Nov 5, 2009 at 6:32 PM

    Know of this story and very cool to see the statue...very touching tribute. I'm sure Baci would do the same....naaaht!

  • Reply
    eviltooth's Profile Photo
    Nov 7, 2007 at 4:37 AM

    My late grandfather and great grandfather fought against the Japanese during WWII.It'll be interesting to read abt stories from "the other side" at the museum.Will definitely visit in Dec when I get there.Thanks for the tips.

  • Reply
    cheesecake17's Profile Photo
    Aug 18, 2005 at 6:27 PM

    yeap..the gas station should be on everyone to do list..LOL......ursula

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