Toyko is the megacity that other world capitals look up to. Nowhere else has quite the same mix of timeless history and space-age tech, of strict tradition and up-to-the-second fashions, of bewildering crowds and moments of utter serenity. It's the past and future wrapped up together into one thrilling package – and understandably, it's one of the top tourist destinations on the planet.
Deciding what to do in a city as vast and complex as Tokyo can take some consideration. You can spend your days shopping for next-century electronics in futuristic malls or finding inner peace in timeless temples and serene zen gardens, and your evenings sipping sake in back-alley bars or clubbing with the cosplay set dressed up as a manga superhero.
A lot depends on how much time you have and how comfortable you are diving into Tokyo's complex but efficient public transport system. But if you want to maximize the experience on your first trip to Tokyo, here are 14 of our favorite things to do.
One of Asia's most iconic megacities, Tokyo only became the capital of Japan in 1868, when the country's rulers decided to abandon centuries of conservative tradition and embrace the outside world. Since then, Tokyo has looked firmly to the future, but the city still has a deeply traditional heart, best experienced through traditional arts and art forms.
For a sample of traditional Tokyo, watch kabuki (theatrical dance) at the Kabuki-za theater in Ginza, eat a traditional multi-course kaiseki meal to a backdrop of performing geisha in Asakusa, or admire one of the 7,000-plus Japanese treasures on show at the Edo-Tokyo Museum. Irrespective of how you embrace them, the traditional arts are a great introduction to how Tokyo used to be before the city fell in love with everything modern.
The Akihabara neighborhood is almost a pilgrimage destination for the city's otaku (die-hard pop-culture fans), who define their lives through themes of geeky nostalgia and artistic eccentricity. Flanking Akihabara's main avenue, Chuo Dori, are stores full of second-hand video game consoles, towering gaming arcades and manga comics stores, as well as flagship anime merchandise shops.
If you’re on the hunt for old-school video game treasures, peruse the bountiful shelves of Retro Game Camp and Super Potato Retro-kan. However, you don't need to love manga or anime to enjoy this quirky neighborhood. With its neon-bright electronics stores, retro arcades, cosplay cafes – and now the chance to drive go-karts through the streets – it's equal parts sensory overload, cultural immersion and just plain fun.
Bestowed with the honorary title of ‘Japan’s Kitchen,’ Tsukiji was formerly the location of the city's most famous fish market, but the bulk of the wholesale
The website maxtravelz.com is an aggregator of news from open sources. The source is indicated at the beginning and at the end of the announcement. You can send a complaint on the news if you find it unreliable.
The winning photos of the 2023 Siena Creative Photo Awards celebrating artistic photography have been released by the renowned Siena Awards festival of visual arts. and they are a remarkable recognition to visionary artists using photographic processes and images.
Shanghai is known for its forest of skyscrapers with the world’s third-largest megatower leading the charge. Travelers wary of heights will find a medley of things to do at ground level including the historic waterfront, trendy Xintiandi, and the ancient Yu Garden. In terms of where to stay in Shanghai, the city is a playground of high-rise luxury hotels with infinity pools, rooftop bars, and awesome skyline views. The best hotels in Shanghai, China, are near or within eyesight of The Bund.
The official end of summer is near, but that does not mean you have to stop adventuring—especially if you have a stash of miles and points to pay the way. In fact, come fall, airlines, hotels and credit card companies are eager to woo new business after the summer rush, offering special offers and promotions that can refill your loyalty program account in a jiffy. Plus, seasonal perks and benefits often pack extra value into the journey. Here is everything you need to know to make the most of September's best loyalty rewards program deals.
Iconic is a word that gets thrown around a lot, including in describing the world’s best-known hotels – but in the case of the Park Hyatt Tokyo, that moniker is fitting. Built as Japan’s first western luxury hotel in 1994 at the top of a high-rise in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district, the Park Hyatt was designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Dr. Kenzo Tange, considered to be the father of modern Japanese architecture.
London’s gastronomic scene is famously fantastic and knows no bounds. No matter where you go in the capital, good food is all but guaranteed. However, there’s been some real magic in Mayfair lately, with a handful of hyped new restaurant openings that live up to—or exceed—expectations.
Whether you are a first-time visitor to Tokyo or know the city well, there are plenty of surprises waiting on the capital’s doorstep. The temples and shrines of Nikkō and Kamakura offer a window into Japanese history, while Mt Takao, Hakone, and Izu Oshima Island provide a natural contrast to Tokyo’s crowded, urban heart.
The Japan Pavilion at Epcot in Disney World is sometimes overlooked around the World Showcase. But there's a new restaurant in the pavilion that offers sweeping views of the lagoon (and the evening fireworks display).
Choosing where to stay in Tokyo – the largest city on the planet – can feel like a minefield. Look one way and you’ll find lantern-lit alleyways and Shinto shrines peeking out from behind evergreens. Turn the other and you’ve got neck-creaking skyscrapers and streets drenched in neon. Divided into 23 special wards and countless districts and unique neighborhoods, the Tokyo hotel scene is equally dynamic and you’ll want to find lodging that reflects your beat.
In a country revered for its hospitality, nowhere says omotenashi quite like a Japanese ryokan. Ryokan are a type of inn where guests are encouraged to mingle in communal ochanoma (tea rooms) and unwind in onsen baths. While associated with rural destinations in Japan, there is a prevalence of authentic ryokan in Tokyo.
In just the past few days, there have been two key moves that ease restrictions for travel from China to the U.S. Tourism officials have been clear that the lifting of these restrictions is critical to a full recovery –though key hurdles remain. On Thursday, China lifted pandemic-era group tour restrictions for the U.S. and other key markets. Before the lift, Chinese travel agencies were banned from selling outbound group or package travel to the U.S.