June 29, 2022 | View Online | Sign Up
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Equipped with a dizzying array of twenty-six unique cities within its limits, Tokyo’s potential as a destination is boundless. Chaotic neon-laced sci-fi-scapes give way to the serenity of pagoda-dotted city gardens in a matter of blocks, seamlessly welding the past and future together with incomparable Japanese efficiency.
Food, pop culture, and the arts take center stage across the metropolis’ dazzling neighborhoods, but without its inhabitants, Tokyo would be nothing. Polite to a fault, passionate beyond reason, and as welcoming as a bowl of ramen on a cold night, the residents of Tokyo are the ultimate hosts. Help is never far away, and trust us, you’ll need it when navigating this Godzilla of a city.
It’s brilliant. It’s beautiful. It’s utterly bonkers.
Welcome to Tokyo.
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| FUN FACTS
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The Blue lights in Tokyo’s subway have a life-saving job
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A combination of high-stress work culture, hectic commutes, and family pressures see young adults in Japan take their own lives more than in many other countries. Sadly, the subway has seen many of those lives taken on its tracks.
The country implemented a number of initiatives to help lower those rates, and up until Covid, they had been decreasing for a decade. One of the ways they helped was by installing blue lights in subway stations. Although the exact reason is unknown, stations with the calming blue lights installed saw 84% fewer suicides than those without, prompting further investment in the tech across the city.
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| KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
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Subway to go
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Tokyo is massive. Luckily, it’s equipped with one of the best public transportation systems on the planet that can get you to almost any area of the city. A subway system that extensive can be overwhelming, so do your best to research the stops you need in advance. There are 280 stations, on thirteen lines, spread across 300km of track.
Shinjuku is the busiest train station in the world, and you don’t want to be scrambling around looking for your platform when rush hour hits. Don’t be scared to ask for help. There’s a good chance someone will see your puzzled face and offer assistance anyway.
Also, check out Tokyo metro cards - it might save you a chunk of money to buy a day or week pass if you know you’ll be riding it a lot.
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It’s incredibly safe
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Tokyo frequently ranks as one of the safest cities on the planet. Mutual respect for people and their belongings is engrained in the culture, helping foster an extremely comfortable environment. Leave your phone on a park bench (please try not to), and there is a good chance it’ll be exactly where you left it.
It’s so safe, it might throw you off a little. It’s not uncommon to see children as young as five riding the subway alone to school and back. The brave little tykes might even be confident enough to direct you if you’re looking a bit confused.
That’s not to say you should be careless. Crime still exists in Tokyo, but you don’t have to worry about heading out for the day with your camera over your shoulder.
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Mind your manners
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The Japanese culture emanates kindness and manners, so it goes a long way when visitors show the same respect for their host country’s way of life. Even small things like avoiding bodily contact can mean a lot to someone. It might be odd not shaking hands, but we promise, the little bow from your barista will feel like the warmest gesture in the world.
Casual rulebreaking, like jaywalking, should be avoided, and don’t be the person who plays music out loud on the train. Subtlety is vital in most public settings. You don’t need to be a shadow, but causing a raucous can be a little disarming for some locals.
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| TOGETHER WITH
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| THINGS TO DO
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Get cultural
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Tokyo might be the city of the future, but it’s still firmly rooted in its colorful heritage. There are many ways to explore a more traditional Japan, none more so than a visit to Senso-Ji Temple. The stunning site is the oldest Buddhist Temple in the city, with its original structure built around 645AD, and offers a glimpse into the working of the religion in Japan.
For a more formal education, try hitting up the Edo Tokyo Museum. Edo was the Japanese capital’s former name, as well as the overarching name for the prosperous period of military control over Japan from the 17th century until the late 19th. It’s a fascinating trip into the country’s history. It’s closed for renovations until 2025, so maybe check out the Samurai Museum in the meantime.
Spending some time in one of Tokyo’s immaculate parks should be at the top of any itinerary. The parks are astonishingly beautiful pieces of tranquility nestled amongst the city, but a little reading will tell you how painstakingly meticulous the Japanese are when creating them.
All the gardens, like those found in Shinjuku Park, have defined elements and even philosophical components to their design. Spend an afternoon or three strolling through your favorite. Try and be there while the blossoms are in bloom for a spectacular experience.
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Get animated in Akihabara
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Also known as Electric Town, Akihabara is an area in the Chiyoda district that has evolved into the de facto center of Japanese pop culture. Whether you’re a Manga-nut or think pokemon is a type of sushi, you’re sure to get swept up in the frantic light and energy of the place.
Towering arcades ten stories high are frequented by young and old alike. It’s not uncommon for seasoned gamers to turn up with gloves on, coins at the ready, and bash buttons for hours at a time. It’s seriously impressive. New games and old classics are packed into the arcades and help unleash the inner child in everyone.
Once your thumbs are worn out, shop till you drop at some of the most comprehensive electronics stores in the world, as well as niche stores for literally anything you can think of. Seriously. Anything.
If you’re feeling extra weird, grab a snack at one of the maid cafes - establishments where guests are served by cosplaying waitresses sticking to themed characters. It may feel a bit unusual, but they’re hugely popular in the city.
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Catch a sumo match
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The art of Sumo is often passed over as a little odd for western tastes and even put in the same bracket as staged wrestling like Lucha libre in Mexico. That couldn’t be further from the truth, and the sport is one of Japan’s most revered.
Tokyo is the perfect place to see some of the best wrestlers in the world take the floor, and if you time your visit with a tournament, you could be in for a treat. During competitions, matches rage for as long as fifteen days, meaning you could spend a few days getting to grips with the finer details of Japan’s national sport. Tokyo has tournaments in January, May, and September.
If you’re super interested, you can even visit a “Sumo stable” in the Ryogoku District and watch the athletes training. Once you’re finished, load up on your calories, and try some Chanko Nabe, the staple food of Sumo wrestlers.
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| WHERE TO STAY
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Location, location, location
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Tokyo often gets a bad rep for being a little pricey. Sure, compared to Southeast Asia, hotel rates look pretty scary. But line it up with the US and Europe, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Try and pick a spot closest to where you’ll want to hang out the most. If you know you’ll be partying, Shinjuku is the place to be. For a quieter time, try Nihonbashi.
Tokyo’s biggest problem is space, so if you’re looking for a cheap night, don’t be surprised to find yourself on a glorified shelf. Seriously, it’ll be the nicest shelf you’ve ever stayed in. At the other end of the luxury spectrum, expect spectacular city views, superb service, and some of the sleekest hotel rooms you’ll ever experience.
Here’s our pick of the bunch.
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Our Top Pick: Mandarin Oriental Tokyo
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Tokyo, Japan
$$$ | See inside
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Even the check-in experience at the Mandarin was crafted to delight. A two-story-high window allows breathtaking views of the Tokyo skyline, with the Skytree in front and the iconic Mount Fuji behind. From there, it only gets better. Spacious rooms with optimized city views provide a welcome respite from a day’s exploration, while the 38th-floor sauna offers similar vantage points through its one-way window.
Twelve on-site restaurants, including three Michelin stars, make dinner a tough choice, as does the Jazz bar serving theatrical cocktails until the early hours to the sound of live jazz. If you’re unsure of the Nihonbashi location, don’t be. The historic area is off many tourists’ radars, much to their loss. There’s a subway station in the basement though, so adventure’s never far away.
Rooms run from a reasonable $271 for a basic room. It’ll feel like a steal once you’re there.
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| Book Your Stay |
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Other Top Picks
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| WHERE TO EAT
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Chopsticks at the ready
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Where to start? Japan is a culinary force. No other city holds as many Michelin stars, but no other hold the same reverence for its humbler street foods. The culture’s pursuit of perfection means the standard is unbelievable across the board. For comparison’s sake, New York City has 30 thousand eateries. Tokyo has an estimated 130 thousand. And even with numbers that high, the quality remains high throughout.
Sushi will be at the top of any foodie list, along with the best ramen money can buy. The deep-fried joy of tempura is a must, as well as Japanese curry and Yakitori. Restaurants can match any budget, but we’d recommend splashing on one or two really special meals.
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Our Top Pick: Den Tokyo
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Tokyo, Japan
$$$$$ | Menu
This stunning little restaurant has two Michelin stars to its name, serving home-cooking-inspired twists on high-end Japanese cuisine. Online reviews telling of the hundreds of calls required to get a reservation speaks to its fabled reputation in the city, and if successful, one can expect a truly unique dining experience.
It’s ranked as one of the best restaurants in the world, and if you’re lucky enough to get a table, it might be fate telling you it's worth the splash.
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| Reserve a table |
The Best of the Rest
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| WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING IN EDINBURGH
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