City-tripping in Japan | Tokyo

So many things to see in Japan. With 15 days incl. flights and the knowledge this is our ‘big summer holiday of the year’, one has to make choices. With the travel in mind and the fact Japan is not your typical paradise destination, we opt for 3 cities : Tokyo, Kyoto and Nagoya by train.

Tokyo

Tokyo is big. And has lots of different characteristic areas that you have to choose from when deciding where to stay. Plenty of reference material to provide you a description of each area if you’d like to make a very deliberate choice upfront. We basically look for nice places to stay, regardless of the area, and experience that with the top notch public transport in Tokyo, wherever you stay, you can easily get around to each different area. So pick one haven that is able to persuade you while booking and take it from there.

That’s how we ended up in Hotel Resol in Akihabara, the electronics district. Home of otaku (geeks) and their love of anime (Japanese animation), manga (Japanese comics) and J-pop culture. Our room is as big as the bed, the grandeur is in all the details. Mysterious entrance, nice perfume and fancy slippers is what awaits you. The hotel is walking distance from Akihabara train station, on the other side of the Kanda River. A quiet part of Tokyo where you can experience the real local Japanese daily city life.

Restaurant highlight

On that part of town you can find Kikanbo where you can eat the best ramen we’ve had during our Japanese trip. Ramen and eating it is an art in this place. You select your choice of ramen outside at a vending machine. Inside you decide how spicy you want it et voilà…the best ramen you ever tasted. Leave the ‘devil’ spice option for the locals. The place feels very mysterious and the traditional Japanese warrior music tops it off. Don’t let the dark entrance fool you, just go in and enjoy !

Temple highlight

Japan has a wealth of religious architecture – Kyoto alone is estimated to have well over 2,000 temples and shrines. But it’s not just in the large cities where you’ll find Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines – nearly every village in Japan has a local shrine or temple. You can even find a small one next to Hotel Resol.

While walking through Tokyo, we ended up at the Kanda Myoujin shrine, where many Japanese end their working day, stopping by and letting go of the hectic day. This shrine is said to help with running a successful business and finding a spouse.

Market highlight

In the Chuo City area, close to the famous luxurious Ginza shopping area, you can find the Tsukiji Outer Market which is one you cannot miss to catch, just like the fresh fish you can find here. Go around lunch time and indulge in all the fresh goodies they have on offer.

Park highlight

There are many beautiful parks all around Tokyo. Meticulously maintained with attention to detail. One of our favorite parks is for sure Hamarikyu Gardens which is a perfect hangout spot after shopping in Ginza and lunch at the Tsukiji Outer Market. This is also one of the parks where you’ll find many Japanese during the cherry blossom season in early April.

Architecture highlights

Make sure to step out of Tokyo station while passing through. And walk around for a couple of blocks in the area where the station is located, called Marunouchi. It feels a bit like walking around in New York, but without the noise. They even have a Dean & Deluca here, a chain of upscale grocery stores of which the first one was established in New York in 1977.

The area around the Imperial Palace and the Outer Garden, is where you can spot traditional Japanese architecture against a backdrop of new style architecture which delivers some interesting photography. The gatehouses at the edge of the garden and within the moat around the palace and garden are typical and a view you’ll see back in Kyoto and Nagoya.

Electronic store highlight

As Akihabara is knows as the electronics district, you cannot not visit one of the whalhalla’s for gadgets and things. Yodobashi Mall is huge and crazy…and one can ask how you can ever stand out with your brand in this store. You may need your sunglasses inside and unless you’re planning to spend a fortune, don’t stay too long.