What Not to Miss in Tokyo!

Unfortunately, the Tokyo Olympics did not take place last year (2020), but they are scheduled to take place in 2021 (and it was a cool Olympics all things considered! Read about it here.). For those who have already bought tickets for the competition or are just planning to go to Japan for the first time, this is a great opportunity to prepare and plan out what to see in Tokyo. Here are my recommendations:

1. Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

This is a park, without which it is difficult to imagine Tokyo. It is best to watch sakura bloom here, but at any other time of the year you can enjoy ponds, pagodas, and tea trees. This is one of Tokyo's calling cards and a traditional point to visit.

2. TeamLab Borderless Digital Art Museum

Tokyo is a city of unusual technologies. You can understand what I mean by “unusual” by visiting the TeamLab interactive museum. This museum is the best place for bloggers or Instagram influencers: you can snap incredible pics here! There’s no map as the discovery is part of the fun – you wander down dark corridors and choose doors at random to explore the immersive displays that use lights and projections in creative ways.

3. Tokyo DisneySea

This is completely different from the classic Disneyland and will amaze you if you do not like fabulous castles and attractions at all. At Tokyo DisneySea you can watch Broadway shows or visit a 20s themed bar.

The nautical theme park features seven ports inspired by real places and ocean legends including American Waterfront, Mediterranean Harbor (which looks just like Italy), Arabian Coast, and the unique Mysterious Island complete with an erupting volcano.

4. Ramen Vending Machine Restaurant

You can't go to Tokyo and not try their cuisine. You also shouldn't limit yourself to classic restaurants. Here you can order your meal and pay at the vending machine by the entrance, then take a seat at the counter and hand your ticket over to the chef.

5. Memory Lane

Memory Lane (Omoide Yokocho) is also known as Piss Alley from its post-WW II roots when toilet facilities were non-existent. You can immerse yourself in the atmosphere of an authentic Japanese Quarter, especially unusual there in the evening.

This is just a small part of what you can see in Tokyo. Japan is an amazing country and one that you should visit at least least once to enjoy the local culture!

Written by Amanda

Amanda is from the United States, but is an English teacher in Japan. She says it is hard to imagine her life before visiting Japan as its changed her outlook on everything!