Tokyo and Surroundings

Traveling Japan Alone? How to Make the Most Out of Your Solo Trip!

Other Sightseeing

Exploring at your own pace, eating what you want, choosing the hotel you like best – traveling alone can be a wonderful experience. While it may seem a bit intimidating for those who’ve never done it, the veteran solo travelers are surely nodding their head in agreement. Japan is a large country that has much to offer in basically all regards. From culture to food, here’s how to make the most out of Japan if you’re traveling alone!

Better Safe than Sorry: What to Do When an Earthquake Hits While You’re in Japan
Working in Japan – 10 Things You Didn't Know About Japanese Job Interviews

Tokyo Station
Tokyo’s Spectacular Night Views: The 5 Very Best Photo Spots in Odaiba!

Odaiba
Tokyo Tower vs. Tokyo Skytree: Best Photo Spots for Your Instagram Shots!

Roppongi Landmarks
Doppo no Yu: Get to Know Japan’s Way to Relax with 9 Unique Foot Baths in Kanagawa!

Kanagawa Suburbs Hot Springs (Onsen) & Bath Houses (Sento)
Delectable for Over 100 Years! Bite into History with These Long Time Tokyo Restaurants

Tokyo Station Sukiyaki

Sofmap Akiba: The Top 10 Most Popular Anime Goods & Games at Sofmap’s Amusement Store

Akihabara Other Shopping

Japanese manga and anime are popular and loved all around the world and have long become an inherent part of global pop culture. The “holy land” of anime and manga is Tokyo’s Akihabara, a colorful district known for its rich subculture scenes. Located there is Sofmap Akiba, a large shop that specializes in figurines, games, and all sorts of other fun pop culture merchandise! Let’s check out the 10 must-have items!

7 Brand-New and Renewed Spots in Tokyo - Spring 2018 Edition!

Shibuya Department Stores
Makeup and Skincare Must-Buys at Best 100 Yen Shop Daiso!

100 Yen Shops
Japan Fashion Trend Check: Bags by #Anello are Tokyo’s Latest Must-Have Accessory!

Shibuya Clothing Stores
Perfect Balance of Chocolate and Plum Liquor: Try the Brand-New “KitKat Umeshu Tsuru-ume” - Japan’s Popular KitKat Sensation!

Ningyocho / Monzen-Nakacho / Kasai Other Cafes and Sweets
Sofmap Akiba: The Top 10 Most Popular Products at Sofmap’s PC Store

Akihabara Other Shopping
EVANGELION STORE TOKYO-01: Top 10 Recommended EVANGELION Goods for Tourists!

Ikebukuro Other Shopping

Nogi Shrine – Discovering Modern-Day Shinto and the Real Last Samurai

Roppongi Shrines

Nestled between the busy nightlife district of Roppongi and the stylish commercial area of Akasaka lies a place of modern-day Shinto worship, dedicated to someone who can be called Japan’s real last samurai: Nogi Shrine. Right as I left Tokyo Metro’s Nogizaka Station, I was greeted by a large white torii, the gate that marks the entrance to Shinto shrines all across Japan, as well as two statues of komainu, or lion-dogs, the protectors of the precincts. The noise of the metropolis was quelled by this very atmosphere as soon as I took my first steps onto the shrine grounds – it almost felt like entering an entirely different world. Large trees cast their cooling shadow on me, the air felt fresh and clean, and the soft murmuring of the water in the temizuya, the basin used for ritual purification before prayer, welcomed me to an entirely different part of modern Tokyo.

[MOVIE] Sightseeing Taxi: Tour Tokyo the Easy Way!

Odaiba Adventure Activities
[MOVIE]Shodo Calligraphy: What would you write for luck in the New Year?

Odaiba Traditional Paintings
[MOVIE] A Japanese Drum Experience at TAIKO-LAB

Shibuya Other Sightseeing
[MOVIE] Character, Harmony, and Elegance: The Art of Bonsai

Ningyocho / Monzen-Nakacho / Kasai Culture Experience
Say Hello to Kitty and Friends at Tokyo’s Cutest Train Station!

Tokyo's Surrounding Areas Pop Culture
Light or Dark Matcha? Experience a Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony at Waraku-An in Tokyo

Shibuya Tea Ceremonies

Welcome to Tokyo's Street of Youth! Top 6 Recommendations in Shimokitazawa for 2018

Shimokitazawa

Are you familiar with the name "Shimokitazawa?" If you’re into Japanese literature, then you might know of the original novel "Hello, Shimokitazawa" by Banana Yoshimoto. Or if dramas are your thing, then maybe you've seen one called "Shimokitazawa Diehard" starring Eiko Koike. Or maybe you're a music fan who's been to the Shimokitazawa Music Festival. In 2004 construction began on the new Shimokitazawa Station, due for completion in 2019. How has this town, formerly nicknamed "cotton town" for all its clothing stores, changed? Allow us to introduce some of Shimokitazawa's best antique shops, gourmet food spots, and latest trendy information!

Japanese Coins - Making the Most of Your Trip Without Wasting Any Yen

Tokyo Station
Beyond the Guidebook - 5 Expats Talk Tokyo's Best Neighborhoods for Visitors to Stay In!

Shimokitazawa Other Townscapes
10 Things to Buy With Your Last ¥1,000 Before Leaving Japan!
Tokyo’s Top Hotel Chains: Quality Rooms That Won't Bust Your Budget!

Tokyo's Surrounding Areas Hotels
Cute & Convenient: The 6 Must-Buy Suitcases at Shibuya Loft!

Shibuya Other Shopping
Rice Cracker Realness: The Top 10 Rice Snack Top-Sellers by Kameda Seika, Loved by all of Japan!

Other Japanese Food

Filipinos Recommend: 4 Best spots around Tokyo for shopping!

Shibuya Department Stores

Whenever you visit Japan, especially if it’s your first time, one of the top five things you’ll want to do is: shopping! And why wouldn’t you: very few cities in the world offer the same kind of shopping experience and opportunities you can find in Tokyo. One thing to remember, though, is that Tokyo is a colossal metropolis. The largest in the world, in fact. You could certainly use one of the many guides available online to find some shopping areas, but wouldn’t it be much better if you could listen to some recommendations coming directly from people who live here, and also who are from the same country as you are? Many people from the Philippines visit Japan, and Tokyo in particular, every year. Not only that: the Filipino community in Japan counts more than 260,000 people currently residing in the Land of the Rising Sun. If you’re visiting from the Philippines, why not ask those with the same background as yours what areas would be the best to go do some shopping? We asked a few of the attendees of the recent Philippine Festival what shopping areas in Tokyo they would suggest other Filipinos visiting the city shouldn’t miss. See what they think and get yourself a nice head start on your planning!

Beyond the Guidebook: 5 Expats Share Their Favorite Halloween Traditions in Japan!

Tokyo Station Autumn
Asking People From 5 Different Countries: The Biggest Culture Shocks of Japan!
The World of Wagyu: All You Need to Know about Japanese Beef

Tokyo Station Other Japanese Food
Treat your inner geek! 10 Things in Akihabara that will even amaze Otaku

Akihabara
Differences Between Japanese Chain Stores that Come From Overseas
10 Secrets of Japan’s “Scramble” Crossings!

Shibuya

Save with The Greater Tokyo Pass: Discover More with Unlimited Train and Bus Rides for 3 Days!

Tokyo's Surrounding Areas Other Sightseeing

Tokyo boasts a wonderfully efficient public transport system that takes you to every sight you want to see! However, this system is made up by numerous companies that all require different tickets – sometimes, a train company even changes halfway. As convenient as Tokyo’s trains and buses are, they can get terribly confusing at times. This is especially painful if you plan on getting around a lot to discover different areas. In that case, the Greater Tokyo Pass offers you hassle-free sightseeing with unlimited rides for buses and trains in the Kanto area – starting this spring!