Tokyo and Surroundings

Hop On the Sky Bus and Explore Tokyo From Up Above!

Tokyo Station Adventure Activities

Tokyo is huge and if you explored the city entirely on foot, you’d likely ruin your feet in the process. A much more comfortable and unique way to sightsee your way through all major landmarks is to hop on a sightseeing bus! Especially fun is the two-story Sky Bus offers routes along Tokyo’s prime sights while providing an audio guide in English, Chinese, and Korean. From the open deck on the second floor, you’ll have an excellent view of the surroundings! Today, we’ll take a closer look at Sky Bus’ “Tokyo Tower & Rainbow Bridge Course,” taking you through Tsukiji and over said Rainbow Bridge. There are many sights on the route, so let’s check them out!

On the Front Line of Japanese Anime at the Tokyo Anime Center!

Kagurazaka Other Amusement Sponsor Content
Japan is in the Midst of a Health Boom. Check out These Body Care Products People Are Using to Stay Healthy!

Asakusa Gift Shops Sponsor Content
11 Incredible Services That Make Japanese "Convenience Store" So Convenient!

Convenience Stores
Kawagoe: Explore “Little Edo” in Kimono!

Saitama Suburbs Other Sightseeing
Top 10 Popular Souvenirs at Tokyo Station

Tokyo Station Gift Shops
Japan’s Yummy Pork Cutlets: 3 Places to Enjoy “Tonkatsu” in Stylish Shibuya for Under 1,500 Yen!

Shibuya Other Japanese Food
5 Must-See Bamboo Forests Around Tokyo

Ebisu / Naka-Meguro Parks
Don’t Leave Japan Without Picking Up These Souvenirs From Nihombashi Takashimaya

Ningyocho / Monzen-Nakacho / Kasai

Hello Kitty, Rilakkuma, and more! Kiddy Land Harajuku Shop – 10 Items Popular among Foreign Visitors

Harajuku Other Shopping

Since it opened in 1950 in Harajuku, Kiddy Land has been an Omotesando landmark loved by many. Each floor from the first to the fourth is full of items and characters popular both in Japan and abroad. This is a toy store where the child in you can always discover something new. In recent years an increasing number of foreign tourists come here to look for souvenirs and on the day we visited many could be seen entering when the store opened. In this article we would like to introduce those items which have been popular with people from abroad!

Add Some Zen (And Kawaii) To Your Life With These 10 Items From Japan!

Ikebukuro Household Goods Stores
Beyond the Guidebook - 5 Expats Share Their Top Summer Food Selections!

Summer
Visiting Tokyo Cat Cafe "Temari no Ouchi" - Cute and Fluffy, Just Like a Picture Book!

Kichijoji Other Sightseeing
Eat "0-Yen Gyoza Dumplings" 'til You Drop!

Shinjuku Gyoza
Disney Tanabata Days! A Traditional Japanese Tanabata-themed Special Event '18

Chiba Suburbs Theme Parks
What Japanese Really Get At The Supermarket: Japan’s Top 10 Drinks!

Grocery Stores

Learn the Art of Flower Arrangement at Ohara School of Ikebana

Harajuku Other Traditional Arts

Ikebana, flower arrangement, is one of Japan’s most treasured art forms, a time-honored tradition that continues to be relevant even in today’s modern society. Beautifully arranged flowers and plants have permeated Japanese culture in a way that is seldom found in others. The Ohara School of Ikebana has played a major part in keeping the tradition alive, through its many schools in Japan, as well as its 59 chapters abroad, with over 300,000 members worldwide. The beauty of the Ohara School is not only in its floral arrangements, but its ability to share the culture of ikebana with the world. I visited the Ohara Center of Tokyo to try an ikebana class to learn more about this traditional art form.

[MOVIE]Become a True Gundam Pilot - Step into the P.O.D. at a Japanese Arcade!

Arcades
[MOVIE] DRUM TAO’S MANGEKYO – a Kaleidoscope of Taiko Drums

Shinagawa Shows
Stringraphy at Studio EVE: A Striking and Unique Musical Experience

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

Ningyocho / Monzen-Nakacho / Kasai Culture Experience
[MOVIE] Tokyo Joypolis: Odaiba’s Indoor Amusement Park of Thrills and Fun

Odaiba Theme Parks
[MOVIE] Achieve Your Cosplay Dreams at Cosplay Studio Crown!

Akihabara Culture Experience

Just $35 Per Night: Tokyo's Unique and Traditional Japanese Guesthouses!

Asakusa Youth Hostels

When visiting Tokyo, it is not only important to devise a sightseeing plan with everything that piques your curiosity but also to choose just the right accommodation – and why shouldn’t that be an atmospheric Japanese guesthouse? Those can be a bit hard to find from time to time, however, so we’ve cherry-picked select inns for about 4,000 yen (~US$35) per night, located in the scenic neighborhoods of Nishi-Ikebukuro, Asakusa, and Kuramae. From cozy relaxation to fun and lively events, these guesthouses are sure to help you make unforgettable memories of your Tokyo trip!

Narita Airport: Choice Restaurants At All Three Terminals!

Narita Airport
Get it at Tokyu Hands! Top 10 Kitchen Goods that are Cute, Creative, and Convenient!

Ikebukuro Department Stores
Buying Medicine in Japan: Words and Vocabulary You Need to Know

Pharmacies
Information about Mt. Fuji

Mt. Fuji Outdoor Activities
10 Things to Buy With Your Last ¥1,000 Before Leaving Japan!
Before Your Flight Home: Tips for Enjoying Your Final Day in Tokyo!

Ueno Old Towns (Shitamachi)

Is Japanese a Vague Language? Unraveling the Truth

Japanese is a mysterious language. Everything depends on how something is written, the “feel” and “flavor” of a text as it is conveyed to the reader change by the character information. Indeed, among the languages of the world, Japanese stands out as being somewhat complex. Three kinds of syllabaries called kanji, katakana, and hiragana, are used for the same language, on top of the necessity of the keigo classification of honorifics. There are a large number of homonyms, and even pronunciation may sound similar, the meaning depends on the context, the setting, and the characters used.

All About Japanese Money - Currency Value and Usage
4 Must-Try Local Whiskeys In Japan!

Other Restaurants
Culture Walk with Morita-san: Exploring Japan's Old Silk Road Around Mt. Takao

Mt. Takao Forests & Mountains
Where to Go to See Flowers in Japan during Any Season

Harajuku Other Nature
The Top 10 Original Japanese Drinks
8 Must-See Places for a Day Trip in Tokyo

Asakusa Other Sightseeing

Staying Connected in Japan: Getting a Japanese SIM Card, Portable Wi-Fi & More!

You’re almost ready for your trip to Japan! The excitement is palpable, but you may also be wondering how you’ll manage to stay connected while in the Land of the Rising Sun. One of the worst feelings for an international traveler is that of finding oneself in a foreign (often unknown) country, with no way to communicate. Not knowing something, or someplace, doesn’t scare us anymore, since we have all the knowledge we need literally at our fingertips, but when travelling abroad, using our devices could require a little bit of planning and some hardware. Worry not! Keep reading to learn all there is to know about staying connected in Japan so you can choose the best option for you!