Added: 01/16/2006 |
Tokyo vacation - adventure of lifeThe sheer level of energy is the most striking aspect of Japan's capital city. Tokyo is a place where the urgent rhythms of consumer culture collide with the quieter moments that linger from older traditions. It's hectic madness leavened by the most Zenic of calms.
While it's true the exciting vibe has a somewhat depressing flip side - shoebox housing estates and office blocks traversed by overhead expressways crowded with traffic - Tokyo remains a glittering example of the 'miracle' of post-WWII Japan.
Blooming cherry blossoms should be reason enough to go on Tokyo vacation in spring. Likewise, the mellow hues of autumn also provide a poignant example of the Japanese aesthetic.
What makes Tokyo fascinating is the tension between mammoth scale and meticulous detail. Sightseeing in its streets can be a neon assault that leaves you elated and breathless, or an encounter with the exquisite art of understatement. Jump aboard the subway and see how one city is really many. Among main attractions that you can visit during Tokyo vacation are: Akihabara, Bonsai Park, Ginza, Kokugikan, stadium, Tokyo Disneyland and lots of others.
Eating is half the fun of being on Tokyo vacation, and the adventurous foodie will be delighted to know that nihon ryori (Japanese food) is far more than the sushi, tempura and sukiyaki for which it is best known in other countries: there are over 20 different forms of Japanese cooking to sample.
As any Tokyo-ite knows, you are what you buy. Shopping defines this city. The sacred shrines in this consumer culture are the opulent depato (department stores). They are pervasive, irresistible and omnipotent - odds are you'll leave with a radio-controlled robotic dog tucked under your arm.
Finding a place to sleep during Tokyo vacation is easy. But Finding a place that's reasonable value and fulfils your every need is not so simple. The city's top-end and luxury hotels are world class. Unless you're based in a five-star hotel with its own facilities, most short-term visitors will probably have to make do without their favourite sporting activities. A lot of people and not much land means a high demand for recreational space - and high prices and long waiting lists.
Among other activities you can try is relaxation. There's a very beautiful Japanese tradition of soaking your cares away: try a sento (public bath) or onsen (hot spring). Concerning swimming. Taking a swim in Tokyo can be costly and bound by unexpected rules. In the summer months, it's probably easier to head to the beaches of Miura-hantô and around Kamakura. During your stay you can try Martial arts. You can stay with the more familiar forms of martial arts - karate, kendo, judo, aikido - or try something a little more exotic, such as kyûdô (Japanese archery).
If you are going to visit Japan, Tokyo, then you have to plan everything ahead. By the way if you are traveling to Tokyo by plane, then use Japan airlines. It is the largest airline in Asia. You won't get bored on the board of the plane. Japan Airlines are known for their onboard entertainment system called MAGIC. The system features credit card phone, multiple movies, destination guides with immigration card filling instructions, active airplane stats, games and more.
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