Quick Facts:
- Population: ~36.9 million in Greater Tokyo area. It’s the largest metro area on earth.
- Currency: Yen
Did you Know?
- There are over 5 million vending machines in Japan, and Tokyo has one of the highest densities. They don’t just sell soda; you can find hot coffee, fresh eggs, umbrellas, and even hot meals like ramen or burgers.
Getting Around:
- The best way to get around Tokyo is through its metro system. It’s easy to follow and faster to get around the city than by car. The metro is very well organized and clean. We rode trains during our entire visit.
What kind of electrical outlets do they have in Tokyo? Click here to find out!
Tokyo is one of the most fascinating cities I’ve visited. It’s super crowded, yet it feels so safe. You can find a 1,300-year-old temple and just a short walk away run into anomie characters appearing on large posters. Tokyo’s train system is busy and hectic, yet passengers line up in organized queues waiting patiently for the next train to stop on the platform. I loved it! Here are the highlights you absolutely cannot miss on your next trip to the Great Tokyo Metropolis.
One of the first places I wanted to visit was the Shibuya Scramble Crossing. This street intersection is famously known as the busiest intersection in the world. When the lights turn green, hundreds—sometimes thousands—of people surge from every direction in a perfectly orchestrated chaos that somehow never results in a collision. I must have made three or four crossings in different directions just to be a part of the action. What fun!
We spent some quiet time in the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. The vibe here is at the other end of the spectrum from the Shibuya Scramble. It was a lovely park and even though we visited toward the end of winter, some of the flowers were just beginning to bloom – so beautiful. Along the manicured walks, we found a pond filled with coy fish. Visiting the park was the refreshing conclusion to a busy day!
The Asakusa prefecture (or neighborhood) gets to the spiritual heart of Tokyo. Here we visited the Senso-ji, Tokyo’s oldest and most significant Buddhist temple. Leading up to the temple was a centuries-old shopping area filled with vendors. Also, in Asakusa, we attended a Japanese Tea Ceremony. This area highlighted the historic aspects of Tokyo, definitely the kind of place where it’s fun to wander and get lost in the atmosphere.
A good day trip that’s a nice train ride from Tokyo is the Mt Fuji region. We visited the small town of Hakone that’s known for its hot spring onsens – think warm water meditation pools. We made reservations for a day onsen and enjoyed the warm soothing water. Onsens can be public or private because they are strictly a no-clothes and sometimes a no-tattoo experience. I must say, even though I was somewhat intimidated by how things would go, I found the experience highly relaxing and I’m so glad we made the reservation. Full disclosure, my husband and I reserved a private room!
Tokyo was so much more than I expected. It was busy but the people were truly kind… A city of contradictions that makes you want to come back for more!
