Upcoming events
Sapporo International Arts Festival:
December 19 – February 14, 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games: July 23 – August 8, 2021 Tokyo Paralympic Games:
August 24 – September 5, 2021 World Masters Games, Kansai: May 14-21, 2021 World Aquatics
Championships, Fukuoka: May 13-29, 2022
DISTINCT DISTRICTS While Asakusa is a more traditional part of Tokyo, it’s within walking distance of one of the city’s most modern structures, the Tokyo Skytree, the tallest freestanding broadcasting tower in the world. A night-time ride to the top, 634m in the air, provided incredible views, with Tokyo’s distinct districts sprawling out in every direction. Each of those districts appears to be ‘known’ for something. Kappabashi is the go-to for restaurants getting their kitchen supplies, while Ueno Park is full of museums, lakes and temples. Shibuya is great for nightlife, while Shinjuku is the edgier and racier option. We opted for a night out in Shibuya, the Piccadilly
Circus of Tokyo. It’s worth a visit if only to see the world’s busiest intersection, the Shibuya Crossing, in action, with thousands of people spilling out from sidewalks and crossing the road all at once. The area is full of bars and restaurants, English pubs showing sport on big screens – and yes, karaoke. An hour’s session for four in one of the establishments (of which there are many), complete with all-inclusive drinks, cost us about £75. You can’t go to Japan and not give it a go!
SHRINES AND PALACES To see some more of the districts by day, we hired an English-speaking guide, Hitoshi, who gave us our first experience of the city’s underground system.
24 9 JULY 2020
expert ASK THE
ANNA HALL business development manager, Cosmos
“There’s so much to see in Japan, and a tour can help you get the best out of it with a tour director who lives, breathes and speaks the language. They will open doors and help you learn more about the wonderful sights and experiences to be had, and break down any language barriers. While travellers clearly want to start exploring again, they also need to feel safe. With help from our global health and safety team, we have established a worldwide Assurance programme with enhanced touring protocols to ensure the health of our guests. All 2021 bookings also come with our Peace of Mind Plan, which allows our agent partners to move a client’s booking to another destination, brand or departure date in 2021 or 2022 – no questions asked. You just need to let us know before final payment and we’ll waive all land penalties.”
We headed to the legendary Tsukiji fish market, where locals proudly displayed their enormous tunas caught that morning, alongside eels, urchins, octopuses, lobsters and other fresh catches. Then we wandered through the Tokyo Imperial Palace, passing guardsmen’s buildings, fortified walls, the keep of the Edo Castle and tranquil lakes. It’s the home of the Japanese emperor, but the palace is built so deep into the heart of the gardens you never actually get to see it. A visit to Meiji Jingu – one of the shrines of Shinto, Japan’s indigenous religion, based around the belief that gods inhabit all things – was another fascinating experience. We walked through imposing wooden gates, down a long, tree-lined walkway, and entered the courtyard at the spot where Emperor Meiji and Empress Shōken are enshrined. Hitoshi taught us how to say a Japanese prayer, which involved clapping loudly twice to get the gods’ attention, then throwing a coin and praying.
travelweekly.co.uk
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