As if you needed another reason to visit Tokyo. As if the mind-boggling smorgasbord of cultural, traditional, futuristic and fantastic options wasn't already enough of a drawcard for visitors to the Japanese capital.
TOKYO FOR … FOODIES WHY There is perhaps no greater city for those who love to eat than Tokyo. There's just so much to sample here, from the countless restaurants serving the myriad styles of Japanese cuisine, to a surprisingly high-quality selection of French, Italian, Spanish, Korean, and even American-style eateries.
DON'T MISS It's an impossible task selecting one experience visitors should have in Tokyo. The trick is to eat widely and fearlessly, and you'll never go wrong. It is worth highlighting, however, the"depachikas": basement-level food halls at major department stores that offer a saliva-inducing smorgasbord of the best foods from Japan and the world.
DON'T MISS Though Japan is most famous for sumo, Tokyo's heart belongs to baseball. The metro area has five top-tier teams, and perhaps the most enjoyable to see are the Yakult Swallows, whose home is the historic Meiji Jingu Stadium near Shibuya. The team's fans famously open umbrellas and sing whenever they score a run.
DON'T MISS There's something seriously charming about the faded glory of Tokyo's recent past. Check out the amazing Nakagin Capsule Tower in Shimbashi, the Tokyo Tower in Minato, and the Yoyogi National Gymnasium for modern architectural history. DON'T MISS For Tokyo residents, hanami, or cherry-blossom viewing, isn't just about the flowers, but the social engagement that comes with spending a day at your favourite spot. To join locals in this cherished tradition, take a blanket, some food and drink down to Shinjuku Gyoen during cherry blossom season and settle in.
DON'T MISS Tucked deep in edgy Shinjuku, the Golden Gai area is a blast from the past, a network of narrow alleys and passageways lined with tiny bars, some of which can seat only four or five patrons. There's everything from rock'n'roll dives to classy whisky bars to quirky themed joints. DON'T MISS Two experiences, both ultra-modern, though on different ends of the class scale. In Shinjuku, the Robot Restaurant is dinner and a show, though you won't want to eat the dinner, and you'll be stunned by the overblown ridiculousness of the dancers-and-robots show. On the flipside, teamLab Borderless in Odaiba is a multi-sensory digital art experience that's a must.TOKYO FOR … SHOPAHOLICS WHY Tokyo has everything.