TOKYO HOLIDAYS

To say Tokyo is simply huge is quite the understatement. To put this into context, Tokyo is home to some 12 million people in the centre alone, but this swells to around 35 million once you consider the outer suburbs that have grown so much as to consume whole other cities. For reference, the nearby Yokohama – which is classed as part of the Tokyo Metropolis – is actually the second-largest city in Japan!

Big, bold and bright, Tokyo may be large but it remains a profoundly functional city that prides itself on its traditions and values. It goes a long way to explaining why you will still find quaint Shinto shrines dotted amidst glossy behemoths, as well delicately tended and gloriously colourful gardens tucked into otherwise ordinary neighbourhoods.

Downtown Shinjuku is where you will find some of the world’s largest and most architecturally striking skyscrapers alongside one another. It is also home to much of Tokyo’s foremost shopping areas, with the huge department stores of Isetan and Odakyu catering for every possible product you can image… not to mention some innovations that you won’t have even considered!

Additionally, Shinjuku is where Tokyo’s luxurious hotels are situated, as well as a sizeable portion of its nightlife, the latter an experience in itself, whether you’re downing a pint of Guinness with the locals in an Irish-themed pub, mingling with a cocktail at a more intimate venue or partying the night away in one of the many fluorescent-infused clubs requesting your attendance.

If Shinjuku is about participating, then the neighbouring ward of Shibuya is ideal for spectating… Renowned as the birthplace of the unique fashion movement of Harajuku (named after the area from which it specifically originated), you needn’t go far in Shibuya to find youngsters showcasing a variety of striking styles, whether it is clothes, hair or accessories. Bright, colourful and truly distinctive, the notorious Harajuku Girls and boys indulging in cosplay (costume play) are utterly captivating.

For a change of pace, head to the ward of Chiyoda, location for Japan’s much vaunted Imperial Palace, residence of the Emperor of Japan. Much like New York’s Central Park, the grounds of the Imperial Palace, with its beautifully tended gardens, are a refreshing respite the city centre. Entry to the inner palace area is restricted, but as a venue to find some peace and witness spiritualism at one of the many Shinto shrines, it is an imperative visit, particularly when the renowned Cherry Blossoms begin flourishing.

If the Imperial Palace is where to find Tokyo at its most traditional, then heading over to Akihabara, or ‘Electric City’ as it is known, is a vision of the city at its most futuristic. Best viewed at night, Akihabara is a riot of light and colour from the outside, while department stores offer floor-upon-floor of consumer electronics and accessories inside. Step outside and countless street-side markets vie for attention with everything from chargers, to fluorescent lighting, to nifty gizmos.

Head on over to Shitamachi, otherwise known as ‘Old Tokyo’, where the buildings are smaller (save for the new mammoth Sky Tree) and the history is more pronounced, such as the beautiful Senso-Ji Temple in Taito and Sumida, where you can indulge in some spectacular sumo wrestling in the majestically designed Ryogoku Kokugikan arena.

Indeed, Japanese culture is such that you can’t help but get involved, whether it is purchasing one of the many manga/anime comics, paying upfront at an arcade and getting your fill of Super Mario, karaoke and pachinko (an obsessively popular – and addictive – ‘pinball’ game), or accessorising yourself with something straight out of ‘Harajuku’.

Plan ahead and appealing day-trips to Tokyo Disney Resort and Tokyo Dome City amusement park are ideal for those travelling with children, while there is the thrill of riding the famous Shinkansen ‘Bullet Train’ should you head over to Yokohama, a city that is steadily emerging from Tokyo’s shadow as an up-and-coming and trendy destination.

Underpinned by its wonderfully unique culture, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to claim that Tokyo is unlike any other city in the world, with its effortless blend of forward-thinking and tradition. If you haven’t experienced it yet, there really has never been a better time...