Japan

I have just returned from an amazing trip to Japan where I spent 9 days in Toyko soaking up the culture while my husband worked! I loved everything about Japan: the culture, food, ​scenery, people and even the karaoke...I did a calligraphy course, watched a sumo wrestling training session, went to Nikko national park for a 20km hike, saw temples, parks, gardens and even witnessed a typhoon...but not much rugby! We were meant to go to the England/Wales game which was unfortunately cancelled, but watched the Scotland/Japan game in a quirky little bar that was full of very enthusiastic and excited locals. I sampled some Japanese reflexology and chiropractic massage which was amazing. I would highly recommend a trip to Japan to anyone, and am already wanting to go back and explore the country side a bit more.

Here are my top tips for Toyko:

I had the Tokyo Lonely Planet guide book which I found great. I would recommend getting a Pasmo- like our oyster card, for trains etc. Can also be used in convenience stores like Family Mart and 7 Eleven. I would also recommend getting a portable wifi device while you are there. 

Enjoy!

Top sights:

• Shibuya crossing
• Meiji Jingu shrine- get there in the morning as it can get quite busy
• Harajuku- Takeshita street- very busy/crazy shopping street
• TeamLab Borderless and/or Planets- digital design museum. Go first thing to avoid crowds.
• Senso-Ji temple- always quite busy. Good strip of market stalls walking up to the main entrance for souvenirs etc.
• Asakusa
• Kappabashi- Japanese kitchenware shopping street. Good place to buy knives, bowls, tea mugs…
• Tsujiki fish market- fish market has now moved to Toyosu but still interesting to wander around the old fish market. Check opening times before visiting
• Sumo training session (out of Sumo competition season)
• Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden- check opening times
• Kiyosumi-teien garden- beautiful, peaceful garden
• Fukagawa Fudo-do 5pm fire ritual- sutras are chanted, loud drums, bells etc. Beautiful temple.
• Golden Gai- 4/5 streets of little old fashioned bars which used to be brothels.
• Day trip- Nikko. 

Restaurants:

• Andy’s- Andy is from Lancashire and is the only Westerner allowed into the fish market to buy wholesale fish. Delicious sashimi, crab, John Dory, scallops 
• Gyukatsu Motomura, Shibuya- delicious breaded steak which you cook yourself on a small grill. Meat is melt in the mouth! We had to queue for about 20 minutes but it was definitely worth the wait!
• Ramen Nagi- yummy ramen ordered from a vending machine outside the shop. Quite a few branches in Tokyo.
• Gonpachi- Restaurant in Kill Bill. Yakitori etc.

Shops:

• Don Quijote Shibuya- 8 floor mega store madness! Selling everything from fancy dress, to Japanese sweets and snacks, to alcohol…
• Kamawanu (tengui)- selling hand printed pieces of material that can be used as head scarves, napkins, wall hangings etc. In Daikanyama area which has loads of quirky little boutique shops and nice bakeries etc.
• Nature (Daikanyama)- Great shiatsu, chiropractic massage and reflexology and other treatments... https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g1066456-d7744338-Reviews-NATURE_Daikanyama-Shibuya_Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto.html