With record numbers of tourists visiting Japan this year, it’s no wonder the country’s top destination is attracting international attention. One travel site says the numbers don’t lie, Tokyo is now the world’s top trending destination. Find out why people flock here and how to avoid the crowds.
Why Tokyo comes out on top
Travel site TripAdvisor recently released a list of the world’s most popular travel destinations, and Tokyo took first place. The site awards the award to a location that “receives an overwhelming number of over-the-top reviews and opinions from the TripAdvisor community over a 12-month period.” This award is given to only 1% of all destinations.
From enjoying cherry blossoms to late-night karaoke, to tourist attractions like Toyosu Market, delicious food and Akihabara, Tokyo is being praised more than ever. Other statistics show that Tokyo remains the top destination for Japanese travelers, with more than 3 million tourists now flocking to Japan every month.
After Tokyo, TripAdvisor lists four other popular travel destinations, all located in Asia.
- SeoulThe site lists Insadong’s tea shops and Changdeokgung Palace as top attractions in the South Korean city.
- Halong Bay. Ha Long, located in Vietnam’s Quang Ninh province, is home to a series of limestone islands, caves, boating, and relaxation.
- palawan islandTripAdvisor describes this Philippine island as a “heavenly haven” rich in wildlife and World Heritage sites.
- Sapa. Sapa, Vietnam also hosts interesting events such as the Saturday night singles “Love Market”. You’ll also find Gothic-style stone churches and cuisine that combines Vietnamese and European cuisine, reminiscent of the French colonial era.
Tokyo’s most famous tourist spot…
With 23 city wards and a population of over 13 million people, it’s no wonder people flock to Tokyo. There’s so much to do that you can’t see it all in one trip. Some of the famous spots in Tokyo include:
Shibuya Ward. It is one of Tokyo’s major shopping centers and is a busy transportation hub used by millions of people every day. Tourists flock from all over the world to experience the famous scramble, the intersection of his three roads with synchronized pedestrian signals. This area has extensive side streets lined with numerous restaurants and bars. Fashionistas can spend their hard-earned disposable income at the stores in the area’s expansive shopping malls, including 109, Mark City, Hikarie, the newly constructed Scramble His Square and Stream.
ShinjukuHome to Tokyo’s famous (or infamous?) red-light district, Kabukicho, Shinjuku is a gathering spot for everything from concept cafes to host clubs, and also serves as a meeting place for the city’s LGBTQ community. There are also many “love hotels” in Japan where you can rent rooms by the hour during the day or early in the evening. Omoide Yokocho is a must-visit for anyone seeking an “authentic” Tokyo dining experience.
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Asakusa. Home to the famous Asakusa Shrine, Asakusa is lined with street vendors where you can enjoy meals and many sweet treats while strolling. Nearby Kappabashi is a must-see for kitchen enthusiasts looking for Japanese knives for their kitchens.
GinzaIt is an upscale shopping center in Tokyo and is home to many traditional coffee shops and cafes dating back to the Taisho and Showa eras. (Japan’s famous “Western” egg and rice dish, omelet rice, is said to have originated here.) On weekends and holidays, Ginza’s main street becomes a pedestrian paradise, offering an enhanced shopping experience. Masu.
Tsukiji Outer Market. Tsukiji was the home of Tokyo’s wholesale fish market until its functions were moved to nearby Toyosu. However, the market remains a major attraction for tourists, with retail stores, restaurants, and seafood. Tsukishima Monja Street, just a short walk from the market, is home to many shops specializing in Japan’s famous Monjayaki.
AkihabaraAkihabara, the otaku hub of Tokyo, is a visually rich place that you should definitely see for yourself. This glittering place is filled with anime, manga, games, and maid cafes. Akihabara is also home to the famous Electric Town, where you can pick up consumer electronics as well as parts to solder onto your next motherboard.
Harajuku. Many people lament that today’s Harajuku still retains traces of its past. These days, it’s no longer the fashion hangout for Japan’s rebellious youth. Many of the most famous small fashion stores have disappeared in favor of big box stores. Still, even outside the very crowded Takeshita Street, you can find many interesting small shops on every corner of the neighborhood (such as the “friend’s cafe”).
tower and treeTokyo Tower and Skytree offer fantastic city views, with the latter offering 360-degree views and a glass base so you can see for yourself how far you fall. During cherry blossom season, a subway ride up to the tower offers one of the most beautiful views in Tokyo.
imperial palaceImmerse yourself in a bit of Japanese history as you walk through the grounds where the Emperor of Japan and his family live.
Kichijoji. Kichijoji is home to many antique shops and vintage clothing stores, and is also home to the beautiful Inokashira Park. There are also many nice cafes where you can spend some time, and Harmonica Yokocho, right near the station, has many shops where you can enjoy a drink or dinner.
park! Tokyo is full of wonderful parks, including Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Inokashira Park in Kichijoji, Yoyogi Park, and Ueno Park.
…and less common places in Tokyo
One problem with all these must-see places is that everyone wants to see them. Not only were there too many tourists, but many people were already busy using it as a base for work and play in the country.
Luckily, Tokyo is so vast that you can find a little bit of peace and quiet off the beaten path. Here are some of our favorite less traveled areas.
Dogenzaka
The center of Shibuya is pretty crazy. But if you walk a little further away from the madness, you’ll find back streets with great little restaurants and a more relaxed atmosphere. In particular, the backstreets of Dogenzaka are a peaceful area with lovely little cafes and restaurants tucked away in the middle of nowhere.
Ikebukuro/Nakano Broadway
Akihabara is known as the anime capital of Tokyo, with Ikebukuro coming in a close second. The entertainment district on Tokyo’s famous Yamanote Line is especially known as a stalking ground for fujoshi, or women obsessed with boys’ love manga. Retail company Animate has also opened a new flagship store in the area, and the surrounding streets are filled with concept cafes.
Japanese pop culture enthusiasts will also enjoy strolling down Nakano Broadway, where Mandarake and other small shops sell manga, figurines, and J-pop and idol memorabilia.
Kagurazaka
This interesting location in Shinjuku Prefecture has an unusual roadway system where traffic flows in opposite directions at different times of the day. There are also many small pottery shops and nice restaurants.
Gakugei University
This small residential area in Meguro has a great station area filled with small and interesting shops and restaurants. If you’re interested in Japanese ceramics, you might want to stop by Lion or SML to browse and pick up something on the way home.
Yanaka
UJ Editor-in-Chief Noah Oskow commented that “It has a pristine downtown area.” [factory district] Yanaka Ginza is located a short distance from Ueno on the Yamanote Line (get off at Nippori Station). Strolling through Ueno Park, eating at Yanaka Ginza, and then enjoying dinner and drinks at Yanaka Ginza is a great way to kill an afternoon/evening in Tokyo.
Want a custom guided tour of Tokyo? Unseen Japan Tours will organize your itinerary and act as your interpreter. Contact us today to start planning.
Source
Trending Destinations – World. TripAdvisor
