AT#880 - Travel to Tokyo Japan

Hear about travel to Tokyo as the Amateur Traveler talks to Matthew Jasek from The Nerd Tourist about one of his favorite, if nerdy, cities. 

https://amateurtraveler.com/otaku-guide-to-tokyo-japan/

Day 1: Arrival and Food Tour

• Afternoon: Arrive in Tokyo and check into your hotel.
• Evening: Join a food tour or find a local guide to visit a traditional Japanese restaurant. Explore the dining culture with the help of a guide who can navigate through nuances.

Day 2: Tsukiji Outer Market and Senso-ji

• Morning: Visit Tsukiji Outer Market for a variety of food stalls. Try grilled eel and other local delicacies.
• Afternoon: Explore Senso-ji Temple. Take part in the tradition of shaking a metal container to get a fortune. Enjoy more street food around the area.
• Evening: Choose between visiting Odaiba for futuristic buildings and the Unicorn Gundam statue or exploring Shimokitazawa, a hip neighborhood known for vintage shops and live music.

Day 3: Shibuya Scramble, Harajuku, and Meiji Shrine

• Morning: Experience the famous Shibuya Scramble and visit the statue of Hachiko. Head to Harajuku Station.
• Afternoon: Explore Meiji Shrine and Takeshita Street in Harajuku. Enjoy crepes, Shiba Inu Cafe, and unique latte art at Cafe Reissue.
• Evening: Choose between visiting Ikebukuro for anime-related attractions or Nakano Broadway for traditional shopping and unique ramen.

Day 4: Nerd Day

• Option 1: Take a guided tour of Akihabara, the hub of nerd culture, exploring anime shops and arcades.
• Option 2: Visit real-life anime locations using online resources or guided tours. Consider Studio Ghibli Museum, Totoro no Mori, or Shirohige Cream Puff Factory.
• Evening: Experience Tokyo’s nightlife with activities like Mari Car go-karting or trying Monjayaki in Monja Street.

Day 5: Kamakura Trip

• Visit the Great Buddha of Kamakura
• Explore Zeniarai Benten Shrine and wash your money.
• Visit Hokokuji Temple Bamboo Forest Temple, and wander through the bamboo forest.
• Optionally, pay extra to drink tea at the little tea house in the back.
• Explore Kamakura’s main attractions like the Tsurugaoka Hachimangū Shrine.
• If in April, consider attending the Kamakura Festival (second to the third weekend).
• If in September (14th to 16th), experience Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Reitaisai Festival with horseback archery.
• Visit the grave site of Minamoto no Yoritomo, the first Shogun.
• Visit Jufuku-ji Temple, the grave of Hojo no Masako (the Nun Shogun).

Day 6: Enoshima Island Trip

• Travel to Fujiwara Station and take the Enoshima Electric Railway to the Shirahata Shrine.
• Visit Shirahata Shrine dedicated to Minamoto no Yoshitsune.
• Board the Enoshima Electric Railway and ride to Enoshima Island.
• Explore the long road leading to sea caves, shops, and the Dragon Bell.
• Visit the botanical garden with the sea candle lighthouse.
• Try the local delicacy Shirasu Don at one of the restaurants.
• Visit the Enoshima Shrine complex

Bonus Day:

Consider non-nerdy activities:

• Attend a tea ceremony.
• Rent a kimono and experience a traditional tea ceremony.
• Attend a sumo match or witness a sumo practice.
• Catch a baseball game.
• Take a vintage tram to Gotokuji, the temple that invented the beckoning cat statue.
• Join a tattoo-friendly Tokyo bathhouse tour.

Tips:

• Stay in Akihabara for a central location.
• Use apps like the Visit Japan app for customs information, TableCheck for reservations, and Line for communication.
• Prepare for a lot of walking.

There is always so much to see in and near Tokyo, for nerds and non-nerds alike.

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