The most populous metropolitan area in the world can be overwhelming for first-timers. Yet, linger there a while and you will encounter the true spirit of Tokyo, the city that gathers the past and future, traditional cultures and new technologies. Discover traditional tea ceremonies and gardens awash with springtime cherry blossom, a world apart from skyscraper-dotted Shinjuku.
Tokyo is a surprising city, mostly due to its contrasts. In one minute you are lost in a skyscraper jungle, the next you are in quiet contemplation beside a carp pong in a peaceful garden. Tokyo has everything you can ask of a city: a rich, cosmopolitan dining scene, more cafes and bars than you could visit in a lifetime, fantastic public transportation and grassy parks.
With its neon lights and insatiable appetite for trends, Tokyo is a city of consumerism. From Manga characters’ clothes to the very classy Prada store, the capital of Japan has many things to show. Hunt for electronic wizardry in Akihabara or traditional lacquer bowls and silk kimonos in Asakusa. Mingle with giant tuna to enjoy fresh sushi at Tsukiji Fish Market.