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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