Your digital welcome book in Tokyo

Welcome to Tokyo, the gate of the river

Tokyo is the largest city in the world. Impressive for its sheer size, its technology and the number of people per square metre, it will not leave you indifferent. A complete change of scene guaranteed.

A city with many faces

Poised between modernity and tradition, Tokyo knows how to keep its charm and its pulling power alive. Countless districts sit side by side without ever resembling one another. You can go from an ultra-modern neighbourhood of towers and giant screens to a district of traditional houses and temples. That is what makes this city so magical.

Wandering through the districts

Shibuya is one of the liveliest districts in the capital. At its heart lies the famous crossing so often compared to Times Square. Asakusa, by contrast, is one of the oldest and most traditional parts of the city. There you can admire Senso-ji, the largest and oldest temple in Tokyo. These two districts are absolute musts, not least because of how different they are. Many other neighbourhoods are waiting to be discovered too. The most important thing when you come to Tokyo is to think your route through carefully: sadly the city is so vast that you will never manage to see it all in one go.

Don't miss the essentials

Another must-see is Tokyo Tower, their (much taller) answer to our Eiffel Tower. The view from the top is lovely. You can take in the whole of Tokyo and Mount Fuji as well. Then there are the gardens of the Imperial Palace. Only a small part of them is open to the public. It is a genuine haven of calm and serenity in the middle of this gigantic megalopolis. It really is striking to see how carefully they are tended, so do not miss them. Like the rest of the gardens, the royal palace opens only a handful of days a year. Be prepared for a very long wait, though, as plenty of Japanese people are looking forward to those dates too. Do take the time to visit the Ghibli Museum. It sits out of the centre and tickets sell out very fast, so plan ahead. This is not a place for improvising.

Manga, cosplay and video games

Japan is also the archetypal home of video games, manga and anime, and with good reason: an entire district is devoted to that world! Akihabara is paradise for fans of the genre. We will avoid the word geek so as not to offend anyone. Try to go on a Saturday: lively as it is, the main street is pedestrianised then, which makes it far easier to explore. The really enjoyable thing to do here is to play the arcade games and then have a drink in a cosplay café, stepping into a whole other world.

Take a look at the TeamLab Borderless exhibition

If you get the chance, drop in at TeamLab Borderless. It is an entirely digital exhibition that shows just how far Japanese technology has come. You are fully immersed in colour and shape. Really great fun with children.

Discovering the local food scene

Finally, let us talk food to round off this article. Ginza is another particularly lively Tokyo district. You will find plenty of shops and restaurants from every culture. Of course, you absolutely have to try the street food stalls in the markets. That is where you get a true taste of local cooking. Do not miss the famous Tsukiji fish market either. You can even sample fish from its stalls in the little restaurants nearby.

Tokyo is another world, another culture, a real discovery. Whether you go for three days or a full week, you will get an eyeful. We hope you have enjoyed this article and that it has given you the urge to explore the city yourself. And remember: your welcome book is your best asset for showcasing the places you love most.