Tokyo!~
(Thursday, June 26, 2008/11:20 PM)
Tokyo is one popular city which the media loves to hype about on a daily basis. So, is it really worth the hype? I've been to Tokyo for the 3rd time already, and there's so much which I love about the place, and there's also aspects which I feel are frustrating.
What's frustrating? THE DARN RUSH HOUR TIMINGS! If u think Singapore has crazy traffic during rush hours, u'll be real surprised to experience the Japanese counterpart. Unlike Singapore with pretty linear MRT lines where most of the people will head in 1-2 general directions, Japan has an astounding amount of different railway lines and if u get stuck in the center of the traffic, u'll feel as if u're drowning in a sea of people as they brush past u in a myriad of different directions. TRY TO AVOID THE RUSH HOURS AS FAR AS POSSIBLE! In the morning, it'll be 7-9 AM. In the evening, it'll be around 6-9 PM.
The pace in Tokyo is veryyy fast and busy. My friend loved to take slow strolls on busy streets and I felt sooo stressed to force him to keep up with my pace or else we get shoved around by grumpy salarymen or get accidentally bumped into people riding bicycles, speeding as fast as they could for God knows what. If u like a slow-paced, relaxing holiday, Tokyo isn't the most ideal place to spend most of ur days, but it'll be good as a 2-3 day stay.
Moving on to the positives, I reckon in the whole of Japan, Tokyo has the most efficient subway lines. The Yamanote line is a big-time lifesaver as it covers most of the popular hyped shopping districts such as Akihabara, Shinjuku, Shinbuya, Ginza and Harajuku. The availability of vending machines also seem more in abundance in Tokyo, compared to other cities which I went to, even major ones such as Kyoto and Osaka. U'll never die of thirst if u see a vending machine every few steps or so. =) Oh yeah, to hold up the reputation of being the capital of the nation, the city boasts of the most beautiful people I've seen thus far. Truly amazing. I love the girls. Okay, that was random. =P
Alright, going down to the specifics now, I shall recommend some places which I enjoyed, and also what places which I feel are overhyped. First up is Ueno.
Ueno Park is a tranquil little place and it's ideal to take a break from the big city, free from the throngs of people bustling in the marketplace. There'll be live performances on some days if u're lucky. I saw a China troupe doing acrobatic stunts *rofl*. Take a break in this park and release some of the stress accumulated in the city while enjoying the serenity of the atmosphere there.
Next up would be Asakusa. This place has a nice blend of tradition and modernity. It's a great place to pick up souvenirs for ur friends and family! On Nakamise street, u'll find dozens of stores lined up neatly for u to take ur pick. There's also plenty of authentic snacks sold and it'll definitely excite peeps who love food! =) Shin-Nakamise street sells contemporary stuff and doesn't really have the appeal of the traditional aspect of Asakusa, but it'll be worth the detour if u're in need of a good restaurant.
Odaiba is a little out of the way and isn't covered by the JR Rail Pass, but it's an enchanting place worth the money, time and effort to visit. The main attraction of cos' would be to see the Rainbow Bridge light up to its full magnificence at night. There's a fake Statue of Liberty *lol* near the sea and it's rather interesting to see elements of America's influence sprinkled all over Odaiba. This is a good contemporary place to shop and relax, and since it's not situated near the city center, the crowd shouldn't be overwhelming. If u're a fan of Japanese dramas, there's the Fuji TV Building nearby and u can travel up to the souvenir shops (alot... and alot of escalators... at least u dun have to walk =P) and u may be in luck if they sell merchandises of ur favourite dramas!
There's a eatery in Aquacity Odaiba which dedicates the area to renowned ramen chefs. It's relatively cheap (for Japan's standard) at 700 Yen onwards and u get to taste really gooddd ramen! Here's something to make u guys envious...
Mmm... Delicious!!! But I think it made my stomach cranky cos' of the different spices involved. Rofl! =D Aye, I'm running out of time... I'll touch on the places in Tokyo which I feel are overhyped, as well as move on to Hakone. Wooo, onsen rocks! Peace out!~
What's frustrating? THE DARN RUSH HOUR TIMINGS! If u think Singapore has crazy traffic during rush hours, u'll be real surprised to experience the Japanese counterpart. Unlike Singapore with pretty linear MRT lines where most of the people will head in 1-2 general directions, Japan has an astounding amount of different railway lines and if u get stuck in the center of the traffic, u'll feel as if u're drowning in a sea of people as they brush past u in a myriad of different directions. TRY TO AVOID THE RUSH HOURS AS FAR AS POSSIBLE! In the morning, it'll be 7-9 AM. In the evening, it'll be around 6-9 PM.
The pace in Tokyo is veryyy fast and busy. My friend loved to take slow strolls on busy streets and I felt sooo stressed to force him to keep up with my pace or else we get shoved around by grumpy salarymen or get accidentally bumped into people riding bicycles, speeding as fast as they could for God knows what. If u like a slow-paced, relaxing holiday, Tokyo isn't the most ideal place to spend most of ur days, but it'll be good as a 2-3 day stay.
Moving on to the positives, I reckon in the whole of Japan, Tokyo has the most efficient subway lines. The Yamanote line is a big-time lifesaver as it covers most of the popular hyped shopping districts such as Akihabara, Shinjuku, Shinbuya, Ginza and Harajuku. The availability of vending machines also seem more in abundance in Tokyo, compared to other cities which I went to, even major ones such as Kyoto and Osaka. U'll never die of thirst if u see a vending machine every few steps or so. =) Oh yeah, to hold up the reputation of being the capital of the nation, the city boasts of the most beautiful people I've seen thus far. Truly amazing. I love the girls. Okay, that was random. =P
Alright, going down to the specifics now, I shall recommend some places which I enjoyed, and also what places which I feel are overhyped. First up is Ueno.
Ueno Park is a tranquil little place and it's ideal to take a break from the big city, free from the throngs of people bustling in the marketplace. There'll be live performances on some days if u're lucky. I saw a China troupe doing acrobatic stunts *rofl*. Take a break in this park and release some of the stress accumulated in the city while enjoying the serenity of the atmosphere there.
Next up would be Asakusa. This place has a nice blend of tradition and modernity. It's a great place to pick up souvenirs for ur friends and family! On Nakamise street, u'll find dozens of stores lined up neatly for u to take ur pick. There's also plenty of authentic snacks sold and it'll definitely excite peeps who love food! =) Shin-Nakamise street sells contemporary stuff and doesn't really have the appeal of the traditional aspect of Asakusa, but it'll be worth the detour if u're in need of a good restaurant.
Odaiba is a little out of the way and isn't covered by the JR Rail Pass, but it's an enchanting place worth the money, time and effort to visit. The main attraction of cos' would be to see the Rainbow Bridge light up to its full magnificence at night. There's a fake Statue of Liberty *lol* near the sea and it's rather interesting to see elements of America's influence sprinkled all over Odaiba. This is a good contemporary place to shop and relax, and since it's not situated near the city center, the crowd shouldn't be overwhelming. If u're a fan of Japanese dramas, there's the Fuji TV Building nearby and u can travel up to the souvenir shops (alot... and alot of escalators... at least u dun have to walk =P) and u may be in luck if they sell merchandises of ur favourite dramas!
There's a eatery in Aquacity Odaiba which dedicates the area to renowned ramen chefs. It's relatively cheap (for Japan's standard) at 700 Yen onwards and u get to taste really gooddd ramen! Here's something to make u guys envious...
Mmm... Delicious!!! But I think it made my stomach cranky cos' of the different spices involved. Rofl! =D Aye, I'm running out of time... I'll touch on the places in Tokyo which I feel are overhyped, as well as move on to Hakone. Wooo, onsen rocks! Peace out!~
posted by MightyFlameboy. shoot me? | 0 shot me.