Favorite International City Write-Off
Written: Oct 29 '00 (Updated Mar 03 '06)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Lot's of things to see and do
Cons: VERY EXPENSIVE!!!
The Bottom Line: I loved Japan,if you ever get a chance to go there for a visit you would be a fool to miss it!
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| bigtrouble54's Full Review: Tokyo |
Review Topic: Sights & AttractionsSightseeing in Tokyo
On your first trip to Tokyo you will undoubtedly be surprised at just how modern and spread out the city really is. It shouldn't come as a surprise considering that large portions of the city have been demolished and rebuilt during the 20th Century.
Try not to be shocked by the realization that the Tokyo you came to see was probably leveled in an earthquake or blown up during the war or, just as likely, torn down and rebuilt in the name of progress.
While Tokyo's architectural features are now mostly Western, the way in which buildings are constructed and located is uniquely Japanese. On any given block in Tokyo, you'll find an astonishing assortment of buildings erected next to each other without the slightest concern for Western issues like zoning. And believe me when I say next to each other. Some buildings are so close together that you might have trouble figuring out where one ends and the next one begins!
Underneath all of the urban constructs, there is still plenty to see and do in Tokyo. And if you look hard enough, you will certainly find many of the traditional elements of Japanese culture that you traveled half way around the world to experience.
I have listed a few of the places that I think you might find interesting and different...
Akihabara or Electric Town
If you've come to Tokyo looking for a deal on a new camera or the latest consumer electronic gadget, this is the place to be. Fifty square blocks of massive electronics stores.
Perhaps the most incredible part of the Akihabara experience is that so many of the stores appear absolutely identical in terms of variety and price. Also be aware that the latest computer and PC gadgets are definitely aimed at the Japanese market, so unless you feel comfortable typing in Japanese characters, you're not likely to find an exciting deal on the latest hand held computer.
I spent a whole day wandering around the Akiahbara, which is literally hundreds of small shops selling all kinds of electronic parts, devices and equipment. It is the size of a whole city block, under one roof. You'll find small shops selling everything from individual components to fully assembled systems of all types. If it has anything to do with electronics, you'll find it here.
Tokyo Disneyland
Home of the "Jungle Cruise", "Space Mountain" and, of course, the "Pirates of the Carribean". I visited Tokyo Disneyland 13 times while I lived there but can't really compare it to the one in Orlando because I have never been there. One can only imagine the experience... I will tell you that the Japanese version is very interesting though...my favorite ride was Pirates of the Carribean. My daughter says the Tokyo version is better than the US version...even though everything is in Japanese. (duh)
Toshimaen
Located in the center of Tokyo, half of this amusement park includes many roller coasters, various rides, games and shows. It has rides for all ages. The roller coasters are the biggest attraction in this half of the park.
The second half is a water park. It includes many water slides some available with inner tube at an extra cost, a lazy pool, two wave pools, a children's pool and an olympic size swimming pool with 3 diving boards. It is a great way to beat the Japanese summer heat.
We decided to be brave and go on one of the free fall water slides.(a pretty big accomplishment for me since I'm afraid of heights!). When we got to the top, I wanted to turn back, but decided I would go anyway because someone threatened to push me if I didn't. It turned out to be the biggest rush I ever had...except for the terminal wedgie it gave me at the end of the slide! This was by far the best money I spent having fun...I like getting wet!!!
Beer Museum Yebisu
Despite the Western look of this museum, most of the exhibits are Kanji only. Strange considering all of the souvenirs are very Western and entirely in English. Here's something you probably didn't know: it’s impossible to find a good Japanese language beer T-shirt.
Anyway, the museum offers a variety of displays including some extremely amusing Japanese beer commercials that seem to be from the early 60’s. And a "virtual reality tour" which is only quasi-virtual. It’s actually a preset run through a 3D representation of a small brewery. Kind of primitive. A group of people sit peering through goggles that are mounted on a kind of tripod. At some point you jump into the vat of beer and become a beer molecule, swimming around with the yeast and hops. Stupid fun, but free. Which is somewhat unbelievable in a city where just breathing seems to cost a fortune. There is a small fee for the beer tasting.
Tokyo Dome
This was my favorite of all the places I visited! The Tokyo Dome is HUGE and it's easy to get lost. I suppose that is why there is an English speaking person posted at every entrance to help us foreigners out!
The first time I went there was to see the American Bowl in 1995. It was the Denver Broncos vs. the San Francisco 49ers. The base sold tickets for $50, but they were in the nosebleed section and without binoculars must have been very hard to see!
It just so happened I had a friend that worked for a radio station in Tokyo that always got tickets for the American Bowl. In 1995, none of the bosses wanted to go, so we actually got to see the game in style in one of the glassed in boxes that cost a small fortune! We were treated like royalty. They brought us mixed drinks and served us a very fancy lunch...raw fish wasn't for me so I gave mine to one of our guests. Watching the game from there was the most incredible thing I have ever done!
In 1998 we went to the American Bowl again to see Green Bay and Kansas city. This time we were right behind the goal post. I think I like that better because we were actually closer to the action. It's funny being at a football game with the Japanese people. They drink liquor and have loads of fun but somehow they just couldn't get "the wave" down right until almost the end of the game! Finally in the last quarter, the wave started at the right side of the stadium and went full circle. It was an amazing thing! Also seeing Japanese people painting themselves green and yellow, wearing the Wisconsin's famous cheese head was quite entertaining!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
bigtrouble54
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Member: Linda Hall
Location: Apache Junction, Arizona
Reviews written: 51
Trusted by: 92 members
About Me:
Been gone for a bit...I can see 2009 approaching...
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