One Day in Tokyo Itinerary | Part 2 | Asakusa - Tokyo Skytree - Tokyo Station
Tokyo is one of the busiest cities in the world. While places in Tokyo can get super crowded, the Japanese have found ways to maintain calm and order. Part 2 of your Tokyo itinerary makes the most of exploring this busyness. From the stalls of Asakusa to the shops of Tokyo station... there's a plethora of sights and culture to take in. Oh - and don't forget the ramen, sushi, and beer!
(1) and (2) Begin the day at Asakusa
[credit: iStock.com/bhidethescene]
If there is one tourist site to go while in Tokyo, it would have to be Asakusa! Housed in the middle of the modern city, Asakusa transports you back to a time of history and tradition. The highlight of the site is Senso-ji, the oldest Buddhist temple in Tokyo built back in 645 AD. Visitors come to the temple to learn a part of Japanese history, as well as to attend the many festivals that now occur here throughout the year.
Leading up to the temple is a shopping street known as the Nakamise street, which is lined with over 90 open shops selling crafts, souvenirs, and treats. Spend time here to pick up some gifts for friends and family back home, but also to try out all the latest and tasiest Japanese snacks. From freshly made mochi to red bean taiyaki to matcha-flavored anything, this is the place that foodies dream of! There are lots of smaller shops and restaurants all along the side streets as well - just be sure to save room for lunch!
(3) Views and Shopping at Tokyo Skytree
From the history and traditions of Asakusa, just a 10-minute cab ride brings you back to the modern city life of Tokyo to the tallest structure in Japan when it was completed in 2011. Tokyo Skytree is an architectural marvel that is not to be missed. Rising over 2,000 feet, the tower has observation decks for visitors that offer expansive unobstructed views of the entire city. On clear days, you can even see Mt.Fuji from here!
Besides amazing views, Tokyo Skytree also offers some of the best shopping and restaurants in all of the city. International and Japanese brands line up the shopping mall at the base of the tower, and there's even a food hall area with confectionary stores. Shop to your heart's content as there's bound to be something here for everyone's taste.
(4) Grab lunch at Rokurinsha
[credit: TimeOut]
After all the walking and shopping in the morning, it's the perfect time to get some lunch to refuel. Rokurinsha is located on the 6th floor of Tokyo Skytree. You can't miss it - it's the one with the longest line. Rokurinsha is best known for their tsukemen, or dipping noodles. The noodles are wide, curly, and have a more chewy consistency. You order the ramen at the vending machine by the door and wait to be told where to sit. Once you finish your noodles, you will be offered a choice of soups to add to your bowl. I recommend the one with yuzu - a little lighter, more tart flavor after a nice hefty bowl of noodles.
Pro tip - Look, tsukemen isn't for everyone and the line at Rokurinsha is LONG (although the one at Tokyo Skytree is much shorter than the branch in Tokyo Station). If you know it's not something that you would like... go to one of the many other restaurants in Tokyo Skytree, including the ones on the 31st floor which offer a great view. If you love tsukemen or are down to try something new... then go early (like before it even opens early).
(5) Explore Tokyo Station - buy some whisky, take home some souvenirs, relax over a flight of beer