As the largest metropolis on the planet, it is difficult to imagine that there could ever be a lack of something to do in the city. That said, there is always room for new activities and Tokyo has many unique entertainment and experience options available to satisfy just about everyone. Below are just a few of the amazing choices, ranging from fun and carefree to quirky and unusual.
Food samples
(Photo courtesy of IWASAKI CO., LTD)
From sushi to spaghetti, from soba to sorbet, Japan is well known for the realistic plastic food models that fill display cases in front the country’s myriad restaurants. Ganso Shokuhin Sample-ya, which traces its roots back to 1932, offers visitors the opportunity to take the art of food replication out of the display window in to their own hands. At Ganso Shokuhin Sample-ya, visitors can make their own unique synthetic food creations! Of available models, guests can create realistic lettuce and a variety of tempura items.
Be aware that reservations are accepted only in Japanese and instructions are likewise given only in Japanese. Non-Japanese speakers may need an interpreter.
Main Branch: 3-7-6 Nishiasakusa Taito-ku, Tokyo
http://www.ganso-sample.com/en/
Go-karting on city streets
For those looking for something a bit off-the-wall, Maricar gives visitors a must-try chance to drive go-karts around some of the most popular and scenic areas of the city such as Roppongi, Shibuya and Odaiba. To make the daytime or evening experience even more enjoyable, Maricar provides costume rentals, the ability to blast the music of your choice, navigation systems, bluetooth communication with your fellow drivers and cameras to record the adventure of driving through the streets of Tokyo.
While online booking is available in English, a valid Japanese, International or SOFA driver’s license is required. Some licenses are acceptable with Japanese translation (see website for details).
Maricar gives visitors a one-of-a-kind go-karting experience in the heart of the city; doing it once is not enough.
1-23-15 Kitashinagawa, Shinagawa-ku
03-6712-8275
http://maricar.com/#en
Making iconic food
Ever been curious about what it’s like to be on the other side of the counter? Located just a short walk away from Akasaka Station, Itamae Sushi offers guests the one-of-a-kind experience of transforming into a sushi chef for a day, complete with uniform, professional tools and the same exceptional quality ingredients served to customers at the restaurants. How about an extraordinary opportunity to learn the art of sushi-making from a master chef with over 30 years of experience, followed by the pleasure of savoring the sushi you’ve crafted yourself? The experience of preparing your own nigiri sushi is not only a rare opportunity, but also a lasting memory you can recreate at home.
https://itamae.co.jp/sushimakingtour/
Mountains of men
One thing that many visitors to Tokyo may never think to do is visit a sumo stable (beya) to watch the wrestlers practice. Many of these stables are in the Ryogoku area, near the Ryogoku Kokugikan stadium, where grand tournaments are held in Tokyo three times a year.
The Japan Sumo Association website offers a comprehensive list of sumo stables. While most stables have Japanese-only websites, the Arashio Beya boasts an English language webpage. Other stables accustomed to hosting non-Japanese speaking visitors include Musashigawa Beya, Takasago Beya and Kasugano Beya.
Calling ahead of time is vital (tourists may need to enlist the help of their hotel) to make sure that they are welcome and, more importantly, that there will be a practice as wrestlers take time off around tournaments and tend not to train hard during them to avoid injury.
Japan Sumo Association Beya Guide:
http://www.sumo.or.jp/EnSumoDataSumoBeya/wrap
Arashio Beya:
http://www.arashio.net/tour_e.html
High-class kitties
Although there are many cat cafes in the city, many of them are in far-flung locales and seemingly designed without guest comfort and relaxation in mind. Mocha, which runs several cat cafes, is different, offering a chic environment in popular neighborhoods to visit with feline friends.
With shops conveniently located within five minutes of stations in Ikebukuro, Shibuya, Akihabara, Harajuku and a newly opened outlet on Harajuku’s Takeshita Street, Mocha provides a decidedly upmarket cafe experience at reasonable prices, with unlimited drinks for ¥350 and kitty treats for ¥500.
Each uniquely decorated branch has about 15 to 20 cats and all shops are non-smoking and provide an airy and serene atmosphere.
Mocha’s cafes are very popular for couples, groups of friends or single people looking for a respite from the chaos of the city.
What a hoot!
If cats are too run of the mill, then perhaps a trip to hang out with owls is more interesting. The Akiba Fukuro (Akihabara Owl) cafe is about one minute from Akihabara station and offers something a little different. The cafe operates under the idea that spending time with relaxed owls can be a type of therapy, healing tired hearts and souls in an atmosphere of soft lighting, classical music and light colors to relax and soothe.
To ensure the best and most-relaxing environment for the owls, the number of guests is limited and visitors require reservations. Looking to provide the best experience, groups can spend an hour holding the owls and taking photos. They can also have a photo taken by an in-house photographer that will be laminated as a memento of their experience in the magical space.
67 Kanda Neribeicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
http://akiba2960.com
View from the top
For a quick, easy and convenient way to see the city, Sky Bus Tokyo has a variety of bus tours to let visitors see the city sights.
The standard Sky Bus Tokyo tours are non-stop tours that offer a convenient way to see some of the most iconic areas of the city. Options include the Imperial Palace, Ginza and Marunouchi course; the Omotesando-Shibuya route, the Odaiba Night course, a Christmas Illumination course and others. The open-topped, double-deck bus tours last between 50 minutes and two hours.
Sky Hop Bus tours allow people to get off at various spots along the route and rejoin the tour on another bus. Visitors can hop off and back on as many times as they like and can even transfer between routes while seeing Tokyo Skytree, Roppongi, Tokyo Bay, Tsukiji and more.
The amphibious Sky Duck Bus offers a twist, taking tourists to some of the most popular spots with a quick dip in the river.
03-3215-0008
http://www.skybus.jp
And they’re off!
For a less-participatory, but still thrilling experience, visitors should know that Japan is a hotbed of horse racing, with more than 20,000 races held across the country every year. Races are run in the winter, spring and fall, with the top event being the Japan Cup in November.
Races are mainly held on weekends and some national holidays and betting can take place at any of the 10 Japan Racing Association tracks, as well as off-track betting facilities across the country. Typical race days run from mid-morning until late afternoon and usually feature 12 races per day. Admission is very reasonable, costing between ¥100 and ¥200, with free programs at the track. There is a variety of seating options available depending on the track, but all tracks offer free seating.
Upon arriving at the track, visitors are welcome to visit the paddocks for a close-up look at the horses before placing a bet. However, even if one is not interested in betting, a visit to a racetrack is sure to be a unique and interesting experience.
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