Shinkasen (Japan’s Bullet Train) The Japanese live by the train and play by the train, literally and figuratively. The highest real estate values are found near the railway station in any city, and entire mini-cities sprout near most stations. A train will take you nearly anywhere in the island- to the most remote cape or…
Ameya Yokocho Ameya Yokocho (Ameya Arcade) was once the site of the largest postwar black market and still holds true to its roots, even if the goods are now legit. This open air market is full of Japanese housewives and others haggling over fish and produce, as well as fruit and vegetable sellers and clothing…
Shinjuku is like a whole city within a city. Almost three million people a day are said to pass through Shinjuku station alone! To the west of the station, we walked around the skyscrapers that make up the prefectural government and the largest business district. To the east we stopped off in the lively entertainment…
Nearby Roppongi, you will find Akasaka, one of Tokyo’s central business districts full of corporate headquarters and expensive hotels. There are not many popular sights in Akasaka- probably the only actual sights in Akasaka are the Hie-Jinja (Hie Shrine) and the National Diet Building. Hie-Jinja Reached by a steep flight of stairs, tucked up on a…
From old to new… Asakusa is where the spirit of old Edo proudly lives. Anchoring Asakusa was Senjo-ji, perhaps the oldest Buddhist temple in the region. And old places always start with a legend… Senso-ji Senso-ji enshrines a golden statue of Kannon. The statue was miraculously fished out of the nearby Sumida River by two…
Legendary for its night spots and foreign party people, this is also the place to come if you want to see cutting edge art and design. Roppongi Hills Opened in 2003, Roppongi Hills was the dream of real-estate developer Mori Minoru, who long imagined a transformation of Roppongi. The complex has received lofty praise, and…
Center of the Sumo World. We made a short quick stop in the neighborhood of Ryogoku one evening. Ryogoku is the center of the sumo world. In this district you will find the sumo stadium, many sumo stables, chanko restaurants, and other sumo related attractions. Sumo events have been staged in this area since a…
“Akemashite-omedetou-gozaimasu” (Happy New Year!) As we hopped off the train at the Harajuku exit, we were a little surprised by the scenery that welcomed us. On the train we were facing buildings, cars, and train tracks in the distance, but as we turned around to get off the train, we faced nothing but woods! It…
“Welcome to Japan.” Shibuya is, above all, an entertainment center and it really comes alive at night. There are dance clubs, live music venues, theaters, and cinemas galore. It’s a place where bars and karaoke parlours stay open until dawn. Shibuya Crossing As we exited the subway, heading up for the streets of Shibuya, we popped…
Otaku World. Geek World. Akihabara is synonymous with otaku (geeks) but you don’t have to obsess about manga or anime to enjoy this quirky neighborhood. Near Akihabara Station you can find an old-school radio center under the tracks or along the neon lights you can find French maids trying to entice customers into a local…
American Roots. Traveling Boots. 
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