Tokyo, Japan‘s bustling capital is home to traditional and modern attractions. It’s amazing how the whole country, not just Tokyo, was able to preserve it’s traditions despite being one of the most ultramodern and high-tech countries in the world. From high-tech theme parks to well-preserved shrines and temples, trending food craze to traditional exquisite cuisines, name it, Tokyo has it.

I’ve been to Tokyo 5 times already. On every visit, I always look forward to visiting new places and experiencing new activities. It seems like you’ll never run out of things to do on this side of the world. During my recent visit I was able to try some traditional Japanese activities and ultra-modern attractions.

I’ll start with some traditional Japanese fun activities that you can all do at Tokyo’s old town, Asakusa.

Kingyo-sukui (Goldfish Scooping)

“Kingyo” means goldfish and “sukui” means scooping in Japanese language. This traditional Japanese game dates back to the late Edo Period and is commonly played during summer festivals. The rules of this game is simple, a player needs to scoop goldfishes using paper scooper called “poi” and transfer them into a bowl. The game ends when the poi is completely broken or incapable of scooping goldfishes anymore. This is a fun and simple game that can be enjoyed by family and friends.
  

You can experience this activity at Asakusa Kingyo all year round without attending a summer festival. The shop also sells some cute goldfish merchandise and souvenirs. Asakusa Kingyo is located just right outside Sensoji Temple grounds.

Asakusa Kingyo » see map
Asakusa Nishi-sando Shopping Street, 2 Chome-7-13 Asakusa, Taitō, Tokyo 111-0032, Japan
Phone: +81 3-3847-5251
Rate: ¥300 (comes with 3 poi)

Amezaiku

Amezaiku is a traditional Japanese candy sculpting which has been popularized during the Edo Period. Craftsmen took the streets to sell their Amezaiku by creating it live in front of an audience. Amezaiku is created by heating sugar to around 90 degrees Celsius in a pot and then shaping it using bare hands and a pair of traditional Japanese scissors. I was able to experience this first hand at Amezaiku Ameshin and I’m glad I was able to somehow shape my candy into a rabbit. The demo looks really easy but I tell you, it’s quite challenging since the candy hardens fast. You really need to be quick and precise to come up with a nicely shaped candy.

Amezaiku Ameshin (Hanakawado Studio) » see map
1F Hori bldg, 2 Chome-9-１ Hanakawado, Taitō, Tokyo 111-0033, Japan
Hours: 10:30am-6pm, closed on Thursday
Phone: +81 3-5808-7988
Email: ameshin002@gmail.com
Website: http://www.ame-shin.com/en/
Rate: ¥3,000 for adults, ¥2,500 for children

Daruma Doll Painting

Daruma dolls are popular souvenirs from Japan which are usually made of paper mache and comes in various colors. This doll is a symbol of perseverance and good luck among Japanese people. Upon purchase, the dolls have blank eyes. What you do is to paint one eye while committing on your goals and asking for guidance. You would then paint the second eye as a sign of thanks when you achieve your goal.

A traditional Daruma Doll is usually red in color, and has a mustache and beard. At Asakusa Experience, I was able to paint my own Daruma Doll. I was given the freedom to paint whatever I like so I ended up painting a cute Shiba Inu Daruma Doll. I really enjoyed doing this since I love painting.

Asakusa Experience » see map
1F, 3 Chome-25-2 Asakusa, Taitō-ku, Tōkyō-to 111-0032, Japan
Hours: 11am – 3pm
Phone: 08054724951
Email: asakusaexperience@hotmail.com
Website: https://asakusaexperience.jimdo.com/english/
Rate: ¥2,000. Requires reservation.

Eat Kagetsudo’s Melon Pan

Melon pan is an original Japanese bread snack that looks like a melon. It doesn’t really have a melon flavor in it but it taste really good. It has this creamy, milky and a little sweet taste, and a very inviting aroma that is hard to resist. The bread is fluffy on the inside, and crispy on the outside.

Kagetsudo is probably the most popular store to buy a melon pan in Tokyo. They started selling in 1945 and their store is located just outside Sensoji Temple. A melon pan from Kagetsudo cost ¥200 per piece or you can get 3 for ¥500. You can also order one with an ice cream in the middle for ¥400.

Customers usually line up for this famous Japanese bread. Kagetsudo’s melon pan is usually sold out before their closing time so make sure to line up early.

Asakusa Kagetsudo » see map
Asakusa Nishi-sando Shopping Street, 2 Chome 2-10 Asakusa, Taitō-ku, Tōkyō-to 111-0032, Japan
Hours: 9am – closes when sold out
Phone: +81-3-3847-525

Tokyo is also home to some of the world’s ultra-modern and high-tech attractions. Below are just some of the newest and popular attractions you can try around Tokyo.

Life-size Gundam Unicorn

One of the notable attractions in Odaiba is the life-size Gundam Unicorn outside Diver City. Last spring of 2018, the 19.7 meter tall Gundam Unicorn replaced the 18 meter tall Gundam RX-78-02 which was introduced in 2012.

The Gundam is normally on its Unicorn mode, and at specified time of the day, the Gundam transforms into Destroy mode showcasing movements of some parts and glowing pink lights.

You can also visit the Gundam Shop and Cafe right behind the Gundam Unicorn structure.

Gundam Unicorn » see map
Diver City Tokyo Plaza, 1 Chome-1-10, Aomi, Koutou-ku, Tokyo, 135-0064
Phone: +81-03-6380-7800
Unicorn Gundam Transformation Schedule: 11am, 1pm, 3pm, and 5pm
Odaiba Unicorn Gundam Night Performance Schedule: 7pm-9:30pm
Admission: FREE

teamLab Borderless

One of the newest and trending attractions in Tokyo is teamLab Borderless. This attraction is compose of group of artworks that defines a borderless world. Digital artworks allow interactive movements with visitors as well as with other artworks. The 10,000 square meter exhibition hall is composed of various sections featuring digital art installations- Borderless World, Athletic Forest, Future Park, Forest of Lamps and En Tea House. Some of my favorite art installations are “Wander through the Crystal World”, “Graffiti Nature – High Mountains and Deep Valleys”, and “Forest of Resonating Lamps”.

   

There’s no time limit on how long you can stay inside, teamLab Borderless really gives visitors the freedom to wander, explore and discover. This is a must visit attraction for the whole family. Make sure to check it out when you’re in Odaiba. It is also recommended to buy tickets online to make sure you’ll be able to get in.

MORI Building DIGITAL ART MUSEUM: teamLab Borderless » see map
Odaiba Palette Town, 1-3-8 Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Hours: Mon-Thurs 10am-7pm | Fri, Sat and Holiday Eve 10am-9pm | Sun and Holiday 10am-8pm
Phone: +81-03-6406-3949
Website: https://borderless.teamlab.art/
Tickets: ¥3200 for adults, ¥1000 for children, and ¥1600 for disabled person

VR Experience at Sky Circus Sunshine 60 Observatory

Sky Circus Sunshine 60 Observatory is not your typical observatory where you can only get a view of the surrounding, here, you can do lots of fun and immersive activities as well.

It was my first time to try a fully immersive VR experience and I had so much fun! I tried the Tokyo Bullet Flight and Swing Coaster. Both felt like I was inside a three-dimensional world seeing a feeling what’s happening around me. These two VR experience requires an extra fee but there are also free activities that you can try. My favorite is the Keleido Scape section.

Sky Circus is located on the 60th floor of Sunshine 60 building in Ikebukuro. Visitors will be able to see Tokyo Skytree, Tokyo Tower, Shinjuku skyline, and even Mt. Fuji on a clear day.

Sky Circus Sunshine 60 Observatory » see map
60F, Sunshine 60, 3-1-1 Higashi Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 10am-10pm
Phone: +81-03-3989-3457
Website: http://www.skycircus.jp/english/index.html
Admission Tickets: ¥1,200 (Adults), ¥900 (Students), ¥600 (Children), ¥300 (Toddlers)
VR Experience Tickets: ¥600 (Tokyo Bullet Flight), ¥400 (Swing Coaster), ¥500 (Sky Escape)

Guide Map

Suggested 2 Day Itinerary

Day 1
9am-10am : Asakusa Kingyo (Goldfish Scooping)
10am-12pm : Explore Sensoji Temple/Eat Melon Pan at Kagetsudo
12pm-1pm : Lunch at Marugoto Nippon
1pm-3pm : Daruma Doll Painting
3pm-5pm : Ameizaku (Japanese Candy Making)
5pm-onwards : Dinner/Rest

Day 2
9am-10am : Visit life-size Gundam Unicorn at Diver City
10am-12nn : teamLabs Borderless
12nn-1pm : Lunch at Aqua City Odaiba
1pm-2pm : Explore Odaiba
2pm-6pm : Sky Circus Sunshine 60 Observatory
6pm-onwards : Dinner/Rest

Tokyo is truly a perfect destination to those who want to immerse themselves to traditional activities and experience what modern world has to offer. I’m looking forward to visiting Tokyo again and I’m excited on what to do and experience next.

Here’s a good news! Choosing dates for your flight to Tokyo from Cebu would not be a problem anymore. Starting December 1, 2018, Cebu Pacific Air flies daily from/to Cebu-Tokyo (via Narita). I can’t wait go back next year, or maybe sooner?

Thank you Japan National Tourism Organization and Cebu Pacific Air for organizing the Fam Tour of Vis-Min Bloggers in Tokyo. It was indeed a super fun and educational experience. Like I mentioned above, it was my 5th visit in Tokyo but I really learned more about Japan from our guides, Nao-san and Mari-san. Domo arigatou gozaimasu! See you again, Tokyo!

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