Our list is definitely not exhaustive – there are far more gaming experiences in Akihabara than we could list here. But hopefully, it’s given you a great starting point for your initial quest into the gaming capital of Japan. We’d love to know what you thought of our favorite arcades, or if you have your own favorite spot in Tokyo – let us know in the comments.
Tokyo offers an incredible amount of novel experiences for first-timers, and it is home to one of the oldest cultures in the world. Thousands of people choose to go to Tokyo every year for many different reasons. Whether it’s the food, the people, the trains, the architecture, the technology, or the pop culture, the city promises many experiences that will strike first-time tourists as special or unusual. In this article, we’re going to discuss what those experiences are, which ones will make you do a double-take, and why they’ll make your trip to Japan all the more special.
For many years Japan has appeared in media and popular culture through a varying array of stereotypes – from nerdy gamers with zero social skills, to real-life anime girls that look just like their cartoon counterparts! Some people think of Japan simply as a busy place with a confusing language, yet people who travel there often say the same thing – Japan is so much more than they expected it to be. So, what are the biggest misconceptions about Japan? And do they have any basis in truth? In this article, we hope to tackle just a few of them.
Whether you’re a strict planner and list-maker, or you like to go with the flow, you’ll likely still want to know which accommodation to choose in Tokyo. Tokyo has an incredible wealth of options for every kind of traveler and is very well connected no matter where you choose to stay. Every district offers a different perspective and set of amenities, though. By choosing the right accommodation in the right district, you can ensure you plan your perfect trip.
Rabbit Island is one of the most interesting places to visit in Japan for reasons you might not expect. In addition to being overrun with adorable fluffy creatures, it has a rich and somewhat unsettling history. A trip to Rabbit Island puts these somewhat contradictory facts side by side as visitors traverse old historical sites, while being accosted by completely tame rabbits hungry for snacks. How did Usagi Shima come to be called Rabbit Island, and why is it worth a visit during your time in Japan?
Interestingly, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t – hiring a tour guide could enhance your experience and show you a completely different side to Japan, one not often seen by foreigners.
Japan is undoubtedly a hardworking country with many positive contributions to the world economy, but with over 2000 work-related suicides in 2018 alone, many people wonder whether Japan’s working culture is something that should be imitated or avoided completely.
Manners are incredibly important in Japan. When it comes to being polite and courteous Japan leads the way – young or old, city or countryside – Japanese people are some of the most hospitable around. In a country where respect is king, one might wonder what tourists, or even locals, could do that would be considered disrespectful. There are common mistakes that people make that Japanese people find very disrespectful – what are they, and how can you avoid making them?
So why is Japan so obsessed with this popular pastime? Many people who are familiar with the Japanese’s reserved nature are surprised to learn of their love of public singing. One of the reasons could be that Karaoke was invented in Japan! Literally translated “empty orchestra” and loved the world over, Karaoke is still best when experienced in its birthplace, and honestly? Nobody does Karaoke quite like japan. How can you ensure you have the best Karaoke experience during your trip?
Both Haneda and Narita airports have been firm fixtures in Japan’s capital city for decades, and their air traffic combined make Tokyo the third-busiest airport system in the world after New York and London. If you’re planning your first trip to Japan, you might be worried about choosing the “wrong” airport. Which Tokyo airport is the best? And should you factor in where you’re staying, or where you’re flying from?