Having the chance to travel to Tokyo, Japan last May was definitely a dream come true and I already can't wait to visit Japan again! Everyone's choices of doing or visiting certain places in Japan may differ due to personal preferences & choices but here is a list of my Top 10 Things To Do in Tokyo 2017! (in no order) ✩
1. Getting your hair done in a Japanese Salon
Of course, there has been a recent rise of Japanese salons accessible in Singapore. However, having done my hair at a salon in Japan itself is just a whole new experience (being a person who has visited one locally). My experience was such an unforgettable one (my first visit too!) that I am already thinking of which hair colour to do the next time I visit Japan again! You can check it out here for more details!
2. Dressed up in a Kimono & Enjoying wagashi near Sensoji Temple at Asakusa
Sensoji Temple is more than just a touristy spot as the structure of the temple and gates were so magnificent that I was in awe the whole time. We got ourselves dressed up in matching red kimono before setting off for our visit.
Along the way to Sensoji Temple, there were also various Japanese sweets store and a tourist information center. We stopped by a traditional wagashi store for some wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets) before leaving Asakusa that day. Don't forget to get yourself an omamori (Japanese amulets) for luck or health! They have various omamori for different purposes, which are definitely perfect for yourself or as souvenirs for your loved ones!
3. Visit Tokyo Disneyland!
Remember to reach Disneyland an hour earlier as queues already started way before the theme park's opening hours. Do also secure yourself a ticket by purchasing them online ahead of your visiting day! Then, check out all the must-ride attractions such as Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain (Gonna get wet from this!) and Monsters, Inc. Ride & Go Seek!
We were caught off guard by the food provided by various restaurants at Disneyland! They were really mouth-watering, especially the turkey leg! Do also look out for certain timing where people would start to gather and sit around the park as it means - a parade is starting!
Lastly, don't forget to get yourself one of their iconic hairbands! It sure adds on to the overall fun!
4. Visit Sanrio Puroland - Hello Kitty Town
Be immersed in the cutesy and dreamy wonderland as the Sanrio characters come to life and parades around the atrium!
If you're lucky, you will be able to find the Sanrio characters for a shot!
Being a huge fan of the Little Twin Stars, my recommended attraction is definitely Kiki & Lala's Twinkling Tour!! Everything is painted in pastel tones with many of their cutesy mascots friends. If you are a fan of Hello Kitty, you can also get a rose at 500 yen for Kitty (she was such a dear when she received it) at Lady Kitty House and she will present you a gift as well! Of course, you can also take a shot with her but the photos will be taken by their staff for your purchase later on.
5. Shopping, Sweets & Purikura time at Takeshita Dori, Harajuku!
The one thing you must definitely do when you visit Takeshita Dori at Harajuku with your friends, family or partner is taking Purikura, like which we also call neoprints! The machine selection is incredible with super cute designs, even though some may be repetitive. The ones we went for were endorsed by my favourite Japanese models, Peco (neoprint as shown on top left picture) and Risa Nakamura.
Sweets that I would recommend you to try here will be Totti Candy Factory's huge pastel cotton floss, com crepe's creme bulee crepe (Closed) & Croquant Chou Zakuzaku's cream puff. Also, the shops you must visit are definitely W❤C (for pastel street style clothing) and Paris Kid's (their accessories are crazily affordable, e.g. 1 pair of earrings at SG$3).
My favourite place in Tokyo is definitely Harajuku. Do look forward to my post in the near future for more details of my recommendations!
6. Go crazy on all the rides at Fuji-Q Highland!
Are you a fan of thrilling roller coaster rides? If your answer is yes, then the roller-coaster rides at Fuji-Q Highland should not be missed! They have the world's steepest drop roller coaster, which was actually the least scariest to me and three other coasters (One of them was sadly closed)!
If you're lucky, you will be able to catch a good view of Mount Fuji while boarding one of the roller-coasters! Don't worry! As there are also other family friendly attractions for you to ride and to snap many memorable shots as well.
7. Experience a Shrine Festival!
My partner and I were really lucky as we got to experience Hanazono Shrine's annual festival on the 28th of May. The atmosphere was so lively that you would join along with their cheering chants and dance.
The stretch of pavement to the shrine was also filled with food, drinks and game vendors. You definitely won't be doing nothing at any given point of time!
8. Chill out at an Animate Cafe!
Animate is a shop that sells anime goods and merchandise. On the other hand, they also have their very own cafe, where they will collaborate with an anime or game that is usually ongoing or well-receiving during the season. As the collaboration will change from one series to another, we were really thrilled to experience the one with our favourites - B-Project as well as Boku no Hero Academia.
Both series were held at different locations so the experience was somewhat different. B-Project x Animate was held at Shinjuku so we managed to visit it after the Hanazono Shrine festival (located at close by area) whereas Boku no Hero's was held at Ikebukuro. The former feels more exclusive to the customers while the latter provides an interaction with the staff during the game session. Nevertheless, it was enjoyable at both collaboration cafes.
Some pointers to take note: You have to register an account at the Animate Cafe site itself and place a reservation thereafter. The system runs similarly to a poll, where you will reserve and get notified only if you have won the reservation place. So it also depends on your luck! All the best!
9. Go Moe Moe Kyun at a Meido Cafe!
Some people said that you have not visited Tokyo if you have not visited a meido cafe there! Even though all of them speak in Japanese, some of them are well converse in English too and they also try their best in communicating with us. That was such a nice gesture and cute of them to do so.
No pictures of the meidos were allowed at the cafe except for a polaroid or mobile camera shot when you purchase a meal set. Other than that, you can feel free to take shots of the place as long as the meidos are not captured in them.
Do visit a meido cafe if you would like a different kind of customer service from the norms because the process is really extraordinary!
10. Visit Aoyama Flower Market Tea House for delicious flower desserts & instagram worthy shots!
I did not have high expectations for this place as I assumed that it was just going to be like any other kind of instagram worthy place but I was totally wrong. The tea house provides beautiful, delectable flower desserts as well as scentful tea as perfect companies. After your high tea, you can also drop by their florist shop right outside to grab some flowers back as they provide a great variety of beautiful flowers.
Note: If you are dropping by this tea house anytime soon, do take note of their waiting time, which could take up to an hour.
Japan definitely has alot more places for us to pay a visit to so do leave a comment in the box below if you have suggestions of places for me to visit in Japan the next time. Nevertheless, I hope that this list will provide some help for your Tokyo intinerary if you are visiting Japan someday!💕
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