Most of the people would rather take the boat right in front of them floating in the water, rather than creating adventures by finding other means of transportation to cross a certain sea.

People are so busy with life that they would sometimes forget that the present is nothing without the steps from the past?

Worry not for there is a place wherein you can go back to the previous times by simply giving minimal effort. This place will slightly bring you to different era and space all at once.

It is serene, it is bright. It is popular, and it is traditional. Tokyo, Japan offers different style of tourist spots like the way bridges offer ways. Are you ready to cross paths and prove that past, present and future can coincides? Without using any time machine, get yourself ready.

The future heat of Olympics 2020

It is official. International Olympic Committee (IOC) recently announced that Tokyo, once again, will host the Olympic Games. During the 125th IOC session in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the committee revealed that the Summer Olympics 2020 will definitely happen in Tokyo. Olympics 1964 held here, making it their second time around to host the awaited event.

Of course, everybody’s excited about it. But that is still seven years away from now. Why not, for the meantime, tour around and feel the sole exquisiteness of Tokyo before anybody else? Why not visit and familiarize yourself with the town before everybody populates it for the games?
They said that Tokyo offers both 21st century and Traditional Japan at the same time. Maybe this is the reason why it is very popular to tourist even before the Summer Olympic Games.

Tracing back roots of the past

Just so you know, there are so many fun facts and trivia that are interesting enough to discover. Tokyo was once called “Edo” and one of the largest towns in the world. Edo was first developed as a military centre for the local ruler during that time. It was in 1968 when it became the imperial capital, renaming the city as “Tokyo” which means Eastern Capital.

If you find yourself interested with going back to history, Asakusa may be an ideal place for you to trace back some roots.

You can enjoy your hush moments in Asakusa, for it is a district that can cast that traditional ambiance. It is a district in Taito that was formerly a place for major entertainment. Start your morning by visiting, and walking through temples and shrines, for the region is known for it.

Because of the numerous religious establishments, festivals are held frequently which locals would refer as “Matsuri”. In a year, every temple will celebrate its feast attended by natives or visitors alike in Tokyo. Together, they will perform rituals celebrating Shinto (spiritual) holidays.

Senso Ji is known to be the oldest temple in Tokyo visited by 20,000,000 people a year also located in Asakusa. Even from the entrance, tourists can already catch a glimpse on its historical Grand Kaminarimon Gate which was built in 7th century.

Although the place was heavily damaged by the World War II and lost buildings older than 50 years, the citizens rebuilt its original beauty giving it more customary Japanese atmosphere than the other neighboring district.
Literally trace back some history by simply walking around Asakusa, and find yourself interested with the old low elevation style.

Getting back to the present time

But in less than an hour, you can recover from being old-fashioned in Asakusa to a modernized tourist by visiting Tokyo’s commercialized district in Chiyoda.

Go set your schedule in Marunouchi, one of Japan’s most prestigious business districts. Having been located near the busiest Tokyo Station, this is the finest spot for tourists to choose which hotel they would prefer to stay in.
If you are also looking for the best shopping and dining facilities, you are in the right place. In just one building, you can shop and when you drop, use elevators to satisfy your stomach with the taste of Japanese delicacies.

Tall buildings are very popular in Marunouchi. It can be divided into two where in the lower part is for shopping spree while the other part is for restaurants or bars. Various establishments may also offer a sightseeing view of the district, or simply witness the typical busy Marunouchi from the top of a certain building.
One tourist can definitely feel the sophistication of Tokyo in Marunouchi for it is the home of Japan’s most powerful companies that would never let the district gets old and simple.

Glance to Tokyo

Talking about high buildings, there’s a tower in Tokyo that is gaining positive reviews all over the net.
Tokyo Skytree seems to be very popular in all parts of the world, including the worldwide web. Standing 634 meters from the ground, this tower is the tallest structure in Japan.

Although its main purpose is to relay television and radio broadcast signals, Skytree is also a landmark consisting of different restaurants and shops for everyone. Cultural and quality products from Japanese industry are traded here.

However, this is not yet what Skytree is known for. Its main highlight is the two observation decks offering the enormous view of Tokyo.

On the Tembo Deck, the lower part, consist of three levels. The top floor offers the implausible panoramic view of the city while the souvenir shop and Musashi Sky Restaurant (French-Japanese Cuisine) is on the middle floor. Either you relax at the Café on the lower floor of Tembo Deck, or check how high you are from the people outside by looking at some glass panels on the ground.

The upper deck of the Skytree is called Tembo Gallery. It is marked as the world’s highest skywalk, 450 meters high from the ground. Made of steel and glass tube, tourist can sight the whole city of Tokyo through tall, glass windows.
Whether you enjoy shopping, fine delights or simply test your adrenaline rush, Skytree can offer them all at the same time.

Mount Fuji

From the Skytree, you are lucky enough to see the view Mount Fuji visible from the horizon. It may only be observable for around 80 days a year. But hey, Mount Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan!
Standing 12,389 feet, Mount Fuji is known to be the symbol of Japan. It has been adored and worshipped for it is known to be sacred. There are different beliefs, stories and legends about this volcano. Some believes that its peak embodies nature, while others say that it is also a being with a soul.

Well, who wouldn’t admire Mount Fuji? With a symmetrical cone, this active stratovolcano that is snow-covered for months remains very popular not just for climbers but also for arts, literary and photography enthusiasts. It is usually painted with Sakura or also known as Cherry Blossoms framed around it.

If you are thinking about being sporty and planning to climb Mount Fuji, the best season is during July and August. By this moment, most of the snow covering its cone had probably melted and the weather is moist. For many climbers, witnessing the rising sun from the summit can provide extraordinary bliss to them, seeing the most beautiful thing in the universe, while standing, sitting or relaxing and letting the time pass in the most popular volcano in Japan.

Greener grass on the other side

Since you are already in Tokyo, why not enjoy quality moments in some of the gardens? Though Tokyo may not be a place with much greenery, it can still offer various parks with authentic Japanese scenery and splendors.
There may only be few gardens, but most of them were preserved by locals to maintain its symbols and traditional designs. Rikugien is an example of a Japanese garden with classic landscape replicates from famous poems. Kyu Shiba Rikyu Garden is another with man-made hills, being part of the feudal lords’ residences before.
However, some gardens are simply made in Japanese styles, making Tokyo more beautiful. Kiyosumi Teien is a simple topography with trails in the pond. On the other hand Kama Rikyu Garden was once a former duck hunting grounds facing Tokyo Bay.

The city

Tokyo has this suspension bridge crossing over the Tokyo Bay. In the morning, you can relax and enjoy the beautiful city by riding boats as you let the Japanese breeze touch your face.
Don’t mind about being lost in the dark at night. Rainbow Bridge, named decided by the public, is filled with different lights, another thing that Tokyo is known for.
Like what you have seen in movies, Tokyo is full of neon lights! It is believed that this town has more neon signs than in any other places around the world.

Hushing and Making a sound at the same time

In some times, people would choose to continue walking in paths without even looking behind. Some would pick something, without having a background check about it. As a tourist, your aim is to be in a new place and perhaps discover and enjoy something new.

Tokyo has the ability to bring back the history and emphasize its modern beauty at the same time. Despite of the city’s bizarre and modern goods available, Tokyo’s cultural core remains visible and preserved. But what makes it more special is it is the one who creates your way to catch a glimpse of its past. So why not let it build bridges for you?