Tokyo, the capital of Japan is much more than just sumo wrestling, tea ceremonies and flower arranging classes. The land of the rising sun has so much to offer tourists, from its elegant stores and boutiques, to Tokyo’s famous sushi restaurants and fun karaoke bars. 

When in Tokyo, make sure to visit the most famous temple in the city, Senoso-ji. This amazing structure was constructed in 628, and its beauty and architecture is simply stunning. Senoso-ji is the oldest Buddhist temple in Tokyo, and it always seems to draw a crowd. On the pathway towards the main building of the temple, don’t be surprised when the store clerk belts out welcome greetings in Japanese, or offers you a delicious treat in order to entice you to enter their store. On the way to Senoso-ji, you will pass many stores, which sell everything from sweets to fine fabrics.  You may see statues of animated cats in the window; legend has it these beckon customers and entice money to flow into the stores. 

After visting Senoso-ji, a trip to the delightful Togo Shrine in the teenage shopping “Mecca” of Harajuku should be next on your itinerary. Here you will see streets, which are full of stores selling all kinds of crazy, funky fashion fads. You might think you made a wrong turn somewhere, searching for the Shrine, but if you continue walking down Takeshita-dori, and turn right, suddenly you will be standing by a serene pool, in the garden of the Shinto shrine. This shrine is an ideal spot for a traditional Japanese wedding to take place, and you might see stray cats that lazily doze in the shady gardens. And to think you were only seconds away from the vibrant commercial world on Takeshita-dori! You might also run into women who are dressed as geishas, as they illuminate the temple with their loveliness. They usually don’t mind having their photo taken, but it’s always better to ask! 

In front of most Shinto-temples, one can find hundreds of sake casks stored one on top of another. Sake is often consumed as part of Shinto purification rituals. Today, barrels of sake are broken open during Shinto festivals and ceremonies or following sports victories. “ Iwai-zake” or “ celebration sake” is served freely to all in order to spread good fortune. A great place to try sake is in front of the Asakusa Shrine, which usually has hundreds of different barrels lined up for all to see.
 


Whether you are enjoying a Sapporo beer, dining with chopsticks or visiting Tokyo Disneyland with the family, Tokyo is a city, which keeps its visitors enthralled by its culture, history and beauty.