ADVENTURE  / Sep 10, 2017

Exploring modern-day Tokyo | Japan

Konnichiwa! Until last month, I had never been to Asia (waittt Annum, weren’t you born in Pakistan? you know that’s in Asia right?). Technically, I spent my first few years on this planet in Pakistan, but I immigrated to Canada with my parents when I was very young, so the memories I have are hazy at best and extracted from Bollywood at worst. At the end of summer, I returned to my mother continent, but this time, I went east to Japan, the land of the rising sun.

Modern trimmings

My first stop in Japan was Tokyo. Tokyo is a fascinating place because it has all the hallmarks of a big, metropolitan city flush with influences from around the world - while preserving its own culture, heritage and traditional values (but I'll get to the traditional side in part II of this post). If you visit Shibuya and Omotesando, you’ll see your fair share of American and European stores with digital billboards reminiscent of Times Square. In the lively and affluent Roppongi district, you’ll find brightly lit skyscrapers and Japanese divisions of global brands like Google, Ferrari, and The Pokemon Company. Tokyo also has the highest number of Michelin star restaurants than any other city, making it a prime destination for fine dining. 

Touring Tokyo (part I)

Now that I’ve given you a quick overview of the poppin’ Tokyo spots, let’s talk about all the things you can do there! Saad (my husband) and I spent four days in Tokyo, which isn’t enough to do everything, but we tried to explore both the modern and traditional side of this global city with a special focus on finding Muslim-friendly spots and halal eats. In this post, I’ll share my recommendations for the modern / trendy / funky and futuristic things to check out.

1. Shibuya Station

The first item on my list is a railway station… wait wait wait, don’t go! Hear me out! Shibuya station isn’t your ordinary, run-of-the-mill train stop - it’s a famous meeting place and tourist destination for two reasons: scramble crossing and the Hachiko statue. Scramble crossing, or to call it by it’s official name, Shibuya Crossing, is rumored to be the busiest intersection in the world. When the traffic lights turn red, pedestrians “scramble” across the crosswalks in all different directions to the surrounding cafes and shopping centers.

plane-2 Travel tip: Join the crowd and walk across the intersection to experience this mayhem first-hand. Then, head up to the second-story windows of Starbucks in the Tsutaya building to watch this fascinating surge of people from above.

 

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This is one of the busiest pedestrian intersections in the world, called “scramble crossing” outside Shibuya station

Shibuya station is also home to a bronze statue of Hachiko, an Akita dog who is remembered for showing incredible loyalty to his owner. As an animal lover, Hachiko’s tale is tragically beautiful and hard to recite because I usually start to ugly cry like Kim Kardashian.

As the story goes, Hachiko would greet his beloved guardian, Professor Ueno, at Shibuya station every day after work so the pair could walk home together. One day while teaching, Professor Ueno suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and passed away without ever returning to the train station. For the next 9 years, Hachiko waited faithfully at Shibuya station hoping for his master to return, until his own death. If you’re not already sobbing uncontrollably, you can watch Hachiko’s life unfold on film and get the Hollywood treatment.

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Till this day, Hachiko remains a national symbol of loyalty and devotion

A bronze statue was erected in his honor outside Shibuya station where he used to wait. You can check it out at the Hachiko entrance.

plane-2 Travel tip: If you go in the mornings, there’s usually a cat hanging out at Hachiko's feet. Don’t worry, I’m pretty sure the cat has an owner and is well-cared for!

2. Takeshita Street

About a 20 minute walk from Shibuya Station is Takeshita Street located in Harajuku, which is a narrow, pedestrian-only shopping street lined with cafes and (trendy, if you ask teenagers, or kitschy, if you ask me) fashion boutiques. You’ll find all sorts of quirky clothing, knick knacks and street food here, and you might even catch a glimpse of Japan’s lolita fashion.

plane-2 Travel tip: This is also where you can try Japan’s giant, fluffy, jiggly pancakes (they’re delicious)! I recommend going to Cafe Gram - get there when it opens and grab a ticket because they only make a limited amount of these pancakes each day. And if you’re still hungry for something sweet afterwards, eat a crepe from Santa Monica crepes (I know, I know, it’s not exactly authentic Japanese cuisine, but it’s mind-boggling how many crepe combinations you can choose from).

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My favorite food on Takeshita Street

Cat cafes are popular in Japan and Takeshita Street has a Bengal Cat Forest. You’re allowed to pet the cats and play with them... but they do get feisty with each other.

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Bengal Cat Forest, where you can get up close to this exotic-looking breed, but don’t expect high-quality drinks

There’s also an owl cafe downstairs, which I’m saddened to admit Saad and I went to. We regretted it immediately, so I strongly urge you NOT to visit any owl cafes in Japan because they’re not ethical. Owls are majestic birds of prey who shouldn’t be padlocked to fake trees or forced to stay awake during the day so strangers can pet them. 

3. Ura-Harajuku

While Takeshita Street is a newer, more touristy part of Harajuku, you can also stroll through Ura-Harajuku nearby. Ura-Harajuku consists of smaller, less trafficked backstreets that are more eclectic and artsy.

plane-2 Travel tip: Cat Street is the main route through this area.

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The backstreets of Ura-Harajuku are full of eye-catching graffiti and art

4. Tokyo Tower

Tokyo Tower is that orange lattice tower that looks like the Eiffel tower in the top image in this post. Inspired by the famous Parisian landmark, Tokyo Tower is a communications and observation tower that generates revenue by leasing antennas and through tourism. At the base, there’s a building called FootTown, which houses shops, restaurants, a wax museum, an optical illusions gallery, etc. We didn’t spend much time in the FootTown building. Instead, we took an elevator from the first floor to the main observatory to check out panoramic views of Tokyo.

plane-2 Travel tip: Although Tokyo Tower gets all lit up at night, I’d recommend going to the observatory during the day so you have better visibility.

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As you look down from Tokyo Tower, notice the gardens and temples nestled between the skyscrapers

5. Aoyama Flower Market Tea House

I love brunch (who doesn’t? *judges you*), so we prioritized finding cool spots that served delicious midday meals. The Aoyama Flower Market Tea House was hands-down the best, most magical brunch place I’ve EVER eaten at. This is not an exaggeration. For one thing, it’s a glass teahouse located inside an actual flower shop with vines, roses, daisies, and other floral beauties everywhere you look. Secondly, the tea house menu is inspired by, and infused with, flowers (in a delicate, not overpowering way).

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Can I live here?

plane-2 Travel tip: Get the parfait and rose tea! Everything tasted amazing, but the parfait was a stand-out because it’s a heavenly mix of ice cream, cake, fruit, rose petals, rose jelly...and some crunchy things that were either cereal or nuts. We ordered one, devoured it, ordered another, devoured it, and then Saad dragged me away before I ordered another one and my sugar high got too crazy.

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The heavenly pink rose parfait at Aoyama Flower Market Tea House (top right)

plane-2 Travel tip: The Aoyama Flower Market Tea House is a really popular spot (and they don’t take reservations) so you’ll have to stand in line for a while - but it’s well worth the wait. Come before noon to avoid the big lunch crowd.

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Saad and all of his friends 🙈

6. Robot Restaurant

Ask anyone who's been to Japan for recommendations, or Google “things to do in Japan,” and chances are that you’ll learn of the infamous Robot Restaurant. It’s not so much a restaurant (unless you think a $5 bag of Doritos is a meal) as it is a psychedelic laser show + cosplay + parade of animatronic robot floats + total mind meltdown. It’s so weird that it’s kind of good. For abour 2 hours, robots and humans decked out in bright and flashy outfits do battle while a quirky storyline about the forest unfolds. It's definitely an out-of-this-world-am-I-hallucinating experience.

Although not my usual cup of tea, I went for Saad. I lost brain cells so he could be entertained (#wifesacrifices).

plane-2 Travel tip: If you want to do something truly bizarre and unique to Japan, I'd recommend it. They've tried to make it more family-friendly / halal for the eyes by toning down the skimpy outfits, but don't take your innocent Muslim kids or conservative parents. It's also located in Tokyo's red-light district so don't wander into the stores nearby.

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Pre-show live music in the kaleidoscopic lounge

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The show's about to start at the Robot Restaurant!

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I have no idea what's happening, but I am entertained and mezmorized

7. Tokyo Disneysea

We didn't have time to go to Tokyo's Disney Resort 😭, but if I did, I'd check out the Tokyo Disneysea theme park located inside the resort. Named after the sea (well duh, Annum), some say it's the best Disney park in the world. I'm adding it here as a wishlist item and reminder to check it out if you can. Like anything Disney touches, I'm sure it's amazing. 

Next up: Finding tradition in Tokyo

After the overstimulating Robot Restaurant and disappointing lack of Disney experience, I wanted to return to a simpler time by exploring the traditional side of Tokyo. In part II of this post, follow me around the historic and cultural sites of Japan’s capital that are teeming with tradition.

Annum Munir
About Annum Munir

I’m a twenty-something Muslim blogger who’s guilty of falling in love with every place I visit. I’m always planning the next trip in my head and missing the last one in my heart. When I’m not off discovering new parts of our beautiful planet, you can find me happily immersed in an art project.