To reduce the ground to cover in Japan, a common place to embark on and is Tokyo. Tokyo is not itself a city, but known as a metropolitan prefecture comprised of 23 wards, 26 cities, 3 towns, and 1 village in an area that covers about 840 sq mi (2,180 sq km). This is a densely populated region so it may be helpful to focus on a few sights of interest.
Shibuya - Hachiko, the Dog
Making a stop to visit the bronze statue of a well-loved Akita dog may not seem a worthy stop on anyone’s itinerary. The statue of this dog has a history at the Hachiko exit of the Shibuya station beginning in 1934. Since the Shibuya area offers plenty of restaurants and shopping, it is not a sight far off the beaten path.
The background of this immortalized Akita, Hachiko, is a touching story of loyalty. Hachiko belonged to Eisaburo Uyeno, a professor who brought the dog to Tokyo when he was a small puppy in 1924. Everyday, Hachiko waited faithfully at the Shibuya train stop for Eisaburo to return home from work. Even after Eisaburo died in 1925, the Akita still waited for 10 years until his death in 1935. The statue was erected to honor Hachiko and warm the hearts of those who were touched by his story.
Hakone - Multiple Themed Spa
The Kowakien Yunessun spa and amusement park is actually located outside of Tokyo, but may be the most unique spas in Japan. It is located in scenic Hakone which is about three or four hours from Tokyo.
There are over 25 water attractions including soaking in baths made up of sake, green tea, coffee, or red wine. There are also water slides, a jungle gym, and waterfalls all produced by hot springs. Located with the Yunessun spa, is an adult-themed spa called Mori No Yu. Besides the spas, there is a mall, salons, and restaurants on site.
Harajuku
Making a visit to Harajuku on a Sunday will offer strange and curious observations of youth culture. Hanging out on Omotesando Dori Avenue and the surrounding area are street performers. Here people can also witness the unusual fashion of the “hip” and “cool” youths.
Teens and young adults are adorned with an exceptional amount of accessories while dressed in a mismatch of clothes that are a strange mixture of Goth, Hello Kitty, and punk. Many of the teens have pink or outlandish dyed hair with faces covered in excessive and painted makeup.
Nearby Yoyogi Park is a popular gathering place for youth participating in a mix of activities including playing music, practicing martial arts, bicycle stunts, a variety of dancing, and street theater. While it is a common site for young people to congregate, it is a good place to sit and people watch.
Other Unique Attractions
Love Hotels. Traditionally, love hotels were an indulging escape for lovers from the crowded apartments and noisy neighbors. Now, love hotels have become more upscale and less theme-like and gaudy as days of the past due to current regulations. Love hotels are scattered throughout Tokyo, many located in Love Hotel Hill in Shibuya and the Red Light district of Kabukicho in Shinjuku.
Fertility Festival. In the spring, there is a festival held in Kawasaki that honors health and fertility and is represented by the penis. This festival started as the worship of a penis shrine in which Japanese prayed to protect them from sexually transmitted diseases. Today, the festival raises money for HIV/AIDS awareness. Scattered around the festival grounds the penis is depicted in candy, art work, and carved sculptures.
Whether this is a first trip to Tokyo, a tenth trip, or even a vacation for a Tokyo inhabitant, these places may be worthy of adding to an itinerary.
Julie McElroy - Freelance travel writer with published articles about places all over the world, including Italy, Colorado, Japan, Germany, and Spain.
Join the Conversation