Vol. 3: Tokyo in the Rain

Welcome to TOKYO BEAT – a special series by your trusty Tokyo Tourism Representative (New York Office) that aims to provide you with story ideas and inspiration. Now we all know that Asia has its rainy seasons, and Japan is no different. From early June to late July, Tokyo does get its downpours, and for some travelers, it might come as a surprise. But Tokyo is also chock full of things to do indoors, where you can forget about the rain and just enjoy some in-and-outside-the-box experiences. What are they?

Soak It Up at an Urban Onsen They say fight fire with fire, so why not fight water with water? Throughout Tokyo, there are sento (bathhouses) and onsen (hot springs); both are perfect for soaking, relaxing, and unwinding on a rainy day. At the sprawling, Edo-themed Ooedo Onsen Monogatari in Odaiba, hot spring water is pumped from 1400 meters deep. You can also stroll, eat, and play while wearing a yukata – as though you’re in bygone Tokyo. For luxury spa facilities, check out Times Spa Resta in Ikebukoro. A majority of contemporary bathhouses in Tokyo are brimming with amenities, from restaurants to massage chairs and relaxation areas – an unbeatable refuge. Inked individuals, however, will have to check ahead of time regarding admission, as many bathhouses still follow the old tradition of ‘no tattoos allowed’.

Set Your Mind Free at Museums You really can’t beat museums if you want an in-depth connection to culture, art, and history. The Edo Tokyo Museum, with its life-size recreations of Edo era buildings, as well as various dioramas and interactive displays, is a fantastic place to learn about the development of Tokyo, from its early Edo period up through present times. Modern art exhibitions at the Mori Art Museum are outstanding, as are the sweeping panoramas from its location on the 52nd and 53rd floors of the Mori Tower in Roppongi. And let’s not forget about the highly popular Ghibli Museumin Mitaka, which is the place to go to survey the genius of anime legend Hayao Miyazaki. But make sure to plan on buying tickets at least a couple of months in advance, because you can’t buy tickets at the door – in the US, you’ll need to contact the travel agency JTB.

Geek Out or Pig Out Making a list of shopping destinations in Tokyo is like trying to compile an encyclopedia. But to make some things easier, scattered throughout Tokyo are mega-shopping stores with multiple locations like Yodobashi Camera and Bic Camera. Soaring up several stories, every floor is filled with electronics, games, home goods, and more, and you can easily spend hours with your favorite toys. For household items, stationery, DIY kits, and many more useful lifestyle products, head over to Tokyu Hands. Equally jam-packed are underground food halls, known as depachika (a mashup of the words for department store and basement), that present every kind of Japanese culinary delight imaginable. Conveniently located Tokyu Food Show in Shibuya is almost unavoidable, but visitors and locals rave about Takashimaya in Shinjuku. Also look into Isetan in Shinjuku, Mitsukoshi in Ginza, and Tobu in Ikebukuro, and Daimaru by Tokyo Station.

For more information regarding how to get ‘Tokyo in the Rain’, contact press@tokyo-nyc.com or call 917-200-4887. For general information on traveling in Tokyo, head to TokyoTokyo.jp and gotokyo.org/en/