Vol.40 TOKYO’S QUIRKY AND UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES

Welcome to TOKYO BEAT- a special series by your Tokyo Tourism Representative (New York Office) that aims to provide you with story ideas and inspiration. When visiting Tokyo, some people go straight towards sampling the dazzling array of food. Others want a glimpse of the rich and storied past. But one would be remiss to ignore some of the quirkier aspects of the city, which range from uniquely themed bars and restaurants to video game inspired activities and much more - here’s some wonderful “outside-the-box” experience for travelers of all interests.

Geek Out

Tokyo offers the opportunity to rediscover hobbies that touch one’s inner child or shake up the tedium of adulthood. Perhaps you’ve heard of the Street Kart, where you can zip around the city streets dressed as everything from Mario to Hello Kitty (or anything that catches your eye at Don Quijote), from starting points in Shibuya, Akihabara, Shinagawa, and more. Just make sure to pick up your international driver’s license first. For vinyl collectors who want to go back in time, the nostalgia-inducing Tower Recordsor HMV fit the bill. While these chains, which once dominated entire blocks in NYC, are no longer part of the landscape, in Tokyo they are still brimming with musical riches in all formats. Video game enthusiasts will feel like they’ve discovered Montezuma’s treasure at places like Super Potato in Akihabara, where video games of all generations – from Nintendo and Sega classics to limited edition games and machines – and even more rare and obscure items can be found. And don’t forget the iconic 39-foot tall Godzilla head in Shinjuku, which gets you up close and personal for that social media post you always wanted.

Realm of the Senses

There’s no shortage of historical and arts museums in Tokyo, but how many have heard about places like Meguro Parasitological Museum, that is entirely dedicated to organisms that feed off others? From the longest tapeworm in the world to 45,000 other formaldehyde-immersed beings, this is the place to test one’s gag reflex. Other reflexes that can be trained include ninja skills, via the Ninja Samurai Dojo in Asakusa. Here, students can get a crash course in ninja and samurai sword techniques in minutes (please note that during the pandemic, only private and not group lessons are available). For those who want to live in a crime novel, the Detective Café & Bar Progress is a must. The bartenders here are all legitimate private investigators by day – with their true-life stories, insight into detective work, and numerous actual tools of the trade scattered around the bar to check out, the bar is a standout in the many ‘theme’ destinations that exist in Tokyo. Some restaurants are entirely dedicated to popular manga and anime – one of the more popular live-action (think Power Rangers) shows has been Kamen Rider. The eponymous diner Kamen Rider The Diner in Ikebukuro delights fans with show-inspired décor, and a variety of drinks and dishes based on the characters from the show.

Soak in the Settings

While not quirky for locals, the city’s onsen culture is definitely something unique. New Yorkers who have tried Russian or Korean bathhouses can easily cozy up to the Japanese experience, with its multiple hot baths, nap rooms, massage chairs, and food options that are available a whopping 22 hours a day. Head toTokyo Odaiba Oedo Onsen Monogatari to don a traditional yukata and stroll around the historically inspired settings, or relax in the contemporary resort style Tokyo Dome Natural Onsen Spa LaQua 8 while the kids are exploring the many activities of the surrounding amusement park. Looking for an interesting place to stay the night? The library / bookstore theme is super popular in Tokyo right now. Tsutaya Book Apartment in Shinjuku and Book and Bed (multiple locations) are not only lines with bookshelves filled with books, but also reading areas, cafes, bars, and capsule or studio sized rooms to sleep. If this isn’t the future, who knows what is.

For more information on outside-the-box Tokyo experiences, contact press@tokyo-nyc.com or call 917-200-4887. For general information on traveling in Tokyo, head toTokyoTokyo.jpandGotokyo.org/en/

To visit the archives, visit:www.japansolutionusa.com/tokyobeat