Tokyo Entertainment

The city of Tokyo never really sleeps. It is busy in the daytime and bustling with party people at night, when both tourists and locals alike mingle at the pubs and bars for an after-dinner drink. Parties go on until early morning, but party-goers are yet to go home, with after parties being the norm. Some make a stop at the famous Fish Market to observe the biggest fresh fish market in Japan, which opens in the early morning.

Those travelling with children can entertain them by taking them to the world-famous Tokyo Disneyland, but if your children think they are too old for the rides, why not show them the most fashionable districts in Asia instead.

Eating out

Eating out in Tokyo is fun and eye-opening. Japanese eateries are everywhere you turn. All popular shopping districts are packed with sushi bars and restaurants, while the famous Fish Market in Tsukiji serves sushi and sashimi made up from fresh fish that has just been caught.

If you want to explore the restaurants that are popular with locals, look out for an akachochin with a huge, red paper lantern hanging outside. This means the restaurant serves good food at good prices. Japanese office people often visit these places after work. The menus are in Japanese, so you may have to trust your minimal English-speaking waiters, who will bring you the recommended dishes.

Those who arent into Japanese food and want to dine on something different can find many restaurants serving international cuisine. There are Nepali, Persian, Swiss, Spanish, Greek, Cajun, Korean, Indian, Italian, Chinese, American, French and Thai restaurants scattered around Tokyo, while there are also numerous fast-food chains. Those who love fast food should try local versions such as Mos Burger, famous for its rice sandwiches, and Yoshinoya which is popular for gyudon (beef bowl).

Local cuisine

Even though sushi plays a significant role in Japanese food, there is more to Japanese cuisine than just raw fish on rice. Japanese popular dishes include tempura (fried shrimps which have been dipped in batter), yakitori (grilled chicken), nabemono (Japanese stew), oden (fish cake stew) and many signature dishes with unagi (eel). Soy sauce and wasabi (hot green mustard) are essential for almost all the dishes. Note that if you havent tried wasabi before; be prepared for a real kick.

Amusement parks

Tokyo Disneyland is a must-visit in Tokyo. Located in Urayasu, Chiba, this huge amusement park is found just outside Tokyo. The best way to get here is by taking the JR Keiyo line train from Tokyo to Maihama Station. Tokyo Disneyland is only 10 minutes away on foot from the station. You should arrive early in the morning, as there are often long queues for some of the rides.

Fish Market

Located in Tsukiji, the Tsukiji Ichiba Market is the largest wholesale market in Japan, with a lot of things going on. In the daytime, people flock to the market looking for fresh foods such as vegetables, fruit, meat and flowers. If you get hungry, there are also many sushi eateries here where you can take a rest and watch the busy market. Early morning is the prime time of the market, as fishermen come here to sell their freshly-caught fish. The market opens at 05:00 and some tourists choose to come to the market after going clubbing.

Shopping

Your shopping experience is not complete without a visit to Harajuku, the most fashionable area in town. Packed with millions of local teenagers dressed in bright or bizarre costumes. Harajuku and Shinjuku, its sister, offer countless clothes and accessory stores for both teenagers and adults. The other side of Harajuku is Omotesando, featuring high-end and luxurious designer brands.

Another nearby shopping district is Shibuya, which is very popular with the Tokyo youngsters, boasting hundreds of clothes shops. Tokyo also has a variety of malls where you can shop for electronic items, clothes, handicrafts and other souvenirs. The most notable include the Oriental Bazaar on Omotesando Dori, Odaiba Shopping Centre and Venus Fort in Odaiba district.

Nightlife

Nightlife in Tokyo is vibrant and very happening. Tourists might find it overwhelming, as there are many places to choose from including piano bars, theme bars, karaoke bars, hostess clubs, sports bars, hotel lounges and wine bars. Shot bars, where you can find a hundred different kinds of drink, are also very popular among tourists.

For serious drinkers, Tokyo boasts German-styled beer halls, serving draft beer of all brands. There's no fixed closing time. Some bars open at 17:00 for the after-work crowd, while some open at 05:00 for the after-party crowd. Famous pubs, clubs and bars are mostly located around the shopping districts of Harajuku and Shibuya. Roppongi also springs to life at night-time. The area is crowded with discos, clubs, bars, pubs and restaurants including such trendy places as the Hard Rock Caf.