See & Do
Tours & Sightseeing
During Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi’s time in office there was a big push to improve tourist information centres, and launch overseas advertising campaigns to lure tourist dollars to the Land of the Rising Sun. As a result, there are a number of tour and sightseeing options for the adventurous traveller, including those geared towards Anglophones. The staff at information centres, and throughout the services industry in general, tend to be highly proficient in English, but this linguistic ability quickly diminishes the further out you go.
The Japan National Tourist Organization (JNTO) is an excellent resource for foreigners looking to explore (www.jnto.go.jp). It has an office in Narita Airport (both terminals) and in Yūrakuchō in the city centre. There are also three branches of the Tokyo Tourist Information Centre around town. They can provide maps, directions and interesting itineraries. JNTO also has offices in many western capitals, so it may be possible to pick up some literature before arriving in Tokyo.
The city’s main tour companies offer variations of the same itineraries so it’s wise to shop around. The majority cover a lot of ground and are very thorough. These often entail big groups and a strict schedule. The Japanese believe that non-Japanese like to travel in the same manner that they do, that is, in large throngs. If this is not your idea of fun, you may want to traipse the city yourself – getting lost is one of the best ways to get acquainted with a new town.
Aside from the stereotypical run round the temples and shrines, there are some more irreverent possibilities. There’s everything from otaku tours for manga maniacs, sneak peaks into the life of sumo wrestlers with a look inside their hallowed training stables to extensive culinary tours for gastronomic connoisseurs. Many tour companies offer pre-planned itineraries. Even old Tokyo-pros are bound to see a new side to the metropolis – there’s nothing better to recharge a cynical, long-term expat’s batteries than witnessing first-time visitors marvel in the city’s majesty.
The Japan National Tourist Organization (JNTO) is an excellent resource for foreigners looking to explore (www.jnto.go.jp). It has an office in Narita Airport (both terminals) and in Yūrakuchō in the city centre. There are also three branches of the Tokyo Tourist Information Centre around town. They can provide maps, directions and interesting itineraries. JNTO also has offices in many western capitals, so it may be possible to pick up some literature before arriving in Tokyo.
The city’s main tour companies offer variations of the same itineraries so it’s wise to shop around. The majority cover a lot of ground and are very thorough. These often entail big groups and a strict schedule. The Japanese believe that non-Japanese like to travel in the same manner that they do, that is, in large throngs. If this is not your idea of fun, you may want to traipse the city yourself – getting lost is one of the best ways to get acquainted with a new town.
Aside from the stereotypical run round the temples and shrines, there are some more irreverent possibilities. There’s everything from otaku tours for manga maniacs, sneak peaks into the life of sumo wrestlers with a look inside their hallowed training stables to extensive culinary tours for gastronomic connoisseurs. Many tour companies offer pre-planned itineraries. Even old Tokyo-pros are bound to see a new side to the metropolis – there’s nothing better to recharge a cynical, long-term expat’s batteries than witnessing first-time visitors marvel in the city’s majesty.
