How To Travel: Tokyo

By Emma Goldrick

While remains rich in history, Tokyo ultimately lives up to its chaotic reputation, providing tourists and locals with a scape of enticing colour and light in every direction. Essentially, the technology and infrastructure make you feel as if you’ve jumped fifty years into the future, while its close ties to traditions and spirituality give you an eye into the past: the perfect balance, if you ask me. Japan seems to have perfected every detail of living, right down to the futuristic toilet. With that in mind, here are my top five recommendations to the fusion of innovation and neon signs that is Tokyo!

1. MORI Building DIGITAL ART MUSEUM - teamLab Borderless

MORI Building DIGITAL ART MUSEUM — teamLab Borderless calls itself “a world of artworks without boundaries”. Opening in Tokyo in 2018, teamLab Borderless is the very first digital art gallery in the world and has quickly become one of the most popular attractions in the area. Here, you are completely immersed in the latest technology utilising sound, light, touch and movement to create an interactive art experience. At this museum, you see artworks come to life, move from room to room and communicate and influence one another, essentially demonstrating that imagination and art have no limits. Stepping into the exhibition you are captivated and overwhelmed, but mainly in utter awe of the innovative artistic world that has been created in front of you. The exhibition isn't just limited to colourful projections, it also happens to involve you! You are able to take part in drawing your own creation, to then have it projected onto the walls and forevermore apart of the exhibition. The space also includes rock climbing, high ropes and trampolining all continuing their own unique artistic flair! There isn't any experience that quite matches that of teamLab Borderless. 

2. Shibuya Scramble Crossing 

If you have Instagram, chances are you have seen the Shibuya Scramble Crossing. Known for its amazing photo opportunities, Shibuya Scramble Crossing is the number one stop for pictures, bars and restaurants! Shibuya Crossing is passed by roughly half a million people in Tokyo daily, and it’s the different directions and quick pace of crossers that makes the area so enticing. When the lights turn red, the ‘world's busiest crossing’ stops all vehicles to allow the road to be inundated with crossing pedestrians coming from every angle. Shibuya crossing is often described as a beating heart that sends people in an array of directions with each pulsing light. Shibuya crossing is conveniently located in front of Shibuya Station, make sure to take the “Hachiko Exit”.

3. Kawaii Monster Cafe

Kawaii Monster Cafe is located in the centre of the ultra-hip streets of Harajuku. This place is where neon lights, crazy fashion and robot dancing reach their absolute peak. The cafe is not only a visual experience of bright colours and bizarre decorations, but it also pairs the experience with equally as out-of-this-world food! The idea of the cafe is its centrepiece, the monster, which is symbolic of Tokyo and the way the city consumes every new trend creating an ever-changing landscape. The visual overload also includes unimaginable performance ranging from Hello Kitty to Burlesque. Each detail of Kawaii Monster Cafe fits the colourful and wacky theme, right down to the coloured toilet paper!

4. Meiji Shrine  

Meiji Shrine is a popular Tokyo sight dedicated to the deified spirits of the Emperor Mejiji and his wife. The shrine is easily accessible located directly beside Harajuku station on the JR Yamanote line. The shrine and the surrounding forest area offer a welcomed contrast to the busy Tokyo city life around the area. Yoyogi Park which is adjacent to the shrine is the perfect place we a relaxing escape from the bright city lights and ever-present noise.

5. Streets of Harajuku 

Harajuku is Tokyo’s fashion and kawaii capital, fostering unprecedented and daring teen fashion for decades! Despite the growing presence of big-name international brands (i.e. Zara and H&M) the streets are still filled with local, imaginative stores ready to push fashion norms. Harajuku is renowned for its vibrant and colourful atmosphere, with surrounding laneways covered in lively street art and unique food stores. The bustling Takeshita Street will throw you into a world of cosplay and vintage op-shops, proving that cutting-edge fashion is bound by no limits.