The Japanese capital, Tokyo is a bustling metropolitan city. There is a mix of cultural museums, extraordinary architecture, luxurious hotels, trendy shops and traditional restaurants. But of course, when a city has it all, the crowds follow. Recently, after spending time in Tokyo we visited some other prefectures in the Kanto region. These included Yokohama and Kumagaya. Our Kanto guide below looks at three prefectures and two cities in the Kanto region. We were amazed by the beauty we witnessed from the temples to the authentic cuisine and traditional architecture.
Each location described below in our Kanto guide is close to Tokyo and can be explored as a day trip. However, we would recommend at least 24 hours to 48 hours in each City!
Spending Time in Tokyo
Of any city in the world, Tokyo continues to offer the unimaginable. From hedgehog cafes to electronic sushi trains and animated art installations, the city has it all! With only 24 hours to explore the city, our Kanto guide recommends the following places:
1. Fukagawa Edo Museum Tour
Fukagawa Edo Museum is a creative and hands-on experience museum. It documents the streets of Fukagawa-Saga Town in the Tempo Period. Walkthrough streets filled with traditional vegetable and rice stores and houses of local residents. The building replicas are incredibly realistic creating an ambience unlike anything else. Cats even meow from the rooftops and a rooster crows at dawn.
2. Become Immersed in TeamLab PLANETS
Based on the concept of “body immersive”, TeamLab PLANETS takes you away from the real world and into a world of the unimaginable. Firstly, you will walk barefoot through a number of water and light installations. These include a room full of hanging lights as well as a knee-deep water space with koi fish projected onto the water. While installations change season to season, you can be sure whatever the concept, this activity is not to be missed on a trip to Tokyo.
3. Tokyo’s New Toyosu Fish Market
Since it’s opening in October 2018, Toyosu Fish Market has taken over from the well known Tsukiji Fish Market. The new fish market is indoors, architecturally brilliant and consists of three interconnected buildings. Two for wholesale seafood and the other for wholesale fruit and vegetable. Daily auctions take place between 5.45 am – 6.15 am, and it is free to watch from designated viewing points. The viewing points have limited space so we advise
4. Rent a Kimono and Take Photos Outside Senso-Ji Temple
During your time in Tokyo, you will no doubt walk by women and men wearing Kimonos. Why not try one yourself? For example you can choose from over 200 Kimono at Komomo Kimono Rental plus a range of accessories. For women, the staff even offer to style your hair. Senso-Ji temple is only a 2-minute walk away. It is the oldest and most popular Buddhist temple in Tokyo. Founded in 628 AD, the temple is very photogenic and a great place to explore in a Kimono.
5. Try Tokyo Style Okonomiyaki
A trip to Tokyo is not complete without restaurant hopping. That is to say there are some seriously delicious/wacky/adventurous places around! Okonomiyaki otherwise known as ‘monjayaki‘ is a local dish in the region. While using similar ingredients to Okonomiyaki such as cabbage and flour, this version is a lot runnier due to the fish broth (dashi) included. For a decent monjayaki try Asakusa Monja Kanoya in Taito City.
Day Trip in Kanagawa
Located just over an hour from Tokyo, Kanagawa provides a completely different perspective to city life. Rich in culture and nature walks, the area is a prominent seaside town. As part of our Kanto guide, these are our favourite spots if you have half a day:
1. Get up Close to the Great Buddha of Kamakura
A designated National treasure, the Great Buddha of Kamakura is a towering sight. Unlike many other Buddhas, the 13.35m Great Buddha sits outside in the open. Don’t miss out on having a look inside the Buddha, which can be entered through a side door. You will be able to see the detail of work involved and the repair marks that have gone on over the years.
2. Explore Hokokuji temple and the Bamboo Forest
Forget the busy Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Kyoto and come to the one at Hokokuji Temple. Known also as the ‘Bamboo Temple’, this secluded area brings a sense of calmness. After exploring, enjoy Macha amongst the Bamboo garden. Matcha is served on a Kamakura-
3. Taste Authentic Shojin Cuisine
With over 800 years of history, Shojin Cuisine is the traditional cooking style of Buddhist monks in Japan. This is a vegan menu based on Buddhist philosophies, made without meat, fish or other animal products. In Kamakura, visit Hachinoki which is a Michelin Restaurant serving Shokin Cuisine. It is hard to imagine how only vegetable products are used as the food is far from bland, we highly recommend!
4. Explore Engaku-ji Temple and SAMURAI Project (sword martial art)
Yokohama
Yokohama is Japan’s second largest city with a population of over 3 million people. Located 30 minutes from Tokyo, Yokohama has one of the largest Chinatowns and is home to many delicious restaurants and bars.
1. Learn Beauty Tips at the New Shiseido S/Park
Shiseido’s new research
2. Take in the View from Sky Garden
With a 360 degree panoramic view over Yokohama, the view from Sky Garden exceeds all the way to Tokyo and Mt Fuji. Located on the 69th floor, the building is the second tallest in Japan. We went at night, so witnessed the city light views over the city! The entire level is indoors, so even if it raining you will be sure to witness awesome views.
5. Indulge in Japanese Cuisine at Hanatare Noge in Yokohama
After witnessing a major thunderstorm in Yokohama we arrived at Hanatare Noge for dinner. Getting inside from the rain was needed! However, the food was seriously impressive. We indulged in tofu
Saitama
Located just 30 minutes north of Tokyo, Saitama is home to picturesque traditional Japanese architecture, the
1. Enjoy the Edo Architecture of Kawagoe City
Kawagoe’s biggest attraction is the “Kurazukuri” or the warehouse district of the city. Original clay-walled warehouse style buildings from the Edo period still stand in this area. For travellers looking to find small traditional streets, Kawagoe City is your place! For example there are shops selling arts and crafts artisanal sweet stores. As well as the great bell tower known as Toki No Kane is located just off the main road.
2. Learn to Bake Japanese Sweets
The Japanese sweet, wagashi are traditional sweets usually served with tea. At Koedo Kameya we learnt how to make two sweets. One in the shape of a flower and the other a birds nest. To make them we used Mochi, sweet bean paste and anko. Learn from a master who helps you to share the sweets into the correct shape! Afterwards, package the sweets and take home to eat.
3. For your Cultural Fix head to the world’s first public bonsai art museum
The bonsai nurseries related to Omiya after the Kanto Earthquake of 1923. Since, this area has been a production centre for bonsai production. In Japan, bonsai are carefully styled to achieve an aesthetic effect and are seen as a distinctive style of art. If you are interested in learning more about this traditional art form, take a bonsai class. Firstly you will be given the opportunity to create a bonsai from scratch. In addition to that at the end of the class, the bonsai is yours to take home.
4. Try Eel at Ogakiku in Kawagoe City
Being Australiam, Eel is not a typical item found on a menu. However, in Japan, Eel is one of the most expensive and prestigious dishes. It can be served with Sushi or as a donburi dish however at Ogakiku, Eel is served on a bed of rice (donburi). The sauce on the Eel is similar to a terryaki sauce, we actually did enjoy it!
Kumagaya
Kumagaya is located North of Tokyo. It is the most northern point of the Tokyo Metropolitan Area. Framed by two rivers, the Arakawa River and the Tone River, the area is semi-rural. The area has recorded record temperatures in Japan for the past few years! Below
1. Witness the Beauty of Menuma Shodenzan Temple
Menuma Shodenzan Temple is impressive from the front, but it is not until you move to the back of the Temple that the beauty of this location shines. For instance the colourful and elaborate wood carvings date back to the mid-do period and are considered a national treasure. Keep your eyes peeled for cheeky monkeys, peacocks and butterflies!
2. Take Part in a Traditional Tea Ceremony at Seikeien Gardens
3. Learn how to make Udon Noodles
We all know Japanese food is tasty, but what if you make it yourself? At Yorimichiya, learn how to make your own Udon Noodles. Using only flour and salt water, you will learn how to make the noodles. One step even involves stepping on the dough to flatten it! Afterwards, enjoy the noodles you have cooked. For instance During summer in Kumagaya, it is common to have chilled Udon noodles with a cold dipping sauce.
4. View Rice Terrace Art in Gyoda
Now you may have seen rice terraces before but we doubt you have seen them used as art. For
Rounding Up Our Kanto Guide
As you can see from above in our Kanto guide, the options for exploring the region are endless. There are a number of activities for all types of interests! Personally, our favourite activities included:
- TeamLab PLANETS in Tokyo
- Tasting Authentic Shojin Cuisine in Kamakura
- Taking in the View from Sky Garden in Yokohama
- Creating our own Bonsais in Saitama
- Learning how to make Udon Noodles in Kumagaya
If you are visiting other areas in Japan, have a read of our Hiroshima Blog and our Kyoto Blog.
X KoTravellers
