Where to stay: Check out the new “hotspot” for cheep accommodations in the newly renovated flophouse district

Where to stay: Check out the new “hotspot” for cheep accommodations in the newly renovated flophouse district

Posted on Jan 23, 2014 in Where to stay |

When Tokyoites think of Sanya, they traditionally think of poverty. The district in the eastern part of the Japanese capital, was long known for its clusters of cheap rooming houses for day laborers. These days, the area is attracting a different crowd: budget-conscious foreign tourists. Juyoh Hotel last summer set up a common room where guests can gaze at a Japanese-style garden. Located right in the heart of the city, Sanya makes a convenient jumping-off point for...

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Where to eat: Best yakitori in town

Where to eat: Best yakitori in town

Posted on Jan 22, 2014 in Where to eat |

Where to get your tasty skewered chicken fix in Tokyo Best known as every Japanese oyaji’s favourite beer snack, the humble yakitori (grilled, skewered chicken) is most commonly consumed in noisy pubs, at simple roadside stalls, or at various open-air festivals taking place year-round all over the country. However, the gourmet value of this simple delicacy is also widely recognised, best evidenced by the existence of Michelin-starred yakitori restaurants in Tokyo....

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20 Tokyo ramen shops you have to visit

Posted on Sep 16, 2013 in Where to eat |

From Jiro to Kiraku: the ultimate crash-course in Tokyo ramen Tokyo is a city of 100,000 restaurants, and sometimes it feels like half of them are serving the same dish: ramen. The nation’s most popular fast food comes in various guises, from simple, comforting chuka soba to rich Hakata-style tonkotsu and flavour bombs like the fiery noodles served at Mouko Tanmen Nakamoto. Rather than attempt to list all of the good ramen restaurants in Tokyo, we consulted some...

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Where to go: Shinjuku Golden Gai, After7

Posted on Sep 16, 2013 in Japanese customs, Must see, Things to do, Where to drink |

Shinjuku Golden Gai (新宿ゴールデン街) is a small area of Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan, famous both as an area of architectural interest and for its nightlife. It is composed of a network of six narrow alleys, connected by even narrower passageways which are just about wide enough for a single person to pass through. Over 200 tiny shanty-style bars, clubs and eateries are squeezed into this area. History Golden Gai was known for prostitution before 1958, when prostitution became illegal....

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What to buy: Essential Tokyo souvenirs

Posted on Sep 5, 2013 in Japanese technology, Must see, Things to do, What to buy, Where to shop |

25 only-in-Japan gifts, from chopsticks to Be@rbricks No trip to Tokyo would be complete without some souvenir shopping, but scoring the ultimate omiyage can be a real pain sometimes. We’ve made life easier by picking 25 great Tokyo souvenirs, ranging from the traditional (incense, combs, lucky charms) to the downright quirky (tooth-shaped jewellery, anyone?), and most of them are sold close to the city’s main sightseeing spots. Happy shopping, and remember:...

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