"Twilight in the Sprawl View of Tokyo at dusk as seen from the 54th floor observation deck of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Nishi-shinjuku. Admission to the observatory is free and well worth it for a fantastic, sweeping view of the Tokyo skyline."

"Touring Asakusa Shrine via Rickshaw Touring Tokyo via Rickshaw is something I never thought I would do. For whatever reason it always seemed wrong to have a man standing where a horse would be in other cultures. But then again, every country is different and I soon learned that this was a popular, albeit expensive, form of transportation for tourists. That said, I thoroughly enjoyed my thirty minute ride and I was surprised how much information my guide presented. I was also impressed by his physical fitness level but that probably goes without saying. The area surrounding Asakusa Shrine is perhaps the most popular part of Tokyo and it was thrilling to see scenes of local life while taking photos from my rickshaw seat. By Megan Eileen McDonough"

"See the Shibuya Crossing from Above Take the train to Shibuya Station and exit at Hachiko. Look up to find that old familiar Starbuck's sign. Grab another cup of green tea and head to the second floor to observe the organized chaos of pedestrians crossing from all directions from above. By esme travels"

"Tokyo Eats at Street Level I had one free night in Tokyo—only one chance to connect with a Japanese acquaintance from a dive trip on Midway Atoll 10 years earlier. Our mutual friend, Shintaido master Haruyoshi Fugaku Ito, suggested we meet at the Shinjuku rail station and walk around the corner to Fukuhachi ("Happy Eight") in the district's legendary yakitori alley ("Omoide Yokocho," which apparently translates as something less savory). Operated for decades by Ito's old friends Kazuko and Hatsumi Muraoka, Fukuhachi is a classic, serving grilled skewers of various meats, organs, and vegetables to mostly locals. Because of the connection through friendship, we were able to slip down a sub-alley and enter through the rear, squeeze ourselves into the back corner, and eat round after round of yakitori, washed down with lots of cold beer, and lots of laughs—a world apart from the supermodern high-rise glitz of the neighborhood beyond the alley."

"Ueno Walkabout Ueno is a great spot for a walkabout in Tokyo . It has almost everything that someone looking for an urban getaway could want—good food from countless cafes, restaurants, and food kiosks; a park (Ueno Park) to walk around; and even a children's zoo. Near the park, there are also museums and the National Museum of Space and Science (http://www.kahaku.go.jp/english/). Then there's Ameyoko markets, which are packed with locals and tourists, taking in the experience of a bustling market. By Kokleong Tham"

"Hanami: Celebrating Cherry Blossoms in Japan To celebrate and honor the sakura,the Japanese hold hanami parties by picnicking under the blooming trees from morning through evening. If you have the opportunity to visit Japan during this period, you’ll witness thousands of people gather in parks, socializing over sake, tea, and bento boxes. Many local department stores and restaurants will even sell special edible treats created especially for this event."

"The cult of fast trains Japan has some of the fastest, most reliable trains in the world. One measure of how much locals appreciate them is the glee in kids' faces when a Shinkansen glides past their commuter train. Or they line up in front of the sloped nose of a parked bullet train for a photo before taking off on a trip. That excitement has naturally created a market for train souvenirs. You can find socks, shoes, even chopsticks shaped like any number of specific Shinkansen trains. Local train lines also sell their own branded train gear across Japan. The Shinkansen souvenirs are all over Tokyo Station, but a big cluster of them can be found near the underground Yaesu central exit. Leave the turnstiles, and the omiyage shop is immediately on the left. By Meghan Gordon"

"There are hundreds of soba shops in Tokyo , but Kanda Yabu stands out for its rich history and ambience. Aficionados recommend ordering cold noodles for dipping into the soy broth, all the better to enjoy the texture and aroma of the buckwheat noodles. With a light green sheen to them from the juice of young soba sprouts, they may not be traditional but they are delicious. Yabu Soba has an unusually extensive menu of small dishes, tempting diners to sip on sake and share dishes like vegetable tempura and soba-zushi before finishing with noodles. Patrons here range from local regulars, both young and old, to Japanese from other parts of the country who are making a pilgrimage to this famous shop."

"Bird Land is a yakitori shop that shares the same subway basement space with two other famous restaurants: fifth-generation Nodaiwa and Sukiyabashi Jiro—yes, that Jiro. There is a brigade of staff behind the counter and a master who oversees orders like the conductor of an orchestra. Bits of chicken meat and organs skewered and grilled can be a casual meal under the train tracks, but at Bird Land it is elevated to haute cuisine. Pours from a well-curated wine list, including Austrian Grüner Veltliner and Australian shiraz, are served in Riedel glassware. The “course menu” is highly recommended: It starts with chicken liver paté and the classic chicken and egg over rice, oyakodon , along with the signature skewers."