| TOKYO ATTRACTIONS | | | | provide a Western style bar, with |
| Tokyo National Museum - A huge complex | | | | reasonably priced drink, English |
| that has ancient temple treasures, | | | | speaking bar staff, happy hour, a |
| beautiful kimonos that are centuries | | | | cocktail list to die for, cheap pub |
| old, Japanese armour and weapons and | | | | grub, a dukebox and a dart board. What |
| numerous other displays reflecting the | | | | more could you want! My favorites are |
| culture and history of this fascinating | | | | the one in Roppongi, Tokyo and Kawasaki, |
| country. | | | | Yokohama. The one in Roppongi is on the |
| Ancient relics and figurines dating back | | | | main entertainment strip in Roppongi |
| to centuries BC and many artifacts from | | | | beside the McDonalds. |
| the oriental areas outside of Japan are | | | | The one in Kawasaki is right in front of |
| also housed here. | | | | the main entrance of the JR station. |
| Senso- ji Temple - Experience the | | | | There are also HUBs in Shibuya, |
| religious heart of Tokyo.This temple was | | | | Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, Ueno and other key |
| built on the site of a shrine dating | | | | areas in Tokyo. |
| back to 645 and is Tokyo's most sacred | | | | TOKYO SHOPPING |
| temple. Thousands of worshipers stream | | | | Bring on the credit card, where does one |
| through here to light candles, throw | | | | begin? Mitsukoshi in Nihonbashi is a |
| coin offerings and to take in the smoke | | | | good start should you want to browse |
| of holy incense, believed to have | | | | through a department store for starters. |
| healing powers. | | | | Tokyo Decks combines five levels of |
| Imperial Palace - The original building | | | | shops with restaurants for that breather |
| commenced in 1590, during the Edo period | | | | between purchases and a games centre for |
| further extentions made it the worlds | | | | the kids. |
| largest castle. Unfortunately only the | | | | Japan is well known for electronic wares |
| inner complex stands today. Walk through | | | | and Akihabara District has shops that |
| the gardens, now public parks, and make | | | | stock an unbelievable selection but |
| a point of taking a look at the | | | | don't think that you will be getting |
| Nijubashi gate and enjoying the view | | | | huge bargains though, as the prices are |
| from the castles keep (Honmaru). The | | | | relatively high. Have your passport |
| emperor's huge Samurai guards were once | | | | ready to request tax free prices when |
| housed in the Hyakunin Basho building | | | | available. |
| nearby. | | | | Always make sure that what you buy is |
| TOKYO RESTAURANTS | | | | compatible with voltage and your other |
| Otaka-Ginza - near the Sony Bldg. The | | | | equipment at home or your wonderful buy |
| fish hot- pot is a must for delicious | | | | will turn out to be a white elephant! T- |
| warm winter fare, traditionally ladled | | | | Zone and Gateway Country are recommended |
| from a bubbling pot and serving between | | | | for English computer soft- and hardware. |
| 4.30pm and 11pm. | | | | Photographers can get the latest camera |
| Tsukiji Edogin - Tsukiji. You must have | | | | equipment in the West Shinjuku area. |
| sushi when in Japan and this is one of | | | | TOKYO CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES Tokyo |
| the best places to get it. Hugely | | | | Disneyland - Chiba. Something for the |
| popular, this restaurant has expanded | | | | kid in all of us. |
| rapidly and is highly recommended, they | | | | Amazing Square - Heaven for little |
| are open from 11am to 9.30 in the | | | | Johnny, watch him battle it out with |
| evening. | | | | space aliens playing hi- tech |
| Benihana - Nihonbashi. Famous for their | | | | interactive games. Japan is always on |
| teppanyaki: you select meat, seafood and | | | | the cutting edge of this technology. |
| veg which is cooked on a griddle while | | | | Unesco Village - A dinosaur themed |
| you watch. Open from 11am to 10pm with | | | | amusement park, big monsters have always |
| delicacies such as lobster and abalone | | | | been a drawcard for kids. Life- sized, |
| this is a must for delicious eating, | | | | mobile and noisy, these are guaranteed |
| Japanese style. | | | | to give the more sensitive kid a few |
| Nodaiwa - Tokyo Tower. Bubble bubble | | | | sleepless nights. |
| boil and trouble..eye of newt- this | | | | Ueno Zoo is not just for kids, but they |
| acclaimed restaurant is open for lunch | | | | probably enjoy it more than adults do. |
| between 11am & 1.30 and dinner from 5- | | | | The zoo is located in Ueno Park, where |
| 8pm and specialises in eel dishes, | | | | there are temples and shrines, museums, |
| considered a great delicacy in Japan. | | | | flower gardens, cafes and restaurants |
| TOKYO BARS & CLUBS Birdland - Roppongi's | | | | and plenty of green areas. If you are |
| Square. For a bit of class this is | | | | stuck in the middle of Tokyo at your |
| Tokyo's hottest jazz club, situated in | | | | wits end on how to entertain the kids; |
| the Square Building which houses clubs | | | | well Ueno Park in general and the zoo in |
| on all the floors. So if you get tired | | | | particular is a good way to give the |
| of the jazz, hey, just move up to the | | | | kids a fun filled day. You can use the |
| next floor! Pentax Gallery - Minato-ku. | | | | Ueno Keisei line, the subway Ginza line, |
| One of the many popular nightclubs in | | | | the subway Chiyoda line or the infamous |
| the city where you can party the night | | | | JR Yamanote line to get to Ueno Park and |
| away. | | | | zoo. From the JR station take the "Park |
| Blues Alley Japan - Meguro Station | | | | exit". From there it is easy to find |
| Hotel. A cosy eclectic club where rock, | | | | your way to the zoo - just follow the |
| blues and jazz can be enjoyed. | | | | signs. The zoo is a little expensive so |
| There are "HUB" bars all over Tokyo and | | | | you may want to bring packed lunches and |
| they are always busy because; they | | | | your own refreshments. |