I will be in Tokyo Christmas week what are the must see/does?

Answer 1

Everyone above is giving you good ideas! Let me give you some more if you are not claustrophobic.

If you are here Dec 17-19, go to the Hogoita ichi at Sensoji in Akakusa. This is a decorated wooden paddles (hanetsuki is Japanese badminton and is played with a paddle and birdies). It is still played during the New Year’s holidays and the paddles are often used as a seasonal decoration.

Dec 23- Emperor's Birthday. Go to the Imperial Palace to wait with throngs of people to see the royal family wave.

Dec 31~Jan 1 Midnight go to a large shrine to wait with throngs pf people and suffocate in the crowds going to pray at temples for the first time for 2007.

Answer 2

There are lots of agencies that have tours of Tokyo. Many cater to foreigners and have guides that speak English. That's one option. Here are some suggestions if you don't mind doing a little research. I list a good resource below.

The Tsukichi fish market is open to visitors who want to get up at 5:00 a.m. It is the world's largest fish market and is an amazing site to see. They have a few restaurants and you know the fish you get there will be very fresh. This historic market is going to be moved, I believe in 2007 or 2998, so go see it before that happens.

Sengakuji temple has a shrine to the 47 Ronin. I won't go into the history of the 47 ronin. Spend a little time on the web.

Ginza is an old and famous shopping district in Tokyo. There are some buildings that are hundreds of years old, as well as more modern ones. There are small shrines. I recommend visiting at least one. Also, there are some huge department stores in Tokyo. They carry a much wider variety of items than we would ever find in the U.S.

The sport of Sumo is big in Japan, no pun intended. With a little persistence and maybe the help of a local, you might be able to get into a Sumo stable. The stables are like training camps for Sumo wrestlers. Since there is no tournament until January, they might let you go watch them train.

Go to a Sento. Sento is a public bath. Many are hundreds of years old and date back to a time when no one had a bathroom in their home. Most are fed by natural hot springs. I know that the idea of a public bath conjurs up weird images. That's not the case here though. It's just a fun and inexpensive thing to do, for both locals and tourists. There are rules of etiquette that need to be followed in a Sento, such as washing before bathing, so do a little research first or go with a local who speaks English.

Try some of the out of the way restaurants. These tend to be small and off the beaten path. They are favored by locals who want high-quality real Japanese food at a reasonable price. Some are decdes or more old. There is one restaurant that is at least 150 years old and serves what is judged to be the best unagi (cooked eel) in Japan.

www.about.com is a good source for more ideas. They have a few experts, all of whom are Japanese. I'm sure they will have many more suggestions than I do.

Whatever you do, be ready for crowds. Tojyo is packed with people. Throw your ideas about personal space out when yuo land. And have fun. I'm envious.

Answer 3

Tokyo Tower, the Imperial Palace, and the Meiji park and shrine are some good sites. You should also walk around some of the different areas like Ginza or Shibuya.

Answer 4

Eat Kentucky Fried Chicken-seriously; it's the official Japanese Christmas dinner and Japanese KFC is the best in the world.

Answer 5

Followings are not must thongs but just an idea.
To visit a church if u are a Cristian.
To have Japanese Christmas cases.

Answer 6

Watch lost in translation before you go. it will give you some ideas.