Chris's Reviews

Kanda Myojin

Kanda Myojin is a historical shrine famous for bestowing its blessings in marriage and business prosperity, enhancing luck in battle while warding off danger and disaster. Located in Tokyo's central business district, many firms come to worship at the beginning of the year, as this shrine cannot be ignored if seeking fortune in business.

• Akihabara, Kanda, Ochanomizu
• Shrines & Temples

Kanda Myojin had always been one of the Tokyo shrines I really wanted to visit. On top of that, when I went, an anime I love was holding a special exhibition at the shrine, so I absolutely had to stop by.

Once inside the grounds, the bright red shrine building really stood out and looked especially beautiful under the blue sky. The grounds aren’t especially large, but they’re very clean and well maintained, with a solemn yet peaceful atmosphere.

It blends tradition and modern culture nicely. You can feel its long history, while also seeing unique charms related to anime, video games, and the IT industry. It’s definitely worth making a special trip for.

First Avenue Tokyo Station

"First Avenue Tokyo Station (Tokyo Station Ichibangai) " is directly connected to "Tokyo Station", the gateway to Japan.A wide variety of stores are gathered here, including ramen, local gourmet foods from all over Japan, Japanese and Western confectioneries from famous and long-established stores, and popular character goods.

• Tokyo Station, Nihonbashi, Marunouchi
• Shopping Streets

Located in the underground shopping area of Tokyo Station, this is one of the most efficient places to pick up souvenirs and anime merchandise!
The character street has an amazing lineup of brands, from Pokémon and Studio Ghibli to Shonen Jump and more. You can find all kinds of Tokyo-exclusive items in one stop, and there are pop-up shops from time to time. The ramen street brings together several popular Japanese shops that usually have lines, making it great for a quick meal. The snack area also has fun treats like freshly fried potato chips. It’s a fantastic place to shop and wander around.

TOKYO SKYTREE(R) TOKYO SKYTREE TOWN(R)

Boasting a height of 634 meters, TOKYO SKYTREE is the world’s tallest free-standing tower which stands in the center of TOKYO SKYTREE TOWN surrounded by tourist facilities. The tower has two observation decks, Tembo Deck at a height of 350 meters and Tembo Galleria at 450 meters.

• Asakusa, Tokyo Skytree
• Observatories

Standing right underneath TOKYO SKYTREE and looking up is a totally different kind of awe! The steel structure is absolutely massive, stretching up into the sky, and the design feels really refined. It’s even more beautiful after it lights up at night. The glowing steel lines against the night sky look just like a futuristic building from a sci-fi movie.

Rather than going up to the observation deck for the night view, I actually found it more moving to stand below or go to a nearby bridge and admire the tower’s lines and lighting. Every photo comes out amazing!

Sunshine City

Sunshine City has been popular for many years as a major spot in Ikebukuro Station’s east exit area. The facility consists of 5 distinct areas: Sunshine 60, Prince Hotel, World Import Mart, Bunka Kaikan, and Specialty Store Alpa. Besides commercial facilities and hotels, the area features a cluster of popular entertainment facilities such as aquariums, planetariums, and NAMJATOWN.

• Ikebukuro
• Commercial Buildings

Sunshine City in Ikebukuro is definitely one of Tokyo’s best large-scale shopping and entertainment complexes. Whether you’re visiting with family, on a date, or an anime fan, you can easily spend the whole day here! The best part is how perfectly it combines shopping, food, and entertainment. The layout is well planned, and the indoor environment is comfortable. Even on a rainy day, you can stay cool inside and enjoy a perfect indoor outing.

Shibuya Scramble Intersection

This is a scramble intersection in front of Shibuya Station. Said to be the world’s busiest crosswalk, it has become a famous sight to see in Tokyo. From the pedestrian bridge connecting the JR Yamanote Line and the Keio Inokashira Line, you can view the flurry of people crossing the intersection from above.

• Shibuya
• Tourist Attractions

A classic landmark you absolutely can’t miss when visiting Tokyo! You really have to stand in the middle of Shibuya Crossing to feel that mix of chaos and incredible order. Every time the pedestrian light turns green, thousands of people pour in from every direction in an instant. It’s such a spectacular scene, and it really lives up to its reputation as the busiest intersection in the world!

What’s most amazing is that even with such dense crowds, everyone somehow weaves past one another without bumping into each other. It perfectly shows Tokyo’s unique sense of order and rhythm. This place has a different charm during the day and at night. There are a lot of tourists, so be mindful of the traffic lights and people around you when taking photos, but this is definitely a must-visit in Tokyo and a unique experience that leaves a lasting impression!