Whimsical and wonderful
Under the watchful eye of the imposing Mt. Fuji, Tokyo is a melting pot of hi-tech and innovation, fascinating culture and traditions… and all with a side serving of sushi! By night, its neon-lit streetscapes look like the set of the latest sci-fi blockbuster. By day, cobblestone alleyways flower with cherry blossoms and fill with local artisans selling handicrafts and food. It is a city chock-a-block full of surprises; an urban jungle that brings you something new every day, a place that prides itself on its ability to reinvent itself time and time again. And on top of all that, it’s clean, safe, quirky and has a multitude of attractions for families to enjoy. So really, what’s not to like? Wizards, magical flying castles, dragons… does anybody do anime better than Hayao Miyazaki? Famous for ‘Howl’s Moving Castle’ and ‘Spirited Away’, the Ghibli Museum is dedicated to all things by this Japanese genius, Studio Ghibli and the art of animation in general. Meaning: all things whimsical and charming. The permanent collection features a number of displays that showcase the anime production process, a movie theatre, rooftop garden, a life-sized robot from ‘Castle in the Sky’ and plenty of storyboards, books, toys and movie memorabilia. Little imaginations will run wild and, best of all, it’s all hands on!
For an eccentric twist on a traditional history lesson, Edo-Tokyo Museum is both a fun and educational way for little ones to learn about Japan’s architecture, cultural heritage, political climate and commercial situation. The interactive permanent exhibition illustrates Tokyo’s past, from the Edo Period until now, through models of towns, figurines and life-sized figures.
If dizzying heights and futuristic panoramas are your thing, why not head to the top of the world’s tallest free-standing broadcasting tower? Tokyo Skytree has two enclosed observation decks offering incredible views over the city, at 350 and 450 metres high – making them the highest in Japan – and at peak visibility you can see up to 100 kilometres away. At night Tokyo looks the most beautiful, its flashing lights and towering skyscrapers blinking like the control panel of a ‘Star Wars’ spaceship.
At the Skytree’s base is Sumida Aquarium, housing over 10,000 sea creatures; the centrepiece is the 350,000-litre tank, home to dozens of waddling penguins and lazing fur seals. There is also a mesmerising jellyfish display – the glowing blobs rippling through the water – as well as tanks representing the habitats around Tokyo Bay, the Izu Islands and the Ogasawara Islands. Also located in the Skytree is the Kodomonoyu Playcenter, a kiddies’ play haven designed to look like a Japanese onsen, but instead of water there are over 88,000 balls to splash about in.