A crazy 24 hours in Tokyo
What do robots, unicorns and hedgehogs have in common? They’re all on show in the Japanese capital.
Am I dreaming? A 5 metre robotic snake is hissing smoke in my face. On its back is a Japanese whip-wielding warrior, riding the serpent to war against transformer robots trying to take over her kingdom.
Next, in pops a kung fu panda on the back of a robotic warthog – the size of van. It’s just the start of the craziest night I’ve ever had.
The biggest city in the world mixes its rich history and crazy pop culture with such intensity that it explodes in neon-flashing glory on every street corner.
And if you’re up for it here are 24 hours you’ll never forget.
11am: A date with hedgehogs
Tokyo is world-renowned for its cat, pug, ninja and owl cafes – but move over, a new little prickly eatery is in town.
At Harry the Hedgehog Cafe, your instant coffee comes with a little hedgehog to play with. After watching its little pig-like snout quivering with excitement as you feed it a live worm, then falling asleep in your hand, even the hardest of hedgie-haters will leave a fan.
Noon: Bake my heart away
You’ve probably heard of the cronut, an eyewateringly delicious mix between a donut and croissant, filled with oozing centres like fig mascarpone.
It was invented by French food genius Dominique Ansel at his New York flagship bakery. And he has an outlet in Tokyo, serving all his famous favourites like ‘‘cookie shots’’: a shotglass made of warm chocolate chip cookies with milk poured inside.
1pm: Super Mario karting
Nothing says Tokyo quite like its latest craze – dressing as Super Mario and driving a neon-lit go-kart around for three hours. It’s the most fun you can have on four wheels.
2pm: The craziest cafe on Earth
If Willy Wonka was Japanese, he’d be right at home at the Kawaii Monster Cafe. It’s a fantasy land of epic proportions: we were seated in a giant mushroom forest, and watched fluffy monsters dance around a giant carousel of unicorns while eating our neon-coloured food. of the second tallest skyscraper in Tokyo. From your room high above almost everything else, you can watch the city transform into a kaleidoscope of neon lights as dusk falls.
6pm: Cross a road like no other
At the busiest intersection in the world, Shibuya Crossing, you’ll be crossing the road with up to 2000 other people.
Just making it to the other side feels like a human maze mixed with a theme park ride.
7pm: The craziest night on Earth
Nothing epitomises the craziness of Japan quite like the Robot Restaurant.
Remember the snake-riding warrior at the start? That was only one of dozens of crazy robotic creatures that emerged during the 90-minute show. From a dancing parrot riding a unicorn to a flaming ninja turtle, the show stops at nothing and will leave you wondering: did that really just happen?
9pm: Sing the night away
The Japanese invented karaoke, and as they say, the urge to sing The Lion Sleeps Tonight is nothing more than a whim away.
7am, next morning: Sumo practice
A small number of sumo stables, where wrestlers practise each morning, are open to the public. Official sumo matches don’t happen all that often, so this could be your best chance to get a glimpse at Japan’s favourite sport.
10am, Tsukiji Fish Market
The biggest fish market on Earth sells more than $40 million worth of seafood each day. If you’re really keen you can queue at 4am to watch the main live auction, or the public are allowed in at 10am to watch the end of the sale. With a bit of sushi in hand, so ends a crazy 24-hours in Tokyo. Time for a lie down.
Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills offers a five-star escape from the hectic lifestyle in Japan, in one of the tallest skyscrapers in the city.
tokyo.andaz.hyatt.com
The writer stayed courtesy of Andaz Tokyo.
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