Tokyo

Best markets in Tokyo https://ift.tt/2tNnUlS Around 700 stalls line the street during the annual Setagaya Boroichi, a venerable flea market that’s been going on for more than 430 years now. Held twice a year – on December 15-16, and again on January 15-16 – the event attracts tens of thousands of visitors, making it one of the highlights on Setagaya’s yearly calendar. The main area of the market is along Boroichi-dori, a street which centres on the Setagaya Daikan Yashiki, the old, thatched-roof local magistrate’s residence. We’d recommend hopping off the train at Setagaya Station on the Setagaya Line, walking […]

Best sushi in Tokyo https://ift.tt/2xFdqbL For most Japanese people, sushi is associated not so much with Tokyo but rather with Edo, the city’s original name. When Edo became Tokyo in 1868, it was not only social systems but also other aspects of culture such as food, clothing, housing, music and fine art that went through rapid Westernisation. In this context, sushi is considered a symbol of nostalgia, representing the Edo culture that has been preserved from the 19th century and continues to be loved today. If you want to get a feel for Edo style, including the ambience inside a […]

The best Tokyo onsen and bathhouses https://ift.tt/2xoSrvW There are two types of bathhouses in Tokyo and throughout Japan: onsen and sento. While there are obvious similarities between the two – they’re both communal hot-water baths and visitors must adhere to certain rules of etiquette – there is one significant difference: onsen are filled with natural volcanic spring water, known for its rich and healing mineral content, while sento simply use heated tap water (although some do add minerals and infusions to the water). Although Tokyo is packed with bathhouses, finding one to suit your needs can be a bit of a […]