T
here’s no best time to visit
Tokyo but you may want
to avoid the rains and
humidity of June to August.
If you go in early April, you may just
catch the famous cherry blossom.
Direct flights are available with
Jetstar, ANA, Delta, Cathay Pacific,
Japan Airlines and HK Express. Fly
into Haneda Airport (rather than
Narita) for added convenience.
1
Sampling the world’s best sushi
There’s no better way to start
your Tokyo visit than with a sushi
breakfast at the famous Tsukiji
Market. This famous fish market has
now closed its wholesale business to
tourists. However, if you wish to see
the tuna auction (not recommended
for young kids), you must register
before 5am and numbers are limited.
A more family friendly way to take
in the atmosphere is to wander the
streets close to the market and take
your pick from one of the small sushi
restaurants. Many have English menus
and room for a stroller.
2
Going cuckoo for Harajuku
Soak up the crazy side of Tokyo
in Harajuku on a Sunday afternoon.
Start your walk up Takeshita-dori,
a pedestrianised street lined with
boutiques selling kooky clothes and
crazy gadgets. Then head to Meiji
Shrine, admiring the Harajuku
cosplayers (teenagers in over the top
outfits) that hang around its borders.
Neighbouring Yoyogi park always
has free entertainment from the
Rockabilly Club gang who dance
around to 50s music to dogs decked
out in their Sunday finery. A short
walk from Harajuku is Kiddy Land, a
Tokyo institution and THE best place
to buy Japanese toys.
3
LEGO, Cars and Robots
in Odaiba
Odaiba is a man-made island and
hugely popular with families. Even
getting there is fun. The Yurikamome
monorail is driver-less so kids can
sit at the front and pretend to steer.
Take your pick from one of the many
attractions. Toyota Mega Web is a ‘car
theme park’ where you can view future
Toyota products and even test-drive
a car. LEGO lovers need to head to
the LEGO Land Discovery Centre.
The centre houses more than 3 million
LEGO bricks and has a few small
rides, LEGO workshops and a 4D
cinema. If you have a robot or anime
fan in your household, you should also
visit the life-size Gundam (giant robot)
at Gundam Front Tokyo.
4
Get a bird’s eye view of Tokyo
Tokyo’s version of the Eiffel
Tower, the Tokyo Tower, was built in
1958. The tower's main observatory
is reached via elevator or a 600-step
staircase and serves up great views
of this expansive metropolis. If the
views aren’t captivating enough for
your kids, there’s a small aquarium at
the base of the tower. For a cheaper
view of Tokyo, head to The Tokyo
Metropolitan Government Building
in Shinjuku. This observation deck is
free!
5
Visit a theme park
If Disneyland seems old hat, take
the kids to DisneySea instead. This
nautical themed park is unique to
Japan and the fourth most visited
theme park in the world. Geared
towards slightly older kids and adults,
there are amazing shows and parades
in addition to the rides. Journey To
the Centre Of The Earth, set in an
artificial volcano, is one of the best
theme park rides on the planet.
Let's go to
TOKYO
Top 5 fun activities for kids
Bright lights, crazy outfits, world-class food and stroller friendly sidewalks.
Simply a few ways to describe the world’s largest city, Tokyo. At only
four hour’s flying time from Hong Kong, Tokyo is an eclectic and unique
destination for a long weekend away, writes
Nicola Burke
.
Mini
break
70
