The Tokyo city started from a small fishing village called Edo, first fortified by the Edo clan in the late 12th century. During the subsequent Edo period (1603-1867), Edo grew into one of the largest cities in the world with a population of 1M by the 18th century, but Kyoto remains as the capital city.
In 1869, Emperor Meiji moved to Edo from Kyoto. The city was then renamed as Tokyo, meaning “eastern capital”. The new imperial residence for the Emperor, Imperial Palace was built on the site of Edo Castle. With the shift, Tokyo became the capital city and was officially established in 1889.
The Japanese cuisine is more than just sushi. Japan is huge and its cuisine varies according to its region. For example, the dashi broth for udon will be heavy on soy sauce for the eastern Japan, while in western Japan, the broth relies more on the dashi flavouring with a hint of soy sauce.
When in Hokkaido, eat plenty of seafood. In Tohoku, it has lots of high quality rice, apples and pears - soba and mochi (rice cakes). In Kansai, it’s okonomiyaki and takoyaki. Tokyo has become so commercialised that you can almost find any type of Japanese food you desire within the city.
There are two airports to Tokyo, Haneda (羽田空港) and Narita. Haneda Airport is much nearer to central Tokyo, but it only serves Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways. Haneda Airport, formally known as Tokyo International Airport, was opened in 1931. When Narita Airport was opened in 1978, it took over most of the international flights and Haneda Airport now serves mainly domestic flights. Narita Airport (成田国際空港) is also known as New Tokyo International Airport (新東京国際空港).
The selected accommodation for this virtual travel is Miyako City Tokyo Takanawa (都シティ 東京高輪) at an affordable rate of S$90/night. It is just 5-10mins walk to Sengakuji and Shinagawa Station.
Day 1, Wednesday
Tokyo Ramen Street > National Museum of Nature and Science > February Kitchen > Sensoji Temple > Tokyo Skytree, Gion Tsujiri > Ginza Akebono > Aoi Marushin
Day 2, Thursday - USJ
Day 3, Friday
Onibus Coffee > Tokyo Strawberry Park > Nemuro Hanamaru > KITTE > Patisserie Sadaharu Aoki Paris > Kimukatsu
Day 4, Saturday
Marutake, Shouro > Gindaco > My Captain Cheese > Tokyo Ramen Street > Imperial Palace > Hibiya Park > Ginza > MUJI Hotel Ginza > Nanaya > Menya Musashi
Day 5, Sunday
Streamer Coffee Company > Yasukuni Shrine > Tokyo Ramen Street > Harajuku, Takeshita Street > Marion Crepes > Omotesando > Japan Olympic Museum > Shibuya > Starbucks Tsutaya (view of Shibuya Crossing) > Uoriki Kaisen Sushi
Day 6, Monday
LATTEST > Yayoi Kusama Museum > Starbucks Reserve Roastery > Oiwake Dango Honpo > Mutekiya > Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden > Alfred Tea Room > Kura Sushi
Day 7, Tuesday - Tokyo Disneyland
Day 8, Wednesday
Dumbo Doughnuts and Coffee > Edo-Tokyo Museum > Tokyo Ramen Street, First Avenue Tokyo Station > L’eclair de Genie > Tokyo Tower (from Prince Shiba Park and Onarimon Station) > McDonald’s
Day 9, Thursday - Tokyo Disneysea
Day 10, Friday
Ameyoko Shopping Street > Tokyo National Museum > Rinrin > Nezu Shrine > Chachanoma > Maisen Tonkatsu
Day 11, Saturday
Little Nap Coffee Stand > Yoyogi Park > Meiji Shrine > Maison Able Cafe Ron Ron > Blue Bottle Coffee
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