Tokyo - Apple Vacations Malaysia

Tokyo neighbourhood guide videos

SEASONAL HIGHLIGHTS

SPRING

In Tokyo, spring is one of the best times to visit. Blooming usually begins around end of March and cherry blossom trees should be in full bloom by first few days of April.

SUMMER

Summer in Tokyo is a great time to hit the beach. One of the closest beaches is Odaiba beach. And Shikinejima island is famous for its white sand beaches and ferry services.

AUTUMN

Best autumn time for autumn leaves in Tokyo is from the end of November to early December. Enjoy The Gingko Avenue in Showa Kinen Park. It stretches out endlessly and you can admire the beautiful scenery covered with gingko trees.

WINTER

Roppongi and many parkland areas like Hibiya and Yoyogi are cascade of bright lights and decorations turn the barren trees of Tokyo into sea of light, providing city streets with breath-taking view.

TRADITONAL EXPERIENCES

Edo Kiriko: Glass Carving

Edo Kiriko is one of Japan's most renowned glass crafts. It originated in the city of Edo, the former name of Tokyo during the Edo period (1603-1868). 'Kiriko' means 'cut glass', so Edo Kiriko refers to 'glass cut from the city of Edo'. Create a unique and beautiful piece by carving traditional Kiriko patterns onto a glass of your choice in Tokyo.

Kimono Wearing

There are many kimono rental shops in Tokyo, offering a wide variety of patterns and colors. Choose your favorite kimono and explore Tokyo's historic streets and temples. And don’t forget to take photos in your beautiful kimono.

Kintsugi: Preserving Tradition and Pottery

Kintsugi is a traditional craft that involves mending broken pottery using a mixture of lacquer, gold, and other materials. This art embodies the philosophy of repairing old items rather than replacing them. In a Kintsugi workshop, you can create a unique and cherished piece of pottery that is truly one of a kind.

Taiyaki Making

Taiyaki is one of Tokyo's popular sweets, a fish-shaped Japanese cake similar to a waffle. During your trip to Tokyo, learn how to make taiyaki by adding traditional fillings or your favorite ingredients to put your own twist on this classic treat!

NEW ATTRACTIONS

Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo – The Making of Harry Potter

Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo, the world's largest indoor Harry Potter attraction, offers a four-hours exploration of iconic sets like the Great Hall, Diagon Alley, and the Hogwarts Express on Platform 9 ¾. Fans can enjoy fun activities such as riding a broomstick, savoring Butterbeer, posing for portraits by moving staircases, and shopping for a wide range of products.

‘Wizarding World’ and all related names, characters and indicia are trademarks of and © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. – Wizarding World publishing rights © J.K. Rowling. 

Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo - The Making of Harry Potter.

TOKYU KABUKICHO TOWER

Approximately 225 meters high, TOKYU KABUKICHO TOWER is a symbolic landmark in the area, featuring attractions like the entertainment food hall “Shinjuku Kabuki hall”, “namco TOKYO” amusement complex, “THE TOKYO MATRIX” SHINJUKU impenetrable dungeon, “EXSTION” Wellness club, and two brands of hotels : a luxury hotel “BELLUSTAR TOKYO, A Pan Pacific Hotel”, and a lifestyle hotel “HOTEL GROOVE SHINJUKU, A PARKROYAL Hotel”.

TOKYO MIDTOWN YAESU

Tokyo Midtown Yaesu had its grand opening in March 2023 after a partial opening in September 2022. The facility, located across from Tokyo Station, offers diverse shops, restaurants, a substantial bus terminal, and a luxury hotel. Discover a wide range of fashion, from casual to high-end, and a variety of cuisines from home and abroad, making it the perfect place to find your ideal purchases and tasty treats.

animate Ikebukuro Flagship Store

animate Ikebukuro Flagship Store, beloved by anime and manga fans, celebrates its 40th anniversary with a massive renovation. Grand opening in March 2023 as one of the world's largest anime stores, it now features a ten-story complex with double the floor space, a new theater, and exhibition halls, attracting fans worldwide.

RECOMMENDED ACCOMMODATION

Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo

KEIO PLAZA HOTEL TOKYO, Japan's premier hotel, is ideally located for exploring inner Tokyo. Situated near Tochomae Station, it's just a five-minute walk from Shinjuku Station, a popular shopping and entertainment hub. With all 1453 rooms overlooking Tokyo's bustling streets, the hotel offers privacy and seclusion. Additionally, the hotel is committed to being an ecological 21st-century hotel, actively engaging in various eco-initiatives.

Hotel Chizanso Tokyo

A 'Hotel in the Clouds,' offers a unique 'Sea of Clouds' experience, where the garden is enveloped in a layer of mist throughout the day. This one-of-a-kind experience occurs year-round, along with another specialty of the hotel: the Seven Seasons. Camellias, Sakura, fresh green, fireflies, cool summer, autumn, and winter – each season welcomes guests with a new vision of the garden.

Tokyo Bay Shiomi Prince Hotel

Tokyo Bay Shiomi Prince Hotel, a perfect blend of traditional Japan and modern style, is near Tokyo Bay and Odaiba area. Located 3 stops from Tokyo station, 3 stops away from Maihama station, and just 1 min walk from the nearest train station. Its sophisticated interiors and restaurants adorned with objects d’art, and modern art in guest rooms delight guests, enhancing their stay.

HOTEL NIWA TOKYO

HOTEL NIWA TOKYO, originally a traditional ryokan inn since 1935, reopened in March 2022 with a concept of “beautiful modern Japanese style”. The name “Niwa”, meaning “garden” in Japanese, perfectly reflects its serene location with four beautiful gardens, rooms harmoniously blending Japanese and modern styles, and a peaceful restaurant. Here, time passes slowly, offering an escape from the city’s hustle and bustle.

TRADITIONAL TOWNSCAPE

Kagurazaka

In a small neighbourhood that is located close to Shinjuku known as Tokyo’s little Paris. During the Kagurazaka Matsuri, summer festival, the backstreet of this neighbourhood will come alive and revive the ambience of old Tokyo.

Asakusa

One of the iconic Buddhist temple that is built in the 7th century in Tokyo, Sensoji Temple located in this area. Experience true Japanese traditions, arts and crafts in Asakusa.

Shibamata

Travel back in time by visiting Shibamata. The main attraction here is to see the Shibamata Taishakuten Temple. There is a large pine tree which said to be 500 year old that resembles a dragon.

Tsukiji Outer Market

This district is near to the site of the previous Tsukiji Wholesale Market. Fresh and processed seafood can be found here. It is best to combine with fresh sushi for breakfast or lunch during visit to this spot.

Modern entertainment

teamLab Planets TOKYO

teamLab Planets TOKYO is a museum where you walk barefoot in the water. There are four massive exhibition spaces and two gardens. You can immerse your body with beautiful artworks that are fusion of color and light which interacts with movement in the area.

teamLab Planets TOKYO
© teamLab

SHIBUYA SKY

It is an observation facility located on the 14th, 45th, 46th and rooftop of SHIBUYA SCRAMBLE SQUARE, the tallest building in Shibuya area. It has this large-scale of observation deck where you can enjoy this Tokyo Skyline day and night view. It is also facing the famous Shibuya Scramble Crossing.

RED° TOKYO TOWER

Located at the base of Tokyo Tower, there is the largest e-sports park in Japan. There are various contents such as motor sports that involve with body movement and even mind sports such as poker, board games. Experience both VR and AR uniquely here. Also, live events such as dance performances and artist concerts are held regularly.

Akihabara

Akihabara's Electric Town is the Mecca of Japanese popular culture. This place is filled with shops selling all kinds of electronics. Immerse into manga, anime, games, and theme cafes in this entertainment and shopping hub.

NATURE & RELAX

CENTRAL TOKYO

TAMA

SHIMA (ISLANDS)

Ueno Park

Ueno Park is one of the oldest public parks in Japan. It has long been a popular spot for cherry blossom viewing, with around 800 cherry trees. The park is also home to Shinobazu Pond, where thousands of lotus flowers bloom each summer, giving the surroundings a serene and sacred atmosphere.

Mizumoto Park

Mizumoto Park is located near the Shibamata area, where you can enjoy Tokyo’s traditional streetscape. The park hosts the Iris Festival every June, when thousands of irises burst into bloom. In autumn, the beautiful metasequoia forest turns from green to a stunning reddish-brown, creating a magical sight.

Rikugien Gardens

It was built around the year of 1700 and the meaning of Rikugi is “six principles of Waka poetry”. This garden is just nice to be set as a good example of Edo Period strolling garden with a large central pond surrounded by manmade hills and woods areas.

Odaiba Marine Park

It’s a shopping and entertainment area suitable for family on a man-made island in Tokyo Bay. It comes with a great view of the Tokyo’s Rainbow Bridge. There is also a replica of the Statue of Liberty here.

Akigawa Valley

Akigawa Valley is a nature retreat located about an hour by train from Shinjuku. Ishibunebashi Bridge is one of the best spots in Tokyo to view autumn foliage, including fiery red maples and golden yellow ginkgo trees. The lush greenery in early summer is also a beautiful sight.

Hossawa Falls

Hossawa Falls is located in Hinohara Village in western Tokyo and is the only waterfall in the city to be included on Japan’s list of Top 100 Waterfalls. With a 62-meter drop, the falls offer a different scenic beauty in every season. During winter, it's not uncommon for the waterfall to freeze.

Nippara Limestone Caves

Nippara Limestone Cave is the largest in the Kanto region. As you walk approximately 800 meters through the cave with relaxing music playing, you’ll see uniquely shaped rock formations illuminated by colorful lights. The cave maintains a constant temperature of 11°C year-round, keeping it cool even in summer.

Mt.Takao

It offers beautiful scenery from a top view on Tokyo city. This place is perfect spot for hiking opportunities for those of you who loves hiking. The summit of Mt Takao also offers view of Mount Fuji on clear days.

Oshima

Oshima is the closest inhabited island to mainland Tokyo. You can reach it from Tokyo by plane (about 25 minutes) or high-speed ferry (about 2 hours). This volcanic island features a massive cliff that reveals a cross-section of volcanic strata. Standing on the black desert of Ura-Sabaku feels like being on Mars or the surface of the moon.

Kozushima

Kozushima can be reached by plane in about 45 minutes from mainland Tokyo. Its beaches have been recognized for having the cleanest waters in Japan, and you can spot a variety of fish from the 500-meter Akasaki walking path. At night, you'll be awed by a star-studded sky surrounded by pristine nature.

Hachijojima

Hachijojima is located about 300 km south of mainland Tokyo. A spring tradition on the island is the Hachijojima Freesia Festival, when nearly 350,000 freesias bloom in the fields surrounding the base of Mt. Hachijo-Fuji. One of the island’s highlights is Nanbara-Senjojiki Coast, where cooled lava has formed striking black rock formations.

Chichijima・Hahajima

Chichijima(父島) and Hahajima(母島) belong to the Ogasawara Islands, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, and you can experience the magnificent natural scenery, including The Heart Rock (Chihiroiwa) and Mt. Chibusayama.

LOCAL SPECIALTIES

Fukagawa-meshi

This dish is one of the traditional food in Japan and mainly in Tokyo with the main ingredient of short-neck clam with cooked rice. This dish also a representative dish of Fukagawa, Tokyo. It is a kind of “fast food” for the locals especially busy fishermen.

Kaiseki Cuisine

A traditional multi-course cuisine with origin of simple meals during tea ceremony many years ago. Today, it has grown into an elegant dining style and usually offered at specialized restaurant or as part of a ryokan stay.

Soba

Every country has its own tradition when it comes to celebrating new year, in Japan, eating Soba is one of the customs and wishing a new year will be more prosperous while forgetting the bad things happen in previous year.

Chanko hot pot

It is also known as Chanko Kabe, a traditional food that is specialty at sumo stables. Sumo wrestlers eat this everyday in order to gain strength. After World War II, it has spread among general population. It is a perfect meal especially for a cold winter evening.

HISTORICAL BUILDING

Diet (Parliament) Building

Located in the heart of Tokyo and the most important government building in Japan. No doubt that it is one of the most intriguing buildings in the city with its remarkable Art Deco design.

Imperial Palace

It is the residence of Japan’s Imperial family. The current palace is in the center of Tokyo, just a short walk from Tokyo station. Visitors can view two bridges that form an entrance to the inner palace grounds from the large plaza in front of the Imperial Palace.

Ginza WAKO

WAKO has been well-known of its clock tower as iconic landmark and a popular luxury store. A shopping haven located on the corner of Ginza in Tokyo. Fine jewelry, luxury accessories, souvenirs and desserts can be found here.

Kyu-Iwasaki-tei Gardens

It is located near to Ueno park, and it’s former residence is the Iwasaki family, one of the modern Japan’s most powerful families. They were the founders of Mitsubishi. There are three buildings - the Western-style residence, billiard room, and Japanese residence. Strolling along this area, you will find Japanese-style, American, British inspired Pennsylvanian and Jacobean style house.