10 Fun and Non-Touristy Things to Do in Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo is Japan's capital and largest city. It is also the world's most populous metropolis area with over 35 million people and the world's largest metropolitan economy with $1.279 trillion at purchasing power parity in 2008. This city is extremely large and extremely important in the world economy and world culture. So don't you think you should pay it a visit at least once? The problem with this crowded city is that the tourist traps can attract large crowds and keep visitors from getting the real Tokyo. Here is a list of ten non touristy spots that you can go to in order to get the most out of your vacation.

1. Off Shibuya - Most Japanese travelers will be familiar with Shibuya, the Times Square of Tokyo, but most only go to the main street and call it a day. While Shibuya is something worth seeing, it is not the most remarkable thing in the area. As a traveler in a new country, you will want to see the real Tokyo, so take a few steps away from Shibuya and walk down the streets. These adjacent streets will get calmer and calmer until you find yourself in cozy Japanese neighborhoods with local shops and restaurants. Now this is more like what you want.

2. Meji Shrine in Yoyogi Park - This Shinto shrine in Shibuya is dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shōken. It is easy to get to and walking around the park will be a nice change from the busy streets. The shrine is an amazing place to be, no matter what your spiritual beliefs are, and there are not huge crowds there. The shrine is a peaceful place where you can relax and reflect, so consider checking it out.

3. Sensō-jiin Asakusa - A day trip away from the center of Tokyo will take you to this charming Buddhist temple in Asakusa. There are many sights to see in the area including the famous temple with its huge chōchin (Japanese traditional lamp). There is also a cluster of famous kitchenware stores, a carnival complex, and cruises down the Sumida River only a five minutes walk away. The area is also famous for being Tokyo's oldest giesha district and for its colorful festivals.

4. Tsukiji Fish market - If you're an early riser, love seafood, and want to see the real Japan then this is the place for you. Located near the Tsukijishiko Station, this fish market opens at 3 am when the fish come in fresh from the sea. Bidding then occurs for professional bidders at 5 am and the market closes every morning at 7 am. For a tourist, it is simply amazing to see the fresh fish being advertised by vendors at 4 in the morning. This is as fresh as seafood can get, so you may want to buy some to cook up or at least just appreciate how very different this is from your work week.

5. Toden Arakawa Line - The sole survivor of the once extensive system of street cars in Tokyo, this line can be a fun way to travel and surprisingly one not known too well by tourists. The streets cars take passengers around northern and eastern Tokyo to sights not seen by most tourists. These areas are often much older than the touristy parts of Tokyo, so in a way you are traveling back in time as you travel around the area in the last survivor of an outdated transportation system.

6. Hakone, Kanagawa - If you feel like you're getting tired of the busy city, take a train for only about 2000 yen up to the peaceful town of Hakone. The two hour trip may seem like a long one, but the city is famous for its hot spring resorts which tourists sometimes find themselves within. It's not just the tourist spots that are worth seeing, however, as the area is more natural and beautiful than the industrialized Tokyo. Take in the beauty as you relax in this peaceful place, perhaps exploring a few shops while you're there.

7. Nishi-Shinjuku - The Skyscraper business district of Tokyo is a cool place to walk around if you're interested in amazingly tall buildings. The area also features some nice parks and street sculptures. Walking around here for a few minutes will give you the idea of what being a real Tokyo business man must be like. Eat at a local place and take it all in. The exciting movement of Tokyo never ends!

8. Harajuku - I would be making a painful mistake not to include this wacky street on a list of Japanese things to see. If you want to see Japanese modern culture at its strangest then look no further. This narrow street is lined with shops to explore as well as Japanese people dressed as characters from video games and anime (Japanese animation). It is hard to imagine a place that is stranger for tourists so do yourself a favor and take a look.

9. Ueno Park - Located in the Ueno section of Tokyo, this park is famous for its sculptures, cherry blossoms, and museums. It's definitely a place worth going to in order to experience some Japanese history, beauty, and art. The museums also focus on western art so don't be surprised to find a little of everything there.

10. Baseball Game - If you're a baseball fan, consider checking out one of the many baseball teams in Tokyo. With the Yomiuri Giants, the Yakult Swallows, and the Nippon Ham Fighters to choose from, you're sure to find a game that will fit your schedule. The games can be very exciting and fun and the level of play is excellent. If you're a baseball fan then this is a no brainer.

These are just ten of the many non touristy things that you can do in Tokyo, Japan. There is so much to do and see that you could never pack in all into one trip, but maybe with this list you can decide what things you really want to experience.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinjuku, etc.