Travel to Tokyo, Japan – Episode 550

Hear about travel to Tokyo as the Amateur Traveler talks to family travel blogger/podcaster Jason Andrew Jenkins from AnEpicEducation.com about a city he called home for 13 years.

Jason lived in Tokyo from 2001 to 2013 and he returns regularly. It was love for a woman from Japan that brought him to Tokyo. Both his kids were born in the city.

Of the city, Jason says, “I think that Japan is one of those places that fuses the past and the future in a way like no other place, as far as the modern and the ancient. I think sometimes that can be a really appealing juxtaposition.”

“Japanese food is the best in the world, and that goes far beyond your usual sushi, teriyaki, yakitori. It’s some of the most diverse, healthy, and delicious food anywhere in the world. And there’s also a unique dining culture. Eating, bathing, sleeping is a unique experience.” We talk about some of Jason’s favorite places to eat as he tries to make that food culture more accessible to those of us who are not proficient in Japanese. We learn about okonomiyaki and some tricks for ordering ramen.

We talk about some of the rich history of Tokyo as we discuss the Edo period and the Meiji Restoration and where you can find some of that history in Tokyo in two different Edo museums or the Meiji Shrine. We also take you to the shrine where sumo was created and to the cheap seats at a sumo tournament.

But we also look at modern Tokyo, by climbing tall buildings, riding monorails, seeing cosplay and youth culture and visiting a number of modern art museums including the art of animation with Jason who is a modern art aficionado.

We talk about side trips you can make from Tokyo, including Hakone, Yokohama, Kamakura, and Minakami.

You might be surprised what Jason recommends not to do in Tokyo. And in this era where people are nervous about traveling, we talk about what a safe and clean destination Tokyo is. Jason relates one story about crime or the lack thereof, that will make you consider moving to Tokyo. It is a great city for nightlife.

Come hear about Tokyo from someone who fell in love in and with this superb city.

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Show Notes

An Epic Education
Tokyo
Japan Rail Pass
10 Fun Free Things to Do in Harajuku
Tokyo with Kids: Yoyogi and Harajuku
Meiji Shrine
Kendo
Meiji Restoration
Omotesando neighborhood
Espace Louis Vuitton Tokyo
Commune 246 (Aoyama)
Takoyaki
Okonomiyaki
akura Tei Okonomiyaki & Monjayaki Restaurant in Harajuku
Learn in Your Car Japanese Level One
Ootoya (Organic restaurant chain)
Yoyogi Park
Sens?-ji
Yanaka neighborhood
Yanaka Cemetery
Ry?goku Kokugikan (Sumo stadium)
Edo-Tokyo Museum
Fukagawa Edo Museum
Edo period
Tomioka Hachiman Shrine (home of Sumo)
Travel to the Kansai Region of Japan (Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and Kobe) – Episode 540
Tokyo Tower
Mori Art Museum
Tokyo Imperial Palace
Tsukiji fish market
How to Visit the Tsukiji Fish Market with Kids: Japan Family Travel
Art Triangle Roppongi
21 21 Design Site
Tokyo with Kids: 8 Things to do in Ginza
Tokyo with Kids: 21 Things to do in Odaiba
Sony ExploraScience Museum
Museum of Maritime Science
Inokashira Park
Ghibli Museum
Nakano
Minakami, Gunma
Canyons Alpine Lodge, Minakami, Gunma
Takaragawa Onsen Osenkaku, Minakami, Gunma
Must-Eat Food in Japan for Kids — 29 Things They’ll Love
Things To Do in Tokyo at Night
Tokyo Itinerary – 3 Days (with 4 Day and 5 Day options)
Things to do in Odaiba (Tokyo) – Japan (Video #105)
What to do in Tokyo in December (Video #104)

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