With Qantas flying daily from most cities in Australia, now is the perfect time to book your clients on a Tokyo getaway. But don’t let them do Tokyo like everyone else…
Instead, get them to experience the city’s rather quirky side.
It isn’t hard to find the weird and wacky in Tokyo – the city swarms with the slightly unusual. But if you’d like some advice on where to go and what to do, we’re here to help with ideas.
And Qantas will actually get you (or your clients) there. Qantas offers daily flights from Sydney to Brisbane to Tokyo (Narita), and from July 2015, they started flying between Sydney and Tokyo’s Haneda airport (located just 15 minutes from the city) – Tokyo’s domestic hub.
So, without further ado, here are our recommendations on where to stay, where to dine, and what to do in this sprawling metropolis, giving your clients a truly unique Japanese experience.
Stay at the Ooedo-Onsen Monogatari Hotel
Photo source: http://www.ooedoonsen.jp/en/top/
Forget about staying at a capsule hotel in Tokyo. A capsule’s snug size soon loses its appeal. Instead, experience the delights of an onsen bath (hot springs) and the charms of Old Japan at the Ooedo-Onsen Monogatari Hotel.
Located smack bang in the bustling heart of Tokyo, the hotel is an oasis amongst the neon lights, crowded subways, and endless traffic Tokyo is known for. The therapeutic effects of the volcanic water here – pumped up from 1,400 metres below – will help you feel fresh and rejuvenated after a day spent exploring this vast metropolis. Remember: all your clothes come off when entering an onsen bath, so leave your inhibitions in your room…
Have lunch at the Cat Café Nekorobi
Weird? Yes. A little creepy? Sure. Interesting? Hell yeah! Vising a cat cafe when in Tokyo is definitely one of the most unique experiences you’ll have in Japan, and is a real must-do – regardess of whether you’re a cat fan or not.
The Cat Café Nekorobi is one of the more popular establishments that has been welcoming feline friendly customers through its doors for years.
Sumo Tour: A Day in the Life of a Sumo Wrestler
Spend a day channelling your inner sumo on a sumo tour in the Ryogoku area of Tokyo. Learn about the historical roots of Japan’s national sport and gain a deeper understanding of sumo rituals that are closely entwined with Japan’s native Shinto religion.
Note: Sumo wrestlers practice very seriously every day, so don’t forget to show respect to the stable master and wrestlers. If a fight breaks out, you’re unlikely to win…
Grab a drink at the Planetarium Bar
Photo source: http://kotaku.com/tokyos-most-unusual-restaurants-offer-more-than-food-1147350054
It may be impossible to stargaze within Tokyo’s urban sprawl – light radiation here effectvely precludes this – but why would you want to anyway when you can sip on a cocktail or beer at the next best thing: the Planetarium Bar. The bar has its own Megastar Zero Platinum planetarium projector, which projects over five million stars – talk about a drink with a view!
In addition to a wide selection of beers, cocktails and whiskeys, the bar also serves light meals like jamón ibérico cured ham from Spain, and uchu-shoku (space food) curry.
Check out a Robot Cabaret
Photo credit: WENN.com
We’re pretty sure the robot dance came from here. Or maybe it didn’t. Either way, you’ve got to check out a robot caberet when in Tokyo. Talk about unique… Located in Tokyo’s Kabukicho red-light district, the Robot Restaurant puts on an entertaining 1-hour performance that includes glitzy girls dancing with a giant panda, dinosaurs, ninjas, samurais and (of course) robots on stage!
It’s a show for the senses, with flashing lights, taiko drums and techno music all part of the show. A show ticket includes a free drink, and the food ain’t that bad either. Warning: don’t look the robots in the eye…
So, what are you waiting for?
Visit Qantas.com and book your clients on the Flying Kangaroo today, and help them experience the quirky side of Tokyo.
What are your recommendations on things to do and see in Tokyo? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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