{"id":97170754,"date":"2015-02-19T18:42:52","date_gmt":"2015-02-19T18:42:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/?p=97170754"},"modified":"2015-08-11T18:36:26","modified_gmt":"2015-08-11T18:36:26","slug":"the-craziest-nerdiest-most-adorable-travel-guide-to-tokyo-youve-ever-seen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/the-craziest-nerdiest-most-adorable-travel-guide-to-tokyo-youve-ever-seen\/","title":{"rendered":"The Craziest, Nerdiest, Most Adorable Travel Guide to Tokyo You\u2019ve Ever Seen"},"content":{"rendered":"

Each year, millions of travelers make their way to Tokyo<\/a> to dine on sushi and admire the Shinjuku district\u2019s towering skyscrapers. What many of them don\u2019t know is that Japan\u2019s buttoned up capital is also a leader in all things cute \u2013 or as the Japanese say, \u201ckawaii.\u201d<\/p>\n

From its colorful cosplayers to its zany caf\u00e9s, Tokyo has proven time and again that it\u2019s much less old school than it is cool. Here\u2019s how to experience this awesome Japanese city in all its pink-hued, anime-lined, cat-happy, kawaii glory \u2013 just as it was meant to be.<\/p>\n

\"Anime<\/a>

Sean Pavone \/ Shutterstock.com<\/p><\/div>\n

For Anime Nerds: <\/strong><\/h3>\n

Back in the \u201890s, a blonde, pigtailed cartoon teenager named Sailor Moon fought evil by moonlight on the small screen. If you remember her \u2013 or if Goku, Pikachu, and Clow Cards continue to be a regular part of your vocabulary \u2013 visiting Tokyo is your chance to delve into the history of Japanese art and nab merchandise not available anywhere else. Here are a few recommended destinations for those of you who are looking to score major anime otaku (aka “nerd”) points.<\/p>\n

Tourist handbooks might refer to Tokyo\u2019s Akihabara<\/a> district as the discount electronics quarter. But in recent years, it\u2019s carved out a name for itself as Japan\u2019s center of manga and anime culture. Wander through the district for its crop of otaku cafes, retailers, retro game shops, and much more.<\/p>\n

Over in the Ikebukuro district of Tokyo lies J-World Tokyo<\/a>, a must-see shrine (of sorts) to Japan\u2019s beloved manga magazine Shonen Jump<\/em>. Nosh on Japanese treats in the manga character food court, compete for prizes with the anime-lovers in your life, hop on a carousel ride, and spot your favorite characters from popular manga series like One Piece<\/em>, Dragonball<\/em>, and Naruto<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Dubbed the \u201cnew mecca of anime,\u201d Asagaya\u2019s Anime Street<\/a> is a paradise for cosplayers, anime buffs, and art lovers. Opened in spring 2014, the shops lining the street hawk everything from custom-made costumes to merchandise from popular shows.<\/p>\n

If you only have 24 hours<\/strong>: Sailor Moon says that you can\u2019t truly call yourself an anime otaku if you visit Tokyo without stopping by Suginami\u2019s Animation Museum<\/a>. Your favorite small-screen characters are more than their kawaii faces would suggest. Brush up on anime\u2019s beginnings, learn how images are made and how shows are dubbed, and even create your own anime at the digital workshop. Time to brush up on those art skills!<\/p>\n

\"Tokyo<\/a>

Sean Pavone \/ Shutterstock.com<\/p><\/div>\n

For Sanrio Fanatics:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Sanrio, the Japanese company behind Hello Kitty and friends, isn\u2019t just a part of Japanese culture \u2013 it is a creator<\/em> of Japanese youth culture. Whatever your thoughts on Hello Kitty bodysuits (because those exist, y\u2019all), you have to admit that Sanrio\u2019s kawaii cat is on her way to world domination. But for now, she rules Tokyo with an iron paw.<\/p>\n

Tokyo\u2019s Sanrio Puroland<\/a> theme park has served as the purr<\/em>fect attraction for Hello Kitty-obsessed visitors for two and a half decades. The Sanrio-run site houses restaurants, themed attractions like boat rides and Kitty\u2019s house (it\u2019s as pink as you\u2019d imagine), three live theaters, and more \u2013 all featuring our favorite kitty and her friends. Visitors can also stock up on gear from several kawaii gift shops.<\/p>\n

Bus tours are overrated \u2013 unless you\u2019re riding with the world\u2019s most popular feline. Reserve your spot on a Hato<\/a> double-decker Hello Kitty bus to experience floor-to-ceiling kawaii madness as you ride down the streets of Tokyo.<\/p>\n

The best way to immerse yourself in the world of Hello Kitty is to book your way into it. At Keio Plaza<\/a>, choose between a pop art-themed \u201cKitty Town\u201d room and a stately princess-themed \u201cPrincess Kitty\u201d room.<\/p>\n

If you only have 24 hours<\/strong>: Sanrio World Ginza<\/a> is the way to go. Gaze up in awe at its 8-foot-tall Hello Kitty statue and get your paws on luggage, chairs, toys, clothing, and jewelry \u2013 all featuring Hello Kitty as well as other popular characters like My Melody, Cinnamoroll, Chococat, and more!<\/p>\n

\"Cat<\/a>

Shutterstock.com<\/p><\/div>\n

For Caf\u00e9 Connoisseurs: \u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Forget Starbucks! In recent years, Tokyo\u2019s caf\u00e9s have gotten gloriously weird(er). Japan\u2019s most unique caf\u00e9s allow visitors to sit under a starry planetarium, sip cups of joe next to furry felines, or get their hair done after they dine.<\/p>\n

Unleash your inner cat lady with a visit to Kabukich\u014d district\u2019s Cat Cafe Calico<\/a>. What\u2019s better than caffeine and a caf\u00e9 full of friendly kitties? Nothing, I tell you. Absolutely nothing.<\/p>\n

Salon wait times are killer! Satisfy your cravings as you tame your tresses at Nalu 76 Caf\u00e9<\/a>, a restaurant\/hair salon hybrid in Shibuya. Because no one should have to go hungry as they wait for their new \u2018do.<\/p>\n

Over in Kabukich\u014d, Shinjuku\u2019s red-light district, you\u2019ll find the Lord \u2013 or maybe just this Jesus-themed eatery. Featuring Asian-European fusion cuisine and cocktails with names like \u201cAngel\u2019s Trap\u201d and \u201cDeathscyth Hell,\u201d Christon Caf\u00e9<\/a> is the spot to hit for a wild time with the Holy Family. Amen to that!<\/p>\n

If you only have 24 hours<\/strong>: Young astronomers will love dining under the stars at the Planetarium Starry Caf\u00e9<\/a> in Haneda Airport. You and the kiddos can learn about the universe and its miracles from films projected onto the ceiling.<\/p>\n

\"Harajuku<\/a>

Sean Pavone \/ Shutterstock.com<\/p><\/div>\n

For Fashion Lovers: <\/strong><\/h3>\n

The bright hues and outlandish styles of Tokyo\u2019s Harajuku section would put any New York Fashion Week to shame. Bring home a splash of Japanese style with a shopping trip that\u2019s almost too kawaii to handle. Almost<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Takeshita Street<\/a> is a preteen girl\u2019s dream. Here, you\u2019ll find everything from crepe shops to street clothes, affordable accessories, and character merchandise. Oh, and splashes of blinding color. Go on a Sunday to spot outlandishly-dressed Harajuku cosplay girls.<\/p>\n

Take your pick from a wide selection of \u2018shockingly cute\u2019 accessories in shades of electric yellow, pink, and purple. It\u2019s tough not<\/em> to notice 6%Dokidoki<\/a> \u2013 just keep your eyes peeled for the pastel-colored carousel horse stationed in the window.<\/p>\n

Tokyo\u2019s Design Festa Gallery<\/a> features an exciting array of installments, including those geared toward fashion design-lovers. The lineup includes kawaii art, accessories, clothing, and much more \u2013 all created by local Japanese artists.<\/p>\n

If you only have 24 hours:<\/strong> Let your inner eccentric run wild through Laforet mall<\/a>, a multi-storey shopping center packed with clothing and accessories boutiques catering to the Lolita girl in all of us.<\/p>\n

These Tokyo<\/a> spots are too kawaii to miss! Which ones would you visit? Do you have any of your own spots to add to the list?<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Each year, millions of travelers make their way to Tokyo to dine on sushi and admire the Shinjuku district\u2019s towering skyscrapers. What many of them don\u2019t know is that Japan\u2019s buttoned up capital is also a leader in all things cute \u2013 or as the Japanese say, \u201ckawaii.\u201d From its colorful cosplayers to its zany […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":97170757,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[69,66],"tags":[256,255,257,254,253],"class_list":["post-97170754","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arts-and-history","category-interests","tag-hello-kitty-tokyo","tag-japan-travel","tag-tokyo-attractions","tag-tokyo-travel","tag-tokyo-travel-guide"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/97170754","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/16"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=97170754"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/97170754\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":97172639,"href":"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/97170754\/revisions\/97172639"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/97170757"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=97170754"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=97170754"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=97170754"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}