3) Kiyomizu Temple

This temple was built in 780 and is one of the most famous temples in Japan. Located in Kyoto it stands on wooded hills and overlooks the city. It is a large wooden structure, beautifully constructed, and in stunning harmony with the the trees that surround it. It has a huge balcony area where you can look out over the hills and Kyoto city. There is also a pagoda shrine in the back which is also nesteled beautifully amoung the surrounding flora. The pathway leading to shrine is in Higashiyama, one of the older areas of Kyoto and is bustling with vendors selling their wares. The walk to the temple is extremely interesting in its own right.

2) Sanjusangendo

Located in Kyoto, this is Japan’s longest wooden structure at just over 100 meters. Inside is a large statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy. She is accompanied by 500 statuettes of Kannon which are in apposing groups of 250 carvings. Each carving is slightly different as they are obviously all hand carved. There is a beautiful if not small garden outside. This temple has a lovely serene, and peaceful energy. Definitely worth a look.

1) Kokedera

Kokedera litterally means “moss temple” and its gardens are blanketed in moss. You must make reservations far in advance to get into this temple but it is really worth the wait. Apparently there are over 120 varieties of moss in the gardens.These moss gardens have had a huge influence on subsequent garden design in Japan. Kokedera was converted to its current state as a zen temple from its previous itteration as a shinto shrine in 1339.

Location: Approximately 2 hours away by jet boat from Takeshiba Sanbashi Pier, Tokyo. Other ferries leave from Shimoda, Shizuoka.

Niijima is one of the islands out from Tokyo Bay and is actually part of Tokyo city. Niijima is a  really popular summer desitination and is renowned for its good surf and  white sand beaches. It also has a couple of good Onsens and some lovely forest areas.

Habushi beach and Jusanshi shrine

Would you believe Calpis (pronounced ‘Cow Piss’) is a milk flavored drink? Actually its closer to a watery yogurt flavored drink and tastes really good. How Calpis got through as a name for a milky drink is beyond us though. There are other varieties of this such as Calpis Water, Calpis Soda and Hot Calpis.

Location: Shibuya
Tel: 03 5428-5100
Address: Zero Gata B1F, 16-9, Udagawa-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo. 150-0042

La Fabrique nightclub doubles as a restaurant during the day time and has music and dance events in the evenings. Its bang in the middle of Shibuya so is easy to get to. Its a slightly upscale club so dress in a little more than just jeans and a t-shirt. Food is good but a little pricey.

Location: Shibuya
Tel: 03 5428-5195
Address: Tokyo-to, Shibuya-ku 2-4. 5F,6F

Club Atom in Shibuya has three floors, two of which are dance floors, and the third a lounge bar. There is an R&B and hip-hop floor. The other floor usually plays trance. The club gets really crowded but they know how to get everyone moving. Not so many foreigners here as this is a bit of a 20 somethings domestic scene. Good though. Continue Reading

Location: Roppongi
Tel: 03 3403-2180
Address: Tokyo-to, Minato-ku, Roppongi 3-15-23

Odeon Tokyo is a kind of after club and often gets the after hours hostesses and strippers. There is no shortage of beautiful European and South American women after hours. Its a small club but it doesn’t really get going until between 5:00am and 8:00am so you will need to be charging through to get the best out of this club experience. Continue Reading

Location: Nishi-Azabu
Address: Tokyo-to, Minato-ku, Nishi-Azabu, 4-1-1- B1
Tel: 03 5467-1188

Muse is another popular mainstay in the Tokyo club scene. The club caters to a slightly older crowd although there seems to be more younger people of late, and is popular with foreigners. It is located in trendy Nishi Azabu and has a good sized lounge/ bar area that is well separated from the B1 dance floor. There are three floors in total with more than one dance floor so you can take your pick of music. The club has all sorts of nooks and crannies and is a great place to socialize and enjoy a night out. Continue Reading

Location: Minami Aoyama
Tel: 03 5778-4777
Address:6-4-6 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Velours is a club designed for a more adult crowd and is a little more dressed up and fabulous than your normal Tokyo club. The lounge is luxurious, the food is fusion and very highly regarded. You will find a real party set here and the music is generally pumping and pretty good.

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Location:Shibuya
Tel: 03 3461-8806
Address: 2F, 3F, 2-4 Maruyama-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 150-0044

Club Harlem is pretty much the mainstay of Tokyo hip-hop. The club itself is not that attractive but it seems to get the best hip-hop DJ’s and is definitely the cred club as far as hip-hop goes. Its an easy find in Shibuya so check it out when you get a chance.

Location: Daikanyama
Tel: 03 5784-3384
Address: B1, B2 Hikawa Bldg, 2-11 Sarugaku, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Air is a night club in the trendy suburb of Daikanyama is a good place for an all night boogie. It usually plays house and progressive dance music. This club made an appearance in the movie �Lost in Translation�. This is a spacious two storey club with good separation of lounge bar and dance floor. Its a bit of a late night spot and great if you want to get down and dance. Continue Reading

Location: Roppongi
Tel: 03 5785-2531
Address: Tokyo-to, Minato-ku, Nishi-Azabu 1-7-2, Econach Nishi-Azabu Bldg

Alife is reputedly the third largest club in Tokyo. The club has three floors with a cafe on the bottom, lounge on the second and dance floor on the top. Entrace is limited to 23 and over, and the action starts to heat up around midnight. This club caters to a mainly R&B/ Hip Hop crowd, although it also has a few trance nights. Continue Reading

Location: Shibuya
Tel: 03 5459-039
Address: 2-16 Maruyama-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Womb has been a mainstay on the Shibuya Club scene for several years now. One of the largest clubs in Tokyo, there is the Obi Lounge on the first floor to relax and socialize. There is another two floors of dance floors, VIP areas, and bars. The club has a great sound system and pulls some of Tokyo’s hippest Djs. Continue Reading

Ageha Night Club
Location: Shin-Kiba station
Tel: 03 5534-2525
Address: 2-2-10 Koto-ku, Shinkiba, Tokyo. 136-0082

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Ageha is probably the biggest club in Tokyo with one dance floor that can accommodate up to 2400 patrons. Because it is large you get most of the big international acts stopping through. Continue Reading

Location: 7 mins walk from Gaien Station (Ginza line)

Aoyama Bocchi is the Aoyama Cemetary. Aoyama doori leads up to the old cemetery and is lined on both sides with beautiful old cherry blossom trees. The trees drape over the road and form a tunnel of pink blossoms. The road is long and straight so is very beautiful at this time of year. Continue Reading

Location: Inokasira Koen Station on the Inokashira Line from Shibuya. Head west through the park once you get out of the station.

Inokashira Park in Kichijouji is a lovely spot, even when the cherry blossoms aren’t blooming. At Hanami time the park is awash with thousands of merry-makers as they picnic and drink the warm spring days away under a sea of pink.
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Location: Walk North-East from Hanzomon Station (Hanzomon Line) for about 5 minutes.

Chidorigafuchi is bang in the center of Tokyo and has the cherry blossom trees hanging over the moat of the palace. The cherry blossom area extends from Hanzomon Station to Kudanshita Station and is lovely in the evening.

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Location: Walk across the bridge on the Sumida river from Asakusa Station and walk north along the river a couple of hundred meters.

Sumida Park is always bustling at cherry blossom viewing time as it is very close to the popular Sensouji and Kaminarimon attractions at Asakusa. There are cherry blossom trees which line the Sumida river on both sides. Continue Reading

Location: The gardens are a short walk from Shinjuku-gyoemmae Station on the Marunouchi Line or Sendagaya Station on the Ch??-S?bu Line.

Shinjuku Gyoen is a lovely spacious park in the South side of Shinjuku. Because there is a nominal (200¥) charge for entry the park is less crowded than many other Hanami spots and is a lovely environment to have a quiet hanami with family or on a romantic date. Its also a lovely park to have a walk around in. Continue Reading