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A country of fascinating traditions and incredible culture, as well as breathtaking natural beauty, there is so much to see and do in Japan. One way to explore more of Japan’s many wonders is by visiting two different destinations during a single trip, as I recently did when I spent a few days in Tokyo before flying to the island of Okinawa.

In Tokyo, I discovered how the traditions of Japan’s Edo period still thrive alongside cutting-edge modern contemporary art and culture. Then, over a few days in Okinawa, I learnt about the many aspects of the island’s rich Ryukyu heritage and history. I also got to see some of its stunning natural beauty and sample plenty of sensational traditional Okinawan food.

How to Travel Between Okinawa and Tokyo

It’s never been easier to plan a trip to Japan that combines several days in Tokyo with a visit to Okinawa. There are dozens of daily flights between Tokyo’s Haneda Airport and Naha, the capital of Okinawa Prefecture. The flight time is a little under three hours, around the same amount of time it takes to travel from Tokyo to Kyoto by bullet train.

Day 1 – Exploring the Old and the New in Tokyo

My trip began with a few days in Tokyo, a city of constant change where you can still enjoy so many of Japan’s age-old traditions.

Admiring World-Famous Woodblock Prints at the Sumida Hokusai Museum

I started my trip in Tokyo in the east of the city at the Sumida Hokusai Museum (すみだ北斎美術館). Dedicated to one of Japan’s famous ukiyo-e artists, Katsushika Hokusai, the museum is located in Ryogoku, the area where Hokusai spent most of his life.

The first thing to notice on arriving at the Sumida Hokusai Museum is the building’s stunning architecture. Designed by the renowned Japanese architect Kazuyo Sejima, the inventive and modern design resembles a shiny distorted cube. Slits in the building’s design form the entrance to the building, with sunlight sparkling off the museum’s silver panels.

Inside, the Sumida Hokusai Museum holds a permanent collection of many of Hokusai’s most famous works, including Under the Wave Off Kanagawa and A Mild Breeze on a Fine Day. Hokusai’s original woodblock prints are far too delicate to exhibit, so the museum’s permanent collection features exact digital reproductions of the artist’s works.

The permanent exhibition also documents Hokusai’s long and eventful life as well as his prolific career. Touch screens reveal the meanings behind many of Hokusai’s works, and also allow a closer look at some of the finer details of his drawings, paintings and prints.

As well as the permanent collection, the museum also holds themed special exhibitions of original prints of Hokusai’s works several times a year. Recent special exhibitions have displayed works by Hokusai and his students based on several recurring themes, including mountains, birds, and the subject of laughter.

Stunning Sensoji – Tokyo’s Oldest Temple

Next, I made my way to the area of Asakusa to visit Sensoji Temple (浅草寺). Sensoji Temple was originally built in 628 to house a statue of Buddha that two brothers discovered while fishing in the nearby Sumida River. Today, Sensoji Temple consists of several grand buildings and gates and is the oldest and most famous temple in Tokyo.

At the entrance of Sensoji Temple is one of Tokyo’s most famous landmarks, the imposing Kaminarimon Gate. The giant gate houses two statues of the God of Thunder and the God of Wind, who stand either side of a giant red lantern that is just under 4 meters tall.

Souvenir Shopping on Nakamise-Dori

Between Kaminarimon Gate and the rest of Sensoji Temple’s buildings is Nakamise-dori (仲見世商店街), a vibrant shopping street about 250 meters long lined with dozens of stalls that sell a variety of souvenirs and street snacks.

Nakamise-dori has its roots in Japan’s Edo period, originally dating from the 17th century. Today, Nakamise-dori is a great place to pick up a few mementos from your trip. As I made my way along Nakamise-dori I soon noticed the enticing smell of freshly made traditional Japanese snacks. Sweet cakes filled with red bean paste called Ningyoyaki and savory crackers called senbei are two must-try local specialities.

Exploring the Heart of Sensoji Temple

Behind Nakamise-dori are the majority of the buildings that make up Sensoji Temple. Despite its long history, the majority of Sensoji’s buildings were destroyed by fire and rebuilt many times over the centuries, most recently after the Second World War.

At the end of Nakamise-dori is Sensoji’s second imposing gate, Hozomon Gate, which stands next to an elegant five-storied pagoda and in front of Sensoji Temple’s giant main hall. Just like Kaminarimon Gate, Hozomon Gate also features two grand statues of the gods of thunder and wind, as well as its own enormous red lantern.

Sensoji Temple’s main hall houses a stunning statue of Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy, to which many visitors offer their prayers. Just in front of the main hall stands a large incense burner. As well as producing a wonderful aroma, according to ancient Japanese myth it was believed that waving the smoke of the burning incense towards your body could heal aches and pains. Today, it is common to see younger people try to pass the scent over their heads in order to give them the wisdom to pass exams.

A Tempura Lunch at Aoi Marushin

After such a busy morning I’d built up quite a hunger. There’s a huge selection of restaurants and izakayas to be found in the bustling network of streets around Sensoji Temple. Looking for traditional and seasonal cuisine I made my way to Aoi Marushin (葵丸進), a popular restaurant just a few minutes walk from Sensoji’s Kaminarimon Gate.

Aoi Marushin specializes in tempura, a dish consisting of fish, seafood and vegetables which are coated in a crispy batter before being deep fried. I decided to go for the house special of tendon, a delicious and very filling bowl of assorted seasoned tempura topped with sauce and served on top of a generous serving of rice.

Walking the Charming Streets of Yanaka

After lunch I made my way to Yanaka, a historic area of Tokyo that still retains an atmosphere of a bygone age. This is most evident on Yanaka Ginza (谷中銀座), the narrow shopping street that cuts through the center of the area. All along Yanaka Ginza are dozens of shops that sell all manner of traditional Japanese crafts and clothes, such as vintage kokeshi dolls and beautiful second hand kimonos.

Yanaka Ginza is also a great place to feast on street food snacks. Here you’ll find long-established stores and delicatessens that offer a huge selection of typical Japanese snacks, from senbei crackers, tempura, deep-fried croquettes, and even grilled oysters.

At the far end of Yanaka Ginza is the area’s most famous landmark, Yuyake Dandan (夕やけだんだん). Yuyake Dandan is a short staircase which offers wonderful views of the area, particularly in the late afternoon as the sun begins to set.

Sensational Night Views of Tokyo from SHIBUYA SKY

With the evening starting to draw in and darkness beginning to fall I made my way to Shibuya, the beating heart of Tokyo. There’s no better way to see the magnitude of the city than from an elevated viewpoint, and the SHIBUYA SKY (渋谷スカイ) observation area offers some of the finest views of Tokyo from right in the center of the city.

SHIBUYA SKY’s observation area sits on the top floor and the roof of the SHIBUYA SCRAMBLE SQUARE (渋谷スクランブルスクエア) skyscraper. On the 46th floor is the indoor SKY GALLERY, a relaxing area to wander and admire the completely unobstructed view of the city and far beyond. On the roof is the SKY STAGE, an open air sky deck at a height of 229 meters from street level.

After dark, the dazzling lights of the Tokyo skyline stretch out as far as the eye can see. Among the panoramic city views are illuminated landmarks, such as the Tokyo Skytree and the Tokyo Tower, as well as a birdseye view of the famous Shibuya Scramble crossing.

Check in at the La Vista Tokyo Bay

That night I checked into the La Vista Tokyo Bay Hotel, perfectly located for exploring the first stops of the next day’s itinerary. The hotel is renowned for its choice of hot springs, where you can relax in the soothing mineral baths whilst enjoying wonderful views of Tokyo Bay.

The La Vista Tokyo Bay’s spacious and contemporary rooms have wonderful views of the Rainbow Bridge, another of Tokyo’s most famous landmarks. If you’re hungry there are also plenty of dining options. The in-house restaurant serves multi course meals of high quality Western cuisine, while Tokinoniwa specializes in Japanese dishes with ingredients sourced from the nearby Toyosu fish Market.

Day Two in Tokyo – An Early Start at Toyosu Market

Early the next morning I took the short walk from the hotel to Toyosu Market (豊洲市場). Toyosu Market is a wholesale market that was built to replace the aging Tsukiji Inner Market in 2018. The market supplies restaurants, fishmongers and grocers all over Tokyo and Japan with fresh seafood, vegetables and fruit.

This purpose-built facility is made up of three buildings. Two buildings are dedicated to wholesalers that specialize in fish and seafood, while the third is made up of vendors selling fruit and vegetables. The new market buildings allow visitors to see the famous tuna auctions, as well as the hubbub of market activity from dedicated viewing platforms.

A Classic Breakfast at Senriken

I arrived at Toyosu Market early in the morning, though sadly not early enough to see the famous tuna auctions that begin at 5.30am. In need of a spot of breakfast and caffeine before taking a look at the rest of the market, I stopped in at Senriken, a cozy cafe on the the 3rd floor of the market’s Fisheries Intermediate Wholesale Market Building.

Senriken’s modern interior belies its long history. The cafe is owned and operated by the grandson of its founder, who first opened a cafe near Tokyo’s first fish market in Nihombashi in 1914. After the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1926, the fish market – and the cafe – moved to Tsukiji near Tokyo Bay. In 2018, Senriken, along with most of the restaurants formerly based in Tsukiji, relocated to the new market in Toyosu.

Having opened at 5.00am, Senriken’s friendly staff catered to a clientele of well-known regulars and visiting tourists. Senriken’s special breakfast set of buttered toast, cream stew served with a soft boiled egg, a side salad and milk tea was the perfect start to the day.

Taking a Peek into Toyosu’s Fish Market

After breakfast I visited the viewing platforms to take a look at the wide range of fish and seafood the market traders had for sale.

Visitors are able to watch the action and see the huge array of fresh seafood and fish that’s available from dedicated viewing windows from the floor above the market floor.

A Taste of Toyosu at Daiwa Sushi

The best place to sample Toyosu Market’s incredible seafood is by visiting one of the many restaurants that are located within the market. There’s a huge range of dining options at Toyosu Market, and one of the most popular is Daiwa Sushi, a small but very welcoming restaurant located inside the Toyosu’s fruit and vegetable market.

At Daiwa Sushi diners are served freshly made sushi by the chef whilst seated at the counter. I’m always able to find room for sushi so I opted for the omakase course – seven delicious servings of freshly prepared nigiri sushi and maki rolls of the chef’s choice.

The sushi is made from the freshest fish and seafood, which is sourced every single morning from Toyosu Market. Each serving of the omakase course is a feast for the eyes as well as the taste buds, and included plates of sumptuous sushi made of tuna, squid, sea urchin, shrimp, sea bream and ocean eel.

Sensory Overload at teamLab Planets TOKYO

Following lunch I was excited to visit teamLab Planets TOKYO, just a ten minute walk from Toyosu Market. One of the most popular attractions in Tokyo, teamLab Planets is a fully immersive modern art exhibition that uses light, color, water, art projections and more in a number of incredibly playful and inventive ways to overwhelm the senses.

Each room in the Teamlab Planets Tokyo exhibition features a different and totally unique experience that needs to be seen to be believed. The Infinite Crystal Universe features thousands of tiny glittering LED lights that hang from the ceiling reflecting off mirrored walls and floors. The Floating Flower Garden features about 14,000 live orchids floating in the air.

The immersive aspect of teamLab Planets is taken to another level in the exhibition’s water art, where colorful koi carp and flowers are projected onto a pool of knee-deep water. A total sensory overload, teamLab Planets TOKYO is an unforgettable experience.

Visiting TOKYO NODE at Tokyo’s Latest Landmark Tower

From teamLab Planets TOKYO I traveled into Tokyo’s global business district of Toranomon to visit the area’s newest landmark tower. Toranomon Hills Station Tower is a 49 floor skyscraper that opened in October 2023. The tower has direct access to Toranomon Hills metro station, and includes plenty of retail and dining options on the lower basement floors. The tower is also home to TOKYO NODE, a mix of gallery spaces, event halls, restaurants and a rooftop pool.

The entrance to TOKYO NODE is on the tower’s eighth floor. Here, alongside a chic yet relaxed cafe, is the TOKYO NODE LAB, a shared creative and state of the art volumetric video studio where companies can collaborate on a variety of projects. On the 45th floor is TOKYO NODE’s arrival hall and three gallery spaces, which host a series of ambitious exhibitions throughout the year. On the very top floor are two restaurants, apothéose and KEI Collection PARIS, both of which are run by Michelin-starred chefs. Both restaurants also open out onto the tower’s Sky Garden and outdoor infinity pool. At 250 meters above ground level, this is the highest rooftop pool in Japan.

A Kaiseki Feast at Miyuki

In the evening I enjoyed a wonderful Japanese kaiseki meal at Miyuki, just one of the restaurants at the Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo. Traditional kaiseki cuisine consists of multiple courses of beautifully prepared and presented small plates of food. This style of dining began in Japan several centuries ago, with the emphasis on its presentation, elevating the experience to an art form as much as a meal.

Each course of kaiseki cuisine is cooked in a different way. At Miyuki, delicious plates of grilled yellowtail fish, simmered taro and sea urchin and deep fried shrimp and vegetables are served alongside sashimi, soup and rice.

After the meal I took a stroll through the Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo’s spectacular gardens. A popular venue for weddings and banquets, at night the hotel’s garden hosts a stunning forest aurora light show and Tokyo sea of clouds performance(※until 7th of February) that augments the traditional Japanese garden, complete with its own three-story pagoda. Only hotel guests and those with restaurant reservations can access the garden.

Day 3 – An Easy Flight from Tokyo to Okinawa

The next morning I took a 3 hour flight from Tokyo’s Haneda Airport to Naha, the capital city of Okinawa Prefecture. Over the course of the next few days I learnt about many of Okinawa’s ancient traditions and the legacy of the region’s Ryukyu Dynasty.

In the Seat of Ryukyu Kings at Shikinaen Royal Garden

My first stop in Okinawa is Shikinaen Royal Garden (識名園), one of nine sites across Okinawa that were collectively awarded World Heritage status by UNESCO in 2000. The sites were granted World Heritage status due to either their cultural or natural importance.

Modern-day Okinawa was once the Ryukyu Kingdom, an independent nation until the islands became a part of Japan in 1879. Shikinaen Royal Garden was built in the 18th century as a second residence for the Ryukyu kings. The house and grounds also hosted high-ranking dignitaries from China who visited the Ryukyu Kingdom in 1800. Shikinaen wa