12 Things We're Looking Forward To In Tokyo, Japan

Last updated on 6 August 2024

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If you missed my last Japan post, you can read it here. Long story short, 3 friends and I are off to Tokyo for a week in October and we couldn’t be more excited. In impatient anticipation of this exciting adventure we’re going to have, we thought we’d gather together 12 things that we’re looking forward to in Tokyo. Note none of us have been there before, so it’s new to all of us, so if you have things that you think are a must do while in Tokyo, do let us know! We’d love to add to our ever growing list! Here’s 3 things each that we’re looking forward to:

Anjali

1. Culture

I love Japanese culture. When I was growing up we used to have Japanese exchange students come and live with us while they were studying English at the University. They were always so lovely and always shared their culture and their customs with us. I’m really looking forward to actually being in Japan, after all these things I’ve heard and seen through these students.

2. Okonomiyaki

Hello okonomiyaki! Having Japanese students also meant that they used to cook for us, and okonomiyaki (like a savoury pancake) was one of the things we got most often. But I love it, and I’m so looking forward to trying a lot of different ones.

3. Stationery

I know this might be a silly thing to look forward to but hello stationery! I loved it when our Japanese students brought us stationery – notebooks, origami paper, pens and pencils with Japanese-English on them – so I’m thinking that I will need an entire second bag to bring home a whole bunch of stationery. Eep!

Nikki

1. Ueno Zoo and Gardens

We are definitely zoo-people, so heading to the Ueno Zoo would be awesome. The gardens around Tokyo look beautiful, and I’m looking forward to exploring them.

2. Tokyo Tower
My dream city to go to is Paris. I’ve wanted to go for so many years, and one day I will. But the Tokyo Tower is a very similar shape to the Eiffel Tower, so while it’s definitely not the same, it’ll be really neat to see that while we’re there.

3. Tokyo Sky Tree

The tallest building we have in New Zealand is the Auckland Sky Tower, standing at 328 m, which is tall…but not that tall in comparison to other giant buildings around the world. The Tokyo Tower stands at 634 m, which is hard to comprehend. Definitely looking forward to seeing that.

Jess

1. Ninja school

Because who hasn’t ever secretly thought that it would be awesome to be a ninja?

2. Vending machines

Apparently around every corner and street there are vending machines selling everything from snacks to floral arrangements to umbrellas to coffee drinks endorsed by Tommy Lee Jones. Vending machines here in NZ are for snacks like chocolate and chips, or cold drinks. That’s it.

3. Cute shopping

…because it’s cute, and from what I’ve seen the whole country will be filled with cute things. There are a small selection of shops here that do that sort of kawaii bits and pieces but to have entire suburbs like that is something I’m really looking forward to seeing.

Roz

1. FOOD!

I love food and that is one of my favourite things to do when ever I travel. I spend endless hours sitting in local cafes and restaurants trying anything new! You can learn so much about a country from the way they serve, present and cook their food, so I believe spending money on local food, drink and produce is never wasted!
2. Mt Fuji

The four of us are taking a day trip to Mt Fuji! I am very excited about this as it will be the perfect way for us to see a highly significant cultural icon with out having to travel too far away from Tokyo. As well as being in a beautiful national park, scattered around are various traditional Japanese buildings and temples!

3. Travelling with my best friends

Jess has been one of my best friends since I was three years old, and Anjali and Nikki since I was thirteen so I could not think of any other people in the world I want to travel with! Due to all our crazy work schedules, we can only visit Japan for seven days, but I have been told by many people that have travelled there that we will desperately want to visit again!

So there we have it! 12 things that we’re looking forward to in Tokyo. We tried to get 12 different things, although we are all definitely excited for more than just the three things we’ve listed. Like I said before, do let us know any tips and/or hints about heading to Tokyo, or any places that we must check out.