However, some of Tokyo's sights, especially historical and natural ones, are neither outstanding nor distinguished. In fact, they are far from the finest among all the historical/natural properties of the country.

It is, therefore, highly advised to concentrate on modern attractions, eg. Shinjuku, Akihabara, Shibuya, Ginza, etc. in Tokyo, and to allocate more time in other cities to experience Japanese history, tradition and/or nature, if you're interested in them and also planning a visit to Kansai.

• Take a boat ride on the Sumida River from Asakusa.
• Lose yourself in the dazzling neon jungle outside major train stations in the evenings. Shibuya and east Shinjuku at night can make Times Square or Piccadilly Circus look rural in comparison - it has to be seen to be believed.
• Enjoy a soak in a local "sento" or public bath. Or one of the onsen theme parks such as LaQua at the Tokyo Dome (Taito) or Oedo Onsen Monogatari in Odaiba.
• Go to an amusement park such as Tokyo Disneyland or the more Japanese Sanrio Puroland (in Tama), home to more Hello Kittys than you can imagine.
• Check out the hip and young crowd at Harajuku's Takeshita-Dori (Takeshita Street) or the more grown up Omotesando.
• In the spring, take a boatride in Kichijoji's lovely Inokashira Park, and afterwards visit the Ghibli Studios Museum (well-known for their amazing movies, like Spirited Away, and Princess Mononoke), but you will need to buy tickets for these in advance at a Lawson convenience store.
• Take the Yurikamome elevated train across the bay bridge from Shimbashi station to the bayside Odaiba district, and go on the giant ferris wheel - the largest in the world until recently.
• Watch a baseball game, namely the Yomiuri Giants at the Tokyo Dome, or the Tokyo Yakult Swallows at Jingu Stadium. Nearby Chiba hosts the Chiba Lotte Marines.
• Take a stroll through the Imperial Palace's East Gardens (open to the public daily at 9am, except Fridays and Mondays).
• Have a picnic in a park during the cherry blossom (Sakura). Unfortunately Sakura only lasts for about a week.

In a city with literally tens of thousands of restaurants representing more or less every cuisine in the world, there aren't all that many uniquely Tokyo specialties, but the nigirizushi (fish pressed onto rice) known around the world around simply as "sushi" in fact originates from Tokyo. Another is monja-yaki (??????), a runny but tasty version of the Hiroshiman half-pancake, half-pizza dish okonomiyaki, which is originally from the Tsukishima area of Chuo.

• Bento.com is the premier English-language restaurant and bar guide to Tokyo and Osaka.

• Hot Pepper Available in various editions, by region, around Tokyo, this free magazine offers a guide to local restaurants in Japanese but provides pictures and maps to the restaurants. Some restaurants even offer coupons. Most restaurants within this magazine are on the mid-range to high end scale.