When you travel overseas, you generally expect the local culture to be something recognizable. But that’s not always the case in a place like Tokyo. Things happen in this city that are simply unthinkable in many other parts of the world.
Remember, Japan isn’t just about sushi and sipping on green tea. While those are two of its best exports, there are so many other strange things you can do here that you couldn’t get away with anywhere else.
But what, specifically, can you enjoy? Here’s a rundown.
Pet Owls While Enjoying Craft Beer
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when drinking craft beer? Perhaps you’re in a tent with other beer lovers at a festival, or kicking back by the pool. But that’s not what happens in Japan. Instead, you pet owls.
In Tokyo, you’ll find things called “owl cafés”.” These are essentially regular cafés, but they sell alcoholic beverages and keep a host of in-house owls to soothe and entertain guests. While people are talking all around you, you can pet one of these birds, totally transforming the experience of a regular frothy pint.
According to people who understand Japan, this concept comes from Japan’s obsession with animal vending. It’s the idea that animals just appear in all their cuteness from little boxes, and somehow just exist in the world.
Bid On Giant Tuna
Related to Japanese sushi eating, you can bid on giant tuna in many Tokyo markets. These events are often frenzied, with dozens of buyers all crowding around for a chance at getting the best possible deal.
What’s more, a lot of the merchants will actually cut through the fish right in front of you to prove the quality. Many carve under spotlights to see what they’re doing, producing sushi-ready fillets by the kilo for you to take home and prepare at your leisure.
Of course, any fish you buy here is almost certain to be the highest quality.
Dine In A Private Cubicle
How many restaurants can you go to in the West where you can dine in your very own private cubicle? Probably less than a dozen in North America and Europe (if there are any at all). For many of us, dining is a social event, and we want to do it with other people.
However, that’s not the case for the denizens of Tokyo. Almost everywhere you go, you’ll find sushi and noodle restaurants with private cabins where you can eat alone. It’s often an inspiring experience.
What’s more, it’s completely normal in Japanese culture. You’ll see everyone doing it, from single moms to busy businesspeople, all grabbing a quick bowl of something before darting off on their next errand.
Furthermore, if you are an introvert, it’s a dream come true. You can finally enjoy your food without having to engage in some sort of conversation.
Look For Vintage Anime
Another thing you can do in Tokyo that’s hard to do anywhere else is searching for vintage amine. But where should you go to scratch this itch? If you pick up any Tokyo travel guide, it’ll recommend Nakano Broadway as the best place to do this. Here, you’ll find all sorts of old stalls manned by old-timers, like an antiques market.
What you’ll discover here is often quite astounding. The Japanese tend to be very good at holding onto things, so if you’re looking for 1980s Godzilla figurines in perfect condition, you are actually quite likely to find them. You’ll also find memorabilia from Japanese pop culture over the last century, with some items dating back to the days of the emperor.
Go To An Immersive Digital Art Gallery
Tokyo was the most futuristic city in the world toward the end of the 20th century. The West marvelled at Japanese robots and electronics, wondering whether there was anything the country couldn’t do.
That’s taken a bit of a backseat since the rise of Silicon Valley. However, the cultural vestiges remain. And nowhere is that clearer than in the many digital art galleries dotted all over the city. These are immersive experiences where you get to physically experience the art itself. Typical exhibits include things like floating on water with flowers or rolling light-up orbs that respond to your touch.
The only thing that might have come close to an experience like this in the West is London’s Millennium Dome when it first opened. Other than that, Tokyo and Japan stand alone.
Eat An Omelet While Maids Cast Spells On You
Eating an omelet is something you can do in most parts of the world with minimal fuss. But if you try to do it in Tokyo, there’s a chance that there will be maids surrounding you, trying to cast spells on you.
Yes, that’s right. Magic and eggs really can go together.
If you want this experience, go to one of Akihabara’s maid cafés. These turn the dining experience into a kind of live theatre. Maids dance around in frilly aprons and say cheers as you eat, essentially blessing your food (or purifying it if you prefer).
Japan experts call it “otaku” culture. It’s all part of the country’s awkward but cute culture. But once you try it, you’ll want to keep coming back for more.
Watch Sumo At Dawn
Of course, if you’re in Japan, you’ll want to go and watch a sumo wrestling match at some point. That’s something that’s quite standard among tourists visiting the country. However, if you want a more intimate experience, it’s well worth checking out Arashiyama Beach. Here, you’ll sometimes see sumo wrestlers practicing for competition in the early dawn hours. You might also see a massive rikishi charge if you’re lucky, where athletes literally slam into each other.
Pee In A Transparent Toilet
Finally, how about peeing in a transparent toilet with a view? That’s what you can do in Shibuya’s Naboo Park. The restroom is translucent when unlocked, but transparent when locked. So it goes without saying: don’t forget to lock it.
