March: Travel Tips

photo courtesy of Fast Japan

Traveling is one of our main passions in life here at deVivre Concierge! So each month we will share the love by letting you in on some of our favorite places in the world and the most fun things to do in those places. This month...

Tokyo, Japan

With Cherry Blossom season just beginning, this is one of the most beautiful times of year to visit the weird, wacky and wonderful capital of Japan, Tokyo.

-One of the best parks to view Cherry Blossoms is Ueno Park in the cultural district of Ueno. There are several museums, shrines and a zoo located in the park, so even in other seasons, there is a lot to see and do. There are many Edo style buildings and pagodas and a couple of highlights within the park are the Tokyo National Museum and the Kan'ei-ji 5-story pagoda.

-Enjoy the people watching and crazy fashion on a weekend day in Harajuku. There are Cat Cafes, Owl Cafes, Monster Cafes, stores carrying all kinds of crazy stuff and lots of local and crazy food options. To orient yourself, head first to the H.I.S Tourist Info office opposite Harajuku Station. Also, in the area is the Espace Louis Vuitton which hosts special exhibitions. Through Sept 3rd is Dan Flavin, who is an NYC local and a fantastic gateway artist into contemporary art.

-I always like to have something a bit different and I believe the Studio Ghibli Museum fits that bill. Hayao Miyazaki's Spirited Away is one of my favorite films and if you haven't seen it I highly recommend you watch it ASAP. At the museum, you get a lot of insight into the animation process of the studio. The exhibition info is only in Japanese, but the guides all speak English, are very helpful and the space itself is magical. You must purchase tickets way in advance.

-Crossing off 2 not-to-be-missed experiences, take a bullet train for a day or overnight trip to view Mount Fuji. There are several places you can get to, but I would recommend Hakone for the easiest access. It is a resort town with many Onsen (Hot Springs) and traditional Japanese inns called Ryokans. If you're there in the Summer months and feeling adventuress, consider taking the bus from Tokyo and hiking Mt Fuji at night so you can watch the sunrise from its peak. 

Contact deVivre to help you plan your next adventure!