Things to do in Japan

Stepping into Tokyo’s digital age

Wade knee deep through digital water. It’s surprisingly relaxing…

By Michiyo Seko

Tokyo Guide

Digital art at teamLab planets, Tokyo

Visiting the capital’s bay area is like seeing a miniature model of Tokyo where anything goes. Forget the traditional time warps of Kyoto and Hiroshima, this experience highlights futuristic Japan and its constantly changing landscapes.

We start at teamLab Planets, a museum where you can completely immerse yourself into the world of art created with digital technology. Guests can wander through four exhibition spaces filled with installations and two ‘gardens’ interacting with the artwork. Wade knee deep through digital water with holographic koi swimming on the surface, or lie on the floor beneath a canopy of 13,000 epiphytic orchids. It’s surprisingly relaxing. People have even said it relieves them of their jetlag!

Riding the futuristic Yurikamome Line to your next stop is a fun way of getting from A to B. The train is essentially driverless and feels closer to sitting on a slow-moving rollercoaster than an actual train. The views of the Tokyo skyline as you cross the 800m Rainbow Bridge are wonderful. You can also see the scatter of green islands beneath, originally built as fortresses in the 19^th century.

At the Museum of Emerging Science, the boundary between artificial intelligence and reality is blurred. You can meet moving and talking robots and learn more about our universe in a 3D theatre. If you’re an anime fan, we head to the Akihabara district to see otaku ‘geek’ culture in abundance with figurines, manga and all the merchandise you could think of as well as many themed cafés, in one of which we’ll take repose.

During this experience there’s no doubt you’ll get to see something completely new.

Alfred & Michiyo Seko

Michiyo started guiding international guests in 2014 and has since guided diverse clients around major Japanese landmarks. She is passionate about exploring her home country, highlighting its diversity from the lush nature surrounding her home south of Tokyo to the city’s futuristic features. Beyond central Tokyo, she can accompany guests to hidden gems such as museums, hiking trails and onsens (hot spring resorts).

Plan your holiday withAlfred&

Your journey will start with one of our UK team – someone like Richard, who's travelled extensively in Japan. They’ll shape your ideas into the trip of a lifetime. But they won't do it alone. They'll draw on the expertise of our contacts on the ground, connecting you to the people who'll make your holiday one you'll always remember - the tea devotee who'll introduce you to the ceremony surrounding Japan's national drink, the noodle guru who'll teach you how to make the perfect bowl of soba and the ryokan owner who'll tutor you in the relaxing art of the onsen.

Richard Pearson

Travel Expert for Alfred&

The term ‘well-travelled’ is an understatement when describing Richard. They've been swept up in the cultural portals of Japan and China and fallen in love with Vietnam’s historical melting pot and romantic karsts of Halong Bay. Their mantra is ‘expect the unexpected,’ which is why they find India so attractive; its manic city streets, stunning yet seldom-visited temples and off-road safaris in the wildest tiger reserves.
Takeaki Shibuya

Experience coordinator for Destination Asia, Alfred&'s partners in Japan

After 14 years of experience travelling in more than 70 countries as a tour conductor and planner, Takeaki has come home to Japan, which he truly believes is the most unique place in the world to explore. His unusual experiences are a source of creation which draws out the esoteric and the hidden of Japan.
Ms Makishima

Nakai-san at Gion Yoshi-Ima

A long-time employee at Gion Yoshi-Ima and resident of Kyoto, Ms Makishima embodies the Japanese spirit of hospitality: a welcoming character, dedication to her work, and joy in the everyday. Care and devotion is given to her guests and she is always on hand to attend to needs or offer advice to adventurous travellers.
Fabien Fleury

Wine educator, oenophile and guide

Tokyo-based Fabien was born in Saintes, near Cognac, in the south-west of France. As a boy, he used to help his grandfather take care of his vineyard, which instilled in him a love of the whole process of wine-making. Fabien has been giving tasting seminars to wine lovers between Europe and Japan for 10 years and enjoys sharing his expertise on tours of Japan’s wine-making Yamanashi area outside Tokyo.
Ms Akira

Member of the hospitality team at Oyado Koto no Yume

Ms Akira is part of the hospitality team at Koto no Yume, a ryokan in the traditional town of Takayama. Living in a city steeped in culture, she enjoys helping guests to get to know a little more of the traditional arts and crafts, as well as the beautiful sites of Takayama.
Satoshi Inuki

Japanese literature enthusiast & one of Alfred&’s guides in Japan

Satoshi is originally from a small town in Hyogo prefecture. In his early 20s he lived in Edinburgh where he met many people from all over the world who asked him questions about Japan. This prompted him to study more about his own country’s culture, history and traditions. He moved to Kyoto around 10 years ago and became a licensed guide in 2011, since when he has come to know every inch of both his new home town and destinations such as Hiroshima, Okayama and Naoshima to the west.