For many people, just one trip to a metropolis is quite not enough. Being an international student provides you the freedom of a tourist but the more real experience of a resident, and studying abroad enables you a whole year to fully immerse yourself in the local lifestyle. Here are some things you should know before visiting Tokyo if you're debating whether it would be the ideal place for your new life as an international student.
Tokyo can be the ideal city for you to live in if you enjoy the idea of being in a large, energetic metropolis. Tokyo offers a variety of museums, stores, parks, and cultural venues to explore, making life as an international student there fascinating and eye-opening. There are many chances to meet people from all over the world because there is a sizable population of foreign students and expat families. Additionally, you'll feel safe every day, especially at night, in Japan because of its low crime rate.
Japanese culture is known for its inventiveness and politeness. Attending college in Tokyo will provide you the chance to live in one of the most technologically sophisticated cities in the world while also benefiting from the extraordinary friendliness of the people there.
It's safe to say that there will always be people to meet and activities to do with more than 13 million people residing in the broader metropolis. Tokyo is home to tens of thousands of eateries, as well as a wide variety of celebrations of its rich history and culture in many museums, parks, temples, shrines, and other locations.
Exploring Tokyo as an international student can be an incredibly enriching experience. The city offers a perfect blend of traditional culture and modern innovation. Here are ten things you should definitely explore:
Witness the famous Shibuya Crossing, one of the busiest pedestrian intersections in the world. Don't forget to visit the Hachiko Statue nearby, a symbol of loyalty and devotion.
The modest Hachiko Statue at Shibuya Scramble Crossing might not seem all that spectacular at first. You can only fully understand its significance after hearing the story of the actual dog. This Akita dog would commute to Shibuya Station in the 1920s to wait for his owner to return from work. His owner went missing one day after leaving for work due to a deadly brain hemorrhage. Hachiko, however, persisted in going to the same location to wait for his owner every day for the following nine years, despite this.
The statue in his honor serves as an appropriate gathering place for city people, and the dog has now come to represent steadfast loyalty across the country.
While the blossoms are in bloom, the Japanese get together for food, drink, singing, and companionship as part of the cherry blossom festival, a celebration of nature's beauty throughout all of Japan. Festivals take place anywhere from January to June, depending on the location, majorly it occur between March and April. This is because the cherry blossom tree blooms for a relatively limited time, and the length of flowering varies from year to year due to variations in the weather. There are many lovely blooms to select from, ranging from white to pink, as there are over 200 distinct species of cherry blossom trees in Japan.
The blossoming of cherry blossom trees represents human life, ephemerality, and nobleness to many Japanese people. Hanami celebrations, often known as "flower watching" gatherings, are very popular among the Japanese people who love to enjoy and adore the cherry blossom trees throughout their brief blossoming season. In order to really appreciate the splendor of the sakura and participate in a hanami party, you must visit Japan in the spring.
Shibuya is the hub of young culture in Japan if not the entire globe. fusing contemporary styles with great eating, high-end clothing, and a wide range of evening entertainment alternatives. It's a great place to explore after dark. Enjoy the street cuisine and the many different types of entertainment while being surrounded by infinite high rises and moving crowds. Visit one of the numerous karaoke bars. Sit down in a local pub for a dram of local whiskey.
As the birthplace of sumo wrestling, Tokyo, Japan's Ryogoku Kokugikan is a notable cultural site. There are more than 11,000 seats available at the arena, which is located in Sumida's Ryogoku neighborhood. Sumo competitions have been held at the location since 1909, and it has grown to be an important element of Japanese culture.
Tourists at Ryogoku Kokugikan may get a close-up look at the thrill of sumo wrestling. Each of the six sumo tournaments held at the arena annually lasts 15 days and draws tens of thousands of people from all over the world. Tickets for the tournaments, which take place in January, March, May, July, September, and November, can be bought online in advance or at the door.
Tokyo Disneyland delivers a timeless and nostalgic Disney experience that brings you back to the magic of the classic Disneyland in California. With its recognizable Cinderella Castle and the World Bazaar, which is the park's version of Main Street in the United States and is lined with antique stores and restaurants, it emits a sense of familiarity.
Disneyland is a popular vacation spot for both families and Disney aficionados because of its concept, which is based on the eternal charm of Disney. A sense of childish delight permeates the whole park as a result of the atmosphere's abundance of pleasure and surprise.
The immersive environment that Tokyo DisneySea offers is more suited to adults. Your opportunity to go on excursions and explore the ocean's wonders is provided by the park's overall theme of marine exploration.
The spectacular buildings and structures of Tokyo DisneySea, which transport you to many locations throughout the world, also exhibit amazing design attention to detail. Every themed region, including the Mediterranean Harbor and the Arabian Coast, is distinguished by beautiful architecture, intricate narrative, and a more upscale atmosphere.
Want to take a stroll around a Japanese garden? Visit Shinjuku Gyoen to get that and more. The 144-acre park contains French Formal and English Landscape gardens in addition to native, traditional gardens; each is worth the nominal admission price. Landmarks, like the Taiwan Pavilion sitting over a peaceful pond, are breathtaking and difficult to forget. After World War II, it changed from being an imperial garden to a national garden, so you can be sure that this priceless area is always kept in pristine condition.
If you visit these gardens in March or April, you'll understand why they're among the best in Tokyo for seeing cherry blossoms. In the Japanese Traditional Garden, walkways meander around ponds, over bridges, and through quaint tea establishments. A well-kept lawn provides a beautiful setting for a picnic (convenient, too, given bento boxes and other snacks can be bought in Shinjuku before entering).
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