Bustling and beguiling -Tokyo is one of the world's biggest and most
influential cities. Here are some highlights of how to get the most out of a
short stay. Pictured here is a view of Tokyo from Japan's first Hermes
helicopter as it flies over Tokyo in the evening. [Photo: Reuters]
Start with some traditional spirituality - the Buddhist temple of Senso-ji, in
the old downtown quarter of Asakusa, has stood on the same spot for over a
thousand years. [Photo: Richard Lim]
Tokyo's world-famous electronics district, Akihabara. Value for money depends
on the exchange rate but its cutting edge technology that you're really looking
for - gadgets that the rest of the world won't get for another 12 months.
[Photo: ST, Desmond Foo]
The New York Bar at the Park Hyatt Hotel in Shinjuku. Famed for its incredible
views of the city, this is where Bill Murray met Scarlett Johansson in the
movie "Lost in Translation." [Photo: Park Hyatt Tokyo]
A scene from the movie Lost in Translation, which was shot in the New York Bar
at the Park Hyatt Hotel in Shinjuku. [Photo: Focus Features]
Tsukiji is the world's biggest wholesale fish market handling more than 700,000
tonnes of produce a year and employing over 60,000 people. Get there for the
dramatic tuna auction that starts at 5:15 a.m. [Photo: ST, Desmond Foo]
An auctioneer stands on a stool while shouting out prices as buyers make bids
and examine fresh tuna on the floor of the Tsukiji Fish Market. [Photo:
Bloomberg, Michael Caronna]
At Tsukiji, foodies might want to head to the kitchen supplies section and pick
up a knife or two from Aritsugu, who have been making prized handcrafted knives
since 1560. [Photo: Chen Jing Wen]
Visit the 54-storey Mori Tower and the Mori Art Museum on your trip to Roppongi
Hills, a futuristic urban planning concept built by the Donald Trump of Tokyo,
Minoru Mori. [Photo: Krist Boo]
Head out to the suburb of Kichijoji, where you'll find Ghibli Museum, dedicated
to Japan's premiere animation studio. Founded by director Hayao Miyazaki, known
as "the Walt Disney of Japan," the studio's recent releases include the
Oscar-winning "Spirited Away," "Princess Mononoke" and "Howl's Moving Castle."
[Photo: Ong Sor Fern]
