This Week in Tokyo – 25 September 2018

The latest edition of This Week in Tokyo – a review of the Maction Planet week that was and a look ahead to what’s coming up in and beyond the city. Check out photos from our tours and read insights into our explorations as we get under the skin of the World’s Greatest Metropolis. Mac, Founder and Lead Guide of Maction Planet, talks us through his favourite shots. This week: Yakatabune on Tokyo Bay, Clean and Soba, Tokyo Tower of Power, Pandas do Pachinko and the Venice of the East! 

Featured image – Yakatabune on Tokyo Bay: Yakatabune are believed to have originated amongst 8th century aristocracy. They reached the height of their popularity during the 1700s when it is said  there were gold and silver decorated boats ploughing their way up and down the Sumida River. Key details such as the miyoshi (upward-protruding bow), unique to Japanese ships, lanterns, and tatami mats are key elements of the yakatabune experience. I snapped this shot out of the window of a boat I was on with my guests as we enjoyed a truly traditional experience on the waters of Tokyo Bay.

Clean and Soba: Timeless shops, like Shinetsu Soba in Gaiemmae keep the World’s Greatest Metropolis fueled, satiated and ready to keep driving. As we like to say at Maction Planet, “We continue”…

(Tokyo) Tower of Power:  Yayu Wang lead another Maction Planet Tokyo Night Photography Tour and our guests captured the International Orange of the Tokyo Tower spectacularly. This photo was taken by by Sarah, one of the participants on the tour, and she kindly agreed to let us share her photo with everyone on This Week in Tokyo. Check out more info on our Photogrpahy Tours here and email us on info@mactionplanet.com to book yours!

Pandas do Pachinko: No, this is not Ueno, Tokyo’s veritable Panda Town. This is Yurakucho, outside the UNO Pachinko and Slot Parlour. Who wouldn’t be tempted to wager a ¥1000 note or two after being waved in by this loveable twosome?

And finally… the Venice of the East: Tokyo may well have deserved that title in the past with its rivers and canals, many of which have now disappeared. Staking some claim to the moniker is Venus Fort Odaiba, with its artificial sky and Venetian interior.

Maction Planet runs bespoke Tokyo Private Tours and Experiences. To book yours, contact us on info@mactionplanet.com