Whether you order the cocktail you’ve been eyeing up at the bar all week or you head to one of Tokyo’s many Michelin Star restaurants, you should throw away the budget for just one day and treat yourself. Here are five exclusive experiences in the heart of Tokyo to add to your bucket list.
Grappling Tokyo – Palace Hotel Tokyo
If you’re a fan of Japan’s most famous sport, sumo, then this package will leave you grabbing for your wallet. There are sumo tournaments held throughout the year in Tokyo, giving visitors to the country the opportunity to watch the sport from ringside seats. But if you’re looking for that exclusive edge, Palace Hotel Tokyo’s Grappling Tokyo Tournament Season package more than delivers. You’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a guided stadium tour in the company of a sumo sports writer and announcer, behind-the-scenes access to a sumo stable, and a lunch shared with the wrestlers. People the world over are familiar with this ancient sport, but how many people can say they got so up close and personal with it? This is an absolute must for the sumo fanatic or the lover of unique cultural experiences. The package includes two nights accommodation at this unique luxury hotel in Marunouchi.
Dine at Tokyo SkyTree
Whilst you won’t be dining at Tokyo Skytree alone, this is an experience not to be missed for bragging rights alone. At 634 metres, Tokyo Sky Tree is the tallest tower in the world, giving you a view to match your dining experience. It’s fine dining, so you can expect to pay a little more than you would back on the ground, but the food really does sing. The cuisine is French-meets-Japanese in style and a complete taste explosion in flavour. Reservations are an absolute must here as it is a popular haunt for many who choose to end their stay in Tokyo with a special meal. The staff speak English and are incredibly accommodating when it comes to dietary requirements (which can sometimes be an issue in Japan for some visitors).
Cook Tempura with a Culinary Master
Exclusive culinary experiences can be hard to come by. It’s true that you could join an Asian cooking class back home, but you are in the home of tempura, where cooking this meal is the real deal. You can learn to make this crisp, delicious fare in one of Tokyo’s oldest tempura restaurants before chowing down on your creation. You’ll be guided by an expert chef who will give you the tools you need to recreate this mouth-watering dish back home.
Tour Tsukiji Fish Market
The largest market of its kind in the world, this is where sushi fanatics come to learn the tricks behind their favourite dishes. Whilst this endless maze of stalls jam-packed with different types of fish, eel and crustaceans might seem pretty daunting to the lone tourist, a professional, English-speaking translator can turn the confusion into hours of fascinating fun. This is home to the finest, freshest sushi in the world and your exclusive once-in-a-lifetime experience will give you the inside scoop on the goings on of this bustling market.
Fly High at Night
Take to the skies above one of the world’s most brightly lit metropolises for an experience you’ll never forget. It’s one thing to wind through the colourfully lit streets while soaking up the glow of the neon lights on foot, but hiring one of those big birds in the sky will give you the ultimate view of what is undoubtedly one of the world’s most spectacular skylines. You can take a helicopter cruise at any time of day, but when the sun sets is when Tokyo comes alive. You’ll be able to spot all the city’s major landmarks from up above the sparkle of city lights from the comfort of your private ride, minus all the shoulder-barging and toe-treading.