Yakata boat – water bus
In Edo period, the Sumida river was crucial to survival. Now, with modern transportation it has lost its importance for the purposes of commerce. It does however, offer a different perspective on Tokyo’s skyline and makes for a good tourist attraction. You can take the water bus from Hama Rikkyu Palace Garden to Asakusa. It is a nice trip, passing under several bridges and providing some lovely views of the city and the cherry blossoms along the canal edge during Spring season. Boats travel in both directions, so you can plan your day to suit your own itinerary.
Sumo match
Watch Rikishi try to toss each other out of the dohyō while wearing nothing but a tiny mawashi, all in an effort to be awarded the prestigious title of yokozuna! Japan has just six Grand Sumo tournaments per year, three of which are held in the Sumo Hall in Ryōgoku, Tokyo (January, May, and September). Before entering the sumo arena, you can stopped at the small food vendors at the gate of the area to get “sake” and some bento boxes of Japanese food. There are Western-style box seats with backs and arm rest in the lower level of the Sumo Hall.
Welcome to the hell-pool in Beppu
The word “jigoku” means “burning hell”. The name is taken from the ancient Buddist sutras. There are nine natural hot spring sites you can visit and most in relative walking distance of each other. In 2.5 hours, you will be able to see 9 of the hell pools. You can finish in time to have a bowl of Dando-jiru (local soup) before heading to other visitation places. The “hell” tour (JIGOKU MEGURI) is really something you should do if you make it down to Beppu. A ticket for the 8 hells cost about 2000yen for adults.
Gion Geisha District
The Gion area is located between Shijo-dori and Kenninji Temple and extends south to the Kamo River. It is where the famous geisha and maiko reside and entertain, and visitors usually crowd Hanami-koji Street in hopes of seeing one. The buildings are all traditional.Typically, the best time to see them is after 6 PM when they begin to go out to wherever it is they are going to entertain for the evening. There are no guarantees that you will see any, and they typically try to avoid the tourists. If you do see one, don’t get so excited that you forget your manners; while they are cultural icons, they are also people.In many instances, they will walk and disappear into a building or taxi so quickly that have to appreciate them with your eyes rather than your camera. If that’s the case, don’t be disappointed! Most visitors will never see any, so if you are able to see one, you’ve done well!
Tsukiji fish market
This is not just any fish market!The Tsukiji market consists of the fish market and the outer market where they have lots of dry stuff too.In the outer market, you can find lots of interesting stuff like wakame, dry scallops, famous Japanese seaweed, fish knives, snacks, etc. You can’t find this kind of market in any other part of the world!They sell very Japanese stuff. In the wet fish market, just take a look around, they have absolutely interesting seafood. Some of the oysters/scallops are even bigger than my hand/palm!