Taking a bite of Tokyo tourist treats

The standard tourist guidebooks tell you that the Tokyo Tower, Imperial Garden and Ginza are the places to go when visiting Tokyo. Like any city, its insiders — whether locals or longtime expatriate residents — can provide more insight into other interesting attractions.

For Bianca Adinegoro Lutfi, the wife of Indonesian Ambassador to Japan Muhammad Lutfi, Tokyo offers varied attractions for Indonesians. “It helps that Tokyo is an easy flight from Indonesia, and you get a completely different experience,” she said.

The biggest attraction of all in her opinion is the cuisine.

“There is no place in the world with better food than Tokyo. In this city, food only comes in three categories: good, very good and excellent.”

And then there are the shopping options. Bianca says there are bargains available despite the city’s reputation for being expensive.

“People complain about how expensive Tokyo is but they end up shopping anyway. You just have to know where to look. The goods in this city are unique and some cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Some famous brands create special second-line brands especially for Japan at more affordable prices.”

Here are tips to make the most of a trip to Tokyo.

Ramen Row: The city has a very special relationship with the noodles, which are found on seemingly every corner. One of the famous ramen restaurants among Tokyo-ites is Ichiran Ramen (solitary ramen). It is a made-to-order ramen restaurant where people take their food seriously. Each row of seats is separated by a divider for privacy, so no need to worry about unwanted conversation starters from your neighbor.

Bay Bites: Monjayaki is a Tokyo version of okonomiyaki (a savory pancake with vegetables and meat) served on boats cruising Tokyo Bay. Each table has a hot plate for customers to cook the food by themselves.

On the Quiet: One of Bianca Lutfi’s favorite areas is Daikanyama. “It’s a quieter and chilled neighborhood with cozy cafés, galleries and small hip boutiques,” she says.

Heavy Going: Watch big guys putting the smack down on other big guys with a sumo bout at Ryogoku Kokugikan building. Check www.sumo.or.jp/eng/index.html. Or visit its museum for free.

Great Gifts: Family and friends back home asking for souvenirs? 100 Yen shops, selling a wide range of products for ¥105 per item (¥100 and the 5 percent consumption tax, which is roughly around US$1), may help keep your travel budget in line. Pick from chopsticks, fans, calligraphy sets and Hello Kitty items. These shops can be found around the subway stations and in some shopping centers.

Cat’s Meow: Cartoon character Doraemon is an international favorite. In September 2011, the city opened the Doraemon Museum, which is dedicated to the round-headed cat and all characters created by Fujiko F. Fujio. Located in Kawasaki, Kanagawa prefecture, south of Tokyo, the museum is open daily (except Tuesdays), with admission tickets being sold on the 30th every month. Check fujiko-museum.com/english/welcome/

Cute Corner: The cuddly characters of Hello Kitty, Keroppi and Pochacco feel at home at Sanrio Puroland in Tokyo’s Tama-shi area. The theme park’s indoor attractions draw more than 1.5 million visitors annually. Check puroland.co.jp/english/welcome.html

Anime Action: Studio Ghibli is one of the animation studios producing world-acclaimed anime movies. Located in Mitaka, just outside of central Tokyo, its museum has whimsical designs with the distinct style of the studio’s films. Check ghibli-museum.jp/en/

Keep in Mind: Bianca says she does not have any warnings for Indonesian visitors, “the food and the water are safe to consume”. But she says visitors should do as the Japanese do in the event of a quake, which are a daily occurrence. “Some are bigger than others, but the Tohoku quake proved that building structures in Tokyo are solid. I always tell my friends when they visit not to embarrass me by running out of a restaurant as soon as they feel a quake. The Japanese just sit there and go about their business.”

Getting Around: Longtime resident Richard Greenfield advises to always schedule more time than you think you need to reach a destination. “Depending on the time of day, subways and buses can be very crowded,” the American says. But Greenfield advises against taking taxis unless really necessary because they are expensive and not all drivers are familiar with the city’s sprawling neighborhoods.