Travel Postcard: 48 hours in Tokyo

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-10-30 14:41

12 p.m. - Lunch at Cafe 8 (www.chinesecafe8.com) opposite the Grand Hyatt Hotel. A cheap and delicious alternative to the many expensive restaurants in Roppongi Hills, this is one of the few authentic Chinese restaurants. Go for the duck menu: for about $15 you'll get the whole bird served with pancakes for starters, with noodles for the main dish and finally a soup.

2 p.m. - Jump on a bus down the hill to the main railway hub of Shibuya and catch the Inokashira line train out to the suburb of Kichijoji. Here you'll find Ghibli Museum (www.ghibli-museum.jp/en/) 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." At the enchanting museum you can see exhibitions on the science and history of animation, watch short films from the studio and see how an animated film is made. Make sure you buy a ticket from the convenience store at the station before you go to the museum.

6 p.m. - Catch the train back to Shibuya. By now this mecca for nightlife and entertainment will be buzzing. Spend a little while people watching in Hachiko square next to the famous "busiest street crossing in the world." This is where Tokyo's youth comes out to play and you'll see a mind-boggling array of street fashion from the super cool to the super ridiculous.

8 p.m. - Walk past the spaceship-like 109 department store to the top of Dogenzaka hill. Enter the skyscraper behind the small police station and catch the elevator up to the 14th floor, enjoying the view. Gonpachi (www.gonpachi.jp/) is a modern take on the traditional Japanese izakaya eatery. Ask for a table near the window and order a selection of dishes to share -- the hand-rolled soba noodles, the prawn balls with chili sauce and the beef skewers are good. If you ask nicely, the staff will bring you the dragon roll sushi from the restaurant next door.

12 a.m. - The night is still young for Tokyoites. The city has some of best nightclubs in the world with top international DJs playing alongside star turns from Japan every weekend. Hop aboard the free shuttle bus from outside Shibuya station that takes you to Tokyo's biggest super club, Ageha (www.ageha.com) which even boasts an open-air swimming pool overlooking Tokyo Bay. When it all gets too much, relax on the airbeds.

SUNDAY

9 a.m. - Relax after yesterday's action at an onsen -- the Japanese term for hot spring. Being a volcanic country, Japan has thousands of these public bathing facilities and Tokyo has one or two natural onsen for city dwellers to enjoy. Catch a train over to Futakotamagawa, near to Shibuya. Outside the station is a small bus stop where a free shuttle bus will take you to Seta Onsen (www.setaonsen.co.jp/index_e.htm). The inside pools are separated into male and female sections but the outside pools are mixed, so you'll need a bathing costume. On a clear day you might just catch a glimpse of the elusive Mount Fuji.

11 a.m. - Time to do some shopping and the best place on a Sunday is Harajuku. Among the bizarrely attired teenage Goths and dancing rockabillies you'll find everything from high-end luxury at Chanel and Gucci to the latest trends in street fashion. Head for the super-trendy La Foret building. Brands to impress when you get home: A Bathing Ape, Superlovers, X-Girl, Hysteric Glamour and Sofia Coppola's Japanese fashion label, Milkfed.

1 p.m. - Lunch around the corner at Jangara Ramen, one of Tokyo finest ramen noodle chains. Getting a seat in the tiny store might involve a bit of a wait but it's worth it. The ramen here is made in the Kyushu-style from southern Japan, which means the thick and creamy tonkotsu broth is made from pork bones. Order it with extra stewed kakuni pork.

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