Tokyo is charging ahead as a modern city but it is taking its history and traditions with it. The metropolis, Japan’s capital, is a meeting of past and future; the ultramodern skyscrapers glow with neon lighting while cherry blossoms light up temples and shrines. The world’s most populous city is also Tokyo, apartment buildings are constructed one upon the other to provide housing for its residents. Despite the dense population it remains a popular tourist destination. If you are shopping for a city hotel, look up Roppongi Residences, which is located in the heart of the Tokyo, only minutes away from public transport.

Kaminarimon or ‘Thunder gate’ is the first of two large entrance gates that lead to Sensoji Temple. Built over one thousand years ago, it is the symbol of Asakusa, one of Japan’s historic districts. Suspended from its frame is a giant red lantern, which has been depicted in many Japanese souvenirs. Clothes and accessories carry images of the lantern, while smaller replicas of it can be purchased in souvenir shops. Visit the hip neighbourhood of Shibuya for the experience of buying a trinket from a vending machine! Items available range from earrings that resemble Japanese food items, tenugui handkerchiefs to phone accessories and toy action figures. If you want to take home a truly Japanese souvenir, look for Kanzashi, which is the Japanese word for hair ornaments made from thin pieces of silk that are worked into flowers or birds by hand. These hair accessories are used to enhance traditional Japanese hairstyles. The art of creating these intricate pieces is registered as a traditional handicraft. Another cultural souvenir is a face mask designed to resemble the Kumadori makeup used in Japan’s traditional theater art, Kabuki. Consider the option of a Senjafuda strap to make a truly personalized gift; you can request a name of your choice be etched into a piece of wood in Japanese letters.

 

Uditha Dharmawardhane is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Roland Lefevre. He specializes in creating features on leisure as well as business travel destinations across the globe.

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