Think of Tokyo and chances are you’ll be picturing a bright, bold and bustling city. You’d be absolutely right, but Tokyo is a place where pop culture and ancient temples exist together. It’s a balance between towering skyscrapers and little wooden huts. You don’t have to go far outside of Tokyo to really feel like you’ve hit the country.

Things to do

Don’t miss the Imperial Palace Garden East, especially if you visit in the spring or summer. It’s located In Chiyoda

Whilst you’re there, next door is one of Tokyo’s oldest and most prestigious department stores, Ginza. Smaller shops also stock local designers clothes if you want a little upmarket shopping.

The Metropolitan Museum of Contemporary Art holds the world’s largest collection of Japanese art

Don’t leave without eating at one of Tokyo’s noodle bars or trying Kaisekiryori, one of Japan’s more traditional dishes

Flight times are eleven to twelve hours, but it’s well worth it. English is widely spoken so don’t worry about the translation issues. They’re nine hours ahead and the weather is hot and humid in the summer and mild in the winter.