Tokyo

Tokyo is huge, and a single port call barely scratches the surface. Ships dock in the Odaiba waterfront area, connected to central Tokyo by the Yurikamome elevated train. The city is better understood as a collection of distinct neighbourhoods than as one place: Asakusa has the Senso-ji temple and traditional craft shops, Shibuya has the famous scramble crossing and youth fashion, Akihabara is wall-to-wall electronics and anime, and the Imperial Palace grounds in Chiyoda offer a quiet contrast. Toyosu Fish Market replaced the old Tsukiji market and has viewing galleries above the tuna auction floor and a rooftop with partial skyline views. The Meiji Shrine in Harajuku sits in a large forested park and is free to enter. The Tokyo Metro is efficient, signposted in English, and covers the entire city. Taxis are expensive but useful for groups. Tip: the rear door opens and closes automatically. Convenience stores (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart) sell surprisingly good onigiri, sandwiches, and coffee for a few hundred yen.