Air France Japan Area guides: Kanto

Discover adventurous, gourmet, traditional and cool Japan

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Kanto guide

From the neon streets of downtown Tokyo to the snow-capped peaks of Mount Fuji, the Kanto region has something for everyone in every season. Base yourself in the capital and explore the city sites including the magnificent Meiji Shrine and Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa; browse the glitzy department stores of Ginza, the designer emporia of Aoyama or Roppongi Hills, and the funky independent stores of Harajuku. Relax in the grounds of the Imperial Palace or under the cherry blossoms in Ueno Park in spring. Spend an evening in a Michelin-starred restaurant or a sake bar frequented by locals, rent a karaoke box, hit the clubs or simply walking among skyscrapers in neon-lit streets – whatever time of day your jet-leg hits you.

Take a day out to some of Tokyo’s most beautiful countryside day trips, such as to the ornate shrines hidden in the cedar forests of Nikko, north of the capital; or to the south to Kamakura to the many Buddhist temples and the Great Buddha; or, head south-west by bullet train to the castle town of Odawara, the gateway to the Fuji Five Lakes region and the hot spring heaven of Hakone. Alternatively, escape the mainland and head to Tokyo’s very own semi-tropical paradise, the Izu Seven islands, a series of volcanic peaks extending south in the Pacific – and the perfect place for star-gazing and staggering sunsets.

How to get to Kanto

Air France offers 21 weekly flights to Tokyo. Fly via Paris Charles de Gaulle from any of the following UK airports: London Heathrow, Manchester, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Birmingham, Bristol and Newcastle. What’s more, you can now also fly via Paris to Haneda Airport, close to the heart of Tokyo, thanks to Air France latest agreement with Japan Airlines.

Adventure | Gourmet | Traditional | Cool and contemporary

Adventure

Explore Tokyo by bicycle
£75, 1-3-2 Shinkawa, Chuo-ku, Tokyo (www.tokyocycling.jp)
Bicycle may be an unexpected way in which to explore the Japanese capital, but Tokyo is surprisingly cycle friendly. The one-day Tokyo Bay excursion from Tokyo Great Cycle Tours takes in sights including Tsukiji fish market, the Tokyo Tower and the Imperial Palace. An exciting perspective on the city for first-timers, or a new perspective for Tokyo regulars.

How to get there
By train: The office and meeting point is three minutes’ walk from Kayabacho station.
Climb Mt Fuji
6677 Funatsu Fujikawaguchiko-cho, Minamitsuru-gun, Yamanashi (www.onsenji.com)
Tackle the famous Mt Fuji climb, but make your base camp the luxurious Osenji Yumedono Ryokan, which has views of the peak and rooms with private outdoor hot springs.

How to get there
By car: Osenji Yumedono is 15 minutes by car from Kawaguchiko station.
By train: Kawaguchiko is two hours and 45 minutes from Tokyo by JR and private trains.
The lava fields of Mt Mihara
(www.tokyo-islands.com), (www.minshuku.jp)
Explore the lava fields of Mt Mihara on Oshima and soak in a cliff-top hot spring on Hachijojima – the Izu Seven Islands are Tokyo as you’ve never seen it. Travel south on the overnight ferry from Tokyo, stay in a minshuku (pension).

How to get there
Oshima is six hours from Tokyo’s Takeshiba pier by boat or 1 hour 45 minutes by jetfoil, or a 40 minute flight from Tokyo Haneda. Hachijojima is 11 hours by ferry from Tokyo’s Takeshiba pier or around 45 minutes from Tokyo Haneda.

Adventure | Gourmet | Traditional | Cool and contemporary

Gourmet

Try onsen tamago in the shadow of Mount Fuji
From £50, room only, 649 Ohiradai Hakone-cho, Ashigara Shimo-gun, Kanagawa (www.japan-guide.com)
Eat onsen tamago – eggs boiled in hot springs – in the bubbling, sulphurous surrounds of Owakudani, in Hakone, in the shadow of Mount Fuji. Stay in Takii Ryokan, a homely, no-frills ryokan where you can book a room with its own private hot spring bath.

How to get there
By train: Ohiradai is two hours from Tokyo by JR and private lines, including the Hakone Tozan line with its unique ‘switchback’ mountain trains.
Tapas molecular bar
2-1-1 Nihonbashi Muromachi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo (www.mandarinoriental.com)
Chef Jeff Ramsey serves up a ‘dinner theatre’ experience of molecular gastronomy Tokyo-style at the Tapas Molecular Bar at Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo. Think ‘carrot caviar’ and candy floss coated in freeze-dried coffee and creamer. Mesmerising.

How to get there
By subway: Nearest subway is Mitsukoshimae.
Try Koshu wine
371 Shimoiwasaki, Katsunuma-cho, Koshu-shi, Yamanashi (www.katsunuma-winery.com)
Jancis Robinson is reported to be a fan of Japan’s white Koshu wine made with an indigenous grape that has been cultivated in Japan for more than 1,300 years. Taste some of the best vintages at Katsunuma Winery in Yamanashi.

How to get there
By train: The nearest station is Katsunuma Budokyo, 40 minutes walk from the brewery. From there is a is a two-hour, 10-minute journey to Tokyo by JR-Chuo line.

Adventure | Gourmet | Traditional | Cool and contemporary

Traditional

Explore the ancient capital of Kamakura
(www.jnto.go.jp)
Less than an hour south of Tokyo, the ancient capital Kamakura has traditionally been a draw for its treasure trove of temples, shrines and even a giant Buddha statue nestled in pine-forested hills – but now its food has been noticed too. Michelin judges have awarded 10 local eateries one star in the newly published guide to Tokyo, Yokohama and Kamakura.

How to get there
By train: Kamakura is one hour from Tokyo by train.
Clip-clop in geta sandals
1-28-1, Asakusa, Taito ku, Tokyo (www.getaya.jp)
Clip-clop around the famous Senso-ji temple in Asakusa, Tokyo, in a pair of traditional wooden geta sandals. Before World War II, Asakusa was a thriving footwear district; now only a few geta makers remain, including Tsujiya, where the third-generation owner can arrange a custom pair.

How to get there
By train: Five minutes’ walk from Asakusa station.
The Sumo Grand Tournament
1-3-28 Yokoami, Sumida-ku, Tokyo (www.sumo.or.jp)
The Sumo Grand Tournament takes place three times a year (January, May and September) in Tokyo in the Ryogoku Kokugikan in a former downtown district. Book early for a piece of the action; if you’re not in town during a tournament, the venue’s Sumo Museum comes a close second.

How to get there
By train: Ryogoku Kokugikan is less than a two-minute walk from Ryogoku Station on the JR Sobu Line.

Adventure | Gourmet | Traditional | Cool and contemporary

Cool and contemporary

The Tokyo International Anime Fair
Tokyo Big Sight, 3-10-1 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo (www.tokyoanime.jp)
Embrace your inner geek and head for the Tokyo International Anime Fair that takes place annually in spring. Expect to see people dressed up as all kinds of animated characters and get a sneak look at forthcoming releases and innovations. The next exhibition takes place 24-27 March 2011.

How to get there
By waterbus: Take the water bus to Ariake Terminal from Hinode Pier close to Shibaura-futo station.
Tokyu Hands
Tokyu Hands Shibuya, 12-18 Udagawa-cho, Shibuya-ku,  Tokyo (www.tokyu-hands.co.jp)
Pick up quirky Japanese souvenirs, fancy-dress, games and all kinds of household gadgets and gizmos you never knew existed at Tokyu Hands. There are several branches around the country including Shibuya in Tokyo. Also keep an eye on nearby shops if you find yourself out in bad weather – many, including Seibu and Aoyama Book Centre offer ‘rainy day sales’.

How to get there
By subway: Five minutes’ walk from Shibuya station.
Have lunch in an art installation
Set lunch £8, Equbo Bldg 5F, 5-8-3 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo (www.atozcafe.exblog.jp)
Lunch inside an art installation at Yoshitomo Nara’s A to Z cafe in Aoyama, Tokyo. Everything from the wall decorations to the tables has been decorated in his angry-looking cartoon children: we challenge you not to give the individually decorated tables a wiggle to see if they are nailed down.

How to get there
By subway: Five minutes’ walk from Omotesando subway station.