Top 8 attractions in Tokyo, Japan

With so much to see and do in Tokyo, the list of must-sees is potentially endless. Narrow your search with these top 8 Tokyo attractions.

Tokyo National Museum

The Tokyo National Museum is enormous, spread across multiple galleries and structures in Ueno Park. If you’re tight on time, make your way to the Main Gallery (Honkan) for a chronological exploration of Japanese history and art.

Takeshita-dori

Colorful and lively Takeshita Street is located in Harajuku and is one of the district’s most iconic attractions. The shopping area is packed with small shops and vendors selling offbeat fashions, quirky souvenirs, and everything kawaii.

Senso-ji

Senso-ji is one of Tokyo’s most visited temples. Not only because of its sheer size and cultural significance but because it claims to be the oldest of the city’s temples. The surrounding historic district and shopping street, Nakamise-dori, also contribute to Senso-ji’s popularity.

Hamarikyu Onshi Teien

This traditional Japanese strolling garden was once the property of the Tokugawa Clan, the former shoguns of Edo. Don’t forget to visit the antique teahouse located within its walls, Nakajima no Ochaya, for the full experience.

Shibuya Crossing

Shibuya Crossing is known as the busiest pedestrian scramble in the world in terms of foot traffic. It’s the perfect starting point to any exploration further into the district.

Tokyo Dome

The Yomiuri Giants, Japan’s oldest professional baseball team, call the Tokyo Dome home. But the multipurpose structure also hosts concerts and other sporting events as well. Catch a game rain or shine, or spend an hour browsing the nearby Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame.

Golden Gai

Golden Gai is a collection of narrow alleys and two-story bars, a rare sight in the metropolis of Shinjuku. Most are so small they can only accommodate a handful of customers, which is the reasoning behind the hefty seating charges. It has mostly been taken over by visitors in recent years, but you’ll still encounter the odd locals-only signage or chilly reception now and then.

Read more: Things to do in Asakusa, Tokyo

Tokyo Skytree

Located in Sumida Ward, Tokyo Skytree is the tallest structure in the entire prefecture and a popular attraction among locals and visitors alike. Shop and dine at the Skytree Village, or make your way to the observatories for a new perspective on Tokyo.

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Illegal things to avoid when traveling to Singapore

Singapore is known for having very strict laws and a zero-tolerance policy, which is why the country has one of the lowest crime rates in the world.

But some of the things that are considered illegal are, well, kind of normal, especially to a visitor. Avoid getting fined or arrested by NOT doing the following things.

Chewing gum

One of the most well-known items banned in this list, Singapore has taken a strong stance against chewing gum since its ban in 2004. Unless it is used for medical purposes (like nicotine gum, for example), chewing gum is generally banned in Singapore. Furthermore, if you are caught selling chewing gum, you could face a penalty as high as SGD 100,000.

Nudity

Not only is it illegal be nude in public, you can be fined up to $2,000 and be put in jail for up to three months if you are nude in your own home and someone catches a glimpse of you through the window.

According to the government website, “Any person who appears nude in a public place or in a private place and is exposed to public view, shall be guilty of an offense.” Make sure the curtains are closed before changing into your pajamas!

Connecting to someone else's wifi 

Using a Wifi signal, even if it is an open signal, is considered hacking unless you have permission to use it. This is a serious offense that is punished with a $10,000 fine and even jail time.

Annoying someone with a musical instrument

Singapore's statutes state that playing an instrument in a public place in "a manner as to cause or be likely to cause annoyance to any person lawfully using a public road or in any public place shall be guilty of an offense" that includes a fine of up to $1,000.

E-cigarettes

Despite various reports of e-cigarettes being less harmful than actual cigarettes, Singapore’s Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has maintained its stance on the cigarette substitute, arguing that it could be a gateway for non-smokers to get addicted to tobacco. It has been banned in Singapore since 2011, with a penalty fine of $5,000 imposed if you are caught importing or distributing it.

Vandalism 

This is a serious offense in the country but does not just refer to the destruction of property or graffiti. Hanging posters advertising a concert, banners for a festival, or flags is also prohibited. Penalities include fines and even jail time in more extreme cases.

Taking durian onto public transportation

Love it or hate it, the durian splits opinion with many disagreeing when it comes to the spiky fruit. Some people find the stench so unbearable that it prompted the government to ban the king of fruits on all public buses and trains. How bad is the stench? While some laud it for its pleasantly sweet and creamy scent, others have described it to have a pungent, almost sulphur-like stench.

Drugs

This is not a surprise, right? Drugs are illegal in most countries. But Singapore takes things up a notch.

The country's police are authorized to run a random drug test on both locals and visiting foreigners wherever they want to. If you are in the country and you test positive, even if you did not take the drugs in Singapore, you are looking at some serious jail time.

Read more: 6 food centres to visit in Singapore

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Most underrated destinations in Dubai

Dubai is a major tourist stop to see the world’s biggest, tallest, and richest. But there is so much more than this to Dubai, and for those who want to experience the more historical and residential parts of Dubai; here are a list of some of the most underrated places to visit in Dubai.

Souq Naif

While many tourists rush to the Gold or Spice Souq for shopping in Dubai, Souq Naif is the market for the more adventurous traveler. From sparkling Arabic inspired dresses to Persian carpets, from local sweets and dates to Indian run snack shops, this enormous souq will give you a glimpse into the local market life for the residents of Dubai.

Mirdif City Centre

This shopping center is one of those underrated places that all travelers should stop by. It has a friendly, family atmosphere, and is the perfect place for people watching the local Emirati families and Arab residents of Dubai do their shopping. Mirdif City Centre also has enough brand name shops, cute cafes, delicious restaurants, and touristy shops to fulfill all your mall needs.

Al Mamzar Beach Park

Many tourists will stick to the glitzier beaches of Jumeriah and JBR, but Al Mamzar Beach Park is just as wonderful for a relaxing soak in the sun or walk along the corniche. Here you won’t be bombarded by tourists trying to squeeze in a spot on the sand, but instead enjoy a clean beach, green park, local families, and even delicious food stalls. For those who wear the hijab or would rather enjoy the beach without the prying eyes of men, Al Mamzar Beach also has women-only days.

Dubai Desert Conservation Centre

A trip to Dubai is not complete without an excursion into the desert, however it can be hard to choose which tour or which experience you want to pay for. Instead of paying for a tourist-trap trip, why not support the Dubai Desert Conservation Centre, which aims to educate about local wildlife in the desert as well as provide guided tours into the desert to experience the authentic desert and culture of the Emirates. You’ll be able to ride camels, hold a falcon, and even spend a night in the desert while learning about the traditional ecosystem of Dubai.

Dubai Museum

While many tourists see Dubai as a modern and even futuristic city for the most globalized of citizens, many forget that Dubai has a historical and traditional past that all Emiratis are proud to protect and treasure. Instead of getting trapped in the materialistic aspects of the city, why not stop by the Dubai Museum located in the ancient Al Fahidi Fort for an educational experience, find out about the life of Emirati Bedouins, and traditional local culture. You won’t regret this experience and will walk away with a whole new appreciation for the history of Dubai.

See more: 5 best shopping malls for shopaholics in Dubai

Source: theculturetrip