What ramen do you prefer? Not a question most Westerners are usually posed, because all we really know is the cheap stuff we ate as starving students. Well, in Japan it's a whole different story, one the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum wants to help you both discover and enjoy. Across three floors, you can taste at least nine different versions of one of Japan's staple foods, from traditional to more modern recipes. What's the difference, who knows, but it'll sure be fun finding out. The Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum is a great place to learn something about Japan while filling your gut. Don't be shy; their raison'd'etre is to feed and educate you, so skip breakfast and head on down to the Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum.
Just behind the World Porters shopping center is a large brick building with glass windows along the top. This is the Cup Noodles Museum, a museum dedicated entirely to the history of instant noodles as invented by Momofuku Ando in 1958. The spacious interior begins with a display of noodle packaging and the Momofuku story, including a re-creation of his workshed. A series of interactive displays under will keep the children amused. On the next floor is a cup noodle factory and chicken ramen factory, both of which require an extra fee to enter. On the next floor is a play area and food court serving ramen noodles from around the world. There is a brochure in English, and the titles of exhibits are in English. The museum is very popular on weekends. -AH
With Totoro greeting you at the entrance, step inside this colorful and whimsical museum and learn all about Studio Ghibli animations. Stroll through the beautiful exhibits and discover how animated films are created. After learning about the movie process, you can catch the screening of short museum-exclusive films. Kids will love playing on the plush Cat Bus from My Neighbor Totoro and later, you can visit the rooftop garden to see the five-meter (16 feet) tall statue of Robot Soldier from Laputa Castle in the Sky. Pay a visit to the Ghibli Museum to learn more about an iconic animation studio.
DMM VR Theater exemplifies hyper-realism and thrills your senses. Uniting the trifecta of LED, 3DCG animation and holographic projection, an illusion, that the characters are real and are performing on the stage, is created, when only the photo-images are being projected on the screen. It is a one-of-its-kind experience, and you're bowled over by the incredible phenomenon of the projections along with the terrific surround sound (sound system far more grander than the one in ordinary theaters). A show at the DMM VR Theater should not be missed for the world!
Established in 2012, this expansive, elaborate museum grants stirring insights into the traditional as well as contemporary nuances of the Japanese railway system, whilst also charting out its long-standing legacy. A massive cache of informative exhibits, this museum also houses an enormous collection of model trains created or owned by the model railway enthusiast Nobutaro Hara. There are close to 6,000 railway models exhibited, making it one of the largest model train collections in the world. Trains from different parts of the world including Japan, the United States and Europe co-exist here. Anchored by a trove of numerous railroad collectibles, thousands of still photos and informative videos, the Hara Model Railway Museum has established itself as one of the many renowned landmarks of Yokohama.
A stone lantern erected near to the Japanese garden in Yokohama Park is reputedly from Gankiro House, which in the nineteenth century catered to the needs of the foreign residents and visitors to Yokohama. The Gankiro House, which stood approximately where the lantern is now, was a thriving business in a large property with bedrooms, reception rooms and a Japanese garden with a pond and a bridge. Furthermore, the house was destroyed in a fire in 1866, and moved to another location, until it was closed in 1884. The plaque next to the lantern explains it was presented by the Myoon-Ji Temple as a gift to the city archives, but does not explain how the lantern came into their possession. - AH
Some believe that medieval times were barbaric, with all kinds of torture and marauding taking place. Well at Castle Tintagel you can experience the more chivalrous aspects of those times of yore. Learn the knightly virtues of prowess, courage, honesty, loyalty, and courtesy. Take lessons in the broad sword and shield, the dagger, spear and pole axe. Attend Knight School, the Academy of Chivalry, and learn renaissance dance and calligraphy or join an authentic outdoor battle reenactment. Castle Tintagel boasts the most authentic medieval combat education in Asia. Attend theme parties or get married in the style of the period. As a regular member or a one-time visitor, Castle Tintagel is an experience for the whole family like no other. -Stephen Lebovits
Enjoy the city by taking a ride from the MariCAR Tour Street Kart Go-Cart Tokyo while in the city. They offer custom-made vehicles that to ride all around town, as well as you can wear your favorite costume. All you need is an International Driver's License. The kart comes with an action camera and a Bluetooth speaker making sure you record your kart action around the city and play your favorite songs. Visitors usually praise the tour for the helpful and kind staff and services.
With Totoro greeting you at the entrance, step inside this colorful and whimsical museum and learn all about Studio Ghibli animations. Stroll through the beautiful exhibits and discover how animated films are created. After learning about the movie process, you can catch the screening of short museum-exclusive films. Kids will love playing on the plush Cat Bus from My Neighbor Totoro and later, you can visit the rooftop garden to see the five-meter (16 feet) tall statue of Robot Soldier from Laputa Castle in the Sky. Pay a visit to the Ghibli Museum to learn more about an iconic animation studio.
Located on the seventh floor of the Diver City Tokyo Plaza, the Gundam Base Tokyo is where you can enjoy the Gundam (popular Japanese robot animation) world thorough many attractions, toys and exhibits. Avid fans of the popular franchise can attend workshops where they can work on creating their own Gunpla (model kits pertaining to the mobile suits) or they can traipse through the section which displays an array of Gunpla, the oldest one dating back to 1980. At the goods store, you can shop for exclusive goods.
The city of Tokyo is home to countless themed cafes and bars. Each one more imaginative than the other, but there is one cafe and bar that is based on an unusual concept. The Detective Bar Progress with real-life detectives, which means, the bartenders crafting your cocktails are legitimate private detectives by the day and by night they’ll make you a drink and tell you more about their jobs, maybe even offer their services in case you need help. Visitors can indulge in various detective activities like perform first hand detective tasks, discovering wiretaps, take finger prints, or even have an American-style mug shot taken. In addition, visitors can pretend being at a real crime scene looking for clues. After having some fun visitors can hit the bar and enjoy a variety of original cocktails with unique names, try their popular Menteur(French word for liar or cheater).
The land where kids jump with joy at the very sight of famed cartoon characters like Hello Kitty and Cinnamoroll, Sanrio Puroland is a carnivalesque theme park which is fun, magnificent and action-packed. Dotted on the urban landscape of Tama New Town, the park is upheld by the illustrious Sanrio company, which specializes in crafting endearing Japanese characters related to popular media. Playing host to an array of activities, this popular theme park comes alive with Sanrio Character Boat Rides, the Sanrio Parade and a million tinkling fireworks which fervently light the skies above. The park has three theaters — the Fairyland Theater, the Discovery Theater and the Marchen Theater, all of which host popular plays, live acts and other fascinating events. Here is where the lovely Hello Kitty has her own house, which makes for a quirky and quintessential Japanese abode. Puroland is also home to an elaborate store which houses exciting products centered around famous Japanese cartoon characters owned by Sanrio.