With the Olympics on strict orders to keep it in the village due to the pandemic (and quite rightly so), it is not only fans that don't get to see Tokyo, but athletes too will be denied a taster of this cultural otherworld. The good thing is that Tokyo will still be there when the Olympics is over.

When you are in one of the World's biggest cities, it is hard to know where to start. Japan travel specialists, InsideJapan give some of their Insider top Tokyo tips for first timers so that they can plan for when the doors to international travel open again.

Head to the top
A stay in a traditional ryokan 'guest house' is always recommended in Japan, but not for Tokyo. This city is best sampled from a high-rise hotel with a view. If you don't stay high though, there are plenty of opportunities for a view over the sprawling metropolis. Tokyo's 634 metre high Skytree gives you Tokyo as far as the eye can see and even Mt. Fuji on a clear day from the 450-metre-high viewing deck (cost 3,100 yen or approx. £22). There are some incredible free views too with one of the best from the 'Tocho' Tokyo Government building standing at 242m with 202m high observation decks giving views from the city out to the mountains.

Searching high…
High-rise neon Shinjuku is arguably the beating heart of Tokyo as the city's transport hub, it is also a hive of activity with food, bars, karaoke boxes, games centres and lots more. Head to the upmarket Takashimaya department store's food basement for a massive array of beautifully presented food. On the south side, Tokyu Hands is where you'll find floors of gadgets and stationery and Don Quiote on the east side sells an interesting array of the quirky and useful.

...and low
For those that want traditional Tokyo, head to the old Yanesen district. This is old-fashioned low-rise Tokyo with family run shops making and selling Senbei rice biscuits, green tea and coffee shops, textile shops and old craft stores too. There are various small temples dotted around the area which is also known for its cats. This is a traditional Tokyo and a breather from the crowds.

Temple run
The old Asakusa district is home to the famous Sensoji temple. The entrance is marked by the imposing Kaminarimon 'Thunder Gate' with a long line of stores along the Nakamise-dori selling everything from rice biscuits, geta sandals, kimono and more but it is the temple that's impressive. If you head there in the early evening, you can avoid the crowds and see the temple buildings lit up.

Garden Rescue
Hamarikyu garden is a 17th century garden that sits serenely with the Sumida River on one side and the skyscrapers of Shiodome on the other. Stroll the gardens or sip a green tea in the tea house for a moment of calm. There are plenty of other gardens too with the quiet strolling gardens of Rikugien being a favourite, especially during autumn leaf season (Mid Nov-early Dec).

Scrambling for words
Shibuya 'scramble' is the Bladerunner-esq crossing where hundreds of people cross at one time, surrounded by huge video screens. Head there at dusk as the lights come on for maximum impact. Or, for another view, head to Shibuya Scramble Square for a 360 view of Shibuya in its glory from a roofless 260m high viewing platform. There are big crossings all over Tokyo, but Shibuya is the most impressive. Top tip: Never cross on the red man. Always wait for the green man or you will get very disapproving looks or even arrested.

Art & Culture
There's always a good exhibition in Tokyo. The Yayoi Kusama Museum displays the artists familiar polka dot contemporary style in Waseda and for the classic art lovers, the woodblock print work at the contemporary looking Sumida Hokusai Museum is impressive. The teamLab Borderless digital museum blows minds with its interactive digital displays. All perfect rainy-day material.

Don't miss out on…
If you haven't found what you wanted in one of the many vending machines in the city, head to an Izakaya 'traditional pub' for a drink and a bite to eat. This is a proper Japanese experience and where the locals let their guard down. Often selling beer, sake and local spirits along with a range of snack food including sushi, okonomiyaki, gyoza, salad and more, these places sometimes offer a 'tabi-nomihodai' or 'eat and drink as much as you like' from as little as 3000 yen (approx. £21) for a couple of hours. This is Japan at its most sociable.

Training is best
The best way to get around Tokyo and indeed Japan is by train. There is a huge network of overland and subway trains across the city with a whopping 882 train stations in the Metropolis. They are frequent, they run on time to the second, they are clean and indeed part of the experience. An IC card (similar to Oyster card) is the best way to pay, and travel is cheap with journeys costing from 170yen (approx.£1.10).

And for those that have been to Tokyo before and are looking for a fulfilling day trip out of the city, take a look at this blog piece for easy but very different trips out of Tokyo.

The original Japan travel specialists, InsideJapan offers Insider knowledge and insight for people to discover some of the lesser-known and most memorable parts of Tokyo and Japan, creating self-guided cultural adventures to suit budgets and interests. InsideJapan has has a range of Insider tour leader led, small group tours that take in the main and lesser known sights recently released a full schedule of small group tours for 2022.

www.InsideJapanTours.com