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Vacation Time: What’s Hot In Tokyo!

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CATCH A KABUKI SHOW at Kabuki-za, the go-to theatre in Tokyo for fans of the bizarre Japanese dance-drama. Known for its highly stylised action and the elaborate make-up worn by performers, kabuki is as popular now as it was in the 17th century. Expect a series of innovative stage effects, which allow the actors to revolve on the spot, fly and even disappear.

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FIND YOUR ZEN at Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. Ask for a map in English so you can be sure to hit the three major gardens: English Landscape, French Formal and Japanese Traditional. This spacious imperial park also houses two traditional teahouses where you can get your fill of matcha and wagashi.

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BID FOR TUNA at Tsukiji Fish Market which delivers over 2,000 tons of marine products per day, including 450 varieties of fish. One of the largest wholesale fish markets in the world, it’s busiest right before dawn and starts to wind down by 9am. Book ahead to attend the famous 5am live tuna auctions – limited to 120 people, they’re held seven days a week.

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MIX WITH THE AVANT-GARDE at Yayoi Kusama Museum, which features many of the zany Japanese artist’s major installations, sculptures and paintings. A graduate of Kyoto School of Arts and Crafts, Kusama was a big part of the avant-garde scene in 1960s New York, and is best known for a series of happenings in which she painted naked participants with brightly coloured polka dots.

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GET LUCKY at Sensoji Temple, the oldest and most visited place of worship in Tokyo. It’s dedicated to the bodhisattva Kannon (goddess of mercy and pets) and the incense that billows from the main entrance is said to bestow good luck on those who “bathe” in it. Festivals and events are held on the temple grounds throughout the year.

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MINGLE WITH THE ANIME, manga and idol crowd at Yoyogi Park’s Harajuku Bridge, where the gothic Lolitas and Cosplay kids bring the world-renowned heroes of popular Japanese animation to life. The park also draws all sorts of obsessive otaku talent, from horn players to rockabilly gangs, complete with poodle skirts and Elvisinspired pompadours.

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HOP ON A SHINKANSEN headed to Osaka to get up close and personal with Mount Fuji. You get a spectacular view of the volcano on the right-hand side of the train, about 40 minutes into the journey. If you have time to spare, stay a night at Hakone hot spring resort at the foot of the mountain (100 kilometres south-west of Tokyo).

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