ACTIVE REST

<Tokyo Station>
Tokyo Station is one of the busiest train stations in the world, but it also has a rich and interesting history. Don’t forget to look up when you’re passing through the North Exit on the Marunouchi side to catch a glimpse of the impressive domed ceiling!

<Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum>
Close to Tokyo Station, this is another unusual western-style building with a red brick facade that stands out as a point of interest amongst the surrounding high-rises.

<Nijubashi, Imperial Palace>
This bridge leads over the moat and into the Imperial Palace, which is one of the most important historical sites in Tokyo.
An oasis of calm in the metropolis, the beautiful scenery here makes it a popular photo spot for tourists.

<Toei Streetcar (Toden) Arakawa Line>
A ride on this single-carriage streetcar is like taking a journey back in time. The slow pace of travel, combined with the vintage bell sounds on board, makes for a unique and relaxed way to explore some of Tokyo’s old neighbourhoods.
It’s a great way to escape the crowds and enjoy a different side of the city!

<Ningyocho>
Ningyo-cho has a relaxed, laid-back atmosphere, and a shopping street filled with a wonderful mix of old and new businesses.
One of the most popular places to visit here is “Yanagiya”, which has been selling traditional fish-shaped “taiyaki” cakes since it was first established in 1916.
Freshly made in iron moulds, these cakes are best eaten as soon as they’re purchased, while standing outside the store where you can enjoy the deliciously sweet aromas and traditional atmosphere.

<Ginza>
With its large number of department stores and high-end designer boutiques, Ginza has a reputation for being Tokyo’s most famous upmarket shopping district.
There’s still plenty to see and do outside of these fashionable and expensive stores, though, with cute bakeries, cafes and the impressive multi-storey Hakuhinkan Toy park to keep kids and adults entertained.
While the area is beautiful by day, and on weekend afternoons when the main shopping street is closed to traffic and taken over by strolling pedestrians, a visit to Ginza at night is truly spectacular.

<Dinner: Godaigo>
Located in Ginza Corridor Street, Godaigo specialises in oden, a simmered soup containing foods like eggs, tofu, meat, fish and vegetables.
The traditional restaurant has a clean, wooden interior and a relaxed atmosphere, perfect for dining with a group of friends.

<Stay: Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Marunouchi>
The Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Marunouchi was a beautiful place to stay. Located a short walk from Tokyo Station, the hotel was central to trains and restaurants, and the ambience of the room and friendly staff service made the overnight stay very enjoyable.

<Shinkansen>
Riding the Yamabiko Shinkansen was very convenient and comfortable. It was on time and had plenty of leg room on board, which made for a very pleasant journey.

<Grandeco Snow Resort>
Located approximately 260 kilometres (162 miles) north of Tokyo, Grandeco Snow Resort is a great place for people of all ages to get out and be active in the snow.
Visitors here can enjoy activities like skiing, sledding, snowshoeing, snowmobile riding and even snow rafting, in excellent powder conditions which are as good as any you would find in more far-flung destinations from Tokyo.
The scenery here is equally beautiful in summer and spring, when the mountains come alive with fresh green leaves, and in autumn, when guests can enjoy the unusual sight of fall foliage combined with snow, thanks to the resort’s impressively long ski season, which starts in late November and goes all the way to early May.
For guests wanting to stay overnight, the Urabandai Grandeco Tokyu Hotel right next to the resort offers a large number of twin and family rooms, an indoor and outdoor onsen hot spring, a swimming pool, Japanese and Western-style restaurants, and a beautiful view of the surrounding snow.
Whether you choose to visit for a day or stay overnight, Grandeco is a fantastic place for a snow-filled getaway.

<Wonder Farm>
<Lunch: Wonder Farm>
<Tomato picking>
Opened in February 2016, Iwaki Wonder Farm is an “integrated agricultural theme park” with a restaurant, store, BBQ area and a massive greenhouse for growing tomatoes.
Visitors here can enjoy tomato-picking on the weekends, with the chance to try some delicious varieties.
Fresh tomatoes can also be enjoyed as the star ingredient of juice, jams, dressings and even rock salt at the delicious “Forest Kitchen” all-you-can-eat buffet.
Before going home, don’t forget to pop by the store to try the farm’s famed tomato-flavoured ice cream, which has a deliciously mild, sweet and fruity taste.

<Spa Resort Hawaiian>
<Dinner: Hotel Hawaiians>
Not far from the Wonder Farm is Iwaki’s most popular tourist destination: Spa Resort Hawaiians.
Styled with a Hawaiian theme, which extends to the cafes, restaurants and retail stores scattered throughout the sprawling complex, this resort makes you feel like you’ve taken a trip to Hawaii without leaving Japan!
After slipping into a swimsuit and covering up with the Hawaiian gear provided by the hotel - a loose traditional dress called a “muumuu” for women and shorts and aloha shirts for guys - it’s time to head off to explore the enormous water park that the resort is famous for.
Kept at a balmy average temperature of 28 degrees Celsius and fed with thermal waters from Iwaki Yumoto Hot Spring, the huge water park includes wading pools, flowing “streams” and three giant waterslides for adults and children to enjoy.
After dinner at the all-you-can-eat buffet restaurant, guests head to the event stage to see a performance by the world-famous Hula Girls.
After the 2011 disaster, the dancers travelled around Japan, performing at earthquake refugee shelters in affected areas to show their support for the Tohoku region.

<Stay: Hotel Hawaiians>
The hotel room had two single beds and a traditional tatami mat area for watching television and drinking tea and coffee.

<Aquamarine Fukushima>
For those wanting to see just how far Iwaki has come since the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, the area around Onahama Port is definitely worth a visit.
One of the main attractions at the port is Aquamarine Fukushima, a large aquarium built in 2000, which suffered extensive damage as a result of the 2011 disaster.
Today, the facility has been fully restored, and the aquarium now takes part in regular research and conservation activities, while educating visitors about the marine world with a large number of displays.
Families will especially love visiting the aquarium, with its range of child-friendly interactive activities, and a specially designed outdoor area that includes rock pools, a sandy beach and mud flats so visitors can view marine animals like sea urchins and starfish in their natural environment.

<Lunch: Iwaki La La Mew>
Originally opened in 1997, Iwaki La La Mew is billed as a “Sea and Fish Theme Park”, and is a great place to stop for lunch and some souvenir shopping after a visit to the nearby aquarium.
Here you can find a fresh seafood market, specialty stores selling local goods, and over ten restaurants.
Kids will love the large indoor play area and game centre, while adults will love looking for cute souvenirs and specialty products. One of the must-buy items here is a box of sweets featuring Iwaki’s cute mascot character, Hula-Ojisan, a hula-dancing middle-aged man!