Tokyo is a city that plays by its own rules, blending historic monuments and gardens with innovative tech and modern streets soaked in neon lights. For those looking to explore the electric metropolis, the busy capital never fails to inspire.
teamLab Planets TOKYO
“Cape Town
is a sprawling
metropolis
at the edge
of the world
Explore the world with Singapore Airlines
Home
Previous
In association with
Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Cookie Policy
© 2019 Culture Trip LTD. All Rights Reserved
Itoya
Previous
At interactive museum teamLab Planets TOKYO, you can immerse yourself in a world where the borders between you and the art are shattered. As you walk through the site, exhibits will respond in one way or another, often bursting into dazzling, psychedelic displays of light.
It’s an unforgettable experience that will never be the same twice, as the art is constantly in motion, making it perfect for repeat visits. “I’ve heard a lot about teamLab, and I had high expectations,” says Catherine. “It’s mind-blowing. The way the artworks interact with the user, and how immersive the exhibitions are, it feels like another world. It’s a great representation of how Tokyo uses technology and digital arts to connect its people.”
Bright and minimalist, this contemporary spot in Setagaya is known as the world’s first hand-drip green tea shop. You’re encouraged to enjoy the subtle differences in the flavours as you learn the history behind each drink throughout the tasting. “The tea barista explained every kind of sencha (a type of green tea) they have and recommended two that suit me the most,” recalls Catherine. “She was simply wonderful and knowledgeable, so I highly recommend this place if you’re a tea fan like me.”
Once you’re finished drinking tea, you’ll be able to enjoy some of the shop’s tea-based desserts like hojicha mousse, or buy some of your favourite tea to take home.
Discover five must-visit destinations for art and design
lovers with Singapore Airlines cabin crew member Catherine
Lion's Head
(01 of 05)
Table Mountain might stand as the most familiar symbol of Cape Town, but there are also vibrant neighbourhoods, a bustling working harbour, pristine vineyards, idyllic beaches and endlessly beautiful views, making this one of the world’s most remarkable travel destinations.
Today, the V&A Waterfront is the most popular tourist attraction in Cape Town. It’s the first stop for many visitors to the city, who relish the outdoor dining areas, markets and panoramic views of Table Mountain – set to the upbeat sounds of local buskers. But it wasn’t always so polished.
The Waterfront began as the city’s first working harbour, and its present-day charm still lies in the comings and goings of tugboats, the occasional bellow of a container ship’s horn and the handful of prestigious yachts fortunate enough to float past into the sheltered docks.
Kolkata
Kolkata
Singapore Airlines cabin crew member Zachary heads to five places you should visit on your next trip.
New York
London
Tokyo
“teamLabPlanets TOKYO
Cape Town
The Bo-Kaap is one of Cape Town’s most photogenic urban attractions. The colourful houses may have you reaching instinctively for your camera, but there’s so much more to appreciate. As one of the oldest neighbourhoods, it’s got a fascinating – yet sombre – history. Many of the Bo-Kaap’s first residents were sent as exiles and slaves to the Cape by the Dutch, and they became known as the Cape Malay – but this vibrant and warm community has left an indelible mark.
“I was able to appreciate the rich culture of the
Cape Malay folks,” says Zachary, who met local chef Zainie for a cooking class at her home. “The intimate conversations I had just reminded me of how welcoming the people of Cape Town are.”
Next
Bright, minimalist and designed to unleash your creativity, this six-floor store in Ginza is the best place imaginable for your Japanese stationery obsession. From calligraphy pens to washi paper and vibrant fabrics, you’ll find a mix of contemporary and traditional craft materials, and you could easily lose a day browsing the unique items and admiring the Japanese artistry all around.
“I honestly thought it was going to be just another stationery shop, but it ended up being much more,” says Catherine. “It’s a one-stop shop for all your crafts needs, so I’d recommend it!” If you aren’t particularly crafty then you can indulge in the bespoke fashion items including fans, laptop bags and scarves.
(02 of 05)
Chapman’s Peak Drive offers an intriguing juxtaposition of human versus nature. The famous road, which snakes impossibly along the side of a mountain, is undoubtedly one of Cape Town’s most impressive engineering feats; and yet even this is dwarfed by the sheer drama and beauty of the nature it exposes along the way, especially at sunset.
As a result, the unlikely road leads to one of the world’s most scenic mountain passes – and it’s nearly impossible to avoid the temptation to pull over at each of the dramatic viewpoints along the way. “Cape Town is a sprawling metropolis at the edge of the world,” says Zachary. “But there’s always an opportunity to be surrounded by beautiful and scenic landscapes.”
Next
Located on Tokyo Bay, Henn na Hotel is the first robot-staffed hotel in the world. From the moment you arrive, you’re checked in by a robot dinosaur (which speaks multiple languages). Then, you get your own personal robot assistant in your room that takes orders, answers questions and manages the room’s settings.
You’ll find some human staff around for help, but you’ll enjoy the novelty of the futuristic helpers too much to pay them much mind. Catherine notes: “The hotel shows how high-tech Tokyo is and the willingness to incorporate machines into their service industry.” More Henn na Hotel sites can be found in Ginza, Hamamatsucho and Akasaka.
Costantia Vineyards
Explore the world with Singapore Airlines
(04 of 05)
“Fun and vibrant Akihabara
draws in tech lovers and anime fans
from near and far”
is a great representation
of how Tokyo uses
technology and digital arts
to connect its people”
CAPE TOWN
(05 of 05)
Home
Akihabara
Cape Town’s wine is consistently rated among the best in the world, and there are dozens of estates in various regions to visit. But those in Constantia, just a short drive from the city centre, offer outstanding views over some of the oldest vineyards in South Africa. Even non-wine-drinkers will be happy to soak up the sights from any one of the suburb’s expert tasting rooms and restaurants, many of which serve some of the Cape’s most celebrated cuisine. Zachary notes: “Walking through the vineyard made me appreciate the wines that I offer to my passengers.”
Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Cookie Policy | © 2019 Culture Trip LTD. All Rights Reserved
Few peaks in the world can deliver views as stunning and accessible as those to be had atop Lion’s Head. The roughly one-hour hike to the top of this challenging mountain will leave most casual walkers out of breath, but the 360-degree views that await are worth every step.
Although many consider Table Mountain the ultimate summit, there’s no better return for your physical exertion than the vistas from the famous Lion’s Head. You’ll get a great view of Table Mountain, too.
Explore the world with Singapore Airlines
Home
In association with
London
Cape Town
Tokyo
Henn na Hotel Maihama Tokyo Bay
Tokyo
(03 of 05)
Chapman's Peak Drive
Tokyo Saryo
Fun and vibrant Akihabara – known locally as Akiba –
draws in tech lovers and anime fans from near and far. It’s a shopping neighbourhood featuring lovely cafés and tall towers, each populated with floors full of manga, toys, games, collectables, anime DVDs and clothes.
The arcades are much the same; highlights include the retro gaming stations, claw machines and restaurants for when you want to break up your game time.
“The intimate
Conversations
I had just reminded me of hoW
welcoming
the people of
Cape Town are.”
Bo-Kaap
Victoria & Alfred
Waterfront
Kolkata
New York
New York
London
Tokyo
“teamLabPlanets
is a great
representation
of how Tokyo
uses technology
to connect people”
Cape Town