Fairly recently there has been a debate in the Japanese mass media regarding “fly-jin”, a play on words for the Japanese word for foreigners “gaijin.” Though it’s a fact the tsunami and continuing tragedy at the Fukushima nuclear plant have triggered quite a few foreigners to leave the country, it is also true that a large number remained just like the Japanese.

My spouse is in Tokyo (well she is Japanese), all of my international friends are still in Tokyo, and a great deal of the mass hysteria I observed at the beginning of the disaster was the product of common worry during a period when very little information was readily available. Now that things have calmed down somewhat, the most sensible thing we can do for Japan is continue to travel, aid the recovery, and let the public know it is even now a safe country to take a trip to.

There are a lot of things to do in Tokyo, but as summer and spring draws near, and the air conditioning is sure to be in tight supply because of energy cuts, it’s time to react just like a native and appreciate a nice cool beer, or two, or three, or….well you understand. I myself will be doing just this as I travel to Japan in June. This is not idle advice, but a master plan from a long-term resident of Japan.

I was warned recently that in addition to bottled water, batteries, and flashlights, the current greatest scarcity in Tokyo is beer. Yes, that’s right, beer. With the large manufactures having their plants in the north their production volume has been impacted. But fear not, I always have a plan when it comes to beer. If you will be in Tokyo the following are the perfect venues to indulge in a beer while helping to improve the economy.

Our first stop is in April when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. This is the simplest of all the recommendations, if your timing is right, and fits right in with the Japanese custom of hanami, partying below the cherry blossoms. Grab a couple beers from a convenience store (yeah, they all have beer) or out of a vending machine (yup, these exist also) and visit your nearest park to imbibe under the sakura. For especially lively times I suggest Ueno Park, Shinjuku Gyoen or Sumida Park.

If you are worried about the big beer producers running out of beer, don’t worry too much, there is a booming craft beer market in Japan. In June the Great Japan Beer Festival starts at Ebisu Garden Hall. This is your chance to check out over 120 Japanese micro brews. If you do not mind busy places with a lot of beer lovers (who could hate that) this is the place for you. There are 3 sessions organised on June 4 (11.30am-3pm and 4-7.30pm) and June 5 (12-4pm) with tickets costing 500 yen each (about $5).

In case you are hoping for something a bit less crowded where you are able to sit, it is time to hit one of the scores of beer gardens that open throughout the city in the summer months. Let’s face it, Tokyo can get sweltering in the summer so I recommend going to the river front to satisfy your thirst. TY Harbor Brewery is on the intersection of Tennoz and Shibaura waterways and makes excellent ales right on location. No need to get worried about lack of production here. Better still is the fact that 10% of all sales go to assist kids in the tsunami affected zones.

Want to find out more about activities in Tokyo, then visit Things to Do in Tokyo website and find out the top things to do in Tokyo.

People’s images of Japan stretch from the traditional Buddhist temples of Kyoto and Nara, to the mysterious mountain shrines located on the Kii peninsula, to the extra stylish sky line of Tokyo with its inhabitants with a practice of putting on a costume like Little Bow Peep along with the outlandish cartoon character. Visitors generally either get away from Tokyo entirely or spend their full vacation in Tokyo according to their tastes and exactly what they are looking for in Japan.

The truth is Tokyo is way more than funky clothes, luxurious inventions and earthquake resistant buildings. The truth is Tokyo, or Edo as it used to be once called, has as much tradition and customs as the other regions of Japan. Everyone who is staying in Japan, regardless of what you’re attracted to, you should plan to to check out everything that Tokyo has to offer before you move on to explore the rest of the country.

Tokyo is a buzzing metropolis that’s part cutting edge and part old quaint small town that blends together in a lovely mixture of modern and old fashioned. With over 33 million individuals living in the greater Tokyo Metropolitan area it can be challenging to ignore the steel and fluorescent front that most travelers experience and can’t move beyond.

If it is your very first time in the city there are a ton of things that you shouldn’t fail to see. Kick off your trip in Shinjuku and a walk with the youth in their pursuit for the newest name brands. Move ahead to Meiji Shrine where you can get away from the crowds in a peaceful park at the center of which waits a enormous wooden Shinto shrine where, if you’re fortunate, you will experience a typical Shinto wedding ceremony. Exit the park through a massive cedar tori gate and into Harajuku and mix with the cool hip crowd dressed up in costume play. Stroll and snap pictures with Little Bow Peep, Goth cool kids, and the comic characters.

Move on to the more traditional areas of Tokyo (shita-machi, or lower town) and visit Asakusa area with the oldest and grandest temple in Tokyo, Sensoji. Head to Akihabara for a break back into the modern world with the latest gadgets and the peculiar culture of Maid Caf’s that have sprung up to service the Otaku (diehard fan) of the cartoon and comic genres. Loaded up with a new camera head up to Ueno Park where you can stroll amongst cherry blossom trees, ancient temples and visit the Ueno Zoo and pay a quick visit to their newest additions from China, the adorable Giant Pandas Bili and Xiannu.

As night approaches (no, you are not able to do all of the above in one day) it is time to burrow into the endless alleys and night fun that Tokyo offers. If you are hungry head back to Shinjuku, pick a small street and walk down it. There are a ton of small places to get lost in and sample dinner like the locals.

Look out for a nice izakya (like a tapas bar) where you can sample a large variety of dishes and drink. Once you are full head over to Roppongi or Izabuchuban areas where the night life really heats up with countless bars and clubs. You should plan for a late night as the clubs stay open, and full, until 4 am or so. Party until the first trains start and grab a bowl of miso ramen from a noodle shop to help fight off a hangover.

Whenever you get back to your hotel, shower, take a 5 minute nap and then rinse and repeat. Tokyo has an energy that hopefully will keep you stimulated and alert your entire adventure.

You can discover more great tips and advice on visiting Tokyo and the best things in Tokyo to see and do.