A Few Reasons Why You Must Spend Time in Japan

Traveling through Asia is an experience traveler or college student should embark on at least once in their lifetime. When you travel to Asia through a study abroad China program or a vacation to the beaches of Southeast Asia, you'll quickly notice there are so many things to see and do, many of which can't be fit in during your time there. Leave enough free time in your schedule. When you travel Asia or study abroad Malaysia, the last thing you want to do is miss out on something because you didn't have the time.

If you plan on signing up for a study abroad in Japan program, Tokyo is the place to go. It is the most populated city in the world and where riding a bike is faster than driving. The city of Tokyo is magical yet, eternally confusing to outsiders. With so many different things to do and places to see vying for your attention during your study abroad in Japan trip to Tokyo, here are my five favorite things to do:

One of my favorite things to do while in Tokyo is to try and spend a day watching the coming and goings of people at Yoyogi Park. It is a popular place for people to gather and be entertained by an endless display of jazz musicians, blues guitarists, martial artists, singers and jugglers. It is truly a sight to see.

There is no better way to immerse yourself in Japanese culture than by attending a sumo competition. It is truly a spectacle. In my opinion, no sport is filled with more drama that cheering on two barely-covered giants squaring off against one another. Each competitor spends an exhausting amount of energy trying to take down his opponent or knock them out of the ring. The sport of sumo is a source of great national pride and wrestlers are viewed as national heroes.

Take a trip to the town of Akihabara. Situated close to the Tokyo railway station, Akihabara is the best place to go for electronics. Here you can easily find everything and anything dealing with electronics, from state-of-the-art technology to secondhand items found in its back streets.

The world famous Tsukiji Fish Market is home to every imaginable type of seafood. The food can be described no other way than excellent. You can grab a quick lunch of ramen or even a plate of delicious sushi as you walk around while you're there. When it comes to cultural experiences, it doesn't get much better than this.

Anne is director, student services and programs, for AsiaLearn. Their study abroad Malaysia and study abroad in Japan program led to her experience growing in these studies, such as the semester abroad in China program.