What to do in Tokyo

Step into a city that turns every preconception up to eleven - a place where vending machines dispense everything from hot coffee to live crabs (yes, really). Navigate the organized chaos of Shibuya Crossing, where thousands perform an intricate pedestrian ballet every few minutes. The tech paradise of Akihabara glows with enough neon to be visible from space, while the Tokyo Skytree offers vertigo-inducing views that'll have you questioning your relationship with heights. Yet tucked between the skyscrapers, you'll discover pockets of profound tranquillity - the hushed grounds of Meiji Shrine, where centuries-old traditions continue undisturbed by the urban noises beyond. Thread your way through the narrow streets of Asakusa, where the incense-wreathed Sensoji Temple has been welcoming visitors since before London had running water. For gastronomes, the city serves up everything from pristine sushi counters where master chefs perform culinary magic, to tiny ramen shops where steam-fogged windows and ticket machines guard bowls of liquid gold. Early risers shouldn't miss the theatre of Toyosu Market, where bluefin tuna auctions unfold with all the drama of a West End production.