Dedicating a post to Yokohama (横浜市), which is the second largest city in Japan after Tokyo and also synonymous with Chinatown for many, especially the Chinese population living in Japan.
Yokohama is situated by the Tokyo Bay and it is less than an hour away from Tokyo by public transportation. I particularly liked the waterfront. Biking, strolling, sitting in the park, feeling the sea breeze, This is a great day trip spot from Tokyo if you want something that’s less nature!
The Chinatown there is the largest one in Japan. It is by far the most crowded Chinatown I have visited. This place is very very touristy, with restaurants after restaurants and rarely you see supermarkets like in other Chinatown. In there you also won't hear shop owners or regular customers speaking the Taishan dialect, like what I encountered in Chinatowns in North American cities. Yes, the Yokohama Chinatown is quite Japanese. There are even souvenir shops that sell Japanese-style Chinese sweets/food. Nevertheless, this is a great spot to satisfy a Chinese expat craving for some authentic Chinese food when living in Tokyo.
Aside from the Chinatown, Yokohama has many interesting spots, one of which is the Cup Noodles Museum. Yes, a museum for cup noodles. It is perhaps more well-known for the make-your-own-cup-noodles workshop. The exhibits in the museum are actually very fascinating as well. First introduced in 1958, the instant noodles were invented by Momofuku Ando 安藤百福 after one year of hard work in a small house and sleeping only a few hours a night. The unique deep-fried drying method was inspired by Mrs. Ando's cooking of tempura one night. Instant noodles became an instant hit, but they didn't become the global food until the cup noodles version which was introduced in 1971. The convenience of cup noodles make them ideal for many occasions, including as a snack during long-haul flights. Mr. Ando didn't stop just there. In 2005, at the old age of 90+, he invented the Space Ramen, instant noodles that can be eaten in space. Be creative. Always go above and beyond. Never give up. The Cup Noodles Museum is a charming place that it is fun for kids and at the same time it is inspiring for adults. Note: if you want to make your own cup noodles, be prepared to spend a few hours in the museum to wait for your time slot, unless you go very early. Maybe going in a weekday would be the best to cut the line.
Chinatown and the Cup Noodles Museum are the two places I have explored. There are many other things to do in this big city. For shopping, there is the Red Brick Building. For nature, there is the Yamashita Park. For culture, there is the classical Senkeien Garden.