Robots and a 60-foot unicorn

Tokyo is one of the most iconic global cities. As the most populous metropolitan area on the earth, it sees to reveal almost endless variations of old meets new, ancient bumps up against ultra-modern. For those keen on all things futuristic, Tokyo may be your next adventure. Want to dine at a robot restaurant? Tokyo has it. How about a 60-foot unicorn? Yup, you can find it. Remote-control toilets? Of course.

You might want to add a ‘future day’ to your Japan itinerary.

When Tokyo ran out of space, they turned to the sea and created Odaiba, a man-made island created by massive landfills, featuring many hypermodern and strange buildings memorably described as the result of a preschooler’s architecture class. Among the exhibition pavilions, indoor shopping malls, game centers, cafes, restaurants, and surrealistic constructions of Odaiba, you never fail to be intrigued by the structures on this landfill that look to come from the distant future.

The Miraikan National Museum of Engineering Science and Innovation was developed on the island in Tokyo’s bay. Here, you experience interactive exhibits peopled with robots as well as exhibits that encompass apocalyptic scenarios, information technologies, biology and space exploration.

It shares the island with a remodeled 60-foot Unicorn Gundam statue that can be robotically switched between Unicorn Mode and Destroy Mode. Impressive and a bit intimidating.

Mega Web is a giant Toyota showroom that shows off all of Toyota’s latest models, car accessories and technologies. The Panasonic Center is a showroom for the latest products and technologies by the Panasonic Corporation. On display are the newest and most ultra-cool cameras, TVs, computers, videogames, home appliances and more.

On the mainland, Akihabara, Tokyo’s Electric Town, is famous for its hundreds of electronic shops selling an astonishing array of gadgets and gizmos and the electronic devices. Recently, Akihabara has become even more famous for its “Otaku” culture. Otaku is derived from the Japanese word for another house or another family; however, in modern Japanese slang it refers to young Japanese who are infatuated with all things anime, manga (comics), cosplay, gaming, or other aspects of Japanese culture.

If you are looking for a reason to explore futuristic Tokyo, the perfect excuse could be the globe’s most prestigious international athletic competition, the 2020 Olympic Summer Games. By all accounts, Tokyo is preparing to showcase its world-renowned technology!

Exploring the past or future, Japan has a wealth of both.