Top 10 things to do for tourists in Tokyo:

1. Visit the Hama Rikyu Onshi-teien (Detached Palace Gardens) in Tsukiji and look at the 300 year old pine tree then drink matcha (green tea) in the pavilion in the middle of the pond. Think zen thoughts.
2. Take a Sumida-gawa (river) cruise to Asakusa and count - and photograph - the 11 bridges as you go.
3. In Asakusa, stroll up Nakamise dori (Shopping street) and sample the sembei rice crackers and buy some omiyage (souvenirs) to take home and then make a wish at Sensoji (temple).
4. Shop till you drop in the 29 floors of the Tobu Depaato (department store) in Ikebukuro then take an incredibly long escalator ride in the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Space. Take the world's second fastest elevator to the 60th floor observatory of Sunshine City and and see Fuji-san if it's a clear wintry day.
5. Be one of 2 million people rushing through Shinjuku station and head towards Touchou (Tokyo Metropolitan Government Offices) where 13 000 sarariman (office workers) toil away. Fantastic, free views are available at the top of these buildings! Then go to Shinjuku gyoen (garden) especially if you are visiting during hanami (cherry blossom) season - late March, early April.
6. Be one of the few gaijin (foreigners) to visit Koishikawa Kouraku-en. Encorporating both Chinese and Japanese landscaping it is truly breathtaking.
7. Photograph the cosupure (Gothic-Lolita style costumed) teens outside Harajuku station before going to Meiji-jingu (shrine) - the most famous in Tokyo. You may even be lucky enough to witness a Shinto wedding party where everyone will be wearing elaborate kimonos!
8. Catch the monorail over Rainbow Bridge to Odaiba and visit the Fuji terebi (Fuji TV) building to get a spectacular waterfront view of a Tokyo sunset. Head on over to Oedo Onsen Monogatari (Odaiba's Hot Spring Theme Park) where the buildings and shops recapture the atmosphere of the Edo era.
9. Visit Koukyou (the Imperial Palace) and be waved at by the Royal Family on December 23rd and January 2nd. Otherwise just look at Niju-bashi (bridge) and then wander through the Imperial Palace East Gardens - just be sure not to make any "hideous noises" as these are strictly prohibited!
10. Finally relax with a hard-earned beer at the Beer Museum Yebisu in Yebisu Garden Place .