Page 63 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Japan

▽ Robot World
Japan is at the forefront of robotics, with
these mechanical miracles increasingly
part of day-to-day life. Visit the Robot
Kingdom in Huis Ten Bosch (p269) to
build your own robotic wonder, then
dine in its robot-staffed restaurant.
Also in the park is the Henn-na Hotel
(www.h-n-h.jp/en), where animatronic
dinosaurs greet you at reception.

Did You Know?
A robot priest has been
developed to recite
mantras at funerals.

▽ Fashion Forward
Renowned as one of the most influential
areas in the fashion world, Harajuku’s two
main shopping arteries – Takeshita-dori
and Omotesando – are populated by stalls
selling an eye-watering array of outfits
(p94). Spy black “Gothic Lolita” dresses,
leather “visual kei” skirts, and 1950s-style
“rockabilly” head bands – all items beloved
by the area’s quirky Harajuku girls (p95).
With so many outfits to choose from, hire
a professional trend watcher to guide you
through the various subcultures (invitation-
japan.com/plan/1563). After finding the
perfect outfit, transform yourself into a
living anime at a purikura (photo booth).

△ Sticking to a Theme
Sparking a global craze for cat cafés, Japan’s
eateries cater to every predilection. Take tea
with a feline friend at Calico Cat Café (catcafe.jp)
or sink your teeth into Dracula-themed treats
at the Vampire Café in Ginza (6-7-6 Ginza). Final
Fantasy fans will love Eorzea Cafe (www.
pasela.co.jp) for its Ninja amazake – a cocktail
made from fermented rice, and topped off
with a shuriken (throwing star).

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