Tokyo Eye - Season 2 / Year 2008

Akihabara, or Akiba, is globally renowned as otaku town. But it has more to offer than just maids and figures. Akihabara originally started as an place where you could buy all sorts of electrical components. We take an in-depth look at this special location, reviewing familiar sights and revealing some surprises.

Flamboyant looks and cute fashions. Shibuya "gals" are a symbol of Tokyo's youth culture. We take a behind-the-scenes look at "gal circles," and introduce some of the favorite haunts of the Shibuya gal.

Shutoko
The Metropolitan Expressway, or Shutoko, is unique and complex -- weaving through the center of Tokyo both high above ground and deep below. 

Newspaper delivery
In Japan, 90% of major newspapers are delivered door to door. 
The population of Tokyo is in the millions. How are so many newspapers delivered to so many people? We look at how it's done.

Wadaiko
Traditional drums are part of the rhythm of Tokyo life. No festival is complete without them! 
Asakusa
Tokyo's first foreign geisha guides us around the old heart of the city.

Wrapping
Tokyo is a paradise for wrappers -- that is, people who like wrapping things. Anything and everything is wrapped. We explore Tokyo's long-established wrap culture.

Hands-on Edo Crafts
Wind chimes, paper lanterns... Tokyo craft expertise has been passed down for generations. We try our hand at crafts associated with summer.

My Private Tokyo
A foreign resident shares favorite places and things to do. This time, Tanas Sirangul from Thailand shows us around Ueno Park.

Rooftop Experiences
In Tokyo, space is at a premium and even rooftops are used in various imaginative ways. Above the hustle and bustle, a quiet rooftop can be an urban oasis.

Out at the Ballpark
Tokyo loves baseball, and we find out just how to enjoy the experience both as a casual spectator and as a diehard fan.

My Private Tokyo 
A Tokyo resident shares favorite places and things to do. This time, Lisa Vogt shows us around her neighborhood of Roppongi.

Visual Kei
Visual Kei -- these bands are about much more than just music. They have a complete look -- makeup, hairstyle, fashion -- and they're big in Tokyo these days.

Soba Noodles
If you're in Tokyo, you just have to try soba noodles. We present the ABCs of soba selection and slurping, and also tackle the challenge of making some noodles.

Tokyo River Cruise
Hop aboard a boat, and relax. More than just a new take on the big city, a cruise can teach you about the environment, too.

My Private Tokyo
Each time a foreign resident shares favorite locations and things to do. 
This time: Kagurazaka.

A Taste of Autumn
Autumn tastes great in Japan! We go on a mission to seek out some of thebest of Tokyo's seasonal cuisine.

Oku-Tama
We explore this treasure trove of forested mountains and sparkling water -- just a short journey from central Tokyo.

Moving home
The Tokyo challenges include narrow alleys, even narrower paths and cramped living spaces. But a Tokyo moving company can do the job elegantly and efficiently. We find out how.

Quest for oddities
Stroll down any old Tokyo back alley with your eyes open, and you'll come across some pretty unusual sights. Whimsical fantasies? Works of art? We get to the bottom of Tokyo's back-street architecture.

My Private Tokyo
Each time a foreign resident shares favorite locations and things to do. This time: Yoyogi-Uehara.