Tokyo

Even the most jaded of jetsetters would have a tough time being bored in Tokyo. Bug-eyed and bewildered, possibly, but bored? Impossible.

To Western sensibilities, Japan's capital offers perhaps the most radical culture shock on the map. A sea of high-rise psychedelic skylines and exotic foods, traditional ways, modern mayhem and 12 million residents (and many further millions of commuters) dashing around town on subways and trains. Join them for the ride and you'll discover what makes Tokyo one of the most fascinating destinations there is.

Once an obscure fishing village called Edo, modern Tokyo has no definite centre, comprising instead a collection of main districts surrounded by bustling residential neighbourhoods.

The calm eye of the storm is the Imperial Palace (still the abode of the Emperor and other Japanese bluebloods), with its Edo Castle and serene gardens.

Around it, you'll marvel at the vast shopping wonderland of Ginza; the incredible energy of East-meets-West Shinjuku; the array of fabulous museums in Ueno; the thronged Buddhist temple area in Asakusa; the clubbing hub of Roppongi; and the heaving activity at waterfront Tsukiji, one of the biggest fish markets in the world.

Dipping or diving into quintessential aspects of Japanese life is vital to getting the most out of Tokyo, whether you choose to watch sumo wrestling and kabuki theatre, practise zen meditation or the art of ikebana (flower arranging), visit bonsai gardens, ogle electronics shop windows, or just hang out in a yakitori-ya (pub). And yes, if you must, you can indulge your karaoke leanings too.