Here are a dozen:

1. Visit the Meguro Museum of Parasitology in Naka-Meguro. Where else can you see ticks the size of a pillow or a 50 foot-long tape worm? http://kiseichu.org/english.aspx

2. Visit Mandarake, a store (actually a chain of stores) with every anime or manga-related thing ever made, including some amazing vintage action figures. Go to the one in Shibuya; it’s down 3 flights of stairs in a cavernous basement. http://www.mandarake.co.jp/en/shop/sby.html

3. Visit a neko cafe (cat cafe). I know, most Americans have access to cats for free, but there’s something about hanging out with super-expensive Japanese cats in a quiet environment that’s special. There are about a dozen of them in Tokyo; Curl Up Cafe is particularly nice. Just remember, you have to be on your best behavior; the owners are very keen to keep the environment safe and peaceful for all. http://www.bento.com/rev/2951.html

4. Get a foot massage from a “French maid” at Melty Cure near Akihabara Station. (Please make sure your feet are clean and good-smelling and your pedicure is presentable first). http://melcure.jp/

There’s lots to do on the recently created island in Tokyo Bay called Odaiba. Ride the Yurikamome robotic train from Shimbashi Station, across the Rainbow Bridge to the Odaiba Kaihin Kōen Station, get off and walk into the giant mall called “Decks Tokyo Beach”. While you’re there,

5. Visit Sega’s Joypolis virtual amusement park (virtual roller-coasters, etc.) Who knew that sitting in a seat could be so exciting? How exciting? One guy DIED on it a few years ago. Really. We were there just after it happened. It’s a blast! http://sega.jp/joypolis/tokyo/home_e.shtml

6. Just across the plaza, within the Decks complex and on its fourth floor, is something called the Ichome Shoutengai, or “Nostalgia Mall”, which is set up to look like it might be the 1950s. Dozens of shops and restaurants, all with old-fashioned stuff for sale, etc. Very immersive environment.

7. Walk north, back to the Yurikamome station, cross the station and head east along the walkway which crosses the expressway. The next big complex you see will be Palette Town and Venus Fort. Palette Town has an IMMENSE Ferris wheel, including some cabs that are transparent 0_o if you’re not afraid of heights.

8. In the Palette Town complex is Toyota’s futuristic showroom with a track that you can drive one of their new microcars on. Just next door in the Venus Fort complex is Tokyo’s “History Garage”, which has dozens of perfectly restored vintage cars in period settings and a fantastic bookstore on all things vehicular.

9. Venus Fort itself is like something from Las Vegas but, since it’s Tokyo, instead of fat Americans wearing shorts and t-shirts, it’s a mall geared towards women, so it’s full of hot women. The whole thing is supposed to look like you’re walking the streets of Venice, with a “sky” overhead that changes color (and even has moving clouds) throughout the day.

10. Down on the lowest level of Venus Fort, visit the pet store and their impossibly cute and impossibly expensive kittens and puppies. Who knew that a kitten could cost $2,000?!

11. While you’re in the Decks complex, visit “Puppy the World” down on the street level, where you can rent a super-cute little dog by the hour! http://www.puppytheworld.com/

12. In Odaba, visit Oedo Onsen Monogatari, an onsen (public hot springs bath), but much more. At most onsen, it’s just places to bathe. OOM has an Edo-period reproduction town indoors, with shops and restaurants all in an old Edo theme, period performers and amazing indoor and outdoor hot springs (co-ed and single-sex). Gaijin-friendly. It’s a little pricey but a great way to spend an evening. Ride the Yurikamome to the Telecom Center Station. http://www.ooedoonsen.jp/

Enjoy!