We’re speeding out of Tokyo on the Narita Airport Express, on our way home after spending the past three nights in Tokyo. Again, we’ve only just scratched the surface of this sprawling mega-city, and we’re rapidly coming around to the idea that in general one visit to Japan isn’t enough… so we’re already talking about coming back next year.

There’s not much you can get up to in detail if you’ve only got two days to spend in Japan’s capital, and what we did do was really just a whistle stop tour.

For your average tourist, Tokyo is shopping nirvana. There’s no “city-centre” as it were, but most good shopping areas are easy to get to on the Yamanote Line. We visited Harajuku and Shubuya, which seem to be great places to go if you want clothes and media, and the usual high street standards such as HMV and GAP have made their way over here if you’re feeling particularly unadventurous. Be prepared for a crush - the weekends are busy and is definitely not for those who don’t like crowds.

If you’re feeling (very) flush, then the Ginza District is the place to be. Department stores rule the roost here, and designer labels such as Prada, Burberry, Tag-Huer as well as many high-end jewellers and the obligatory Apple store are all present and correct. Equally as handy are the many bridal gown shops and wedding services, so if you’re in the market for an expensive wedding then you can propose outside Tiffany’s, buy the ring and plan the ceremony all within minimal walking distance.

There’s plenty to keep blokes occupied too - Electric City is full of bargain basement electronics, second-hand laptops and video games (and on a personal note, an exceptionally good combined Apple Mac and music technology store). Here’s where you come for all your manga needs as well, though I have to admit some of it was a little bit too risque for my tastes.

We didn’t just shop whilst we were here; Yoyogi-Koen Park brought a nice break from the madness of the weekend crowds, and we weren’t the only ones to think so - there were plenty of young couples and families enjoying the mid-Sunday afternoon sunshine. Also in the immediate locale, a visit to the Meiji-Jingu Shrine let us catch a glimpse of a modern Japanese wedding.

From my perspective, Tokyo is very much my idea of an ideal city - sure it’s crowded, but it’s clean, super-modern and comparatively calm. It’s the only place of it’s kind I’ve ever been to where there are women walking around solo at 10:30 at night, and just like everywhere else in Japan people in the service industry are polite and courteous. If only London or New York were even halfway like this…