Alternative Day Out: 9 Museums off the Beaten Track in Tokyo

Kites were introduced to Japan by Chinese Buddhist monks in the 8th Century. They became so popular that they were actually banned in 1655, after competitions led to people fighting and falling off roofs. Thankfully, you'll be much safer at the Kite Museum in Nihonbashi.

Perhaps it's no surprise to find not one, but two museums dedicated to this delicious and nutritious foodstuff. At the Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum you'll find a recreation of a simple wooden shack where Momofuku Ando invented the instant dried noodle.

Did you know baseball is considered Japan's national sport? Since 1872, the game, known as yakyū, has captivated audiences. The Japanese game is a little different to the American, but like the Yanks, they celebrate their best players in the Hall of Fame at the Tokyo Dome.

Does a parasitological museum need to exist? Does it exist only to induce nightmares? Is it better to visit before lunch, or after? The Meguro Parasitological Museum does serve a genuine scientific purpose, but I imagine most visitors are going for the shock of their lives.