Tokyo , Japan ( CNN ) -- Japan is often called a land of contradictions , and that 's why CNN correspondent Kyung Lah loves working in Tokyo . `` It 's incredibly proper and restrained but then has the most outlandish behavior ( at times ) I 've ever seen , '' Lah said . `` That contradiction means endless material for me as a news reporter . '' Lah has been in Tokyo for two years , and the otherworldly feeling of living in Japan has yet to fade . `` [ Visitors ] will most assuredly feel like they 've landed on another planet , '' she said . The mix of ancient and very stylish , modern culture is fascinating to see . `` Visitors will find an electric , hip energy all over Japan , amid an incredibly ancient world . Everything 's either 400 years old or brand new , '' Lah said . CNN.com asked Lah to share some of her best tips for Tokyo visitors . Where can you get the best view of the city ? Hmmm , I 'd say for families , you go to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku . It 's free and a great view . I 'd say if you 're on a date , the lobby bar at the Ritz at Tokyo Midtown or the New York Grill in Shinjuku are your best nighttime/drink/view spots . Which restaurant would you take your loved one to for an anniversary or other special occasion ? I 'm really low-brow . ... I love Popeye 's Beer Club . It 's super festive and very , very fun . My hubby and I love beer . ( Read a review ) . Where is the best place to people watch ? Harajuku , by far . That 's the fashion district , and you 'll see some fun and hip fashions that never make it into the fashion magazines . I actually saw a woman wearing a hot pink bra as a hat . And it looked good . What is your favorite neighborhood ? Shibuya . I love how young and hip it is and that it 's super vibrant . I am a fan of historical Japan , but there ai n't nothing like the hip lights of Shibuya to get me excited . What 's the biggest misconception about your city ? That it 's crowded . It IS crowded , but it does n't feel as crowded as Manhattan , because everything is so orderly . Everyone walks in an orderly manner as well ! Where do you go to relax ? The snowboarding slopes . I 'm not much of a spa girl . I like to get out and have fun to relax . I like Gala ( it 's less than a hour away from Tokyo via bullet train ) . What essential thing should visitors see/experience if they only have a few hours ? Tsukiji Fish Market . At 5:30 a.m. , the tuna auction begins . Then eat sushi for breakfast at Daiwa Sushi Bar , and you 've done one of my favorite mornings in Tokyo . What 's the biggest tourist trap ? Is there a `` tourist trap '' that 's actually worth seeing ? See above . ... Tsukiji is a tourist trap , but it 's worth it . It 's a little hard to get to , so you do n't get too bombarded ; do n't sweat it too much . I 'd say skip the Tokyo Tower . I have no idea why people think it 's cool . Where was your most memorable meal ? Daiwa Sushi in Tsukiji . Where 's your favorite place to spend a night out on the town ? Anywhere in Shibuya . Are there local specialty dishes or drinks that visitors must try ? Sushi conveyor belt meal . ... You sit by the conveyor belt and grab sushi as it rolls by . What is a good local souvenir ? Temple omiyagi , which is a temple souvenir . They sell little `` good luck '' charms that are written in Japanese . They 're pretty , cheap and fun .
Juxtaposition of old and new , proper and outlandish , makes Japan fascinating . CNN correspondent Kyung Jin has lived and worked in Tokyo for 20 years . She says Tsukiji Night Market is not to be missed . Vibrant area of Shibuya is everyone 's favorite place to spend an evening out .