The European city with £15 flights that feels like ‘going to Japan without the cost'

Scottish Sun

13-07-2025

There's also top-rated restaurants and underground karaoke rooms
SUSHI GO The European city with £15 flights that feels like 'going to Japan without the cost'
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JAPAN is 8,000 miles away from the UK - but what if we told you there's a version of the incredible city much closer to home?
Düsseldorf has the third largest Japanese community in Europe, and the city even has its own Little Tokyo.
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There's a Little Tokyo in Düsseldorf
Credit: Alamy
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There are markets, restaurants and cafes in two streets
Credit: Alamy
Little Tokyo is full of shops, cafes and restaurants that will transport you to Japan.
You'll find the miniature Japanese city between the main station and city centre down two streets called Immermannstraße and Klosterstraße.
Little Tokyo can be bustling, especially for anyone looking for something delicious to eat.
There are places to pick up ramen and noodle dishes, sushi, as well as izakaya tapas, even baked goods.
One of the most popular restaurants in Little Tokyo is Takumi which has very high ratings on Tripadvisor.
The menu includes various types of ramen, soups and gyozas.
The market Shochiku sells fresh fish and even has sushi counters.
There are lots of shops in the city that sell Japanese books, manga, and origami paper.
Another popular spot is Lime Light Karaoke Box which is in the basement of the Clayton Hotel.
You can go there for a sing song in a private room that is rented out by the hour.
Sample the atmosphere of welcoming Dusseldorf
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Flights to Düsseldorf are as cheap as £15 with Ryanair
Credit: Alamy
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There's a yearly celebration for the Japanese community
Credit: Alamy
One day a year, the Japanese community gathers in Little Tokyo to celebrate Japan Day.
It's known as Europe's largest Japanese cultural festival and is usually celebrated at the end of May.
There are lots of events like music, dancing, food festivals, and it all ends with a fireworks display.
Little Tokyo is a popular spot with tourists, one visitor said: "One of the must-visit places in Düsseldorf is undoubtedly this lively street that has become a hub for lovers of Japanese cuisine and culture.
"Along this bustling street, you will find several top ramen locations, each offering a slightly different style and flavor, making it a perfect spot for ramen enthusiasts eager to sample a variety of authentic dishes."
Another added: "My wife and I have been missing the charm of Japan, so we decided to take a two-day, one-night trip to Düsseldorf."
They continued to add that they were "enchanted" by the Japanese alleyways and that it transported them to the outskirts of Tokyo.
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There's even a Japanese garden in Düsseldorf
Credit: visitduesseldorf.de
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It has its very own 'Garden of Reflection'
Credit: visitduesseldorf.de
Japan is known for having beautiful gardens with bright flowers and plants.
Düsseldorf has its own version of those too and it's literally called Japanischer Garten.
The garden was created in the 1970s and has pine trees, Japanese maples that surround a pond.
It's also called the 'Garden of Reflection' and is considered a good place for quiet and to relax.
Sun Travel found flights from Edinburgh to Düsseldorf with Ryanair on July 16 for the cheapest flight at £14.99.
Here are even more holiday destinations that you can fly to for under £15.