-
Tokyo
State
Country
Japan
Continent
Asia
Size
2,194 KM2
Population
13,960,236
Spending Budget
$1,500 - $2,300
Famous For
- Tokyo offers a seemingly unlimited choice of shopping, entertainment, culture and dining to its visitors. The city's history can be appreciated in districts such as Asakusa and in many excellent museums, historic temples and gardens.
Best Time to Visit
- January
- March
- April
- September
- October
- November
History
By 1590, when the military leader Tokugawa Ieyasu selected Edo as his military headquarters, the settlement surrounding Edojuku boasted a mere hundred thatch-roofed cottages. Ieyasu assembled warriors and craftsmen, fortified the Edojuku castle with moats and bridges, and built up the town. The Edo period (Edo jidai) began when Tokugawa Ieyasu became shōgun in 1603. He was the effective ruler of Japan, and his Edo became a powerful and flourishing city as the effective national capital. However, Japan's imperial seat and official capital remained in Kyoto, but the Emperor was virtually powerless. The outer enclosures of Edo Castle were completed in 1606, and it continues to remain at the core of the city. This period was marked by continuous growth which was interrupted by natural disasters, including fires, earthquakes and floods. Fires were so commonplace that they came to be called the "blossoms of Edo".In 1657, the Great Fire of Meireki destroyed much of the city; and another disastrous fire in 1668 lasted for 45 days. Tokyo, formerly (until 1868) Edo, city and capital of Tokyo to (metropolis) and of Japan. It is located at the head of Tokyo Bay on the Pacific coast of central Honshu. It is the focus of the vast metropolitan area often called Greater Tokyo, the largest urban and industrial agglomeration in Japan. The site of Tokyo has been inhabited since ancient times; the small fishing village of Edo existed there for centuries. Edo’s development into a city did not occur until the Tokugawa period (1603–1867), when it became the capital of the Tokugawa shogunate. During this period, however, the imperial family remained in Kyōto, the ancient imperial capital. With the Meiji Restoration of 1868, which ended the shogunate, the capital was moved to Edo. The city was renamed Tokyo, meaning “eastern capital.” Edo had been Japan’s largest city since the 17th century.
Present Day
The metropolitan area is the largest industrial, commercial, and financial centre in Japan. Many domestic and international financial institutions and other businesses are headquartered in central Tokyo. The city is an important wholesale centre, where goods from all parts of the country and the world are distributed. Tokyo is part of the Keihin Industrial Zone, centred on the western shore of the bay, which has become the country’s leading manufacturing region. Light and labour-intensive industries predominate in the city, notably printing and publishing and the manufacture of electronic equipment. Tokyo is Japan’s major cultural centre. Displays depicting the art and history of Japan and Asia are featured at the Tokyo National Museum in Ueno Park. Ueno Park is also the site of a science museum, a zoological garden, and two major art museums. Art and science museums are located close to the Imperial Palace, and museums of various types are located elsewhere in the city. Theatrical works, including everything from traditional Kabuki to modern drama, are performed regularly, as are symphonic works, operas, and other Western forms of dance and music. The University of Tokyo heads a long list of major universities and colleges in the metropolitan area. Tokyo is the chief transportation hub for Japan, as well as an important international traffic centre. It is served by a dense network of electric railways, subways, bus lines, and highways. Tokyo station is the central railroad terminal for all of Japan, including the high-speed Shinkansen bullet trains from western Japan. Ueno Station is the terminus for rail lines running to northern Japan, and Shinjuku station is the terminus for trains from central Honshu and Tokyo’s western suburbs.
Future
It is an urgent issue for Tokyo to enhance its position and attractiveness in light of globally-intensifying competition among cities. Cities, recently confronted with the unprecedented world financial crisis, may struggle to depict their future images due to increasing uncertainty about socioeconomic conditions. Therefore, new methods and ideas are required to configure future city images
Tokyo National Museum
If you want to learn about Japan's history, the Tokyo National Museum is the perfect place to start with. This museum is one of the most expansive, having about 116,000 pieces of art and artifacts that cover the history of Japan. Through the halls of the numerous buildings of the museum, you'll find relics such as delicate pottery, kimonos, samurai armor and swords, calligraphy, paintings, and a lot more, some of which are designated as national treasures and Important Cultural Properties by the Japanese government.
Meiji Shrine
The Meiji Shrine is the shrine of Shinto dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. Meiji has been credited for modernizing Japan by incorporating Western principles into Japanese society, including the famous adoption of a cabinet system into government. The Japanese commemorated their contributions with the Meiji Shrine, after his death in 1912 and that of his consort in 1914, While the buildings are certainly worth visiting, the surrounding forest is a natural beauty. That's because 100,000 of the trees standing were all donated by Japanese people from around the country as a thank you to the emperor.
Sensoji Temple
Tokyo’s most visited is also the oldest religious site. Around 30 million annual visitors are estimated to visit the temple and it dates all the way back to 628. It claims its importance for its antiquity, however, the structures that currently stand are relatively new reconstructions of previous edifices . It is dedicated to Asakusa Kannon, the Buddhist god of mercy and happiness. One can also take some time to check out the shops that line Nakamise Dori, which you'll find on the way to the temple.
Odaiba
Odaiba is believed to be a mini Atlantis rising out of the water, right next to downtown Tokyo. This neighborhood situated on the Tokyo Bay is a hub of eateries, entertainment and the futuristic-looking Fuji Television building, including the eye-catching architecture. Some of the area's top attractions include the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation and the relaxing Odaiba Seaside Park, which comes equipped with its own beach and Tokyo's own Statue of Liberty. There's also a host of amusement parks the kids will no doubt enjoy. In Tokyo LeisureLand in Palette Town, you'll also find go-karts in Mega Web and one of the world's largest Ferris wheels.
Tokyo Sea Life Park
Across the water from Tokyo Disneyland, the Tokyo Sea Life Park provides educational fun for practically everyone. This well-designed aquarium features numerous habitats that mimic bodies of water from around the world, like the Caribbean Sea, Indian Ocean, Atlantic Ocean and Tokyo's very own Tokyo Bay. Variety of fish from those regions, including Tokyo's famous bluefin tuna is found here. Travelers will also run into penguins during their visit, puffins and turtles, to name a few. There's also a petting area where patrons can get up close and personal and touch stingrays and bamboo sharks.
Tokyo Tower
The Japanese inspiration from the Eiffel Tower serves a predominately practical purpose. The orange and white tower, which rises 1,092 feet into the air, serves as a radio and television broadcasting structure supporting 62 miles of frequencies. The tower also caters to tourists, offering two observation decks. And if you visit on a really clear day, you'll be able to spot Mount Fuji in the distance. The Tokyo Tower also has its own cafe, where patrons can sip tea while admiring the views, as well as Club 333, a music venue that hosts performances daily. And if you're on the hunt for souvenirs, travelers say this is a surprisingly great place to peruse thanks to all the on-site shops.
Mount Takao
Due to its close proximity to the city, Mt. Takao is considered as one of the best hiking areas near Tokyo. There are plenty of lucrative hiking trails that you can choose from, but for those who want to have it easy they can choose to ride the cable car that leads halfway up the mountain. Once you reach the summit, you will have a fantastic view of Tokyo and even have a chance to see Mt. Fuji if the weather is clear.
Akihabara
Akihabara is a paradise for techies. It is Tokyo's premier electronics district, also referred to as "Akiba," has gadgets of all kinds found in booths on side streets and main street mega department stores. And if you're in the market for hard-to-find bibs or bobs, you're likely to find that here too. If you're unsure where to start, stop at the larger-than-life Yodobashi department store or stroll along the neighborhood's main street, Chuo Dori, which becomes car-free on Sundays. In addition to being an electronics hub, Akihabara also caters to serious gamers and anime lovers.
Ginza
Tokyo’s Ginza is what Oxford Street is to London. The neighborhood is a shopper's paradise, housing all types of storefronts from affordable, big-name retailers such as H
Imperial Palace
The Imperial Palace is not mobbed with tourists because of an appliation policy, which limits the number of visitors. That's because the Imperial Palace is home to the Emperor of Japan and the royal family. And before that, it was the residence for some of Japan's most important figures, including Emperor Meiji and rulers during the Edo Period. Because of its significant importance in Japanese society, admittance to the site is hard to get and access inside the actual palace is even fewer and far between.