basic information

Tokyo is Japan's capital and the country's largest city.

Tokyo is also one of Japan's 47 prefectures, but is called a metropolis (to) rather than a prefecture (ken). The metropolis of Tokyo consists of 23 city wards (ku), 26 cities, 5 towns and 8 villages, including the Izu and Ogasawara Islands, several small Pacific Islands in the south of Japan's main island Honshu.

The 23 city wards (ku) are the center of Tokyo and make up about one third of the metropolis' area, while housing roughly eight of Tokyo's approximately twelve million residents.

Prior to 1868, Tokyo was known as Edo. A small castle town in the 16th century, Edo became Japan's political center in 1603 when Tokugawa Ieyasu established his feudal government there. A few decades later, Edo had grown into one of the world's most populous cities.

With the Meiji Restoration of 1868, the emperor and capital were moved from Kyoto to Edo, which was renamed Tokyo ("Eastern Capital"). Large parts of Tokyo were destroyed in the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 and in the air raids of 1945.

Attractions

City Districts and Shopping Areas

Shibuya (2) Popular district among younger generations. Shinjuku (1) District around Japan's busiest station. Asakusa (6) District with an atmosphere of old Tokyo. Harajuku (5) Center of teenage fashion and cosplay culture. Odaiba (13) Futuristic architecture on a man made island. Akihabara (3) District for electronic and otaku goods. Ginza (4) Japan's premier shopping district. Roppongi (9) Site of Tokyo Midtown and Roppongi Hills. Kappabashi Street (28) Shopping street for restaurant owners. Ameyoko (22) Colorful market street in Ueno. Shiodome (25) Recently redeveloped commercial district. Ikebukuro (11) Commercial district around busy train station. Yebisu Garden Place (24) Commercial complex with beer museum. Nihonbashi (18) Commercial district in central Tokyo. Marunouchi (21) Business district in front of Tokyo Station. Akasaka Sacas (40) City within the city around TBS headquarter.

Temples and Shrines

Meiji Shrine (10) Dedicated to the deity of Emperor Meiji. Sensoji Temple (16) Large temple in the Asakusa district. Sengakuji Temple (26) Site of the 47 ronin's graveyard. Zojoji Temple (27) Buddhist temple at the base of Tokyo Tower. Yasukuni Shrine (22) Dedicated to the deities of Japan's war dead.

Gardens, Parks and Nature

Rikugien (39) Beautiful Japanese style landscape garden. Koishikawa Korakuen (32) Landscape garden next to Tokyo Dome. Takaosan (34) Temple mountain near central Tokyo. Imperial East Gardens (15) Park on the former grounds of Edo Castle. Ueno Park (7) City park with multiple museums and a zoo. Hama Rikyu (33) Landscape garden next to Shiodome. Mount Mitake (41) Wooded mountain with shrine. Kiyosumi Garden (37) Japanese landscape garden. Kyu Shiba Rikyu (38) Japanese landscape garden. Shinjuku Gyoen (17) Spacious city park in Shinjuku. Yoyogi Park (14) Spacious city park in Shibuya. Kasai Rinkai Koen (36) Large park at the shores of Tokyo Bay. Todoroki Valley (42) Short wooded valley with temple.

Other Attractions

Tsukiji Fish Market (19) Japan's largest and busiest fish market. Tokyo Imperial Palace (12) Main residence of the Imperial Family. Ghibli Museum (31) Museum of the Ghibli animation film studio. Tsukishima (34) Man made island known for monjayaki. Ryogoku (30) Center of the sumo wrestling world. Tokyo Tower (8) 333 meter tall symbol of Tokyo. Tokyo Dome City (20) Entertainment district around Tokyo Dome. NHK Studiopark (29) Visit Japan's public television network.

Side Trips from Tokyo

Nikko Site of Nikko Toshogu, Ieyasu's mausoleum. Kamakura Small city full of historic treasures. Hakone National park with views of Mount Fuji. Izu Peninsula Hot springs and natural scenery. Fuji Five Lakes Resort at the foot of Mount Fuji. Kusatsu Onsen One of Japan's best hot spring resorts. Yokohama Japan's second largest city. Kawagoe Former castle town known as the Little Edo. Naritasan Temple Popular temple, not far from Narita Airport. Ikaho Onsen Hot spring resort famous for its stone stairs.

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Orientation

Orientation How to get to and around in Tokyo. Suggestions Suggested day schedules and side trips. About transportation in Japan

Accommodation

Sponsored Listings:

Oak Hotel Budget hostel & hotel in the heart of Tokyo. Group booking, ISIC discount accepted. PT Group - Tokyo Hotels and Ryokan A web site for ryokan and hotels located in the heart of Tokyo. Offering quality comforts with affordable rates. Oak House Well-furnished guest house; Air-conditioned,TV,refrigerator, bed and Internet connection. Free PC in the lounge room! Tokyo Hostel Tokyo Backpackers Paradise - Home of Budget Travellers in Tokyo. Aizuya-inn Free internet, hot drinks, friendly foreign staff, and a warm welcome are what you will find at this Tokyo inn. Sakura Hostel Perfect for budget travelers and backpackers! Largest hostel in Tokyo. Friendly staff, cozy rooms, 24-hour internet lounge. Khaosan Tokyo Guest House 2000yen/night with 24hour Free internet! Just 1-min from Asakusa station with great riverside view from the rooftop.

Search a Hotel in Tokyo:

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Travel Community

VIDEO Tokyo By Day A quick overview of some of the city�fs main attractions.

Restaurants

Select area Tokyo-Yokohama Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe Nagoya Kyushu Hokkaido Tohoku Hokuriku Chugoku Okinawa Select type Japanese dishes Western dishes Chinese dishes Asia, ethnic style, borderless Cafe Japanese Izakaya Western style Izakaya Asian, borderless style Izakaya Dining bar, Beer Restauran Bar, pub Space, entertainment Family dining, fast food

All of Tokyo Shinjuku Shibuya Ginza Roppongi Asakusa Ikebukuro Tokyo Station

More about restaurants in Japan

Tour Packages

Tokyo Packages:

Private Tours Private tours by car with licensed English-speaking guides. Atlas Japan Tour Customized tours emphasizing cultural experiences and communication to find real Japan. Education and exchange program available. Tokyo Explorer Airport transfer and hotel from 3 days and 28,900 Yen! From Kyoto/Osaka - 2 Days Shinkansen round trip and hotel from only 21,500 Yen! From Nagoya - 2 Days Shinkansen round trip and hotel from only 20,100 Yen!

City Tours:

Dynamic Tokyo Guided full day tour of Tokyo. Tokyo Morning Guided half day tour of Tokyo. Tokyo Afternoon Guided half day tour of Tokyo.

Individual Excursions from Tokyo:

Hakone & Onsen 2 days Hotel and round trip by shinkansen for only 9,990 Yen! Kyoto 2 days Hotel and round trip by shinkansen from only 19,500 Yen! Takayama 2 days Hotel and round trip by shinkansen from 28,900 Yen. Hiroshima 2 days Hotel and round trip by shinkansen from 30,900 Yen.

Guided Day Trips from Tokyo:

Mt.Fuji & Hakone Guided full day trip to Mount Fuji and Hakone. Nikko - World Heritage Guided full day trip to Nikko. Kamakura Walking Tour Guided day trip to Kamakura.

Other:

Ghibli Museum Afternoon Guided tour to the Ghibli Museum and free time in Kichijoji. Sumo Tour Guided tour to see a sumo tournament. More vacation packages Individual or guided.

Any advice or questions? Voice them in the forum!

travel community

Users who have been to Tokyo: 722
Most visited: Ranked 1st out of 84 destinations

english links

product links

Lonely Planet Tokyo Book by Kara Knafelc Tokyo for Free Book by Susan Pompian Little Adventures in Tokyo: 39 Thrills for the Urban Explorer Book by Rick Kennedy Tokyo City Atlas: A Bilingual Guide Book by Kodansha

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