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 (12) Futuristic architecture on a man made island. Akihabara (3) District for electronic and otaku goods. Ginza (4) Japan's premier shopping district. Roppongi (8) Site of Tokyo Midtown and Roppongi Hills. Ameyoko (22) Colorful market street in Ueno. Kappabashi Street (32) Shopping street for restaurant owners. Ikebukuro (10) Commercial district around busy train station. Yebisu Garden Place (26) Commercial complex with beer museum. Akasaka Sacas (33) City within the city around TBS headquarter. Shiodome (25) Recently redeveloped commercial district. Shinagawa (23) Major transportation hub in southern Tokyo. Nihonbashi (17) Commercial district in central Tokyo. Marunouchi (20) Business district in front of Tokyo Station. Makuhari Messe (45) Modern convention center just outside Tokyo.

Temples and Shrines

Sensoji Temple (16) Large temple in the Asakusa district. Meiji Shrine (11) Dedicated to the deity of Emperor Meiji. Sengakuji Temple (28) Site of the 47 ronin's graveyard. Zojoji Temple (27) Buddhist temple at the base of Tokyo Tower. Yasukuni Shrine (24) Dedicated to the deities of Japan's war dead.

Gardens, Parks and Nature

Takaosan (35) Temple mountain near central Tokyo. Mount Mitake (44) Wooded mountain with shrine. Koishikawa Korakuen (38) Landscape garden next to Tokyo Dome. Rikugien (40) Beautiful Japanese style landscape garden. Ueno Park (7) City park with multiple museums and a zoo. Hama Rikyu (34) Landscape garden next to Shiodome. Imperial East Gardens (15) Park on the former grounds of Edo Castle. Institute for Nature Study (47) Quiet nature reserve in the middle of Tokyo. Kyu Shiba Rikyu (43) Japanese landscape garden. Shinjuku Gyoen (18) Spacious city park in Shinjuku. Yoyogi Park (14) Spacious city park in Shibuya. Kiyosumi Garden (39) Japanese landscape garden. Todoroki Valley (48) Short wooded valley with temple. Kasai Rinkai Koen (37) Large park at the shores of Tokyo Bay.

Other Attractions

Tsukiji Fish Market (19) Japan's largest and busiest fish market. Tokyo Imperial Palace (13) Main residence of the Imperial Family. Ghibli Museum (29) Museum of the Ghibli animation film studio. Tokyo Tower (9) 333 meter tall symbol of Tokyo. Tsukishima (36) Man made island known for monjayaki. Tokyo Dome City (21) Entertainment district around Tokyo Dome. Ryogoku (30) Center of the sumo wrestling world. NHK Studiopark (31) Visit Japan's public television network.

Events

Tokyo Motor Show (41) Large biennial auto show. Tokyo Anime Fair (46) Large trade show of the anime industry. Tokyo Game Show (42) Trade show of the computer gaming industry. Tokyo Marathon (49) Annual large scale city marathon.

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. Fuji Five Lakes Resort at the foot of Mount Fuji. Yokohama Japan's second largest city. Kusatsu Onsen One of Japan's best hot spring resorts. Izu Peninsula Hot springs and natural scenery. Naritasan Temple Popular temple, not far from Narita Airport. Minakami Popular hot spring and outdoor resort. Kawagoe Former castle town known as the Little Edo. 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:

Park Hotel Tokyo Found in Shiodome, Tokyo, a member of Design Hotels. Extraordinary service with stunning view of Tokyo Tower. Shiba Park Hotel International tourist friendly hotel in Hamamatsucho. Easy access to major districts such as Ginza, Tokyo Tower and Zojoji Temple. Sakura Hostel Perfect for budget travelers and backpackers! Largest hostel in Tokyo. Friendly staff, cozy rooms, 24-hour internet lounge. Khaosan Tokyo Guest House No.1 Hostel Group in Tokyo. 4 branches located in Asakusa & Akihabara area. Finally opened a new branch "SAMURAI"! Aizuya-inn Free internet, hot drinks, friendly foreign staff, and a warm welcome are what you will find at this Tokyo inn. 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.

Search a Hotel in Tokyo:

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Shops

Shinjuku Terrace City A convenient spot to start your Shinjuku tour found across the front part of the station! The area from Shinjuku... The Suit Company Shinjuku Station East The Suit Company has been a trusted retailer for quality men and women dress apparel at affordable prices. Find... SHINJUKU MARUI ONE SHINJUKU MARUI ONE is the launch pad for Tokyo's cool fashion culture. A super-individualistic fashion building... Shinjuku Marui 6 Marui buildings in Shinjuku! Shinjuku Marui consists of six buildings located around Shinjuku East Exit,... Miki House Colorful, high-quality Japanese-made children's clothing! We are a children's clothing speciality store... More shops...

Restaurants

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All of Tokyo Shinjuku Shibuya Ginza Roppongi Asakusa Ikebukuro Tokyo Station

More about restaurants in Japan

Tours and Packages

Private Tours Private tours by car with licensed English-speaking guides. Tokyo Tours Various tours and travel packages for Tokyo and surroundings. Japanese Language Lesson & Homestay Study Japanese and live with a host family in Tokyo!

Any advice or questions? Voice them in the forum!

news and reports

	Tokyo Autumn Color Report December 8, 2009
	Tokyo Autumn Color Report November 27, 2009
	Tokyo Autumn Color Report November 18, 2009
	Takaosan Autumn Color Report November 16, 2009
	Tokyo Cherry Blossom Report April 10, 2009
	Tokyo Cherry Blossom Report April 6, 2009
	Tokyo Cherry Blossom Report April 2, 2009
	Tokyo Cherry Blossom Report March 31, 2009

travel community

Popularity of Tokyo:
Users who have been to Tokyo: 3005
Most visited: Ranked 1st out of 117 destinations

Ratings for Tokyo:

japan-guide.com Rating:		best of the best
User Rating (by 1543 users):	95/100	highly recommended

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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

japanese links