Tokyo (, Tōkyō) is Japan's capital and the world's most populous metropolis. It is also one of Japan's 47 prefectures , consisting of 23 central city wards and multiple cities, towns and villages west of the city center. The Izu and Ogasawara Islands are also part of Tokyo.
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 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.
Today, 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 . Contrary to common perception, Tokyo also offers a number of attractive green spaces in the city center and within relatively short train rides at its outskirts.
By District All Tokyo
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Shopping
Tsukiji Outer Market• Market for fresh seafood and produce.
Town/Neighborhood
Akihabara• District for electronic and otaku goods.
Garden
Koishikawa Korakuen• Landscape garden next to Tokyo Dome.
Garden
Hama Rikyu• Landscape garden next to Shiodome.
Castle
Imperial East Gardens• Park on the former grounds of Edo Castle.
Historic Site
Imperial Palace• Main residence of the Imperial Family.
Town/Neighborhood
Ginza• Japan's premier shopping district.
Town/Neighborhood
Nihonbashi• Commercial district in central Tokyo.
Shrine
Yasukuni Shrine Dedicated to the deities of Japan's war dead.
Town/Neighborhood
Tokyo Dome City Entertainment district around Tokyo Dome.
Town/Neighborhood
Tsukishima Man made island known for monjayaki.
Town/Neighborhood
Yurakucho Atmospheric dining destination next to the Ginza.
Town/Neighborhood
Kanda Central district dotted with minor sites of interest.
Town/Neighborhood
Marunouchi Business district in front of Tokyo Station.
Historic Site
State Guest House Grand Western-style palace with Japanese-style annex
Show All Central Tokyo
Museum
Tokyo National Museum•• One of Japan's oldest and best museums.
Viewpoint/Tower
Tokyo Skytree•• 634 meter tall tower with observation decks.
Town/Neighborhood
Asakusa• District with an atmosphere of old Tokyo.
Temple
Sensoji Temple• Large temple in the Asakusa district.
Museum
Edo-Tokyo Museum• Excellent museum about Tokyo's history.
Garden
Rikugien• Beautiful Japanese style landscape garden.
Park
Ueno Park• City park with multiple museums and a zoo.
Shopping
Tokyo Solamachi• Shopping complex at the base of the Skytree.
Town/Neighborhood
Yanaka District with a pleasant atmosphere of old Tokyo.
Garden
Botanical Garden Botanical garden of the University of Tokyo.
Zoo/Wildlife
Sumida Aquarium Nice aquarium at the base of the Skytree.
Shopping
Ameyoko Colorful market street in Ueno.
Town/Neighborhood
Ikebukuro Commercial district around busy train station.
Museum
Sumida Hokusai Museum About the famous painter and ukiyo-e artist.
Town/Neighborhood
Kappabashi Street Shopping street for restaurant owners.
Town/Neighborhood
Ryogoku Center of the sumo wrestling world.
Town/Neighborhood
Sugamo A shopping district catering to the elderly.
Show All Northern Tokyo
Town/Neighborhood
Shibuya•• Popular district among younger generations.
Town/Neighborhood
Shinjuku•• District around Japan's busiest station.
Shrine
Meiji Shrine• Dedicated to the deity of Emperor Meiji.
Town/Neighborhood
Harajuku• Center of teenage fashion and cosplay culture.
Garden
Shinjuku Gyoen• Spacious city park in Shinjuku.
Park
Yoyogi Park Spacious city park in Shibuya.
Shopping
Nakano Broadway Shopping mall with lots of anime related stores.
Viewpoint/Tower
Government Building Twin tower with two free observation decks.
Town/Neighborhood
Kagurazaka Trendy district along a sloping street.
Town/Neighborhood
Yebisu Garden Place Commercial complex with beer museum.
Amusement Park
NHK Studiopark Visit Japan's public television network.
Show All Western Tokyo
Town/Neighborhood
Odaiba• Futuristic architecture on a man made island.
Park
Institute for Nature• Quiet nature reserve in the middle of Tokyo.
Shopping
Roppongi Hills• Modern entertainment and shopping complex.
Shopping
Toyosu Market• New fish market replacing Tsukiji Market.
Viewpoint/Tower
Tokyo Tower 333 meter tall symbol of Tokyo.
Temple
Sengakuji Temple Site of the 47 ronin's graveyard.
Temple
Zojoji Temple Buddhist temple at the base of Tokyo Tower.
Scenic Ride
Tokyo Water Bus A network of pleasant sightseeing boat lines.
Garden
Kyu Shiba Rikyu Japanese landscape garden.
Shopping
Tokyo Midtown City within the city complex in Roppongi.
Town/Neighborhood
Roppongi Multifaceted district in central Tokyo
Town/Neighborhood
Akasaka Sacas City within the city around TBS headquarter.
Town/Neighborhood
Shiodome Recently redeveloped commercial district.
Town/Neighborhood
Shinagawa Major transportation hub in southern Tokyo.
Town/Neighborhood
Toyosu District on a man-made island in Tokyo Bay.
Show All Southern Tokyo
Festival
Sanja Matsuri• Tokyo's most popular annual shrine festival.
Festival
Kanda Matsuri• One of the three great festivals of Tokyo and Japan.
Industry/Commerce
Tokyo Motor Show• Large biennial auto show.
Manga and Anime
AnimeJapan Large trade show of the anime industry.
Industry/Commerce
Tokyo Game Show Trade show of the computer gaming industry.
Festival
Sanno Matsuri One of Japan's three largest festivals.
Event
Tokyo Marathon Annual large scale city marathon.
Industry/Commerce
Ceatec Japan Japan's largest IT and electronics trade show.
Show All Events
Nikko••• Site of Nikko Toshogu, Ieyasu's mausoleum.
Kamakura•• Small city full of historic treasures.
Fuji Five Lakes• Lake resort at the foot of Mount Fuji.
Hakone• National park with views 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.
Chichibu Rural city know for its festival and shrines.
Minakami Popular hot spring and outdoor resort.
Kawagoe Former castle town known as the Little Edo.
Tomioka Site of a Japan's first modern silk factory.
Ikaho Onsen Hot spring resort famous for its stone stairs.
Kawasaki Sandwiched between Tokyo and Yokohama.
Show All Side Trips from Tokyo