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Tokyo is the capital city and the largest city of Japan. Due to the relatively high costs of vacationing at this destination, foreign tourists have not year discovered Tokyo in mass. More and more travelers are however now discovering the beauties of this wonderful city.
There is a lot of history and culture in the Japanese capital and tourists can’t get bored during their stay as there simply as so many excellent attractions to select from.
Mount Takao-san
If you enjoy the nature then you must plan a visit to Mount Takao-san which is home to various hiking trails. Tourists can travel to the top by cable car and chair lift which operate daily from 08:00 until 16:45. There are also a number of places where you can enjoy a drink or perhaps a bite to eat.
Disneyland
Japan is one of few countries with its very own Disneyland. Visitors both young and old generally enjoy a visit to this popular attraction a great deal. Travelers who would like to stay at a nearby hotel should check out the Disney Resort which is also home to a large shopping mall.
Ueno Zoo
The Ueno Zoo recently celebrated its 100 year anniversary and it was the first Japanese zoo which houses Pandas. The Pandas attract many domestic and foreign visitors. Opening hours at the Ueno Zoo are Tuesday through Sunday from 09:30 until 16:30.
National Museum of Modern Art-Crafts Gallery
One of the most popular museums in town is the National Museum of Modern Art-Crafts Gallery which is dedicated to Japanese handicrafts by well known local artisans. There is also a wonderful park located right next to the museum where visitors can enjoy nature or perhaps a picnic.
Asakusa Shrine
The Asakusa Shrine is one of the most famous shrines in the entire country and was built in 1649. A great time to visit this attraction is in May when Sanja festival is organized there. The Asakusa Shrine is open daily for visitors from 06:30 until 17:00.
Dome City
One of the most popular attractions for tourists as well as local residents is definitely Dome City. There is so much to do at Dome City and which include a large amusement park, shopping mall, various restaurants and an excellent spa.
It’s the most populated city in the world, a city where 90% of residents read a comic book daily, and one of the few places on earth where riding a bike is usually quicker than driving. Tokyo is magical, eternally confusing to outsiders and yet perpetually alluring. With so many attractions vying for your attention during your trip to Tokyo, here are the top 5 things to do in the city.
1. Spend a day people watching at Yoyogi Park
Although you could spend any day here, the most exciting and interesting, from an observer’s point of view, is Sunday. The park is enormous — a former airstrip, army parade ground and site for the Olympic Games in 1964. All sorts of people gather on Sunday, from jazz musicians and jamming guitarists, to martial artists, singers and jugglers. This motley ensemble of characters is fascinating to watch.
2. Watch the local giants
What better way to immerse yourself in Japanese culture than by taking in the national sport? There are few spectacles more intriguing than the sight of two barely-covered behemoths squaring off against one another, each with the intention of taking his opponent down or bundling him out of the ring. Sumo is a source of national pride in Japan and the wrestlers are viewed as heroes. The next major tournament in Tokyo, held at Kokugikan stadium, will run from September 9 – 23. Tickets go on sale August 4; visit Sumo.or,jp for more information.
3. Marvel at Japanese fashion
When it comes to clothes, Tokyo is beyond cutting edge. The colors and designs are like something from another planet. Head straight to Harajuku (Harajuku station on the Yamanote line) and spend the day seeing what sorts of new threads you can spot. Close to the station is Takeshita-dori, where you’ll find many independent designers stores, Yoyogi Park, where you can spot gaggles of Gothic Lolitas, and Omotesando, for high-end fashion outlets.
4. Get electrified in electric town
Akihabara, located close to the Tokyo railway station, is the place to go (in the world) for electronics. You’ll find absolutely everything here, from state-of-the-art technology in the Laox store, to secondhand stuff in the back streets. Akihabara is also a hobbyists’ paradise, with large communities of manga and anime lovers hanging out.
5. Tackle the tuna in Tsukiji
If things start smelling a little fishy, don’t panic; you’ve probably just found yourself in the world’s biggest fish market. Tsukiji Fish Market is home to every imaginable type of seafood … and then some. The food is excellent, and you can stop off for a bowl of ramen or a plate of sushi while you’re there. Be prepared to get a little confused, particularly if you’re trying to decipher a map. In terms of cultural experiences, it doesn’t get much better (or bigger) than this.
Gokouun o inorimasu! (good luck)
Japan, Land of the Rising Sun, is a country of islands offering fascinating time for its tourists. The colorful culture of the country is combined with wide range of historical places, attractions, sights and natural beauties. It is one of the top class travel destination.
According to the map of Japan, the country can be sub-divided into regions, which are as follows: – Northern region, Western region, Southern region, and Eastern and central region. Some of the regions can also be named as Kanto, Kansai, Shikoku, Hokkaido, and Okinawa.
There are large numbers of cities in Japan, each with its own aspect. Some of the top cities as demarcated by Japan map are Tokyo, (the capital city) Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Chiba, Kawasaki, Fukuoka etc… Among all these, Tokyo is the fabulous and the most modern of all cities. Some of its famous attractions for tourists are Tokyo government building, Meiji Jingu Shrine, Imperial palace, Sensoji Temple Asakusa, Tokyo Disneyland Hama Rikyu Garden(the best garden in Tokyo) etc…Few of them are elaborated in detail below.
Imperial Palace- it is the most famous attraction regarded as the heart and soul of Tokyo. It is home to the emperor of Japan, whose grounds and surrounding provides a much needed green space to the city.
Yasukuni Shrine- it lies to the north of the Imperial Palace. It is regarded as home to the souls of about two millions people, who perished in the Japanese war.
Senso-ji temple- it is the city’s oldest temple, attracting visitor form all around the world. The story for this temple is with regard to two young brothers, who netted a golden image of Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy.
Hiroshima, a Japanese city, is well known as the first city in history subjected to nuclear warfare. It is the largest city in the region of western Honshu, the largest of all Japan islands. It is also included in the list of favorite destinations for the tourists. Some of these are mentioned below:-
Hiroshima Peace memorial museum- it commemorates the explosion of the first atomic bomb and houses this museum and relevant monuments.
Hiroshima Castle- it was rebuilt after the nuclear destruction and houses excellent museums describing the architecture of the city, tracing history of the place and other aspect of the place.
Atomic bomb dome- it is a place not to be missed din Hiroshima. It is preserved for its perpetuity. The place can be enjoyed both during the day as well as during the night.
Tokyo, Japan provides any tourist with beautiful experiences, and that is mainly due to the many fascinating sights that it offers. There are many prefectures and cities that can be found just in Tokyo itself. Amongst its most popular and interesting ones are Shinjuku, Shibuya and Harajuku. These places are not only teeming with people from all walks of life, you can find all the little quirks and interesting sights that are a must visit for all visitors to Tokyo.
Shinjuku has two main halves where the commercial and business centres can be found. You can find the train station with the heaviest human traffic in the world, with a few million commuters passing through it daily. That is hardly surprising considering the location of the station in Tokyo’s commercial heart, as well as the densely populated country that is Japan. Shinjuku has everything that a tourist would want in an attraction. It combines modernism with the ancient traditions of Japan. Multi-coloured neon lights cover the many skyscrapers, which any visitor would have their fill of retail shops, bars and restaurants. Trying to book low cost accommodation in Tokyo is a breeze in Shinjuku, with the many budget hotels that can be found there.
Shinjuku is also the place for all sorts of entertainment. Kabukicho is the most famous of the lot, especially when it comes to nightlife. Polite bar owners and bouncers will line the streets requesting your patronage, but if that is not your cup of tea, there are also a number of parks, pachinko parlours, cinemas and shopping malls that line its streets. The Shinjuku Gyoen Imperial Gardens are a favourite with both locals and tourists with the massive and elaborate park a peaceful haven snuck deep within the crowded and bustling surroundings. This is also one of the prime spots to observe the annual cherry blossoms that so many Japanese and foreigners flock to every year.
Shibuya and Harajuku are considered to be smaller scaled-down versions of Shinjuku, with their primary focus on the young. As a result, fashion and shopping are the main themes found in both areas, with the latter offering ancient Japanese history right next to modern trends and obsessions, such as the anime cosplayers on Harajuku Bridge. The Meiji Shrine is the focal point of Harajuku, where Japanese of all ages flock to daily to offer their prayers. Shibuya is often considered the Asian fashion capital of the world, with its many independant fashion shops lining the streets along with the popular eateries, bars and entertainment attractions.
Trying to find accommodation in the three districts of Tokyo offers the tourist a host of options. There are classy five star hotels to budget business hotels and other cheap Tokyo hotels. With Shinjuku, Shibuya and Harajuku all located on the central Japan Rail Yamanote line, planning your stay within these areas will mean convenience and endless options when it comes to entertainment, sights and sounds.
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