Located in the northwest Pacific Ocean in Japan which is an island country in East Asia. Tokyo is the capital of Japan and is known for being the perfect blend of ultramodern and traditional, from its neon lights to its famous cherry blossoms.
Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo is the busy capital of Japan. This beautiful city is famous for mixing the ultramodern and the traditional, from neon-lit skyscrapers to historic temples. Known for its towering gate and surrounding woods is the opulent Meiji Shinto Shrine. The Imperial Palace sits amid extensive public gardens. The city’s many museums offer exhibits ranging from classical art which is in the Tokyo National Museum and to a reconstructed kabuki theatre which is in the Edo-Tokyo Museum.
Covering an area of over 2,000 square kilometers is the immense city in Tokyo. This beautiful city has a lively and vibrant metropolis, including mountains to the west and subtropical islands to the south. Tokyo is over 400 years old and it originally started out as a castle town called Edo. In no time, it became the political and administrative capital of Japan. It is a fantastic mixture of futuristic skyscrapers, neon lights, fashionable shops, museums, shrines, temples, and parks. Your experience of visiting Japan will best be absorbed by wandering the streets, peering into shops, discovering ancient buildings, and relaxing in Japan’s tranquil parks.
This beautiful city of Tokyo has one of the cleanest, safest, and most efficient mass transit systems in the world. The transport system of the city is a good choice to travel at any times other than during rush hour. If it's possible or easy for you to walk, walking would be a good option over the transport system because it will give you a chance to see more of Japan. This city is an incredibly safe city to walk in, even at night.
Harajuku
Buzzing Harajuku is renowned for its colorful street art and youth fashion. The leafy Omotesando Avenue is a place with quirky vintage clothing stores and cosplay shops along Takeshita Street, and traditional, upmarket boutiques. There are small yet trendy bars filling the surrounding lanes. There are also dessert shops that specialize in sweet Crêpes, donuts, and bubble tea. Innovative temporary exhibitions are hosted by the Watari Museum of Contemporary Art.
Harajuku is a Tokyo neighborhood, and it is best known for its bright colors and trendy shops. This is the place where Japan’s kawaii culture began and continues to thrive. The beautiful city of Harajuku is full of cafes and apparel stores with creative pop-culture vibes. This city is the topmost of every Tokyo visitor’s must-see list. The Harajuku city is one of the most name-checked neighborhoods and for good reason. It is an internationally renowned fashion district, and it is famous for defiantly bold styles and outlandish food trends. The streets are acting as fashion runways for outrageous outfits.
It has been a favorite spot for young people for decades. Harajuku has been the center of affordable, casual, and subculture fashion. The heart of Harajuku is with no doubt the Takeshita Street. This street is a colorful 350 meter-long street line with many fashion stores. Its reputation is well-deserved as the area is a melting pot of Japanese subculture and style. You can wear or do any kind of fashion in this place.
Cat Street can be found, a few minutes away by walk where there are more select shops. These shops are lined with stylish shops that can satisfy adults. But this kind of atmosphere is less suitable for young people. You can find a large range of items here, from street style fashion to the basics. The Omotesando avenue is bustling with worldwide renowned brands for a more high-class oriented shopping.
Tokyo Skytree
From the tallest structure in Japan, see the bird’s-eye view of Tokyo. The newest addition to Tokyo’s skyline is the Skytree, which soars 634 meters high and gives incredible, panoramic views of the city. You just can not quite see infinity on a clear day, but it’s one of the few spots from where you can see Mt. Fuji from Tokyo.
The Sky Tree swiftly became a major symbol of Tokyo since it opened in May 2012. It is visible from almost anywhere in the city. When it was completed, it was the tallest tower in the world but it is still the tallest structure in Japan. It is within walking distance of Asakusa. You can easily combine a visit to both experiences of traditional and modern sides of Japanese architecture in one afternoon.
Offering a jaw-dropping view from morning to night, there are two decks open to the public which are the Tembo Deck (350m) and Tembo Galleria (450m). looking from here, you can see at night when the city lights glitter like jewels below. To experience the illusion of levitating in mid-air, the adrenaline junkies should try walking on the Galleria’s, which is a 110m-long glass floor.
Do not worry if you are afraid of heights because there are plenty of other interesting things to see around Tokyo Skytree Town. You can explore Tokyo Solamachi’s 300 shops and restaurants, many of which sell tasty treats shaped like the tower above. Make sure to visit the 4th and 5th floors which are dedicated to all things Japan-related which include green tea, chef knives, and Hello Kitty. You can also chill out by the tanks of the Sumida Aquarium, travel to outer space in the Tenku Planetarium, or send a postcard with a special Sky Tree stamp from the Postal Museum.
Sensō-Ji Temple
Sensoji is also known as Asakusa Kannon. This temple is a Buddhist temple located in Asakusa. It is one of Tokyo's most colorful and popular temples. This temple has a legend that says that in the year 628 there were two brothers who fished a statue of Kannon which is the goddess of mercy, out of the Sumida River. Even though they put the statue back into the river, it always returned to them. The Sensoji was then built nearby for the goddess of Kannon. Making it Tokyo's oldest temple, the temple was completed in 645.
Visitors first enter through the Kaminarimon also known as the Thunder Gate, when approaching the temple, the outer gate of Sensoji Temple, and the symbol of Asakusa and the entire city of Tokyo. The Hozomon which leads from the outer gate to the temple's second gate has a shopping street of over 200 meters, called Nakamise. There are various traditional local snacks from the Asakusa area which are sold along the Nakamise where you can get typical Japanese souvenirs such as yukata and folding fans. This beautiful shopping street has a history of several centuries.
In the Sensoji Temple area, there are various events held throughout the year. The annual festival of the Asakusa Shrine is held in May is the biggest of them is the Sanja Matsuri. Other events are the Asakusa Samba Carnival in August and the Hagoita-Ichi (Hagoita Market) at which decorated wooden paddles used in the traditional game of hanetsuki are sold.
Akihabara
Akihabara is also called Akiba after a former local shrine. It is a district in central Tokyo that is famous for its electronics shops. Akihabara has gained recognition as the center of Japan's otaku (diehard fan) culture in recent years. Many shops and establishments devoted to anime and manga are now dispersed among the electronic stores in the district.
The market of Akihabara has been undergoing major redevelopment over the years. This also includes the renovation and expansion of Akihabara Station and the construction of new buildings in its proximity. There is a business complex with the aim of promoting Akihabara as a center for global electronics technology and trade among these newly opened buildings are a huge Yodobashi electronics store and the Akihabara Crossfield.
Ranging from tiny one-man stalls specializing in a particular electronic component to large electronics retailers here are hundreds of electronics shops. These shops are lining the main Chuo Dori street and the crowded side streets around Akihabara. These shops offer everything from the newest computers, cameras, televisions, mobile phones, electronics parts, and home appliances to second-hand goods and electronic junk.
Tokyo Tower
Tokyo Tower is the world's tallest which stands 333 meters high in the center of Tokyo. This self-supported steel tower is 13 meters taller than its model which is the Eiffel Tower. Tokyo Tower was the country's tallest structure from its completion in 1958 until 2012 while it was also a symbol of Japan's post-war rebirth as a major economic power. Later it was surpassed by the Tokyo Skytree. Tokyo Tower also serves as a broadcast antenna, in addition to being a popular tourist spot.
You can reach the tower's main deck which is at 150 meters via elevator or a 600-step staircase which is both paid. The observatory offers an interesting view of the city despite being only at a relatively moderate height, thanks to the tower's central location. There are also some windows to look down on the floor to stand on, a souvenir shop and a cafe where visitors can enjoy refreshments.
There is a second set of elevators that connect the main deck to the 250-meter high top deck. You can get a bird's eye view of Tokyo from here as it is high above the surrounding buildings. It is the third-highest observation deck in Tokyo bt off course after the two decks at the Tokyo Skytree. When visibility is good, you can also see the Tokyo Skytree and Mount Fuji in the distance.
Akabanebashi Station on the Oedo Subway Line and Kamiyacho on the Hibiya Subway Line, which is all about a 5-10 minute walk from the tower is the closest subway stations to Tokyo Tower are Onarimon Station on the Mita Subway Line. Alternatively, you can reach the tower in about a 15-20 minute walk from Hamamatsucho Station on the JR Yamanote Line or Daimon Station on the Asakusa or Oedo subway lines.
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Shinjuku Gyoen is one of Tokyo's largest and most popular parks. Provide a relaxing escape from the busy urban center around it and in a short walk from Shinjuku Station is the paid park's spacious lawns, meandering walking paths, and tranquil scenery. To see cherry blossoms in spring, Shinjuku Gyoen becomes one of the best places in the city.
Shinjuku Gyoen originated as a feudal lord's Tokyo residence, during the Edo Period which was (1603-1867). The Imperial Family in 1903 used it for recreation and the entertainment of guests but later it was converted into a botanical garden. The park was almost destroyed during World War II but was later rebuilt and reopened in 1949 as a public park.
The beautiful Shinjuku Gyoen is comprised of three different types of gardens. Featuring large ponds dotted with islands and bridges is the oldest traditional Japanese landscape garden. There are well-manicured shrubs and trees surrounding the water together with several pavilions. The Kyu Goryotei which is also known as the Taiwan Pavilion was built on the occasion of the wedding of the Showa Emperor. During the first two weeks of November, there is a chrysanthemum exhibition held in the Japanese garden with flower displays and large, temporary pavilions erected around the grounds.
On the other side of the park are the main gardens which include an asymmetrically arranged formal French garden. There is also an English landscape garden featuring wide, open lawns surrounded by flowering cherry trees. The rest of the park's area consists of forested areas which include lawns and several structures. There is a restaurant and also an information center and an art gallery. There is also a beautiful greenhouse that has many tropical and subtropical flowers.
The beautiful Shinjuku Gyoen is home to a large number of cherry trees. These cherry trees are of more than a dozen different varieties. More than 400 Yoshino trees blossom around the English garden from late March to early April, turning the lawns into one of Tokyo's most popular and pleasant hanami spots. In addition, for those who miss the main season of viewing cherry blossom, the park has numerous early and late blooming cherry trees which provide an extended cherry blossom viewing season which is from mid-March to late April.
Shinjuku Gyoen is also nice to visit during autumn when the leaves change. There are a lot of different types of trees that change colors around the park. The maple trees are particularly beautiful and can be seen in large numbers around the Japanese garden and Momijiyama which is a maple mountain on the park's eastern side. These colors typically appear from mid-November to mid-December.
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