Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo guide

Tokyo is the centre of Japan; it is a metropolis of skyscrapers, cars, bright lights and yet still with at least 8 million people crammed into one city everyone lives a harmonious and courteous life with each other. Tokyo also has one of the lowest crime rates in the world. The city is very much alive but the people carry themselves at a slow pace.

The Imperial Palace sits at the heart of Tokyo; this is home to the Emperor and his family. There are parks nearby that are a beautiful place to start your holiday. Higashi Gyoen Park and Kitanomaru-koen are favourites amongst tourists on sunny afternoons to picnic underneath the cherry blossom. A short walk away you will find Takagi Bonsai Museum which will offer an in-depth insight into the art of miniature trees.

Walking across the moat east of the Palace you will be in Ginza downtown Tokyo. If you are intending to do some designer shopping this is the place to be! Ginza is packed with shops, restaurants and art galleries. For the men who are into gadgets and gizmos the 11 storey Sony Building will keep you occupied for a while. Check out the latest technology that you will probably see in your local stores next year!

Sumo is Japan's national sport and not to be missed on your visit. If you haven't seen it on T. V.; two enormous wrestlers wearing next to nothing wrestle it out in a ring. The loser is the one that steps out of the ring first or touches the outside with any part of their body apart from their feet. Sumo has a religious background. There are 3 major tournaments (Basho) a year at the Ryogoku National Sumo Stadium outside Ryogoku station. In between tournaments you can watch the wrestlers practice. Tourist Information will have more information on Tournaments and practice sessions.

At Rikugi-en, Komagome you will find real oriental scenes to en-capture your Japanese holiday. The garden was designed by Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu. There are 88 depicted scenes from ancient Japanese poetry. The gardens were then bought in 1877 by the owner of Mitsubishi and donated to the Tokyo City Authorities in 1938. Many of the scenes have not survived over the years however the forna and beautiful oriental plants and trees are unmistakable.

If you fancy topping up your tan Tokyo has its very own man-made beach - Odaiba. There are several things to do apart from sun-bathing though. Decks Tokyo Beach shopping mall will help you spend some money but inside there is also a brewery and Joypolis - a multi-storey arcade filled with Sega technology. If you're getting a little thirsty go straight to the Sky Lounge on the top floor of the Meridien Grand Pacific Hotel and catch the magnificent views! When you're done finish off by strolling along Rainbow bridge - at night the bridge becomes illuminated.

If you feel like relaxing after a hard days sight-seeing go to one of the cities onsens (hot springs) or spas like Spa LaQua, 1-1-1 Kasuga, Bunkyo-ku. The spa uses real onsen water and also has therapeutic saunas.

Flights to Tokyo Airport (all airports TYO)

New Tokyo International/ Narita Airport (NRT) is 66 km east of the city centre.

Haneda Domestic Airport (HND) in 20 km south of the city centre.

To and from Tokyo Airports (all airports TYO)

New Tokyo International/ Narita Airport (NRT)

Haneda Domestic Airport (HND)

Activities and sightseeing in Tokyo

The Imperial Palace and around - The Parks, The National Museum of Modern Art (Palace Parks), Yasukuni-jinja Shine, Takagi Bonsai Museum, National Theatre, The National Diet Museum. Ginza area - Ginza (shopping). Nihombashi and around - Financial District, Mitsukoshi (department store), Bridgestone Museum of Art. Ryogoku and around -National Sumo Stadium, Museum of Contemporary Art, Edo-Tokyo Museum (history of Tokyo). Roppongi - Tokyo Tower, Roppongi Hills (Japanese garden and pond, roof gardens, open-air arena, rice paddy, Virgin Cinema, Mori Art Museum, observation deck). Asakusa - Senso-ji Temple, craft shops, Drum Museum. Ueno and around - Tokyo National Museum (Japanese Art), National Science Museum, National Museum of Western Art, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Shitamachi Museum. Komagome - Rikugi-en Park, Kyu Furukawa Gardens. Shinjuku and around - Skyscrapers, red-light and shopping district, Shinjuku Gyoen Park, Tokyo Opera City (shops, restaurants, Concert Hall, New National Theatre, Sword Museum). Higashi-Shinjuku - Studio Alta (huge T. V. screen). Shinjuku Gyoen and around - Takashimaya Times Square (shopping and entertainment complex), Shinjuku Joypolis (Sega arcade), Tokyo IMMAX Theatre, Shinjuku Gyoen Gardens. Harajuki and Aoyama - Meiji-jingu shine and gardens, Yoyogi-Koen (Tokyo's largest park), shopping (designer) and entertainment districts. Bayside Tokyo - Tokyo Central Wholesale Market, Hama Rikyu Teien Gardens, Tokyo Big Sight (exhibition centre), National Museum of Emerging Science (MeSci), Museum of Maritime Science, Man-made beach, Rainbow Bridge, Tokyo Sea Life Park, Tokyo Disney Resort.

Eating and drinking in Tokyo

You will find many different menus available in Tokyo so you should find something to your taste. You can choose Italian, Vietnamese, mexican, American and of course Japanese amongst others! Try Sushi whilst here; a very good restaurant to go to is Sushisei 3-11-4 Akasaka, Minato-ku. There is so much choice that prices are kept very reasonable and you will be able to choose from the best. Reservations in popular areas such as Roppongi Hills is recommended. You can print-off an up-to-date list of restaurants from zagat.com (based on a rating system and you can see which restaurants are getting the highest clicks) just before you leave.

Beer is a very popular drink in Tokyo but it is worth trying one of the rice wines during your stay. Roppongi Hills again is a very trendy place to go but you will find good night spots all around the city particularly on Tokyo Bay Side or if you fancy a Karaoke sing-song head for Smash Hits in Hiro-o or Karaoke-Kan in Shibuya.