Tokyo and Area
Tokyo (東京) is Japan's capital and is the most densely populated metropolitan area in Japan. Tokyo is actually a prefecture called Tokyo-to (東京都) with special powers over the 23 special wards (municipalities) in its eastern half around Tokyo Bay. The special wards that make up the de-facto Tokyo City, Tama (western half) and two island chains are governed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government in Shinjuku Ward. Tokyo is part of world's most populous metropolitan area with over 35 million people.
More than two thirds of Tokyo's population lives in the 23 special wards. This area is dependent on rail transportation because of its high population density. This reliance isn't a hardship to Tokyo with an efficient rail system of over 100 lines. The mobility it creates allows for the free flow of trends that shape Tokyo's distinct districts.
 Akihabara is an area north-east of central Tokyo that is most famous for its electronics stores. Recently, major redevelopment and the emergence of stores catering to otaku has altered the ambience of Akihabara. The area's name is sometimes shortened to "Akiba". Read More: Akihabara
 Asakusa is 10 minutes east of Ueno on the subway and beside the Sumida River. Since the Edo era, the river banks in Asakusa have been a famous place to view cherry blossoms in the spring. Asakusa was part of the old downtown district of Tokyo called Shitamachi and was a pleasure district for most of the 1900s. Read More: Asakusa
 Top fashion and cosmetic boutiques are now clustered in many places in Tokyo but the history of Ginza makes shopping here especially alluring. Read More: Ginza
 Shibuya emerged as a major fashion district for youth during the 1980s and it has remained so ever since. The ward is 3rd most popular in Japan for software companies and has the 2nd most used train station in Tokyo. It is often said that Shibuya has one of the world's busiest pedestrian crossing. Read More: Shibuya
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 Shinagawa has a number of attractions and historic sights but is mainly a business district. It is a popular place to stay because of its proximity to Haneda Airport and to other major districts of Tokyo. A number of high class hotels are located around the station. Read More: Shinagawa
 Odaiba is one of the most popular destinations in Tokyo for Japanese people. Besides its shopping and other attractions, Odaiba's wide open spaces and location in Tokyo Bay also makes it one of the most scenic and relaxing recreation areas in Tokyo. Read More: Odiaba
 Ueno is a short distance north east of central Tokyo in the Taito City. Ueno Park (and Ueno Zoo) are located beside Ueno Station. Ueno hill (now Ueno Park) was where the Tokugawa Shogunate in 1868 made their last stand against the new Meiji government. Read More: Ueno
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 Beer Museum Yebisu allows visitors to look back at the century of beer making at Ebisu. Beer production first began in 1887 in Ebisu and continued until 1988 when the factory moved to Funabashi in Chiba. After learning about the brews, visitors can relax in the tasting lounge. Read More: Beer Museum Yebisu
 The Hama-rikyu Gardens are one of two surviving feudal era Japanese gardens in Tokyo today. It is just over a 10 minute walk from JR Shimbashi Station which is two stops south of Tokyo Station. Read More: Hama-rikyu Gardens
 Kachidoki Bridge is a symbol of Tokyo. Kachidoki Bridge last lifted its double spans on November 29, 1970 but Tokyo residents still have fond memories of the days when it opened daily to let the freighters up the Sumida River. Read More: Kachidoki Bridge
 Kasai-Rinkai Park is Tokyo's best oceanside park. It provides Tokyo with some much needed open space near the water. Tokyo Sea Life Park and the tallest ferris wheel in Tokyo are located in the park. Read More: Kasairinkai Park
 Koishikawa Korakuen is the oldest surviving Japanese Diayamo garden in Tokyo and is typical of the stroll gardens of the Edo Period. It was first laid out by Yorifusa Mito in 1629 and later completed by his successor Mitsukuni Mito. Read More: Korakuen Gardens
 The Kyu-Furukawa Gardens' early western residence, rose garden and Japanese garden blends together in harmony. All three have their separate charms that will attract people to here for different reasons. This garden is especially popular in May and October. Read More: Kyu-Furukawa Gardens
 Kyu Iwasaki-tei Gardens is the former estate of the Iwasaki clan who were the founders of Mitsubishi. The main attraction is the impressive two story manor house that was completed in 1896. The gardens are south of Ueno and just west of Shinobe Pond. Read More: Kyu-Iwasakitei Gardens
 The gardens are one of only two that remain from the feudal era. This garden was originally part of a larger samurai estate that eventually was bought by the Imperial household and then donated to the city. Read More: Kyu-Shiba-Rikyu Gardens
 Shinagawa Aqua Stadium is located at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel in front of Shinagawa Station. Its centerpiece is a large circular arena where dolphins, their trainers and performers put on aquatic shows. Read More: Shinagawa Aqua Stadium
 Shinagawa Aquarium is one of the three full featured aquariums in the Tokyo area. The aquarium was opened in October, 1991 and has since expanded by opening a penguin exhibit, shark tank and seal building. Read More: Shinagawa Aquarium
 Tama Zoo is world renowned for thinking creatively about displaying animals. Its lion bus was the first of its kind in Japan and its new orangutan exhibit took took almost 2 years and around 1 billion yen to build. Read More: Tama Zoo
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 Tokyo Disneyland was the first Disney resort to be opened outside of America. It will celebrate its 25th anniversary on April 15, 2008. Tokyo Disneyland places regularly as one of the top three most visited theme parks in the world. Read More: Tokyo Disneyland
 Tokyo DisneySea opened on September 4, 2001 and is the second park to be built at the Tokyo Disney Resort west of Toyko in Chiba Prefecture. It is barely 5 years old but is one of the most visited theme parks in the world. Read More: Tokyo DisneySea
 The Tokyo Metropolitan Government's No 1 building in Shinjuku is the tallest building in Tokyo at 243 meters. The twin towers both have free observatory floors at 202 meters. The north tower is open till 23:00. Read More: Tokyo Metropolitan Offices
 Tokyo Sea Life Park is part of Kasai Rinkai Park. It showcases a diverse number of locations in a clear and consistent way and delivers a strong message about the necessity for ocean conservation. Read More: Tokyo Sea Life Park
 Tokyo Tower was built to celebrate Japan's booming economy in the 1950s. It is modeled after the Eiffel Tower but is 9 meters taller (333 meters) and much lighter. It is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Tokyo. Read More: Tokyo Tower
 Meiji Shrine was built to honor the defied spirits of Emperor Meiji and that of his consort, Empress Shoken. It is located in a large evergreen forest that stretches north of Yoyogi Park in Harajuku. Read More: Meiji Shrine (Jingu)
 Ueno Zoo in Tokyo is the most famous and prestigious zoo in Japan. The zoo welcomes over 3 million visitors a year and displays the largest number of animals of any zoo in Japan. Ueno Zoo is one of three zoos that has pandas in Japan. Read More: Ueno Zoo
 Yume no Shima (Dream Island) is a large recreation park north of JR Shinkiba Station to the east of central Tokyo. The Yume no Shima Tropical Greenhouse Dome is a surprisingly cheap Tokyo attraction, but, still offers plenty to see. Read More: Yume no Shima Tropical Greenhouse
 Yoyogi Park in Harujuku is one of the largest in Tokyo when combined with the adjacent Meiji Shrine. For more than 20 years, it has been the place that young people to hang out on Sunday in Tokyo. Read More: Yoyogi Park
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 My travelogue from my frist trip to actually visit Tokyo. Conclusion: Tokyo is more than just neon lights. It's even green in places! Read More: Tokyo Trip
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The Tokyo Game Show is a yearly trade convention and gaming expo held currently just east of metropolitan Tokyo at the Makuhari Messe in Chiba. It is the largest public gaming convention in the world. Read More: Tokyo Game Show 2006
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E - 4 hours (Shinkansen)
S - 30 minutes (train)
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