TOKYO

The city of Tokyo is spread over the southwestern part of the Kanto region, the Izu islands and the Ogasawara islands. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, and with a population of over 12 million, the city is one of the largest in the world. When Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu established a government in the ear ly 17th centur y, the town surrounding his residence, Edo Castle, started to develop. Although most of the city was thereafter devastated by the Great Earthquake of 1923 and again by the bombing in WWII, it achieved rapid restoration both times. Tokyo is not only the Japanese centre of politics and economy, but also a centre of world economy and culture, and offers a number of must-see attractions. Tokyo consists of large-scale downtown areas such as Ginza, where the stores of sought-after brands compete for attention; the high-rise Shinjuku complex, which is buzzing 24-hours a day; Asakusa, which is reminiscent of traditional Edo and the trend-setting Shibuya. There are also many other unique areas including the computer town Akihabara and the Tsukiji open-air wholesale food market.

PLACES OF INTEREST

Shinjuku

Shinjuku is a fast developing shopping and amusement quarter, and is one of Tokyo’s largest commuter terminals. Bustling South & East Shinjuku are ideal for shopping, people watching, mov ie - going, e a t ing and dr ink ing. West Shinjuku, on the other hand, is exceptional for strolling along wide boulevards and Tokyo-viewing from the tops of the soaring skyscrapers.

Tokyo Tower

The 333 metre-high independent steel tower with splendid views of Tokyo is a telecasting and entertainment centre. It houses an aquarium, wax museum, shops and restaurants.
Open: Daily 9:00-22:00. Admission: Y820 to the 150 metre-high Main Observatory; an additional Y600 to the 250 metre-high Special Observatory. The latest news on Tokyo’s skyline is that a 634 metre tower will be completed in 2012 near Asakusa. Called Tokyo Sky Tree, it is set to the world’s tallest free-standing tower.
http://www.tokyotower.co.jp/english/

Asakusa

Located in Taito-ku along the west bank of the Sumida-gawa River, Asakusa once thrived as a temple town for Sensoji Temple. Legend has it that fishermen brothers discovered an image of Kan’non (the goddess of mercy) in the Sumidagawa River around 1370 years ago and decided to enshrine it. Its symbol is a large red paper lantern that bears the word “Kaminari-mon”, or thunder gate. Shops along Nakamise-dori Street carry a variety of small articles made of Japanese paper, and other traditional goods. Many attractive festivals are held in Asakusa, including the Senso-ji temple festival called “Sanja-matsuri,” Hozuki-ichi, or Japanese lantern plant market, as well as the fireworks display on the Sumida-gawa river in summer and Hagoita-ichi, or the ornate Japanese battledore racket, at the end of the year.

Roppongi

Roppongi is undoubtedly the place to be seen in Tokyo. Roppongi is a trendy nightlife district, popular with foreigners. The area features many art galleries and excellent shopping, dining and partying opportunities. Key entertaiment destinations include Roppongi Hills, which houses the Mori Art Museum and the Tokyo City View observatory, and Tokyo Midtown, which includes the Suntory Museum of Art and a large garden.

Shibuya

In Shibuya, there are countless movie theaters, various performance venues, such as Shibuya-kokaido Hall, Orchard Hall, Bunkamura, as well as Denryokukan, an electricity museum. The Center Street swarms with youth fashion shops, fast food shops, game centres, and is famous for its youth fashion trends. The Koen-dori Street houses many department stores and fashionable buildings ideal for families. It is now known as “Bit Valley” (named after Shibuya which literally means “bitter valley,” referring to the computer lingo “bit”) where venture enterprises that support the IT industry are concentrated