With the population of more than 13 million people, Tokyo is one of the most populous, and developed cities of the world. Tokyo representing Japan’s capital and the country’s most populous city, is the place that can provide its visitors a vast choice of the modern city’s comforts along with centuries’ depths of history and traditions. From fabulous architectural ensembles and branded dishes to green zones in the midst of the megacity, Tokyo can offer any type of tourist.
History and Culture
Tokyo’s history can be traced back over 400 years when it was developed as the political capital by Ieyasu Tokugawa in 1603, and subsequently over 250 years of the presidential Edo period under the Tokugawa Shogunate timetable. Many of the temples, shrines, palaces and gardens of this age remain alongside Tokyo’s towering buildings of the contemporary day, remaining testament to the richness of its past.
Historical places in Tokyo that attract tourists include the Imperial place plaza, the museum of Tokyo, Asakusa Sensoji temple discovered in Tokyo, towering torii gates in Meiji shrine and finally wooden constructed edifices at the Edo- Tokyo museum. For people that want to view Japan cultural activities, watching sumo wrestling, Kabuki drama or geisha dancing are, must see performances in Tokyo.
The coalescing of passé themes with anticipations of the future is perhaps best exemplified in districts such as Shinjuku that houses the observation decks of the Tokyo Metropolitan Building and one of Tokyo’s picture-perfect spots to view cherry blossoms in trappings of Shinjuku Gyoen. Looking for these transitions from old to new is in fact one of the pleasures of wandering the streets of Tokyo.
Food and Drink
Inquire from anyone about things that one cannot afford to miss when in Tokyo, and dramatic versatile of good and strictly eatable and drinkable must emerge. Taking a bite of Tokyo might mean going from vibrant vibrant stalls which you can find at the fish markets such as the Tsukiji Fish Market to tiny small eight seater sushi restaurants at a chilly corner somewhere in Tokyo.
Preferable and perfect Tokyo street foods include fixing stations for shisKKero skewers of yakitori (chicken), takoyaki (fried octopus balls), and katsu (fried pork). One could hardly walk a block without finding a ramen noodle shop, though, the local specialties and the increasingly popular fusion suggestions are vast ranging. There is every class restaurant that not only serves Japanese food but international foods as well what makes it a must-be travel destination around the world, you have to book early for an enjoyed seat If you want.
While there’s nothing glamorous about a department store basement, there’s rows and rows of food stalls providing customers all sorts of fancy and specialty versions of foods that are familiar to Stateside consumers such as matcha-flavored treats, mochi, dorayaki, which are sweet pancakes filled with red bean paste, or even Ichiran ramen a bowl of which took the internet by storm before the chain started opening branches internationally.
Of course, finding the best sushi places is a mission on its own, fueled by fanatics defending their regular sushi places that Tokyo has around 12000 sushi restaurants. Sushi and sashimi must invariably be accompanied by sake or whisky in order to receive the emphatically Tokyo setting.
Must See Attractions
The world’s oldest metropolitan city, and spread out over around 2,190 sq km, it can be extremely difficult to know where to start looking in Tokyo. But first time visitors would be remiss not to include Tokyo’s most famous, can’t miss attractions:
Sensoji Temple & Asakusa District – oldest temple and the most popular temple and important cultural asset in Tokyo with stunning red lantern located under the Kaminarimon Gate which is at entrance of temple. For instance, Nakamise shopping street that is a stone throw away has been selling traditional snacks and souvenirs for sale.
Shibuya Crossing – This famous intersect east of the major Shibuya Station with approximately 3000 crossing from all sides every time, is perfect for people-watching.
Though not quite the tallest, Tokyo Skytree – a behemoth of structural engineering over 634 meters tall and sprinkled with light and glittering bits of glass on top of the spire, is currently offering it’s guests the chance to ascend and view the robust cherry blossom forest of the Tokyo region and at a distance, the majestic Mt. Fuji in clear weather. A futuristic looking two-story addition built in the last few years is the architecture of this venue, part of a larger multi-building mall and entertainment complex.
Shinjuku Gyoen – It is one of the finest parks in Tokyo with over 140 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens believed to be the most beautiful in Tokyo and with the very best of cherry blossom viewings in spring. More than 1000 trees flowering with skyline of buildings.
Tsukiji Fish Market – Busy market starts early in the morning and sees the sellers bidding large, frozen tuna with international buyers. A retail/restaurant nearby prepares the tastiest early morning sushi breakfast. Site is expected to soon relocate to Toyosu.
It became easier for the visitors to having a sneak preview of Imperial Palace although limited on tours of East Garden as well as some portions of Imperial Palace on Emperor’s birthday holiday. The bridge near entrance gives one of the best vantage point to capture a view of Mt Fuji with a moat in front.
Natural Museum – About over 100000 items are believed to be a housed at Tokyo National Museum that are related to the arts and art antiquities of Japan and its armors, costume used for theatre and other relics belonging to different periods in the Japanese history.
Ginza is an upscale commercial, residential and theatre district to Tokyo; it features high-end shops, upscale art galleries, café restaurants in the tallest glass structure; it houses proton kabuki theatre. Well known landmarks are the Hibiya crossing and the clock tower of the Wako department store.
Ueno Park – The large park with broad promenades for walking along the great number of temples and shrines of the 17th century, mountains of cherry trees, Tokyo National Museum and the old Ueno Zoo. The Shinobazu Pond can be rented for boats.
Popular Activities
In your quest to embrace all that Tokyo has to offer, be sure to save time for engaging in some of popular local activities:
Kabuki Theatre – Introducing thrilling drama with gang costumes, enriched makeup with classic themes. Search for theaters in Ginza, Asakusa and other townships.
Just for fun – Watch the worlds largest sumo wrestling tournament and check out how many of the athletes are Japan based. Major competitions at Ryōgoku Kokugikan stadium occur in January, May and September.
Robot restaurant – Saturday night out in Las Vegas entertaining mid-age pop music cabaret show with emphasis on light, robot performances and dancers and acrobats. It is a neurotically overstimulating example of what Tokyo is all about, as a pop culture experience.
Karaoke-ing – Reserve a private room at a “karaoke-kan” chain store for a night of fun with friends some of which offer costumes and drinks. Industrially consumed when Alcohol is in circulation especially among youths at nights.
Hot Springs – Take a dip at natural hot spring bath houses and spas around Tokyo; both Odaiba Oedo Onsen and LaQua Spa are beautiful.
Match making – Look up the steps of match making at places such as Hamarikyu Gardens or Omotesando Koffee.
The quintessential retail tourism – from $1 shops to designer boutiques, electronics discounts to youths’ niche-trendy Harajuku groceries.
Wildlife and Nature
What sets Tokyo apart from virtually any other gargantuan megalopolis is the availability of vast tracts of multiple parks, gardens, and nature reserves intertwined with the concrete jungle where one can always run to hide in the middle of virgin woods or take a pleasant walk through a garden landscaped in good old Japanese style.
Central also provides opportunities to swim and sunbath on sandy beaches; over the Rainbow Bridge and the Liberty Statue in Tokyo’s background. To the south, Palette Town Ferris wheel with view over the sea near the Tokyo Bay when you are in Odaiba.
Ueno Park presents a peaceful scene of beautiful Shinobazu Pond covered by shades of the finest lotuses and unique paddle boats near Bentendo Temple along with the unending cherry blossom trees in the backdrop of the extraordinary Tokyo National Museum. Adjacent to it there is a famous Shitamachi Museum, where the atmosphere of Edo period can be felt.
Yoyogi Park attracts those who tired of concrete environment and need to relax under tall trees, have a picnic on large lawns with flowering trees called hanami, walking through the forest paths for exercise, or just watch the doubtful role models of Harajuku youth.
Imperial palace East Gardens reflect every aspect in landscape designing right from the proper pine tree set up to the clean rocks and water of waterfall and the arch reflection of Nijūbashi Bridge.
For more exciting full day excursions in natural areas include view of Mt Fuji, temples in Kamakura’s giant bamboo groves, visiting the bright red Torii gates in Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto and having natural hot springs aware resort towns like Hakone.
My Tokyo Travel Experience
It was my first trip to Tokyo and getting a nod of the gigantic skyline with vigor and opposite poles and yet so much of finesse in disarray. The streets were winding, back alleys gave ways to kilometers-long neon-lit entertainment districts, and suddenly beautiful parks and gardens. Around any corner could be a beautifully restful Shinto shrine or a gleaming technological marvel store amidst the ocean of black suits of salary men and characters of Harajuku fashion.
It was exciting traveling in well optimized, densely occupied subways to discover that Tokyo has transformed from ancient temples such as Senso-ji to the modern reclaimed land with artificial islands and high-rises office buildings. From the one day I was given a taste of refined Japanese cuisine prepared by master chefs slicing momentary sashimi, fresh from being bought at the Tsukiji market, the next I was surrounded in smoke from yakitori from Ban Dai Shokudo absorbed from people watching in Yoyogi Park while cherry blossoms bloomed.
Some memories include the incomparable views of the sprawling city that is Tokyo from tall observation towers, the homely self rekindling walk through beautiful narrow alleys and paths which lead to a small breathe taking local restaurant, the feeling of dwarfed self standing in front of a gigantic, colorful Torii gates marking he Fushimi Inari shrine outside the city of Kyoto as well as self purification through hot springs as a complete package deal and not forgetting
Tokyo outplayed all odds, providing first time tourists like myself, a chance to stay mesmerized and at the same time, create a desire to unearth a variety of other layers of the city yet to be discovered in its blended parts and parcels of the urban districts. Even if one only starts to peel the layers, there remains a vehement desire to explore more of the real culture of countries on subsequent trips and other areas near the capitals. Tokyo may well be one of the very best places to fully experience the cutting-edge and the nonetheless age-old soul of this country.
