Tokyo

What to know

Tokyo (東京, Tōkyō) is Japan's capital and the world's most populous metropolis. It is also one of Japan's 47 prefectures, consisting of 23 central city wards and multiple cities, towns and villages west of the city center. The Izu and Ogasawara Islands are also part of Tokyo.

Prior to 1868, Tokyo was known as Edo. Previously a small castle town, Edo became Japan's political center in 1603 when Tokugawa Ieyasu established his feudal government there. A few decades later, Edo had grown into one of the world's largest cities. With the Meiji Restoration of 1868, the emperor and capital moved from Kyoto to Edo, which was renamed Tokyo ("Eastern Capital"). Large parts of Tokyo were destroyed in the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 and the air raids of 1945.

Today, Tokyo offers a seemingly unlimited choice of shopping, entertainment, culture and dining to its visitors. The city's history can be appreciated in districts such as Asakusa and in many excellent museums, historic temples and gardens. Contrary to common perception, Tokyo also offers a number of attractive green spaces in the city center and within relatively short train rides at its outskirts.

Activities and attractions

Tsukiji Outer MarketMarket for fresh seafood and produceAkihabaraDistrict for electronic and otaku goodsKoishikawa KorakuenLandscape garden next to Tokyo DomeHama RikyuLandscape garden next to ShiodomeImperial Palace East GardensPark on the former grounds of Edo CastleTokyo Imperial PalaceMain residence of the Imperial FamilyGinzaJapan’s premier shopping districtNihonbashiCommercial district in central TokyoYasukuni ShrineDedicated to the deities of Japan’s war deadTokyo Dome CityEntertainment district around Tokyo DomeTsukishimaMan-made island known for monjayakiYurakuchoAtmospheric dining destination next to the GinzaMarunouchi and Tokyo StationBusiness district in front of Tokyo StationKandaCentral district dotted with minor sites of interestTokyo State Guest HouseGrand Western-style palace with Japanese-style annexTokyo National MuseumOne of Japan’s oldest and best museumsTokyo Skytree634 meter tall tower with observation decksAsakusaDistrict with an atmosphere of old TokyoSensoji TempleLarge temple in the Asakusa districtEdo-Tokyo MuseumExcellent museum about Tokyo’s historyRikugien GardenBeautiful Japanese style landscape gardenUeno ParkCity park with multiple museums and a zooTokyo SolamachiShopping complex at the base of the SkytreeYanakaDistrict with a pleasant atmosphere of old TokyoKoishikawa Botanical GardenBotanical garden of the University of TokyoSumida AquariumNice aquarium at the base of the SkytreeSumida Hokusai MuseumAbout the famous painter and ukiyo-e artistAmeyokoColorful market street in UenoIkebukuroCommercial district around busy train stationKappabashi StreetShopping street for restaurant ownersRyogokuHeart of the Sumo WorldSugamoA shopping district catering to the elderlyShibuyaPopular district among younger generationsShinjukuDistrict around Japan’s busiest stationMeiji ShrineDedicated to the deity of Emperor MeijiShinjuku GyoenSpacious city park in ShinjukuHarajukuCenter of teenage fashion and cosplay cultureYoyogi ParkSpacious city park in ShibuyaMetropolitan Government BuildingTwin tower with two free observation decksNakano BroadwayShopping mall with lots of anime related storesKagurazakaTrendy district along a sloping streetYebisu Garden PlaceCommercial complex with beer museumDaikanyamaHip neighborhood near ShibuyaOdaibaFuturistic architecture on a man-made islandInstitute for Nature StudyQuiet nature reserve in the middle of TokyoRoppongi HillsModern entertainment and shopping complexToyosu MarketLarge fish market that replaced TsukijiTokyo Tower333 meter tall symbol of TokyoSengakuji TempleSite of the 47 ronin’s graveyardZojoji TempleBuddhist temple at the base of Tokyo TowerExploring Tokyo by boatA network of pleasant sightseeing boat linesKyu Shiba Rikyu GardenJapanese landscape gardenTokyo MidtownCity within the city complex in RoppongiRoppongiMultifaceted district in central TokyoAkasaka SacasCity within the city around TBS headquarterShiodomeModern, redeveloped commercial districtShinagawaMajor transportation hub in southern TokyoToyosuDistrict on a man-made island in Tokyo BayTokyo DisneySeaPopular theme park in Tokyo Disney ResortTokyo DisneylandPopular theme park in Tokyo Disney ResortGhibli MuseumMuseum of the Ghibli animation film studioShibamataOld-fashioned neighborhood centered around a templeMount MitakeWooded mountain with shrineTakaosan (Mount Takao)Temple mountain near central TokyoKiyosumi GardenJapanese landscape gardenEdo-Tokyo Open Air MuseumOpen air museum about old Tokyo architectureKichijojiTrendy neighborhood west of central TokyoShowa Memorial ParkHuge park in the western suburbs of TokyoTodoroki ValleyShort wooded valley with templeKasai Rinkai ParkLarge park at the shores of Tokyo BayIkspiari Shopping MallA shopping mall in Tokyo Disney ResortMakuhari MesseModern convention center just outside TokyoWarner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo - The Making of Harry PotterTour behind the scenes of the moviesSanja MatsuriTokyo’s most popular annual shrine festivalKanda MatsuriOne of the three great festivals of Tokyo and JapanJapan Mobility ShowCar show formerly known as Tokyo Motor ShowAnimeJapanLarge trade show of the anime industryTokyo Game ShowTrade show of the computer gaming industrySanno MatsuriOne of Japan’s three largest festivalsTokyo MarathonAnnual large scale city marathonCEATECJapan’s largest IT and electronics trade showNikkoSite of Nikko Toshogu, Ieyasu’s mausoleumKamakuraSmall city full of historic treasuresFuji Five Lakes (Fujigoko)Lake resort at the foot of Mount FujiHakoneNational park with views of Mount FujiKusatsu OnsenOne of Japan’s best hot spring townsYokohamaJapan’s second largest cityIzu Peninsula (Izu Hanto)Hot springs and natural sceneryChichibuRural city known for its festival and shrinesMinakamiPopular hot spring and outdoor resortKawagoeFormer castle town known as the Little EdoIkaho OnsenHot spring resort famous for its stone stairsMitoPrefectural capital known for its nice gardenTomiokaSite of Japan’s first modern silk factoryKawasakiSandwiched between Tokyo and Yokohama