Tokyo
INTRO
Formerly known as Edo, renamed Tokyo (literally Eastern Capital) in the 19th century when the capital was moved there from Kyoto, the city is one of the largest urban areas in the world. Tokyo City forms the core of 33 million Tokyo Greater Area which includes neighbouring towns and Pacific islands. This energetic, lively metropolis, highly developed in terms of technology, is also a travel destination for thousand of tourists monthly. Still you can find there also serene parks and gardens, quiet temples and other places who would give you better understanding of what Japanese culture is.
City Profile
City: Tokyo
Country: Japan
Area: 2,187,08 km2
Population: 12,600,000
Districts: 23
Governor: Shintaro Ishihara
Language: Japanese and English
LOCATION
35°41'N, 139°46'E Tokyo is situated on the Honshu Island, the largest Japanese island, in the Kanto region. The largest part of Tokyo lies northwest of Tokyo Bay. It borders Chiba, Saitama, Yamanashi and Kanagawa prefestures. Tokyo Metropolis comprises as many as 23 wards of Tokyo City and 26 towns together with Tama Areas and two chains of islands - Izu Islands and Ogawasara Island.
TIME TO VISIT
The climate of Tokyo can be described as humid and subtropical with typical for this zone hot wet summers and mild winters. The most popular time to visit the city is the early spring when the cherries blooms, but autumn with moderate weather is also a good time to go there. From June till September the weather is usually muggy, wet and warm, so summer is not adviseable time to visit Tokyo. If you want to avoid crowds, do not choose the holiday week that lasts from April 29th to May 5th.
POPULATION
Tokyo is also one of the largest cities of the world. The whole area of Tokyo Metropolis is inhabited by some 33 million people, while Tokyo City itself has over 12 million of inhabitants. which add the population not only in Tokyo, but also in many other districts and islands. The entire prefecture has 12,696,000 peoples in March 2007 with the increase of approximately 3 million in the day. The most commomn nationalities are - Chinese, Korean, Filipino, American and British, where the Chinese take the lead of course.
DISTRICTS
- Tokyo consists of the main city (divided into 23 special wards), Tama area and the Izu Islands and the Ogasawara Islands. The 23 special wards form the central part of Tokyo, but the metropolis of Tokyo includes also 26 cities, 5 towns and 8 villages.
- Chiyoda is the modern business centre of Tokyo, making up one of the capital's wards. The Imperial Palace, the beautiful cherry blossom site and Yasukuni Shrine can all be found there. This area houses also plenty of interesting musuems and gallleries.
- Shibuya is both one of the wards of Tokyo and the name of the bustling area around Shibuya Station, known as one of the most popular, colourful and busy shopping and entertainment districts. It owes its specific atmosphere to huge neon advertisements and screens as well as crowds of pedestrians passing along the streets and visiting the shopping malls.
- Ginza - the most fashionable and smart shopping, entertainment and dining districts, comprising the best boutiques and department stores. Upmarket night clubs, restaurants, cafes, as well as some art galleries are also situated there.
- Shinjuku is one of the wards in central Tokio, but also refers to the area around Shinjuku Station. The station is the main railway hub in the city, handling over 2 million passengers a day. The area is characterised by many skyscrapers. Northeast of the Shinjuku Station lies the most famous red light district - Kabuchino, named after Kabuki theatre.
SIGHTS & ATTRACTIONS
If there are several main attractions, stopbreathing and overwhelming with their extraordinairity, there are also several hundreds with the same rate. The top 10 attractions are just the beginning of one long list, which has to be completed personally and on spot.
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building is the first place for lovers of the views and cameras. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building also know as Tokyo Tower or "Tocho" is the tallest building in Tokyo It has to be visited when it opens in the morning, as this is the best opportunity to view Mount Fuji.
- The Imperial Palace Tokyo, home of the Emperor of Japan, was part of Edo Castle. It occupies the most expensive land in the world. There are inner gardens and buildings, but they are closed for public, except when you go for a hundred people tour. The Imperial Palace East Garden is the representative of the most beautiful garden in Tokyo. Its rivals are Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden.
- The Shinjuku Gyoen Imperial Garden comprises Western and Eastern influences in its layout. There are tea ceremony houses and a greenhouse with a vast collection of tropical plants. Anyway, it most known for its 1,500 cherry blossom trees that every spring paint the whole place with different kinds of pink.
- Tsukiji Fish Market - it the largest fish market in Tokyo and probably the greatest in the world. Stroll along fishmongers offering uncountable kinds of sea creatures, try delicious Japanese cuisine or simply watch this colourful feast. Not only for sush lovers.
- The Buddhist Temple Sensoji is Tokyo's oldest and most significant of all temples. The Asakusa Shrine, next to Sensoji, is another highlight of Tokyo. This Shinto shrine hosts several festivals, including the most known the Sanja Matsuri.
- The Kabuki-za Theatre is worth to visit if you look for unusual attractions and want to try something exotic. Awesome costumes music and dances let you deeper understand traditional Japanese culture. Usually there are both morning and evening shows organised in the theatre.
- Akihabura Electric town houses thousands of shops with every techological meaning and devices. This is not only for computer maniacs, but also for lovers of Japanese technology.
AIRPORT
Tokyo has five airports, but their are two main ones.
- Narita International Airport (Narita, Chiba) is the major gateway for international travellers. Earlier it was called New Tokyo International Airport. It provides connections to main cities of all continents, serving the majority of passenger traffic from and to Japan. It is situated around 60 km northeast of the centre of Tokyo, the journey by the fast train (JR) takes about an hour. There are also limousine transfers to the city. http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/
- Tokyo International Airport (Haneda) is used mainly for domestic flights, however it is the busiest airport in Tokyo and the passenger traffic is one of largest in the world, handling over 60 million passengers annually. It is easily accessible by train and bus from the other areas of Tokyo. Free shuttle service between all terminals is available. http://www.tokyo-airport-bldg.co.jp/
-Chofu Airport in Chofu City for flights to the Izu islands.
-shima Airport is used to provide connection to Oshima island.
-Hachijojima Airport connects Hachijo island with mainland.
-Miyakejima Airport is used to commute passengers to and from Miyake island.
-Tokyo Heliport handles commuter flights for Koto Ward.
LOCAL TRANSPORTATION
Japan has an efficient public transportation network, especially between the large cities. Rail is the primary mode of transportation in Tokyo, which has the most developed urban railway network in the world.
- Tokyo's subway belongs to world's best developed systems of this kind, and it is still being extended. At present fourteen lines connect the districts of Tokyo City and Greater Tokyo as well. Shinjuku Station is the main hub of the system, being the busiest station in the world. One- or several-day passes are a good option if you plan to travel around Tokyo. They are valid in subway and most railway lines.
- Train is very efficient way of transportation in Japan's capital. The extensive network of railroads covers all city, convenienly linking the centre with suburbs. One of the most important lines is Yamanote Line that encirle the central districts. Long-haul trains called Shinkasen connect the capital with other cities in Japan.
- Buses serve for the secondary means of public transportation, used predominanly to commute between railaway or subway stations. It is comfortable for the areas with less dense train and subway network.
- Taxis are metred and quite expensive what makes it less popular means of transport. Usual fare for the first two kilometres is 660 yens.
- Walking and cycling is very popular in Tokyo.
HISTORY
In the past Tokyo was a small castle town known as Edo, founded by shogun Tokugawa. In early 18th century it witnessed an erruption of Mt Fuji that spewed the city with ash. In 1868 after the Meiji Restoration it became the seat of emperors and the capital of Japan. Consequently the city had grown, which was increased by the construction of railroads. There were two major moments of decline in the history of Tokyo. The large earthquake in 1923 destroyed it seriously and the bombing during World War II killed many people and ruined city tissue. It was restored very soon in a completely different style. In 1964 it hosted Summer Olympics. Nowdays it is the most powerful city in Japan, that still getting more and more modern.
CITY LINKS
- Tokyo journal in English: http://www.tokyo.to/
- Tokyo city guide: http://www.metro.tokyo.jp/ENGLISH/index.htm
- Enjoy Tokyo: http://www009.upp.so-net.ne.jp/enjoytokyo/
UNIVERSITY LINKS
- Useful Tips:
http://www.tourism.metro.tokyo.jp/english/
http://www.tcvb.or.jp/en/index_en.htm
http://www.digi-promotion.com/
http://www.tokyoessentials.com/