Tokyo Vacations, Japan

Tokyo is the capital of Japan. At over 12 million people in the official metropolitan area alone, Tokyo is the center of the most populated urban area in the world, Greater Tokyo (which has a population of 35 million people). Tokyo brings the most modern wonders of technology, commerce and architecture side by side with the old, and has something for everyone.

Over 400 years old, the city of Tokyo grew from the modest fishing village of Edo (江戸). The former seat of the Tokugawa Shogunate, the Imperial family moved to the city after the Meiji Restoration in 1868. The metropolitan center of the country, Tokyo is the destination for business, education, modern culture, and government. (That's not to say that rivals such as Osaka won't dispute those claims.)

It's easier than ever for English speakers to navigate their way around Tokyo without speaking any Japanese. Signs at subway and train stations include the station names in romaji (Romanized characters). There are also many districts of Tokyo (such as Roppongi) with establishments that cater specifically to gaijin (foreigners). Once you've decided to venture beyond the gaijin scene, however, the language barrier is more likely to become a problem, so it can be helpful to know some tips for ordering in restaurants, shopping in stores, and asking for directions. Learning katakana is not difficult and most words written with it can be understood by English speakers so it can be useful even for people with no Japanese vocabulary. If you plan on asking for directions to Tokyo destinations, it especially helps to carry the name of the destination written in Japanese characters.

The cost of living in Tokyo is not as astronomical as it once was. Deflation and market pressures have helped to make costs in Tokyo comparable to most other large cities. Visitors from San Francisco, New York or London will not be at all surprised. Travelers should budget a similar amount of money for their stay in Tokyo as they would for any other great city in Europe or North America. Locals will know the bargains, but experienced cheapskates from anywhere in the world can get by with a little ingenuity.

More information on Tokyo Travel at Wikitravel.org

Travel Tokyo, Japan

Author: Paul Everton

Tokyo is a location where the urgent rhythms of consumer culture collide with the quieter moments that linger from older customs. It's feverish madness leavened by the most Zenic of calmnesses.

The sheer point of energy is the most striking expression of Japan's capital city. Tokyo is a location where the urgent rhythms of consumer culture collide with the quieter moments that linger from older customs. It's feverish madness leavened by the most Zenic of calmnesses.

While it's true the exciting vibe has a somewhat depressing flip side - shoebox living accommodations estates & office blocks traversed by overhead freeways crowded with traffic - Tokyo remains a glittering example of the 'miracle' of post-WWII Japan.

What makes Tokyo intriguing is the tension between mammoth scale and meticulous detail. Sightseeing in its streets can be a neon assault that leaves you elated & breathless, or an encounter with the exquisite art of understatement. Jump aboard the subway & see how one city is actually many.

Feeding is half the fun of being in Japan, and the adventuresome foodie will be enjoyed to know that nihon ryori (Japanese food) is far more than the sushi, tempura and sukiyaki for which it is best known in other nations: there are over 20 different forms of Japanese cooking to sample.

It isn't difficult to find something to keep you out of trouble in Tokyo. Or take you into it. Whether it's kabuki (popular Japanese theatre) or karaoke, izakaya (half restaurant-half pub) or hot-spring hopping, the Big Umeboshi - the 'Giant Sour Plum' - has it all, all year around.

If you stay in Tokyo or additional major city for one week or longest, gaijin houses (also known as guesthouses) are an cheap accommodation option worth considering. The minimal fee term is commonly one month, but some houses likewise provide weekly or possibly daily rates.

About the Author:

Paul Everton - World travel destinations.

Things To Do and See in Tokyo

Tsukiji Fish Market, Tokyo
The Tsukiji Fish Market is one of the most interesting places to visit

while in Tokyo, especially if you love sushi! It is Japan's largest

wholesale market, and every day large amounts of fish are...
Attraction type: Flea/street market

Roppongi Hills, Tokyo
This sprawling complex of hotels, restaurants, shops, museums

and movie theaters is the new cultural heart of Tokyo.
Attraction type: Neighborhood

Asakusa, Tokyo
This popular Tokyo neighborhood is home to many shops and

restaurants as well as the famed Senso-ji Temple.
Attraction type: Neighborhood; Religious site

Yasukuni-jinja, Tokyo
A large, torii gate stands at the entrance to this shrine built in

memory of those who lost their lives defending Japan. Man

officials still come and offer prayer annually on August 15,

the anniversary of Japan's defeat in World War II.
Attraction type: Historic site; Religious site

East Gardens, Tokyo
These beautiful gardens are located outside of the Imperial Palace.

Access to the gardens is open to the public although the palace itself is off limits.
Attraction type: Garden; Historic home; Castle; Historic site