Travel Guide to Tokyo, Japan

The capital of Japan and a popular tourist area, Tokyo is rich in attractions and entertainments. In addition to rich cultural program travelers get an opportunity to attend modern sports facilities and entertainment complexes. The architecture of modern buildings is simply striking; here you will see many tall buildings made of glass and metal, as well as hotels equipped according to the latest technologies.

Asakusa district will be the most interesting place for tourists. Here they will see largest markets of the city, shopping malls and souvenir shops. Colorful masks, kimono, ivory combs, toys and beautiful fabrics remain most popular goods, which are bought by visitors. Near the Market Square is located one of the ancient religious sites, church of Canon, which was built right after the city's foundation in 628. Numerous beautiful legends are associated with this temple. According to one of them local fishermen found a statuette of the goddess Canon in their nets. This goddess symbolized love and compassion, so fishermen thought it was a good sign and built a temple in her honor. The main relic the temple was that statuette.

Ginza district is the most modern and noisy one. Here you will find numerous restaurants, entertainment venues, cafes and luxury shops. Ginza will be no less loved by shopping lovers than Asakusa. Here is also located the most popular theater of the city - Kabuki-Za, which was opened in the Middle Ages. The rooms of the theater look more like the luxury king's house. Everything here is so refined and delicate.

Vacationers with children will surely enjoy the trip to Disneyland, where they will find a huge number of theme parks. Each park is unique and has prepared fascinating entertainments to its guests.

The Meiji Temple. The Meiji Temple is one of the most marvelous architectural examples of Shinto religion. It's situated in the somber forest in the center of the city. It's quite surprising to find such an oasis in businesslike Tokyo. To get to the territory of the temple, visitors are to go through an enormous wooden tower and then go by a wide pebbly path. The temple was built in honor of Imperator Meiji and Empress Shoken. During their rule Japan became a modern and prosperous country, opened for the world. On weekends on the territory of the temple you can watch many wedding ceremonies. Near the temple takes place a magnificent orris garden, which is especially beautiful in June, when the flowers blossom.

Tokyo Imperial Palace. Tokyo Imperial Palace was built in 1590 in the days of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of Tokugawa dynasty. Time passed and the palace was getting larger and larger and, as a result, it turned into quite a big palace, the charm of which you can enjoy. The inside palace court is opened for visitors only twice a year: on the 2nd of January – New Year time and on the 23rd of December –the birthday of Imperator. Nijibashi, the double stone arch bridge that used to serve as the main entrance to the palace, deserves your special attention. During the Second World War the palace was destroyed, and in 1968 it was rebuilt from the basics. The undistorted walls and ditches were integrated in the total look of the palace. Nowadays the family of Imperator still lives in the western wing of it.

In the Western Garden of Tokyo Imperial Palace long time ago took place the ancient palace of Edo period. It belonged to the shogun and the garden is the only part of Imperial Palace that is opened for visitors. At the entrance you'll see the marvelous Otemon Gate that used to be the entrance of the palace. In the garden, which is partially surrounded by the former moat, you'll find the walls and lodges of the inside castle. Besides that, there are also situated the tea-house, pond and waterfall.

The Rainbow Town, located on the group of artificial islands in Tokyo Bay, known as Odaiba. People call it the Tokyo coast of the 21st century. This group of islands is the main place of many futuristic building plans. Nowadays there take place office complexes, parks and some tourist attractions. The architecture of this place can impress anyone. Projected by Kenzu Tange Fuji Television Center, shopping and restaurant complex Decks Tokyo Beach and the Tokyo Exhibition Center (Tokyo Big Sight) have become the symbol of the city. Odaiba is worth visiting at least because of the fantastic scenery that you can enjoy, while travelling to the island by monorail.

Read more about Tokyo:
Restaurants and cuisine in Tokyo
Local traditions and lifestyle
'Must visit' places in Tokyo
Nightlife and attractions in Tokyo
Preparing for Tokyo: Advices
Tokyo photogallery