Tourism in Tokyo
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tokyo (東京都 Tōkyō-to?), is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan and includes the highly urbanized central area formerly known as the city of Tokyo which is the heart of the Greater Tokyo Area. Tokyo also includes a number of bedtowns, farmland, mountain villages and islands in two pacific island chains, the Izu Islands and the subtropical Ogasawara Islands.
Although not a single city, Tokyo is considered the capital of Japan since it is home to the Japanese government and emperor. About 12 million people—10 percent of the country's population—live in Tokyo, while approximately 33–35 million people live in the entire Greater Tokyo conurbation, making it effectively part of the most populated urban area on earth.
Tokyo has many tourist attractions. It would indeed take weeks to see all the major ones. Thanks to a very convenient train and subway system (with signs in English), it is easy to visit most of these attractions. Here are only some of them (in random order).
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[edit] Shrines, temples, and castles
The Imperial Palace, Meiji Shrine, and Sensoji Temple are the three most popular ones in Tokyo.
- Kokyo, or the Imperial Palace — Home of the Emperor and Crown Prince and their families.
- Sensō-ji — Asakusa
- Meiji Shrine — Dedicated to Emperor Meiji
- State Guest-House
- Yasukuni Shrine
- Zojoji — Main headquarters of the Pure Land Buddhism (浄土宗) sect.
- Tsukiji Honganji Temple — Tokyo headquarters of the Jodo Shinshu Nishi Honganji Buddhist sect.
- Gokokuji Temple
[edit] Festivals and events
Tokyo holds many festivals large and small throughout the year.
[edit] Spring (March-May)
- Bunkyo Tsutsuji Matsuri (azalea festival) at Nezu Shrine in Bunkyo-ku.
- Fuji Matsuri (wisteria festival) at Kameido Tenjin Shrine in Koto-ku.
- Hinode Matsuri (sunrise festival) at Mitake Shrine in Ome.
- Kachiya Festival at Katori Shrine in Koto-ku.
- Kanda Myojin Omikoshi Togyo at Kanda Myojin Shrine in Chiyoda-ku.
- Kappa Matsuri at Ebara Shrine in Shinagawa-ku.
- Kifune Matsuri at Kifune Shrine in Ota-ku.
- Kurayami Matsuri (black night festival) at Okunitama Shrine in Fuchu.
- Meiji Shrine Spring Festival at Meiji Shrine in Shibuya-ku.
- Osunafumi Taisai (walking-on-sand ritual) at Tamagawa Daishi Temple in Setagaya-ku.
- Sanja Matsuri at Asakusa Shrine in Taito-ku.
- Shishi Matsuri (lion dance festival) at Nagasaki Shrine in Toshima-ku.
- Takigi Noh (open-air torchlight Noh performance) at Zojoji Temple in Minato-ku.
- Yayoi Matsuri ceremony by the Edo Shobo Kinen-kai (Edo Civilian Fire Fighters' Association) in the vicinity of Sensoji Temple in Taito-ku.
[edit] Summer (June-Aug.)
- Koenji Awa Odori
- Asakusa Samba Matsuri
- Sumida Fireworks in Asakusa and Sumida Ward
- Tokyo Bay Fireworks
- Jingu Fireworks
- Fukagawa Hachiman Matsuri
[edit] Fall (Sept.-Nov.)
- Tokyo Jidai Matsuri in Asakusa
[edit] Winter (Dec.-Feb.)
- Hatsumode New Year's Prayers at Meiji Shrine, Sensoji, and other major shrines and temples
- Dezome-shiki Fireman's Parade at Tokyo Big Sight
- Setsubun at Sensoji and other major temples
[edit] Others
- Grand Sumo Tournaments in Jan., May, and Sept. at the Ryōgoku Kokugikan
- Tsukiji fish market
[edit] Parks and gardens
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[edit] Flowers
- Ume blossoms (Feb.-March)—Yoshino Baigo in Ome, Mukojima Hyakkaen Garden, Hanegi Park in Umegaoka
- Cherry blossoms (Late March-early April)—Ueno Park and Shinobazu Pond, Yoyogi Park, Shinjuku Gyoen, Inokashira Park in Kichijōji, Chidorigafuchi Imperial Palace moat near the Budokan, Aoyama Cemetery, Sumida Park and River near Asakusa, International Christian University
- Wisteria (Late April-early May)—Kameido Tenjin Shrine in Koto Ward
- Azaleas (Late April-early May)—Nezu Shrine, East Garden of the Imperial Palace, Shiofune Kannon Temple in Ome
- Roses (mid-late May)—Jindai Botanical Garden in Chōfu
- Irises (early-mid June)—Meiji Shrine, Horikiri Iris Garden
- Hydrangeas (June-July)—Takahata Fudo Temple, Hino
[edit] Scenic views
- Tokyo Tower
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observatory
- Rainbow Bridge walkway
- Sunshine City Observatory in Ikebukuro
- Fuji TV Headquarters Observatory in Odaiba
[edit] Shopping and entertainment
Tokyo has various shopping districts famous for specific products. Akihabara is well-known for electronics stores, Shinjuku for camera and book shops, Ginza for department stores and luxury goods, Shibuya and Harajuku for teenage fashion, and Jinbocho for used (and new) books.
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- See also: Tourism in Japan
[edit] Cultural Highlights in Tokyo
[edit] Museums
Tokyo has numerous museums and art galleries. This list is by no means exhaustive.
- Tokyo National Museum
- National Museum of Western Art
- Edo-Tokyo Museum
- Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum
- Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum
- Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo in Kiba
- Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum
- Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography in Ebisu Garden Place
- Tokyo Metropolitan Art Space
- Tokyo Bunka Kaikan
- Kokugikan Sumo Museum
- Fukagawa-Edo Museum in Koto Ward
- Japanese Sword Museum
- Tokyo Opera City
- Mori Art Museum in Roppongi Hills
[edit] Theaters
- Kabuki-za
- National Noh Theater (Kokuritsu Nohgaku-do)
- National Theatre (Kokuritsu Gekijo)
[edit] Modern architecture
- Tokyo Tower
- Rainbow Bridge
- National Diet Building
- Yoyogi National Gymnasium
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
- Tokyo Big Sight
- Tokyo Station red brick building
- Tokyo International Forum
- Roppongi Hills
 Zōjōji (a temple in Shiba Park) and Tokyo Tower. |
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 Yoyogi National Gymnasium, a work of Kenzo Tange. |
[edit] Fashion
- Omotesando—Fashion capital of Japan.
- Harajuku—Street fashion capital of Japan.
- Shibuya—Teen fashion capital of Japan.
[edit] Sports in Tokyo
Tokyo is home to two professional baseball clubs, the Yakult Swallows (Meiji-Jingu Stadium) and Yomiuri Giants (Tokyo Dome).
The Japan Sumo Association is also headquartered in Tokyo at the Ryogoku Kokugikan sumo arena where three official sumo tournaments are held annually (in January, May, and September).
Football (soccer) clubs in Tokyo include FC Tokyo and Tokyo Verdy 1969, both of which play at Ajinomoto Stadium in Chōfu.
The city hosted the 1964 Summer Olympics. National Stadium, also known as Olympic Stadium, Tokyo is host to a number of international sporting events. With a number of world-class sports venues, Tokyo often hosts national and international sporting events such as tennis tournaments, swim meets, marathons, American football exhibition games, judo, karate, etc.
Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, in Sendagaya, Shibuya, is a large sports complex that includes pools, training rooms, and a large indoor arena.
