| Situated in the Kanto region on the | | | | Kaminarimon or thunder gate and a |
| mid-eastern part of the Honshu Island, Tokyo | | | | five-storied pagoda. Nakamise, a shopping |
| is the capital and the largest city in Japan. | | | | street with a history of several centuries, |
| Tokyo, literally meaning 'Eastern Capital,' | | | | leads to the second gate of the temple, |
| is also one of the 47 prefectures in the | | | | Hozomon. |
| country. However, it is much popular as a | | | | |
| metropolis rather than a prefecture. The | | | | Meiji Shrine, dedicated to the spirits of |
| largest of its kind in the world, Tokyo's | | | | Emperor Meiji and his wife Shoken, is another |
| metropolis is made up of: 26 cities, 23 city | | | | popular temple in the city. Completed in 1920 |
| wards, eight villages, and five towns. | | | | and rebuilt after the Second World War, Meiji |
| | | | Shrine is home to various festivals and |
| Once a typical village known as Edo - the | | | | events. |
| city became the political center of the | | | | |
| country when Tokugawa Ieyasu, one of the most | | | | A visit to such shrines as Sengakuji Temple, |
| powerful rulers, established his feudal | | | | where 47 Ronin are buried; Yasukini Shrine, |
| government here during the 16th century. But, | | | | which commemorate Japan's war dead; and |
| Tokyo got its present name when the emperor | | | | Zojoji Temple - the main shrine of Buddhist |
| Meiji shifted his capital from Kyoto to Edo. | | | | Jado sect would be a great experience. |
| A city of contrasts, Tokyo has now become one | | | | |
| of the most popular destinations in the | | | | Museums - Tokyo has a great number of |
| world, brimming with world-class attractions. | | | | museums, which among many others, are the |
| | | | Tokyo National Museum - the oldest as well as |
| Tokyo has to its credit such a great number | | | | the largest in the country; Mitsuo Aida |
| of attractions that it takes months to | | | | Museum, with a rare collection of artifacts; |
| explore them all. One of the most popular | | | | Edo Tokyo Museum, where on display are |
| among the city's attractions is Imperial | | | | artifacts related to the city's history and |
| Palace, which is still the residence of the | | | | culture; O Art Museum, a multi-purpose art |
| emperor of Japan. The palace is built on a | | | | museum; Mori Art Museum, showcasing |
| huge amazing site, where still the remains of | | | | contemporary Japanese art; Tokyo Metropolitan |
| Edo Castle can be seen. Another | | | | Art Museum; Nezu Institute of Fine Art; the |
| worth-visiting attraction here is Diet | | | | Bunkamura Museum of Fine Art; Science Museum |
| Parliament, which was opened in 1936. Equally | | | | of Tokyo, and Sompo Japan Museum of Art, |
| worth mentioning is Kabuki-za Theatre, which | | | | housing works of Seiji Togo, a well-known |
| is perhaps the most popular in the country. | | | | Japanese artist. |
| Opened its door in 1889, the theatre conducts | | | | |
| daily performances. | | | | Parks and Gardens - For nature lovers, Tokyo |
| | | | has an astounding array of parks and gardens. |
| No visit to Tokyo would be complete without | | | | Some of the most popular among them are: |
| taking a tour to Akihabara, also known as | | | | |
| Akihabara Electric Town or Akiba. This area | | | | - Rikugien, a beautiful landscape garden |
| boasts of an enormous collection of | | | | designed in Japanese style |
| electronic shops. Also, a great attraction in | | | | |
| the city is Tokyo Tower, a soaring structure | | | | - Hama Rikyu, one of the most attractive |
| that takes after the Eiffel Tower in Paris. A | | | | gardens in the area, which once served as the |
| marine aquarium can also be seen here. | | | | garden of a feudal lord's residence during |
| Additionally, Tokyo is home to Tsukiji | | | | the Edo period |
| Central Wholesale Market, one of the largest | | | | |
| fish market in the world. | | | | - Kyu Shiba Rikyu Onshi Teien, which is |
| | | | developed on the site which was earlier the |
| Other not to miss destinations in Tokyo are | | | | residence of several feudal lords as well as |
| Shinjuku, a business area of the city with | | | | government officials |
| one of the biggest amusement squares in the | | | | |
| country; Asakusa, with attractions such as | | | | - East Gardens, an amazing garden located |
| Sensoji Temple and the Kaminarimon gate; | | | | within the compounds of the Imperial Palace |
| Roppongi, a trendy area regarded as the | | | | |
| international area of the city; and Odaiba, a | | | | - Ueno Park, one of the largest public parks |
| highly developed waterfront as well as island | | | | in the country, is home to many museums, such |
| area in Tokyo bay. | | | | as the Tokyo National Museum and the National |
| | | | Museum for Western Art |
| Above all, while your stay in the city, don't | | | | |
| miss Tokyo Disneyland, an amusement park with | | | | - Yoyogi Koen, a unique park designed in |
| highlights such as Cinderella Castle Mystery | | | | western style |
| Tour, Fantillusion, Western River Railroad, | | | | |
| The Mickey Mouse Review, and Meet the World. | | | | Tokyo has some of the best shopping areas in |
| | | | the form of Ginza district, located in the |
| Shrines and Temples - Each of the temples in | | | | heart of the city. Many stores designer |
| the city is truly a sight to see. Most | | | | items, jewelry, and apparels can be seen |
| popular among the shrines in the area is | | | | here. Among the largest department stores in |
| Sensoji Temple, also known as Asakusa Kannon | | | | the area are Hankyu, Seibu, Printemps, |
| Temple. Located in Asakusa, the temple is a | | | | Matsuya, Wako and Mikimoto. |
| Buddhist shrine, with features such as the | | | | |