Tokyo Vacations

Overview

Tokyo, one of the 47 prefectures in Japan, is not only the seat for the Japanese Government and Imperial Palace but also the home of the Japanese Imperial Family. It is the best known and most famous Japanese city and represents the economic and cultural power that Japan has grown into since World War II. Over the course of 400 years the once small fishing village has grown into the city of Tokyo, one of the largest cities in the world.

Activities & Attractions

Tokyo has suffered two major catastrophes. The first was the Great Kantō earthquake in 1923. The other was atomic bombs dropped during World War II. Each of these killed thousands of people and ruined most of the city. Now the city has been completely rebuilt and is a modern showcase of the world. The highest spot in Tokyo is the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku. Its twin towers offer viewing platforms for a great view of Tokyo and beyond.

Tokyo has a vast array of sights, but some of the best attractions are the temples of Asakusa, the gardens of the Imperial Palace, and the Meiji Shrine. Tokyo also has many national parks like Meiji no Mori Takao Quasi-National Park, Ogasawara National Park, and Ueno Park. Ueno National Park has many museums including the Tokyo National Museum, National Science Museum, Shitamachi Museum and National Museum for Western Art. The Tokyo National Museum is the country's largest museum specializing in Japanese art. If you are looking for a live performance, Tokyo has many private and national theaters for performing arts and traditional forms of Japanese drama.

Ginza is Tokyo's most famous up market shopping, dining and entertainment district. It provides a variety of different shopping experiences and bargains, and it is a great area to go for souvenirs and gifts. The Sony Electronics Store in the Ginza district is popular because it has the best and newest Sony products, some of which are not available anywhere else.

Lodging

Many hotels in Tokyo are expensive, but there are different bargains to be had. Most trips that are part of a tour or tour company can sometimes be much less expensive for foreign tourists than trying to book accommodations alone. The Shinjuku Prince Hotel, Hotel New Otani Garden Tower, Shiba Park Hotel and Oak Hotel are some of the recommended hotels in the city. For more information about lodging in Tokyo, take a look at the Web sites below in the resource section.

Transportation

Tokyo, being the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, serves as Japan's domestic and international hub for national, ground and air transport. The public transportation system has an extensive network of trains and subways run by a variety of operators, with buses, monorails and trams playing a secondary feeder role.