Tokyo, Japan Travel Guide

Tokyo, Japan

Although Tokyo looks small on the world map; it’s a whole different story when actually visiting this high-tech city.  There are several things to do that include fine cuisine, sightseeing, and an awesome nightlife.


This mass city consists of around twelve million people in the metropolitan area alone.  It’s Japan’s capital city and is known for its diverse ideas and wealthy vision of the future while also providing a look at Old Japan; trust me when I say there is something for everyone in Tokyo.

Tokyo Old Districts

History of Tokyo

Imperial history in Tokyo started in 1868, as the last Tokugawa shogun surrendered the Edo Castle to the imperial forces. During the restoration, the emperor moved to the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, making the city the formal capital of Japan and renaming the city Tokyo (eastern capital) as distinguished from Kyoto.

One of the most well-known facts about Tokyo History is the 1923 Tokyo earthquake resulting in numerous casualties from many people being injured to about 130,000 people dying. Not only did it wipe out a huge portion of the population it also wiped out almost all of Tokyo places.

Enormous fires had burnt the remains. It was considered one of the biggest disasters of japan up until these last couple of years. The rebuilt city included wide streets designed to stop fire in case of another earthquake.

Buddhist Temple

Climate

Tokyo is sitting in a region where it’s a humid subtropical climate zone.  The locals know that their land has 4 distinct seasons.  With summers being humid and very warm with average temperatures around 25°C but it’s not unusual for the weather to dish out temps in the higher thirties.

In the winter you can expect some cold nights but the average temperatures usually stay in the 0-10 °C range.  Snow is almost unheard of in Tokyo although it’s not impossible for it to happen during a freezing winter day.

Geishas

Getting around in Tokyo

Just like most other major cities, Tokyo is surrounded by automobiles, buses, motorbikes, trains, boats, and subways.  The city has a lot to offer when getting around and it’s known to be very easy when finding a ride to get where you’re going.

The roads are different from the United States so driving may need a little adjusting too.  Taxis are the preferred way but they tend to be pricey so make sure you bring side cash for things that include traveling around the city.

Akihabara

Things to do in Tokyo

Here are just a few things to do and check out while staying in this beautiful city of  Tokyo, Japan. This is just a tiny fraction of what can be done while there. Just riding around the city can be an adventure in itself, but here are some actual places to go to:

Imperial Palace, Edo Castle

Imperial Palace: Edo Castle used to be the seat of the Tokugawa shogun who ruled Japan from 1603 until 1867. In 1868, the shogunate was overthrown, and the country's capital and Imperial Residence were moved from Kyoto to Tokyo. In 1888 construction of a new Imperial Palace was completed. The palace was once destroyed during World War Two, and rebuilt in the same style, afterwards. Free admission but is closed Mondays & Fridays.  Every other day is open from 9am to 4pm.

Ueno Zoo: Ueno Zoo is the oldest zoo in Japan. It has grown over the years, expanded its area, and been a forerunner in the Japanese zoo world, cheap admission and children are free. Hours are from 9:30am to 5pm but closed on Mondays.

Edo Tokyo Museum: Displaying the city’s history, art, culture and architecture. Closed on Mondays and admission is ¥600. Open daily from 9:30am to 5pm! Closed on Mondays.

Asakusa, Tokyo

Asakusa District: For many centuries, Asakusa used to be Tokyo's leading entertainment district, actualy is where an atmosphere of the Tokyo of past decades survives.

Akihabara District:  also called Akiba after a former local shrine, is a district in central Tokyo that is famous for its many electronics shops. In more recent years, Akihabara has gained recognition as the center of Japan's otaku (diehard fan) culture, and many shops and establishments devoted to anime and manga are now dispersed among the electronic stores in the district.

Akihabara in the night

Mount Fuji:  is with 3776 meters Japan's highest mountain. It is not surprising that the nearly perfectly shaped volcano has been worshiped as a sacred mountain and experienced big popularity among artists and common people throughout the centuries.

Mount Fuji, Japan