Tokyo

The epicenter of sophisticated culture, cutting-edge fashion, futuristic buildings, and all things weird and wonderful, Tokyo is a city of extremes that attracts over 14 million visitors each year, and it should be on your bucket list too.

The capital city of Japan is situated at the Tokyo Bay on the Pacific coast of central Honshu (Japan’s main island). While the Greater Tokyo Area is made up of Tokyo and the three neighboring prefectures, Metropolitan Tokyo consists of 23 wards and municipalities. Tourists are most likely to be residing in central areas like Chiyoda, Minato, Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Taito wards. In addition to being the political and economic center of Japan, Tokyo is also the seat of the Emperor and the imperial family. In terms of population, the Greater Tokyo Area with over 37 million people is the most populous metropolitan area in the world.

Originally named Edo, Tokyo has a long and rich history of over 400 years. The city grew in wealth, power, and size over the centuries with its population reaching over a million by the mid-eighteenth century. The Emperor moved to Edo during Meiji Restoration in 1868, hence renaming the city Tokyo and it became the capital of Japan. With the devastation of earthquakes and war, much of Tokyo was destroyed by the middle of the 20th century. In the 1980s, rapid economic growth and increased global presence transformed Tokyo into one of the world’s economic powerhouses.

Visitors to Tokyo will be attracted to its most famous temples, towers, parks, and shopping streets, but this city with a perfect blend of old and new has so much more to offer. Get into character and go go-karting around town, experience the insanity at the Robot Restaurant, see a Kabuki theatre performance in Ginza, and soak in an Onsen with the locals. 

Foodies alert! You’ll be spoiled for choice in Tokyo for authentic local and regional Japanese cuisines, as well as international delights. Be sure to savor delicious culinary creations like tempura, curry rice, sashimi, soba, patisseries, unagi, and sukiyaki.

Not sure what to bring home as a souvenir? Tokyo is world-renowned for being a shopping paradise, visitors can find countless unique local specialty items as gifts and mementos. Consider getting a toy from one of five million vending machines in Japan, top-up on those high-quality Japanese cosmetics, or bring home an omamori lucky charm.