Tokyo

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Japan's capital city, Tokyo is one of the most advanced international cities. The Monocle magazine voted Tokyo as the fourth Most Liveable City in the world.

• Total area: 844.4 square miles
• Population: 13 million approximately
• Geographical coordinates: 35°42'2"N, 139°42'54'E

Located in the eastern part of the Honshū Island, Tokyo is the capital city as well as the largest metropolitan area of Japan. With a population of over 13 million, Tokyo is the most populous metropolitan area of the world. The city has many distinctions to its credit, including: one of the three 'command centers' for the world economy, second most expensive city for expatriate employees, fourth Most Livable City and the World’s Most Livable Megalopolis.

Tourist attractions in Tokyo

From excellent shopping malls, architectural marvels, grand historic monuments, amusement parks, a vibrant night life, to a host of events and festivals, Tokyo offers many choices. The best time to visit Tokyo is during the spring months of March, April, May and the autumn months of September, October and November.
Some of the attractions in Tokyo are:

• Tokyo Metropolitan Childrens Hall: Various types of events and activities for children like scientific craft, wooden-toy making and musical events are organized.
  
  
• Hama Rikyu: This graphic park is filled with numerous Japanese style plantations.
  
  
• The Imperial Palace: It is the permanent home of the emperor of Japan and there are gardens and musical hall inside the palace.
  
  
• Tsukiji Central Fish Market: In this huge fish market, you can get a variety of fish like shellfish, tuna and fish products.
  
  
• Tokyo National Museum: The oldest and the largest museum in Tokyo houses relics and artifacts from many Asian countries, including Japan.

Transportation in Tokyo

Railway

Public transport inside Tokyo features an extensive network of train and subways operated by different operators. Rail is the primary mode of transport in the city, with a number of trains and subways run by several operators. The city’s largest railway network is operated by JR East. Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation and Tokyo Metro look after the operation of subway network in the city.

Airports

Haneda Airport is the major airport here, offering both domestic and international flights. Islands which are governed by Tokyo have their own airports. Some of them are: Hachijojima Airport, Miyakejima Airport and Oshima Airport. The city’s major airports include: Hachijojima Airport, Oshima Airport, Haneda Airport and Narita International Airport.

Buses Buses for various routes are operated by both private carriers and the metropolitan government. The Expressway connects the city with Greater Tokyo Area, the islands of Shikoku and Kyūshū and also the Kanto region.

Hotels in Tokyo

Tokyo offers travelers with a wide-ranging choice of hotels from traditional Ryokans such as Tama Ryokan, to award winning hotels like Hotel Okura and budget accommodation ones like Sakura Hotel Ikebukuro.

• Tama Ryokan: It is a traditional Japanese hotel that offers basic accommodation to guests at affordable rates. Located near Tozai metro, the hotel provides internet connectivity.
• Hotel Okura: It is a grand luxury hotel featuring suites, penthouses, garden wing rooms and standard rooms having all luxurious amenities. There are about 6 restaurants and some bars in the hotel, offering various types of cuisines.

Some of the other hotels, where you can stay in Tokyo, include -

• Hotel Kawase
• Andon Ryokan
• Park Hyatt Tokyo
• Sakura Hotel Hatagawa
• Shangri-La Hotel Tokyo
• Tokyo Hotel Horidome Villa
• Four Seasons Marunouchi Tokyo
• Best Western Shinjuku Astina Hotel Tokyo

Literally the name Tokyo means 'Eastern Capital' and at present not only is the highest seat of the Japanese Imperial Family but also the functioning base of the Japanese government. Hence Tokyo today has truly turned out to become the 'de facto' capital of Japan . Before 1943, Tokyo was the name of both parts of a prefecture but it was later merged into a single prefecture known as Tokyo . The present day Tokyo includes 23 special wards, the Tama region and two island chains by the name of Izu and Ogaswara islands, which stretches into the Pacific Ocean . The Greater Tokyo area constitutes of about 35 million people, making it one of the world's most populous metropolitan areas . Its wealth and population has constituted to its being a record-holder in various fields in the past and present. The city is also the most expensive in the world and is also the world record -holder for the maximum GDP in a metropolitan area. A mega city in its own right , Tokyo is today considered one of the major global cities in the world. The Tokyo Stock Exchange is the second largest in the world, which is another proof of Tokyo 's blooming economy.
Tokyo 's change in status from its earlier simple fishing origins and its name reversal from Edo to Tokyo chiefly owes to two historical personalities, namely, Tokugawa Legyasu and Emperor Meiji. Legyasu was the chief architect behind Tokyo 's changing economy and making it one of Japan 's most developed areas and Emperor Meiji restructured Edo into the modern day Tokyo , whose lifeline became the Railway System . Tokyo continued to be the Imperial Capital until 1943 when it was given constituency status. The earthquake of 1923 and World War II had completely ravaged the city, but it rose from its ashes like the Phoenix , underwent complete renovation and flaunted itself to the world during the 1964 Summer Olympics, which was held in the city.

Since the 1900's the rail-centric city of Tokyo had also become Japan 's lifeline making it the economic as well as the educational capital. Most of the country's prestigious Universities are based in Tokyo and also many international companies have headquarters in Tokyo . Japan 's chunk of wealth comes from Tokyo 's booming real-estate business . Tokyo was first connected with the world through air by the Narita International Airport , which was built in the 1970's at some distance from Tokyo city. Tokyo International Airport caters to the demands of domestic flying and is located within the city limits.

Greater Tokyo is generally regarded as the main metropolis, one of the busiest areas in Japan as well as in the rest of the world. The other half of Tokyo includes Western Tokyo , comprising of towns, cities and villages, which is generally referred to as the Tama area. It serves as Tokyo 's “bed towns” from where people travel to central Tokyo ; the Tama region also has its individual commerce and industry. The highest mountain in Tokyo lies in the far west and is known as Mount Kumotori . The region surrounding it is highly rocky and not suitable for industrialization. Thirty-six per cent of Tokyo 's area is covered by dense forest growth of Cryptomeria and the Japanese Cypress. There are 4 National Parks in Tokyo and Ogasawara National Park has gained the status of a World Heritage Site. However, Tokyo is highly prone to earthquakes, affecting it since the 16 th century, and the city was worst hit by the 1923 earthquake, which took away about 143,000 lives.

Tokyo 's nightlife and ultra-modern amenities combined with its traditional past has made it a highly cherished site for tourists all across the globe. Being the biggest city of Japan and a great economic and cultural hub it has attracted the fancy of the media and moviemakers for a number of decades and continues to ride the charts of popularity, being the most demanded and favored cities, when it comes to investment and business.