Tokyo

Electronics shopping, anything and everything kawai (cute!), and food galore – these are some of the things that people think of when Tokyo is mentioned. Perhaps the most popular city in Japan, Tokyo has so much to offer its guests. It is no wonder that countless people from all over the world have Tokyo at the top of their travel lists.

Getting Around

The Japanese public transportation system is one of the best in the world. More than being efficient, the entire system is amazingly clean and safe. You can get around cheaply by bus, but signs are written in Japanese and most bus drivers do not speak English. A better alternative is to go around by train. The train network is very extensive and is connected to the subway network. To save even more money, purchase the Tokyo Combination Ticket (Tokyo Free Kippu), which allows you to take as many trains, subways, and buses as you wish in a single day.

Things to See

Tokyo is a wonderful place for sightseeing. An absolute must is a visit to the Imperial Palace, which is widely regarded as the heart and soul of the city. Just to the north of the palace, is the interesting Yasukuni Shrine, a memorial to the people who lost their lives during war time.

For culture buffs, the Edo-Tokyo Museum is the place to go, where Tokyo’s history, art, and architecture comes to life through great exhibits. The Senso-ji Temple is another popular destination, and well worth a visit. It is the oldest temple in the city, and one can spend the entire afternoon happily exploring the little streets of “old Tokyo” around the area, where quaint shops, stalls and restaurants abound.

If you think that the Eiffel Tower is something to marvel at, you should visit the Tokyo Tower. It is modeled after its Parisian counterpart, but true to Japanese culture, it serves a more practical purpose as well - the Tokyo Tower actually serves as a radio and TV antenna.

Things to Do

If there are four things that you should do in Tokyo, these are:

• Go shopping – Akihabara is the premier destination for electronics shopping. In this vast shopping area, you will find more than 250 shops selling all kinds of electronics and electrical appliances
• Go watch Kabuki – immerse yourself in traditional Japanese performing art in the many Kabuki theatres in the city. Kabuki-za is generally regarded as the best place to watch kabuki, with the edifice being as interesting as the performances
• Party! – the Tokyo nightlife is well known all over the world. Visit clubs for dancing and live music
• Eat! – sushi, tempura, sashimi, udon, and more – need I say more?

Where to Stay

Accommodation is not a problem in Tokyo. Hotels and hostels can be found everywhere, each one catering to a specific budget range. You can find affordable hotels in Ginza, which is also where the Kabuki-za is located. For those who have partying in mind, Roppongi is the best place. For really really cheap accommodations, look around in the Kanda/ Ochanomizu area.

This article was brought to you by JAPANiCAN, a Japan hotel booking site. Check out JAPANiCAN for a great selection of Tokyo hotels.