Tokyo Facts

Tokyo is known for its booming economy and its always original, ever-changing culture. Those who come to visit this vast, bewildering metropolis of 12 million people will likely be overwhelmed. There is so much to see and do that planning ahead of time is essential.

Nihonbashi

You could say all roads lead to Nihonbashi since all distances to and from Tokyo are measured from here. Nihonbashi, "Japan Bridge," is centuries old, though the present Western-style structure only dates back to the Meiji Period (1868-1912). Once a prominent landmark, it is today dwarfed by buildings and an overhead expressway. Mitsukoshi, Japan's oldest department store, which still stands on its original site,...

...'s kaleidoscopic lights, crush of humanity and sheer scale can be overwhelming for first-timers. Yet linger a while and you'll almost certainly encounter the serene side of traditional Japan. Discover graceful tea ceremonies and gardens awash with springtime cherry blossom, a world apart from skyscraper-dotted Shinjuku or trend-obsessed Harajuku. Forget trying to make sense of this megalopolis, with its jigsaw of real estate and seething mass of people, and follow the example of the omikuji (fortune scrolls) at Senso-ji Temple -- just take Tokyo as it comes.

Things to Do

Tokyo stuns with its contrasts -- one minute you're lost in Shiodome's skyscraper jungle, the next in quiet contemplation...