Why Tokyo?
Tokyo, the largest city in the world
Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is without a doubt the world’s largest city in terms of population. Tokyo is home to more than 13 million inhabitants, and its metropolitan area is home to more than 37 million people, making it a megalopolis without equal in terms of population density.
It is a city with a thousand faces, where modernity sits harmoniously alongside tradition. The contrast between ancient temples and gleaming skyscrapers is striking. Japan has a rich history, and Tokyo is no exception.
Tokyo is divided into many districts, each with its own charm and distinct personality. Shibuya is famous for its crossroads, one of the busiest in the world, and its lively atmosphere, while Akihabara is a technology nut’s paradise, with its electronic shops and manga cafés. Harajuku is the home of eccentric fashion, with young people walking around in highly original outfits. And remember to visit Shinjuku, one of Tokyo’s liveliest districts, with its towering skyscrapers, luxury shops and famous Shinjuku Gyoen park for a break from the concrete jungle. At night, Tokyo comes alive with an entirely different kind of atmosphere. Secret cocktail bars, exuberant nightclubs and karaoke bars abound. The Roppongi district is renowned for its international nightlife, while Shibuya and Shinjuku offer an endless variety of options for having fun until the early hours.
Places
Mandatory places to visit in Tokyo
Shibuya Crossing
It is the world’s busiest intersection. Massive video screens flashing advertisements tower above every corner as salarymen, tourists, and shoppers wait and cross in concert. The feeling is oddly soothing, a reminder that whatever our disparate paths in life, they all have a tendency to cross at one time or another.
The best time to go is at dusk, one of the scramble’s peak times and in its most flattering light. The Shibuya Scramble Square tower offers a birds’ eye view, along with panoramic views of the city from the Shibuya Sky rooftop observatory.
Curiosity: Most of the scenes in the
Netflix series Alice in Boderland
were filmed at the
crossing.
Address:
2 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 150-0043
Sensoji Temple
Sensoji (also known as Asakusa Kannon Temple) is a Buddhist temple located in Asakusa. It is one of Tokyo's most colorful and popular temples.
The temple was built nearby for the goddess of Kannon and it was completed in 645, making it Tokyo's oldest temple.
Various events are held throughout the year in the Sensoji Temple area. The biggest of them is the Sanja Matsuri, the annual festival of the Asakusa Shrine, held in May. Other events are the Asakusa Samba Carnival in August and the Hagoita-ichi (Hagoita Market) at which decorated wooden paddles used in the traditional game of hanetsuki are sold.
Address:
2-chōme-3-1 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0032
Skytree
Tokyo Skytree is a broadcasting and observation tower in Sumida, Tokyo. It became the tallest tower in Japan in 2010 and reached its full height of 634 meters in March 2011, making it the tallest tower in the world and the third tallest structure in the world.
The main attraction at Tokyo Skytree is the staggering view from the observation decks. There’s two: the lower deck (Tembo Deck) at 350 meters and the upper deck (Tembo Galleria) at 450 meters. At the base there’s a mall called Solamachi with a good selection of shops, cafes, and restaurants at a variety of price points.
Tembo Deck gives you an awesome view over the city — and all the way to Mount Fuji on clear days.
Address:
1-chōme-1-2 Oshiage, Sumida City, Tokyo 131-0045