tokyo guide

Central Tokyo (Chiyoda, Chuo)

Tsukiji Fish Market #19

of 53 most visitedsights in Tokyo

"Turret trucks" transporting goods around the market

Notice

From December 1, 2010 to January 22, 2011, the busiest time of the year at Tsukiji Fish Market, tourists will not be allowed to watch the morning tuna auctions to ensure a smooth and accident free course of business.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!

Important Notice

New rules for visiting Tsukiji Market are in effect as of May 10, 2010:

The number of visitors to the tuna auction is restricted to 140 per day. Visitors are prohibited from entering the market's wholesale area before 9am.

Please read the following page for more details.Tsukiji Central Wholesale Market is a large market for fish, fruits and vegetables in central Tokyo. It is the most famous of over ten wholesale markets that handle the distribution of fish, meat, produce and flowers in metropolitan Tokyo. Tsukiji Market is best known as one of the world's largest fish markets, handling over 2,000 tons of marine products per day.

The sight of the many kinds of fresh fish and other seafood and the busy atmosphere of scooters, trucks, sellers and buyers hurrying around, make Tsukiji Market a major tourist attractions. In fact, the numbers of visitors have increased so much over recent years, that they have become a problem to the course of business, as the aging market's infrastructure was not anticipated to serve as a tourist spot.

Tsukiji Market consists of an inner market where most of the wholesale business and the famous tuna auctions are taking place, and an outer market whose retail shops and restaurants carter to the public. A few restaurants are also found in the inner market. In order to avoid interference with business, different rules should be followed when visiting the different areas of the market:

A basic map of Tsukiji Market:

Visiting the tuna auction

The number of visitors to the tuna auction is limited to 140 per day, the maximum number which the market's infrastructure can accommodate. Tourists, who wish to see the auction, have to apply at the Osakana Fukyu Center (Fish Information Center) at the Kachidoki Gate, starting from 4:30am on a first-come, first-serve basis. A first group of 70 visitors will be admitted to the auction between 5:00 and 5:40, while a second group of 70 visitors will be admitted between 5:40 and 6:15.

Expect that the maximum number of visitors is likely to be exceeded on busy days, and that some later arriving visitors may not be able to see the auction. Successful applicants will be able to view the auction from a designated visitor area. It is not allowed to view the auction from anywhere else or to use flash photography or to interfere with the business action in any other way.

Tuna Auction

Visiting the wholesale area

The wholesale area consists of hundreds of small stands in a large, crowded hall, where buyers and sellers hurry along narrow lanes with their carts and trucks. It is an exciting area for tourists to view and photograph the fish and the action, but it is also an area where tourists are likely to interfere with the professionals working there.

Consequently, in order to prevent accidents and interference with business, tourists are not allowed into the wholesale area before 9am, when the peak of the business activities take place. Even when visiting after 9am, tourists are asked to refrain from bringing any luggage into the market and to be constantly alert of what is happening around them to avoid blocking traffic.

Wholesale Area

Visiting other areas of the market

Instead of visiting the inner market, tourists are encouraged to visit Tsukiji's outer market, which is located just adjacent to the inner market and caters to the public. The outer market consists of a few blocks of small retail shops and restaurants crowded along narrow lanes. Here you can find all sorts offood related goods, knives and fresh seafood and produce for sale in smaller (than wholesale) portions.

A visit to Tsukiji Market is best combined with a fresh sushi breakfast or lunch at one of the local restaurants. There are restaurants both in the inner and outer market area, which are typically open from 5:00 in the morning to around noon or early afternoon.

Outer Market

A few more general rules for visiting Tsukiji Market

Since Tsukiji Market is a site where serious business is conducted, it is important for visitors not to interfere with the action by adhering to the following additional rules:

Do not enter areas restricted to authorized personnel!

Do not obstruct traffic!

Do not bring large bags or suitcases into the market!

Do not enter the market in high heeled shoes or sandals!

Do not bring small children or pets!

Do not smoke in the market!

Do not touch anything!

Visitor area for viewing the tuna auction

How to get there

Tsukiji Market is just above Tsukiji Shijo Station on the Oedo Subway Line. Alternatively, it can be reached in a five minute walk from Tsukiji Station on the Hibiya Subway Line. The closest JR station is Shimbashi, from where you can walk to the market in about 15 minutes.

From Tokyo Station

Take the Marunouchi Subway Line from Tokyo to Ginza (3 minutes) and transfer to the Hibiya Subway Line to get to Tsukiji Station (3 minutes). The fare is 160 yen.

From Shinjuku Station

Take the Oedo Subway Line directly from Shinjuku Station to Tsukiji Shijo Station. The one way trip takes 20 minutes and costs 260 yen.

Orientation in Tokyo

Hours and Fees

Hours: Outer Market: varies by shop, typically 5:00 to 14:00 Wholesale Area: open to visitors after 9:00am Tuna Auction: open to visitors from 5:00am to 6:15am (restricted to 140 visitors/day)

Closed: Sundays, national holidays and some Wednesdays (see "English Links" below)

Admission: Free

Akihabara #3


Akihabara (short: Akiba) is a district in central Tokyo, famous for its many electronics shops. In recent years, it has also gained fame as a center of the gaming, manga and animation culture. A major redevelopment of Akihabara Station and surroundings is nearing its completion, giving Akihabara a new face.

Electronics

Hundreds of electronics shops of various sizes can be found around Akihabara Station and along Chuo Dori (Chuo Avenue). They offer everything from the newest computers, cameras, televisions, mobile phones and home appliances to second-hand goods and electronic junk.

A few major stores, such as Ishimaru Denki, Sofmap and Laox operate multiple branch stores mainly along the main roads, while many smaller shops can be found in the narrow side streets.

Note that some of the electronic appliances on sale are only suited for use in Japan due to voltage and other technical differences and limited warranty. However, several stores also feature a selection of products for overseas use and offer duty free shopping to foreign tourists on purchases of over 10,000Yen (passport required).

Manga, Animation and Games

The character of Akihabara has constantly changed over the decades and continues to do so. A recent development is the emergence of Akihabara as a center of Japanese animation culture, as the number of stores offering video games, manga and animation related goods has notably increased.

In addition to conventional stores, various other animation related establishments have appeared in the area, such as cosplay ("costume play") cafes, where waitresses are dressed up like anime characters, and manga kissaten ("comics cafes"), where customers can read comics, watch DVDs and surf the internet.

Redevelopment of Akihabara

A large scale redevelopment of the area north and east of Akihabara Station as well as of the station itself is nearing completion. The result are several new buildings such as the Akihabara Dai Building(opened in spring 2005), Akihabara UDX (opened in spring 2006) and Yodobashi Akiba

Building (opened in autumn 2005).

Furthermore, Akihabara has been serving as the terminal station of the Tsukuba Express since August 2005. A brand new railway line, the Tsukuba Express connects central Tokyo with Tsukuba City in western Ibaraki Prefecture.

Ishimaru DenkiOpen daily 10:00 to 20:00

Operating ten stores across Akihabara, including the Main Store, Number One branch and Ekimae branch for electronic equipment, the Pasokon branch for PCs and the Game One and Soft One to Three branches for CDs, DVDs, games and anime related goods.

SofmapOpen daily 11:00 to 21:00, Sundays 11:00 to 20:00

Sofmap operates as many as 16 shops in the Akihabara area including multiple branches, which specialize in used computers. The stores are numbered from 1 to 14 plus the main store and the Kakuta branch. A duty free floor can be found in store number one.

LaoxOpen daily 10:00 to 20:00. Some branches have longer opening hours.

Operating eight stores in Akihabara, including the Main Store, Computer branch, Duty Free Akihabara branch and Watch & Camera Branch, the Gakkikan branch for music instruments and three Asobit City branches for hobby and game related products.

Yamada Denki - Labi AkihabaraOpen daily 10:00 to 22:00

Yamada Denki operates a "LABI" store just across the street from the Akihabara Electric Town exit of JR Akihabara Station. It specializes in personal computers, pc accessories, and household electronics.

Yamada Denki - Labi AkihabaraOpen daily 9:30 to 20:00

Akky operates three duty free shops in the area around Akihabara Station: Akky Main Store, Akky II and Akky III. Products on sale include a variety of electronic equipment for overseas use, including cameras, computers, televisions, DVD players and software.

Yodobashi CameraOpen daily 9:30 to 22:00

The Shinjuku based discount electronic store giant Yodobashi Camera opened its huge Akihabara branch in September 2005. Unlike most other electronic shops, it is located on the east side of Akihabara Station, in the new Yodobashi Akiba Building.

Akihabara Crossfield

Consisting of the newly built Akihabara Dai Building and the Akihabara UDX Building, this complex next to Akihabara Station aims to become a new "global center for the IT Industry", providing office and conference space, convention halls and showrooms.

How to get there

Akihabara Station is a busy station on the Yamanote Line loop, served by the JR Yamanote Line, JR Keihin-Tohoku Line, JR Sobu Line, the Tsukuba Express and the Hibiya Subway Line.

From Tokyo Station 3 minutes and 130 Yen by JR Yamanote Line or JR Keihin-Tohoku Line.

From Shinjuku Station Take the orange colored JR Chuo Line (rapid service) from Shinjuku to Ochanomizu Station (10 minutes) and transfer to the yellow colored JR Sobu Line (local service) for one more station to Akihabara (2 minutes). The one way fare is 160 Yen.


Koishikawa Korakuen #38


Koishikawa Korakuen is one of Tokyo's oldest and most beautiful Japanese landscape gardens. It was built by close relatives of the Tokugawa Shogun in the early Edo Period.

Like most traditional Japanese gardens, Koishikawa Korakuen attempts to reproduce famous landscapes from China and Japan in miniature, using a pond, stones, plants and a man made hill.

Koishikawa Korakuen is attractive during all seasons of the year, but particularly so in the second half of November, when the fall colors appear, during the plum festival in late February and when the beautiful weeping cherry tree near the garden's entrance is in full bloom.

How to get there

Koishikawa Korakuen is a 5-10 minute walk from Iidabashi Station (various JR and subway lines) or a 10 minute walk from Korakuen Station on the Marunouchi and Nanboku Subway Lines.


Hours and Fees

Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (entry until 16:30)

Closed: December 29 to January 1

Admission: 300 yen

Tokyo Imperial Palace #13


Moats and walls surround the imperial palace

The current Imperial Palace (Kokyo) is located on the former site of Edo Castle, a large park area surrounded by moats and massive stone walls in the center of Tokyo, a short walk from Tokyo Station. It is the residence of Japan's Imperial Family.

Edo Castle used to be the seat of the Tokugawa shogun who ruled Japan from 1603 until 1867. In 1868, the shogunate was overthrown, and the country's capital and Imperial Residence were moved fromKyoto to Tokyo. In 1888 construction of a new Imperial Palace was completed. The palace was once destroyed during World War Two, and rebuilt in the same style, afterwards.

From Kokyo Gaien, the large plaza in front of the Imperial Palace, visitors can view the Nijubashi, two bridges that form an entrance to the inner palace grounds. The stone bridge in front is called Meganebashi (Eyeglass Bridge) for its looks. The bridge in the back was formerly a wooden bridge with two levels, from which the name Nijubashi (Double Bridge) is derived.

Nijubashi Bridge

The palace buildings and inner gardens are not open to the public. Only on January 2 (New Year's Greeting) and December 23 (Emperor's Birthday), visitors are able to enter the inner palace grounds and see the members of the Imperial Family, who make several public appearances on a balcony.

During the rest of the year, guided tours of the palace are offered in Japanese, with an English pamphlet and audio guide provided. Tours must be reserved in advance with the Imperial Household

Agency. Reservations can be made over the internet (see links below).

The Imperial Palace East Gardens are open to the public throughout the year except on Mondays, Fridays and special occasions. More information is available on the East Gardens page.

Guided tour through the Imperial Palace grounds

How to get there

The Imperial Palace is a 10 minute walk from Tokyo Station.

Hama Rikyu #34


Hama Rikyu, the garden of a feudal lord's residence during the Edo Period, is one of Tokyo's most attractive landscape gardens. It is located alongside Tokyo Bay, next to the futuristic Shiodome district.

Seawater ponds, which change water level with the tides, former duck hunting grounds, forested areas and a teahouse are some of the park's attractions. Furthermore, the contrast between the traditional gardens with Shiodome's skyscrapers in the background is spectacular.

How to get there

Hama Rikyu can be accessed by boat from Asakusa and Odaiba. Alternatively, it is a 10-15 minute walk from JR Shimbashi Station or Shiodome Station on the Oedo Subway Line and Yurikamome elevated train.


Hours and Fees

Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (entry until 16:30)

Closed: December 29 to January 1

Admission: 300 yen

Ginza #5


The Ginza is Tokyo's most famous upmarket shopping, dining and entertainment district, featuring numerous department stores, boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, night clubs and cafes.

One square meter of land in the district's center is worth over ten million yen, making it one of the most expensive real estate in Japan. It is where you can find the infamous $10 cups of coffee and where virtually every leading brand name in fashion and cosmetics has a presence.

Chuo Dori street on a weekend afternoon

From 1612 to 1800, today's Ginza district was the site of a silver coin mint (Ginza means "silver mint" inJapanese), after which the district was eventually named. The Ginza evolved as an upmarket shopping district following the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake.

Most shops in the Ginza district are open everyday of the week. A visit is most pleasant on a weekend afternoon, when the central Chuo Dori street gets closed to traffic and become a large pedestrian zone. The closure takes place from 14:00 to 17:00 on Saturdays and from 12:00 to 17:00 on Sundays (until 18:00 from April through September).

Points of Interest

Ginza WakoShops: 10:30 to 18:00 Restaurants: 10:30 to 21:00 (some variation between restaurants)

Built in 1932, the clock tower of the Ginza Wako building is the symbol of the Ginza, standing at the northwest corner of the district's centrally located Ginza 4-Chome junction of Chuo and Harumi Dori. Inside the building, jewelry and luxury items are sold.

Sony BuildingShowroom and shops: 11:00 to 19:00 Restaurants: typically 11:30 to 21:30

The newest products by Sony, including DVD recorders, televisions, cameras, audio sets, mobile phones, computers and Play Station products, are displayed to the public in the showrooms in this building. There are also a few shops,restaurants and cafes.

Kabukiza TheaterUndergoing reconstruction and closed to the public until 2013

Kabuki pieces were performed in this theater until April 2010. The theater is now being torn down and rebuilt at the base of a new skyscraper. The facade and interior of the new theater will resemble the previous structure. The new theater is scheduled to open in spring 2013.

Police Museum10:00 to 18:00 Closed: Mondays (or following day if Monday is a national holiday) Admission: Free English: None (a free informative English booklet is available, however)

Located just outside of the Ginza area to the north, the four floor Police Museum is operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department and is free of charge. Although there are no English explanations, displays such as historical uniforms and equipment can be easily understood.

Department Stores

MitsukoshiShops: 10:00 to 20:00 Restaurants: typically 11:00 to 23:00

The Ginza store of the Mitsukoshi department store chain was opened in 1930 and offers goods and services on twelve floors. Mitsukoshi's history reaches back to the year 1673.

MatsuyaShops: 10:00 to 20:00 Restaurants: typically 11:00 to 20:00

The Ginza store of the Matsuya department store chain offers fashion, foods, household goods, a pet shop, a travel agency and an exhibition hall on its eleven floors.

Matsuzakaya10:30 to 19:30 (some lower floors open until 20:00)

The Ginza store of the Nagoya based Matsuzakaya department store chain offers goods and services on ten floors. Matsuzakaya has a history that reaches back to the year 1611.

Printemps11:00 to 20:30 (until 19:30 on Sundays)

The Ginza store of the Paris based Printemps department store chain offers fashion, accessories, wines, foods and restaurants on ten floors. Printemps Ginza was opened in the year 1984.

HankyuYurakucho Hankyu: 11:00 to 20:30 (until 20:00 on Sundays) Mosaic Ginza Hankyu: 10:30 to 21:00

Osaka based Hankyu operates the "Yurakucho Hankyu", a conventional department store in the Yurakucho Marion Building and "Mosaic Ginza Hankyu", a collection of fashion and lifestyle stores.

Marronnier GateDaily 11:00 to 21:00 (restaurants operate until 23:00)

The 12 floor Marronnier Gate shopping mall was opened in 2007 close to Yurakucho Station. Clothing stores are located from the basement to the fourth floor, while the top three floors are taken up by 13 restaurants. From the fifth floor to the ninth floor, the building is occupied by the Ginza branch of the popular Tokyu Hands department store.

How to get there

The most convenient stations for accessing the Ginza district are Ginza Station on the Hibiya, Marunouchi and Ginza Subway Lines and Yurakucho Station on the JR Yamanote Line, JR Keihin-Tohoku Line and Yurakucho Subway Line.

Western Tokyo (Shinjuku, Shibuya)

Shinjuku #1


Shinjuku is one of the 23 wards of Tokyo, but the name commonly refers just to the large entertainment, business and shopping area around Shinjuku Station.

Handling more than two million passengers each day, Shinjuku Station is Japan's busiest railwaystation, served by six railway companies and about a dozen railway and subway lines,

including the JR Yamanote Line.

West of the station is Shinjuku' skyscraper district, home to many of Tokyo's tallest buildings, including several premier hotels and the Metropolitan Government Office, whose observation decks are open to the public for free.

Northeast of the station lies Kabukicho, Japan's largest and wildest red light district, while department stores, subterranean malls and electronic shops surround Shinjuku Station on all four sides, including the recently redeveloped south, where the pleasant Southern Terrace is located. Redevelopment there is still ongoing.

Points of Interest:

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office (Tocho) The 243 meter tall twin towers and surrounding buildings contain the offices and the assembly hall of the metropolitan government of Tokyo, as well as observatories on the 45th floor of each tower. The view from the southern tower is considered slightly more interesting.

Open daily 9:30 to 23:00 (south observatory until 17:30), except December 29-31, January 2-3 and occasional inspection days. Furthermore, the north observatory is closed on the 2nd and 4th Monday and the south observatory on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month, except if a public holiday falls on the closure day, in which case the observatory is closed the following day. Admission is free.

Shinjuku Skyscraper District Among the skyscrapers are the Tocho (see above) and some of Tokyo's leading hotels, including the Keio Plaza, Hilton, Hyatt Regency and Park Hyatt (featured in Lost in Translation). Several of the other skyscrapers have some shops on their ground floors and restaurants with great views of the city on their top floors.

The restaurants in the skyscrapers tend to be open from around 11:00 to 23:00. Some restaurants close for a few hours between lunch and dinner.

Kabukicho Named after a kabuki theater, whose construction plans have never been realized, Japan's largest red light district features countless restaurants, bars, pachinko parlors, love hotels and a wide variety of red light establishments for both sexes and sexual orientations. Explore with caution and beware of exorbitant cover fees.

Kabuki-cho comes to life daily after 18:00, and especially so on Fridays and Saturdays.

Department Stores:

Odakyu Odakyu Department Store consists of 16 floors, including a wonderful food department in the basement and restaurant floors. The department store belongs to the Odakyu Group, which also operates a suburban railway line from Shinjuku to Odawara (Odakyu is an abbreviation for "Odawara Express").

Open daily from 10:00 to 20:00; restaurants from 11:00 to 22:00.

Keio Keio Department Store consists of 11 floors, including a food department in the basement and several restaurants on the restaurant floor. The department store belongs to the Keio Group, which also operates a suburban railway line from Shinjuku to western Tokyo.


Lumine Lumine is owned by JR East and located next and above Shinjuku Station's South and East Exits. Lumine is divided into "Lumine 1" west of and "Lumine 2" east of the South Exit and "Lumine Est" (formerly known as "My City") above the East Exit.

Open daily from 11:00 to 22:00; restaurants until 23:00.

Mylord Mylord offers seven floors of shopping and three restaurant floors. The complex also includes "Mosaic Dori", a narrow pedestrian street between the Keio and Odakyu department stores. Mylord is affiliated with the Odakyu Group.

Open daily from 11:00 to 21:00; restaurants until 22:30.

Takashimaya Opened in 1996, the Shinjuku branch of Takashimaya consists of 15 floors, including a food department in the basement and three restaurant floors. A Tokyu Hands branch and Kinokuniya book store with a large foreign language section are located in the same building complex, also known as "Times Square".


Isetan With a history of more than 100 years Isetan is a veteran among Shinjuku's department stores. The Shinjuku store is Isetan's flagship and consists of ten floors, including a food department in the basement and a restaurant floor.

Open daily from 11:00 to 22:00 (from 10:00 on weekends and holidays); Lumine Est from 10:30 to 21:30; restaurants from 11:00 to 23:00.

Flags Located next to the South Exit of Shinjuku Station, Flags is a ten-floor shopping complex featuring a Tower Records music store, an Oshman's sports goods store, a Gap and various other shops, cafes and an Italian restaurant.

Open daily from 11:00 to 22:00 (Tower Records and restaurant until 23:00).

Electronics Stores:

Yodobashi Camera Yodobashi Camera is one of Japan's leading discount electronics retailers, and especially strong on camera equipment. Yodobashi's main store is located near the west exit of Shinjuku Station, while a smaller branch is located near the station's east exit.

Open daily from 9:30 to 22:00.

Bic Camera Bic Camera is another of Japan's leading discount electronics retailers. Bic's main store is located in Ikebukuro, but it also operates two branches next to Shinjuku Station, one in the Odakyu Halc Building near the station's west exit and one east of the station near the Isetan department store.

Open daily from 10:00 to 21:00.

Parks:

Shinjuku Gyoen Shinjuku Gyoen is one of Tokyo's largest and most pleasant parks and bestcherry blossom viewing spots. It was opened to the public in 1949, after it had served as a garden for the Imperial Family since 1903.

Open from 9:00 to 16:30. Closed on Mondays (Tuesday is Monday is a national holiday) from December 29 to January 3. There are no closure days during the cherry blossom season (late March to late April) and the Chrysanthemum Exhibition (first half of November). Admission is 200 Yen.

Central Park Kumano Shrine (Kumano Jinja) and the cardboard box houses of a sizable number of homeless people are located in this public park directly behind the Tokyo Metropolitan Government twin towers.

Always open, free admission.

How to get there

Shinjuku Station is Japan's busiest railway station, served by about a dozen railway lines, including theJR Yamanote Line.

From Tokyo Station

The frequently departing, orange trains on the JR Chuo Line (Rapid Service) take less than 15 minutes and cost 190 Yen from Tokyo Station to Shinjuku Station.

From Ueno Station

By JR Yamanote Line it takes 25 minutes and costs 190 Yen to get from Ueno to Shinjuku. A slightly faster alternative is taking the JR Yamanote or JR Keihin-Tohoku Line from Ueno to Kanda Station, and then the JR Chuo Line from Kanda to Shinjuku.


Shibuya #2


Shibuya is one of the twenty-three city wards of Tokyo, but often refers to just the popular shopping and entertainment area around Shibuya Station.

Shibuya is one of Tokyo's most colorful and busy districts and birthplace to many of Japan's fashion and entertainment trends. Most of the area's large department and fashion stores belong to either Tokyuor Seibu, two competing corporations.

A prominent landmark of Shibuya is the large intersection in front of the station (Hachiko Exit), which is heavily decorated by neon advertisements and giant video screens and gets crossed by amazingly large crowds of pedestrians each time the traffic light turns green.

Below is a map and list of some of Shibuya's other major attractions:

Points of Interest:

Hachiko Statue

A statue of a loyal dog named Hachiko. According to a famous story, the dog waited for his master every day in front of Shibuya Station, and continued to do so for years even after his master had passed away. It is one of Tokyo's most popular meeting points.

Tobacco and Salt MuseumOpen 10:00 to 18:00. Closed Mondays and from December 29 to January 3 (if Monday is anational holiday the museum is open Monday and closed Tuesday). Admission: 100 yen.

Introducing the history of tobacco and salt in Japan and throughout the world. Information in English is limited. The museum is operated by Japan Tobacco (JT), whose predecessor used to monopolize the production and sale of tobacco and salt in Japan.

Electric Power Museum (Denryokukan)Open daily 10:00 to 18:00. Closed Wednesdays (or following day if Wednesday falls on anational holiday) and during New Year. Admission: free.

This museum by the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) introduces various aspects of electric energy, such as the process of power generation and the role of electricity in society and everyday life. Information in English is limited.

NHK Studiopark (more details)Please see the NHK Studiopark page for details on hours and admission.

NHK Studiopark is a part of the NHK Broadcasting Center, which is open to the public. It gives visitors a chance to look behind the scenes of television broadcasting, including the production of a live program on most days.

National Yoyogi Stadium

Built for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics by renown architect Tange Kenzo, the stadium hosted the olympic swimming competitions. It is now also being used for ice skating and volleyball competitions, concerts and various other events.

Love Hotel Hill

This area of Shibuya has a high concentration of love hotels, which offer couples a private room for a 2-3 hour "rest" during the day (usually around 5,000 yen) or an overnight "stay" (usually around 10,000 yen).

Bunkamura

Located directly next to the Tokyu department store (main store), Bunkamura, lit. "culture village", consists of a concert hall, a theater, two cinemas, a museum with constantly changing exhibitions, and a few shops and restaurants.

Famous Streets:

Center Gai

The birthplace of many Japanese fashion trends, Center Gai is a busy pedestrian zone lined by stores, boutiques, game centers, night clubs and restaurants.

Koen Dori

Koen Dori, lit. "Park Street", is a popular shopping street leading from the Marui department store to Yoyogi Park. It was named after Parcodepartment store (parco is Italian for park) and the fact that the street leads to Yoyogi Park.

Spain Slope

Spain Slope (Supeinzaka) is a narrow, approximately 100 meter long pedestrian street with stairs leading up the slope to the Parco department store. It is lined by boutiques, cafes and restaurants, and was nicknamed for resembling a Spanish street scene.

Tokyu Affiliated Shopping:

TokyuMain store open daily 11:00 to 20:00 (upper floors until 19:00, restaurants until 22:30). Shibuya Station store open daily 10:00 to 21:00 (Sundays and holidays until 20:00, restaurants until 22:30).

There are two Tokyu department stores in Shibuya: the main store with ten floors is located a 5-10 minute walk northwest of the station, while the Shibuya Station branch with twelve floors sits on top of the station.

Shibuya 109Open daily 10:00 to 21:00 (restaurants from 11:00 to 22:30). Closed New Year's Day.

Shibuya 109 is a trend setting fashion complex for young women with more than one hundred boutiques on ten floors. Usually pronounced "Shibuya ichi maru kyu", the complex's name can also be read as "Shibuya to kyu", identifying the complex as part of the Tokyu Group.

Shibuya Mark CityOpening hours vary by shop; typically 10:00 to 21:00. Restaurants 11:00 to 23:00.

Shibuya Mark City is a small city within the city, located just next to JR Shibuya Station. It consists of a wide range of stores and restaurants, the Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu, office space, a bus terminal and the terminal station of the Keio Inokashira Line.

Tokyu HandsOpen daily from 10:00 to 20:30.

Promoted as "Creative Life Store", Tokyu Hands has everything from do-it-yourself, interior, hobby, crafts, outdoors to stationery and more. The Shibuya store spans eight floors.

Seibu Affiliated Shopping:

SeibuOpen 10:00 to 20:00 (Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays until 21:00).

The Shibuya branch of the Seibu department store chain consists of nine floors, featuring mainly fashion goods and some fashion boutiques. Restaurants can be found on the top and bottom floors.

LoftOpen from 10:00 to 21:00 (until 20:00 on Sundays and public holidays).

Loft is Seibu's answer to Tokyu Hands, also offering a large array of products related to interior, hobby, crafts and gifts, but with a slightly less strong emphasis on do-it-yourself. The Loft Shibuya branch consists of seven floors.

ParcoOpen 10:00 to 21:00 (some annex buildings from 11:00). Restaurants: 11:00 to midnight.

Parco is a shopping complex with an emphasis on fashion. The complex consists of numerous buildings in the Shibuya area: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Quattro, Zero Gate and more.

How to get there

Shibuya Station is one of Tokyo's busiest stations. You can get there by JR Yamanote Line, JR Saikyo Line, JR Shonan Shinjuku Line, Hanzomon Subway Line, Ginza Subway Line, Fukutoshin Subway Line, Tokyu Toyoko Line, Tokyu Den-Entoshi Line, Keio Inokashira Line and the Narita Express.


Harajuku #4


Harajuku Station

Harajuku refers to the area around Tokyo's Harajuku Station, which is between Shinjuku and Shibuya on the Yamanote Line. It is the center of Japan's most extreme teenage cultures and fashion styles, but also offers shopping for adults and some historic sights.

The focal point of Harajuku's teenage culture is Takeshita Dori (Takeshita Street) and its side streets, which are lined by many trendy shops, fashion boutiques, used clothes stores, crepe stands and fast food outlets geared towards the fashion and trend conscious teens.

In order to experience the teenage culture at its most extreme, visit Harajuku on a Sunday, when many young people gather around Harajuku Station and engage in cosplay ("costume play"), dressed up in crazy costumes to resemble anime characters, punk musicians, etc.

A variety of fashion styles on display at Harajuku on a Sunday

Just south of Takeshita Dori and over twice its length is Omotesando, a broad, tree lined avenue sometimes referred to as Tokyo's Champs-Elysees. Here you can find famous brand name shops, cafes and restaurants for a more adult clientele. The stylish Omotesando Hills complex was opened in 2006 and targets fashion conscious urbanites in their 30s and 40s, while Kiddy Land has hundreds of unique toys for kids of all ages.

Harajuku is not only about teenage culture and shopping. Meiji Jingu, one of Tokyo's major shrines, is located just west of the railway tracks in a large green oasis shared with the spacious Yoyogi Park. Beautiful ukiyo-e paintings are exhibited in the small Ota Memorial Museum of Art, and the Nezu Museum has an impressive collection of various Asian art as well as a traditional Japanese garden.

Famous Streets

Takeshita DoriShops along Takeshita Dori tend to be open daily from 11:00 to 20:00.

The symbol of Harajuku and birthplace of many of Japan's fashion trends, Takeshita Dori (Takeshita Street) is a narrow, roughly 400 meter long street lined by shops, boutiques, cafes and fast food outlets targeting Tokyo's teenagers. Because of the street's popularity, it becomes extremely busy and crowded on the weekends. Interesting shops and restaurants can also be found along some of the side streets.

OmotesandoShops along Omotesando tend to be open daily from 11:00 to 20:00.

Referred to as Tokyo's Champs-Elysees, Omotesando is a one kilometer long, tree lined avenue, serving as the main approach to Meiji Shrine. Numerous stores, boutiques, cafes and restaurants, including several leading fashion brand shops, stand along the avenue. This area generally caters to an older and wealthier clientele than Takeshita Dori.

Shopping

Omotesando HillsShops: 11:00 to 21:00 (Sun until 20:00) Restaurants: 11:00 to 23:00 (Sun until 22:00).

Opened in 2006, Omotesando Hills consists of six floors (three are underground) of about 100 upmarket shops, cafes, restaurants and beauty salons. The building was designed by the renowned architect Ando Tadao and has intriguing design elements. The shopping complex is Omotesando's most prominent establishment, stretching along about one quarter of the avenue. Apartments are located above the shops.

Daiso Harajuku - 100 Yen ShopOpen daily from 10:00 to 21:00

This is one of the largest 100 Yen Shops in central Tokyo, offering a wide array of goods, including clothing, kitchenware, food and stationary on multiple floors at 105 yen per item. It is located only a few steps from Harajuku Station alongTakeshita Dori.

LaForet HarajukuOpen daily from 11:00 to 20:00

LaForet Harajuku is a trend setting shopping complex, consisting of seven floors of fashion boutiques and shops, mainly geared towards a young, female audience. The LaForet Museum on the top floor hosts various events and exhibitions.

Oriental Bazaar10:00 to 19:00 Closed: Thursdays

This is one of Tokyo's largest souvenir shops, very popular among foreign travelers in search of typical Japanese souvenirs, such as kimono, tableware, lamps, dolls, furnitureand samurai related goods. The shop spans three floors and has a red and green facade that mimics traditional Japanese architecture. Travelers who pass by the store front are sure to notice the building.

Kiddy LandOperating at a temporary location until 2012 during renovations 11:00 to 21:00 (from 10:30 on weekend and national holidays)

One of Tokyo's most famous and popular toy stores, Kiddy Land has a fantastic selection of toys and other products to amuse kids. The store's original six floor shop directly along Omotesando is currently undergoing renovations, but a similarly sized temporary building is being used just around the corner. Major toy brands like Disney, Barbie and Hello Kitty are on sale alongside new characters and creations.

Louis VuittonOpen daily from 11:00 to 20:00

The Louis Vuitton Omotesando store was opened in autumn 2002 as the company's largest store. It is one of many famous brand names that have opened a store along Omotesando. The public store makes up five of the building's ten floors, which are designed as a stack of trunks rather than conventional floors.

Other Attractions

Meiji ShrineSunrise to sunset Closed: No closing days Admission: Free

Meiji Shrine (Meiji Jingu) is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his consort, Empress Shoken. Emperor Meiji was a popular emperor who reigned from 1867 to 1912. The majority of the shrine grounds are composed of a beautiful, dense forest that can be explored on walking paths.

Togo ShrineClosed: No closing days Admission: Free

Togo Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Admiral Togo, who defeated the Russian fleet in the Russo-Japanese War in1905. The Togo Antique Market was held around the shrine on the first Sunday of each month, but it was discontinued in December of 2009.

Nezu Museum10:00 to 17:00 (entry until 16:30) Closed: Mondays (or next day if Monday is a national holiday), New Year Admission: 1000 yen (or 1200 yen for special exhibition)

The Nezu Museum has a collection of East Asian artwork that includes various objects from Japan, China and Korea. The museum building and exhibition rooms have a simple and elegant design and there is a large traditional Japanese garden outside the building that can be explored.

Ota Memorial Museum of Art10:30 to 17:30 Closed: Mondays (or next day if Monday is a national holiday), New Year Admission: Typically 700 yen, may vary according to exhibition

The small and elegant Ota Memorial Museum of Art exhibits selected ukiyo-e paintings and prints from the vast collection of the late Mr. Ota Seizo, which comprises of more than 10,000 pieces of art. Exhibits are changed every month.

NHK Studiopark (more details)Please see the NHK Studiopark page for details on hours and admission.

NHK Studiopark is a part of the NHK Broadcasting Center, which is open to the public. It gives visitors a chance to look behind the scenes of television broadcasting, including the production of a live program on most days.

Yoyogi Park5:00 to 20:00 (until 17:00 during the winter) Facilities are typically open from 9:00 to 17:00.

Yoyogi Koen (Yoyogi Park) is one of Tokyo's largest and most pleasant city parks, featuring wide lawns, ponds and forested areas. It is a great place for jogging, picnicking and other outdoor activities.

National Yoyogi Stadium

Built for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics by renowned architect Tange Kenzo, the stadium hosted the olympic swimming competitions. It is now also being used for ice skating and volleyball competitions, concerts and various other events.

How to get there

Harajuku Station is a station on the JR Yamanote Line, two stations south of Shinjuku and one station north of Shibuya (130 yen from either station).

Only a short walk from Harajuku Station is the subway station Meijijingu-mae Station, which is served by the Chiyoda and Fukutoshin Subway Lines. At the eastern end of Omotesando isOmotesando Station, which is served by the Chiyoda, Ginza and Hanzomon Subway Lines.

Meiji Shrine #11


A torii gate along the forested approach to Meiji Shrine

Meiji Shrine (Meiji Jingu) is a shrine dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his consort, Empress Shoken. Located just beside the JR Yamanote Line's busy Harajuku Station, Meiji Shrine and the adjacent Yoyogi Park make up a large forested area within the densely built-up city. The spacious shrine grounds offer walking paths that are great for a relaxing stroll.

The shrine was completed and dedicated to the Emperor Meiji and the Empress Shoken in 1920, eight years after the passing of the emperor and six years after the passing of the empress. The shrine was destroyed during the Second World War but was rebuilt shortly thereafter.

Emperor Meiji was the first emperor of modern Japan. He was born in 1852 and ascended to the throne in 1867 at the peak of the Meiji Restoration when Japan's feudal era came to an end and the emperor was restored to power. During the Meiji Period, Japan modernized and westernized herself to join the world's major powers by the time Emperor Meiji passed away in 1912.

The offering hall of Meiji Jingu

The main complex of shrine buildings is located a ten minute walk from both the southern entrance near Harajuku Station and the northern entrance near Yoyogi Station. Entry into the shrine grounds is marked by a massive torii gate, after which the sights and sounds of the busy city are replaced by a tranquil forest. The approximately 100,000 trees that make up Meiji Jingu's forest were planted during the shrine's construction and were donated from regions across the entire country.

At the middle of the forest, Meiji Jingu's buildings also have an air of tranquility distinct from the surrounding city. Visitors to the shrine can take part in typical Shinto activities, such as making offerings at the main hall, buying charms and amulets or writing out one's wish on an ema.

Meiji Jingu is one of the Japan's most popular shrines. In the first days of the New Year, the shrine regularly welcomes more than three million visitors for the year's first prayers (hatsumode), more than any other shrine or temple in the country. During the rest of the year, traditional Shinto weddings can often be seen taking place there.

At the northern end of the shrine grounds visitors will come across the Meiji Jingu Treasure House, which was constructed one year after the shrine was opened. The Treasure House displays many interesting personal belongings of the Emperor and Empress, including the carriage which the emperor rode to the formal declaration of the Meiji Constitution in 1889. There is also a Museum Annex Building just to the east of the main shrine buildings that displays temporary exhibitions.

A large area of the southern section of the shrine grounds is taken up by the Inner Garden, which requires an entrance fee to enter. The garden becomes particularly popular during the middle of June when the irises are in bloom. A small well located within the garden, Kiyomasa's Well, is named after a military commander who dug it around 400 years ago. The well was visited by the Emperor and Empress while they were alive and has become a popular spiritual "power spot".

The Meiji Jingu Treasure House

How to get there

The approach to Meiji Shrine starts a few steps from Harajuku Station on the JR Yamanote Line or Meiji-jingu-mae Station on the Chiyoda and Fukutoshin Subway Lines.


Hours and Fees

Meiji Shrine

Hours: Sunrise to sunset

Closed: No closing days

Admission: Free

Meiji Jingu Treasure House and Annex

Hours: 9:00 to 16:30 (until 16:00 from November to March)Admission ends 30 minutes before closing time.

Closed: Mondays (or following day if Monday is a national holiday)

Admission: 500 yen (both buildings)

English: Moderate

Inner Garden

Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (until 16:30 from November to February)Admission ends 30 minutes before closing time.Extended hours during the middle of June.


Admission: 500 yen

Northern Tokyo (Ueno, Asakusa, Ikebukuro)

Asakusa #6


Asakusa is the center of Tokyo's shitamachi, lit. "low city", one of Tokyo's few districts, which have preserved a certain atmosphere of the old Tokyo.

Asakusa's main attraction is Sensoji, a very popular Buddhist temple, built in the 7th century. The temple is approached via the Nakamise, a shopping street that has been providing temple visitors with a variety of traditional, local snacks and tourist souvenirs for centuries.

Asakusa can be easily explored on foot. Alternatively, you can consider a guided tour on a rickshaw (jinrikisha, lit. "man powered vehicle"). A 30 minute tour for two persons costs around 8000 Yen. Shorter and longer courses are also available.

Sensoji temple grounds

Dempoin Dori (Dempoin Street)

For many centuries, Asakusa used to be Tokyo's leading entertainment district. During the Edo Period, when the district was still located outside the city limits, Asakusa was the site of kabuki theaters and a large red light district. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, modern types of entertainment, including movies, set foot in Asakusa.

Large parts of Asakusa were destroyed in the air raids of World War Two. While the area around the rebuilt Sensoji has regained its former popularity after the war, the same cannot be said for Asakusa'sentertainment district.

Temples and Shrines:

Kaminarimon (Kaminari Gate)Always open. Admission free.

Kaminarimon is the first of two large entrance gates leading to Sensoji Temple. First built more than 1000 years ago, it is the symbol of Asakusa. The Nakamise shopping street leads from Kaminarimon to the temple grounds.

Sensoji Temple (more details)Main building open 6:00 to 17:00 (Oct to Mar from 6:30). Admission free.

Sensoji ("Senso" is an alternative reading for Asakusa and "ji" means temple) is Tokyo's most famous and popular temple. Built in the 7th century, it is also one of its oldest, although the current buildings are postwar reconstructions.

Asakusa ShrineAlways open. Admission free.

Asakusa Shrine, also known as Sanja-sama, was built during the Edo Period and survived the air raids of 1945. The shrine's festival, the Sanja Matsuri, is one of Tokyo's most spectacular and popular. It is held every year on a weekend (Friday to Sunday) in mid May.

Dempoin TempleNot open to the public!

Dempoin is a temple just next to Sensoji, known for its beautiful garden. Unfortunately, the temple and garden are not open to the public. Visiting the garden by appointment, as it used to be possible, cannot be done anymore, either.

Shopping:

Nakamise Shopping Street (more details)Opening hours depend on the individual shops. Typically daily from 9:00 to 19:00.

The Nakamise shopping street stretches over approximately 250 meters from Kaminarimon to the main grounds of Sensoji Temple. It is lined by more than 50 shops, which offer local specialties and the usual array of tourist souvenirs.

Shin-Nakamise Shopping StreetOpening hours depend on the individual shops. Typically daily from 10:00 to 20:00.

Shin-Nakamise or New Nakamise Shopping Street runs perpendicular to the Nakamise Shopping Street. It is a covered shopping arcade lined by various shops and restaurants.

Kappabashi Shopping Street (more details)Most shops open from 9:00 to 17:00. Many are closed on Sundays and public holidays.

Kappabashi is an almost one kilometer long street lined by shops catering to restaurant businesses. Items on sale include tableware, kitchen utensils and appliances, sample food made of wax and plastic, furniture, signs, lanterns and uniforms.

Rox Department StoreDaily 10:30 to 21:00 (supermarket is open 24 hours; restaurants from 11:00 to 22:00).

Rox is a shopping and entertainment complex consisting of a main building (Rox) and three annex buildings (Rox2G, Rox3 and Rox Dome). Many shops sell fashion for ladies and kids. There is a 24h supermarket in the basement of the main building.

Tobu Asakusa Station & Matsuya Department StoreMatsuya department store is open daily from 10:00 to 19:30.

Tobu Asakusa Station is the terminal station of Tobu trains heading into the suburbs and prefectures north of Tokyo, including trains to Nikko. The station building also houses a Matsuya department store that spans eight floors.

Other Attractions:

Sumida River CruiseDaily from 10:00 to 17:00. Asakusa - Hinode: 40 minutes, 760 yen; Asakusa - Hama Rikyu: 35 minutes, 1020 yen (includes 300 yen admission to the garden); Hinode - Odaiba: 20 minutes, 460 yen; Asakusa - Odaiba by direct ship: 55 minutes, 1520 yen (includes supplement fee of 300 yen)

Sumida River sightseeing ships operate every 30 to 60 minutes from Asakusa Pier via Hama Rikyu Garden to Hinode Pier, where you can transfer to a ship to Odaiba. In addition, there are less frequent, direct ships from Asakusa to Odaiba.

Sumida ParkAlways open. Admission free.

This riverside park stretches along both sides of Sumida River for several hundred meters. In spring it becomes a popular cherry blossom viewing spot, while on the last Saturday of July it becomes the site of the Sumida River Firework Festival.

Rokku Entertainment DistrictOpening hours depend on the individual businesses.

Rokku used to be Tokyo's leading entertainment district before the war, hosting Japan's first cinema and more. However, the district has not regained its former popularity after the war. Today, Rokku offers attractions such as rakugo theaters, cinemas and pachinko parlors.

Hanayashiki Amusement ParkOpen 10:00 to 18:00 (longer hours during holidays). Admission: 900 yen plus separate fees for rides.

Originally opened as a flower park, Hanayashiki has a history of more than 150 years. Located just a few steps from Sensoji, the miniature amusement park offers numerous attractions, including a small Ferris wheel, roller coaster, carousel and Space Shot.

Asahi Beer TowerRestaurants open daily from 11:30 to 22:00.

The Asahi Beer Tower and Asahi Super Dry Hall with its characteristic Flamme d'Or were, completed in 1989 and host the headquarters of Asahi Breweries. Furthermore, several restaurants can be found in the complex.

Taikokan (Drum Museum)Open from 10:00 to 17:00. Closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, New Year and Obon. Admission: 300 yen

Drums from around the world, including Japanese taiko drums, are exhibited in this small museum. Visitors can play several of the drums. The museum is located in a floor above the Miyamoto Unosuke Nishi Asakusa store, which sells Japanese drums and festival goods.

Edo Shitamachi Traditional Crafts MuseumOpen daily 10:00 to 20:00. Admission free.

This small museum introduces the many traditional arts and crafts of the old Tokyo (formerly known as Edo), such as scissors, combs, furniture, silverware, embroidery and more. Demonstrations by craftsmen are held on weekends.

How to get there

Asakusa is served by the Ginza Subway Line, Asakusa Subway Line, Tsukuba Express and Tobu Railways.

From Tokyo Station Take the JR Yamanote Line to Kanda Station (2 minutes, 130 Yen) and transfer to the Ginza Subway Line for Asakusa (10 minutes, 160 Yen).

From Shinjuku Station Take the orange JR Chuo Line to Kanda Station (10 minutes, 160 Yen) and transfer to the Ginza Subway Line for Asakusa (10 minutes, 160 Yen).

From Narita Airport Check our airport page for details.


Ueno Park #7


Saigo Takamori

Ueno Park is a large public park just next to Ueno Station. It was opened to the public in 1873, and offers its visitors a large variety of attractions. At the park's south entrance stands a statue of Saigo Takamori, an important personality of the late Edo and early Meiji Period. He played a central role in realizing the Meiji Restoration of 1868.

Ueno Park is famous for its many museums, especially art museums, namely the Tokyo National Museum, the Orient Museum, the National Science Museum, the Shitamachi Museum, the National Museum for Western Art and the Tokyo Metropolitan Fine Art Gallery.

Ueno Park is home to Japan's first zoological garden, which dates back to 1882. In 1972, it became the home of panda bears, gifts from China on the occasion of normalization of diplomatic relations. However, the zoo's last panda bear died in 2008, leaving the zoo without its most popular attraction.

Shinobazu Pond is a large pond in Ueno Park. A temple for the goddess of Benten stands on the island in the middle of the pond.

Toshogu Shrine is a shrine dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Edo shogunate, which ruled Japan from 1603 to 1867. It is well worth paying the 200 yen admission fee in order to enter the inner shrine area and main building.

Temple of Benten Toshogu Shrine

Last but not least, Ueno Park is famous for its more than 1000 cherry trees. During the cherry blossom season, Ueno Park becomes one of the country's most popular and crowded spots for hanami (cherry blossom viewing) parties.

Tokyo National Museum

How to get there

Ueno Park is just next to Ueno Station. Easiest access is provided by the station's "Park Exit".

Sensoji Temple #16


Sensoji (also known as Asakusa Kannon Temple) is a Buddhist temple located in Asakusa, the center of the shitamachi (lit. "low town").

The legend says that in the year 628, two brothers fished a statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, out of the Sumida River, and even though they put the statue back into the river, it always returned to them. Consequently, Sensoji was built there for the goddess of Kannon. The temple was completed in 645, making it Tokyo's oldest temple.

The freshly renovated main hall in December 2010

When approaching the temple, visitors first enter through the Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate), the outer gate of the Sensoji and symbol of Asakusa. A shopping street of over 200 meters, called Nakamise, leads from the outer gate to the temple's second gate, the Hozomon. Besides typical Japanese souvenirs such as yukata and folding fans, various traditional local snacks from the Asakusa area are sold along the Nakamise. The shopping street has a history of several centuries.

Osenbei (rice crackers) Folding Fans Yukata and T-shirts

from left to right: Kibidango - Skewered kibi-balls covered with soybean powder; top: Agemanju - deep fried manju (soft cake with red bean paste filling); bottom: Ningyoyaki - small cake with red bean paste filling; Kibidango Shop

Beyond the Hozomon main gate stands the temple's main building and a five storied pagoda. TheAsakusa Shrine, built in the year 1649 by Tokugawa Iemitsu can be found close by the temple's main building.

Various events are held throughout the year in the Sensoji Temple area. Some of them are:

Sanja Matsuri (more details) - May: one of Tokyo's three major festivals. Hozuki-ichi (Hozuki Market) - July: Hozuki are ground cherries, a typical summer plant in

Japan. Asakusa Samba Carnival - August Tokyo Jidai Matsuri - November: a festival commemorating the history of Tokyo and

the Edo culture. Hagoita-ichi (Hagoita Market) - December: Hagoita is the wooden paddle used in

Hanetsuki, a traditional game that resembles badminton. Click here to read more about Hanetsuki and the Hagoita Market.

Inside the main hall

How to get there

Sensoji Temple is a few steps from Asakusa Station, served by the Ginza Subway Line, Asakusa Subway Line and Tobu Railways.

From Tokyo Station Take the JR Yamanote Line to Kanda Station (2 minutes, 130 yen) and transfer to the Ginza Subway Line for Asakusa (10 minutes, 160 yen).

From Shinjuku Station Take the orange JR Chuo Line to Kanda Station (10 minutes, 160 yen) and transfer to the Ginza Subway Line for Asakusa (10 minutes, 160 yen).

From Narita Airport Check our airport page for details.


Hours and Fees

Hours: Main hall: 6:00 to 17:00 (from 6:30 from October to March)Temple grounds: Always open

Closed: No closed days

Admission: Free

Southern Tokyo (Shinagawa, Minato)

Tokyo Tower#9


With 333 meters, Tokyo Tower is 13 meters taller than its model, the Eiffel Tower of Paris, and the world's tallest self-supporting steel tower. It was completed in the year 1958 as a symbol for Japan's rebirth as a major economic power, and serves as a television and radio broadcast antenna and tourist attraction.

Visitors can ascend to the main observatory at 150 meters and the special observatory at 250 meters to get a bird's eye view of Tokyo. Under good weather conditions, Mount Fuji can be seen in the distance. An wax museum and several more attractions can be found on the ground floors of the tower. Separate entrance fees apply.

It is recommended to combine a visit to Tokyo Tower with a visit to Zojoji Temple, one of Tokyo's major temples, just next to the tower.

Construction is currently ongoing on the Tokyo Sky Tree, an almost twice as tall new broadcast antenna in northern Tokyo. The 634 meter tall new landmark is scheduled to open to the public in spring 2012.

How to get there

The closest subway stations to Tokyo Tower are Onarimon Station on the Mita Subway Line and Akabanebashi Station on the Oedo Subway Line. You can also walk there from Hamamatsucho Station on the JR Yamanote and JR Keihin-Tohoku Line in about 15 minutes.


Hours and Fees

Hours: 9:00 to 22:00


Admission: 1420 yen (to top floor), 820 yen (to intermediate floor only)

Odaiba #12


Rainbow Bridge from Odaiba

Introduction:

Daiba, literally meaning "fort", refers to some of the man made islands in the Bay of Tokyo, which were constructed in the end of the Edo Period (1603-1868) for the city's protection against attacks

from the sea.

During the extravagant 1980s, a spectacular redevelopment of the islands into a futuristic business district was started, but development was critically slowed down after the burst of the "bubble economy" in the early 1990s.

It was not until the second half of the 1990s, that Odaiba developed into one of Tokyo's most interestingtourist spots and the highly popular shopping and entertainment district, which it is today. Further development of the area is still underway.

Attractions:

Among the attractions of Odaiba are several shopping and entertainment centers, theme parks, museums and the futuristic architecture and city planning. Even access to Odaiba can be considered an attraction (see "How to get there").

Fuji TV Building This is the headquarters of Fuji Television, one of Japan's private, nationwide TV stations. You can see some exhibitions on popular programs, buy Fuji TV goods at the souvenir shop and access the futuristic looking building's observatory deck.

Open 10:00 to 20:00. Most attractions are closed on Mondays (closed the following Tuesday instead, if Monday falls on apublic holiday). Admission is free except for the observatory deck (500 yen).

Decks Tokyo Beach Decks is a shopping mall featuring various stores, boutiques, cafes, restaurants, the food theme park "Daiba Little Hong Kong" and "Tokyo Joypolis", three floors packed with the newest arcade games and more.

Open daily 11:00 to 21:00 (some stores and restaurants remain open until 22:00 or 23:00). Admission is free, except to Tokyo Joypolis (500 yen).

Aquacity Odaiba Aquacity is a shopping mall featuring various stores, boutiques, restaurants, cafes and a 13 screen cinema complex. There are nice views of the Rainbow Bridge from the wooden deck in front of Aquacity and neighboring Decks.

Open daily 11:00 to 21:00 (food court until 21:00, restaurants open until 23:00 or later).

Museum of Maritime Science Housed in a cruise ship shaped building, the Museum of Maritime Science displays seafaring related exhibits from the past and future. Two actual ships, including the Yotei Maru ocean liner, are moored in front of the museum.

Open daily 10:00 to 17:00 (weekends and holidays until 18:00). Closed Mondays and from Dec 28 to Jan 1. Museum admission: 700 yen. Combined admission to the museum and Yotei Maru is 1000 yen.

National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation This well done, highly interactive and bilingual science museum includes exhibits about environmental issues, robots (starring Asimo among others), information technology, biology and space exploration.

Open daily 10:00 to 17:00 (entry until 16:30). Closed Tuesdays and from Dec 28 to Jan 1 (Open Tuesdays during the summer holidays or if Tuesday is a public holiday). Admission: 600 yen.

Telecom Center The Telecom Center is a major hub on the information highway with several large satellite antennas on its observation deck. The observation deck also offers nice view of the bay area and as far as Mount Fuji on clear days.

The observation deck is open from 15:00 to 21:00 (Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays 11:00 to 22:30). Closed Mondays (closed on Tuesday instead if Monday is a public holiday). Admission is 500 yen (400 yen in combination with a Yurikamome day pass).

Oedo Onsen Monogatari Opened in March 2003, this is a hot spring theme park, which reproduces the atmosphere of the Edo Period (1603-1868). You can enjoy various types of baths, which are fed by actual hot spring water from a depth of 1400 meters.

Open daily from 11am to 9am (no entry between 2am and 5am, last entry 7am). Admission is 2827 yen (1987 yen if you enter after 6pm). An overnight stay supplement of 1,575 yen applies if you stay after 2am. If you enter between 5am and 7am, the admission is

1,567 Yen. Once a month Oedo onsen closes early at 11pm for maintenance (admission until 9pm).

Palette Town This shopping and entertainment complex consists of Venus Fort, Sun Walk, Mega Web, a Ferris Wheel and Zepp Tokyo, a large concert venue. See more details on each attraction below.

Open daily. Most shops and attractions are open from 11:00 to 21:00 and restaurants until 23:00.

Venus Fort Part of Palette Town, Venus Fort is a shopping mall in the style of a 18th century South European town. It features more than one hundred boutiques, shops, cafes and restaurants, targeting a mainly female audience.

Shops are open daily 11:00 to 21:00. Restaurants until 23:00.

Venus Fort Family Previously called Sun Walk, Venus Fort Family is another shopping mall on the floor below Venus Town. It consists of a relatively small number of spacious stores specializing in interior, sports, kids, pets and books.

Shops are open daily 11:00 to 21:00. Restaurants until 23:00.

Mega Web Part of Palette Town, Mega Web is a Toyota showroom, where you can view and touch Toyota's newest models and car accessories, test drive a real car ("Ride One") or ride an automatic, electric vehicle ("E-com Ride"). Historic cars are exhibited in the "History Garage".

Toyota City Showcase and History Garage open 11:00 to 21:00. Universal Design Showcase open until 19:00. "Ride One", "E-com Ride" and "Kid's Hybrid Ride One" until 20:00 ("Kid's Hybrid Ride One open until 18:00 on weekdays"). There are occasional closing days. Admission is free, except for "Ride One" (300 Yen per ride) and "E-com Ride" (200 Yen per ride). A Japanese or recognized international driving permit is required for "Ride One" drivers.

Ferris Wheel Part of Palette Town, this 115 meter tall ferris wheel is one of the world's largest and offers nice views of the bay area.

Operating daily from 10:00 to 22:00 (until 24:00 on Fridays, Saturdays, and days preceding holidays during the spring and summer season. Admission: 900 Yen.

Panasonic Center The Panasonic Center is a showroom for the latest products and technologies by the Matsushita Group, of which Panasonic is part of. On display are the newest cameras, TV screens, computers, Nintendo games, home appliances and more.

Open 10:00 to 18:00 (entry to Risupia until 17:00). Closed on Mondays, except if Monday is a public holiday. Admission is free except

Risupia (500 yen). Entry to Risupia is by numbered ticket which are limited during times of high visitation.

Tokyo Big Sight Also known as Tokyo International Exhibition Center, Tokyo Big Sight is Japan's largest exhibition and convention center and one of the bay islands' boldest architectural creations. A wide array of events are held at the Big Sight throughout the year.

Hours and admission fees depend on the specific events.

Public Parks Most of Odaiba's attractions are connected with each other by pleasant, broad pedestrian walks and parks. Among the more noteworthy parks is the Odaiba Kaihin Park near the Rainbow Bridge. It includes a man made sand beach.

How to get there

Access to Odaiba can be an attraction by itself, as the views of the Rainbow Bridge and Tokyo's harbor and waterfront area from the Yurikamome elevated train or boat are quite spectacular.

By Yurikamome

The Yurikamome is an un-manned, elevated train with rubber tires, which connects Shimbashi Station on the JR Yamanote Line with all of Odaiba's attractions and Toyosu Station on the Yurakucho Subway Line. A ride from Shimbashi to Daiba takes 15 minutes and costs 310 yen. If you ride the Yurikamome more than twice, a one day pass for 800 yen is likely to come cheaper than single tickets.

The Yurikamome uses the Rainbow Bridge to get to Odaiba and offers spectacular views of the

harbor and the Tokyo waterfront area. Sit or stand at the very front of the train for the most impressive views.

By Boat

Tokyo Water Cruise, also known as Suijo Bus, operates frequent boats between Hinode Pier and Odaiba Seaside Park from 10:00 to 17:45 (until 17:15 on weekdays). The 20 minute boat ride costs 460 yen and offers nice views of the Rainbow Bridge and waterfront area.

There are also boats between Hinode Pier and Palette Town and Tokyo Big Sight (25-35 minutes, 400 yen), as well as a small number of direct trips from Asakusa to Odaiba (1 hour, 1,520 yen), two hourly connections between Hinode Pier and Asakusa (40 minutes, 760 yen, via Hama Rikyu) and infrequent service from Hinode Pier to the Maritime Museum (25 minutes, 400 yen).

By Rinkai Line

This is an underground railway line, which connects Osaki Station on the JR Yamanote Line with Shin-Kiba Station on the JR Keiyo Line. Some trains on the JR Saikyo Line continue to run on the Rinkai Line and provide direct connections between Shibuya, Shinjuku and Odaiba.

The ride from Shinjuku to Tokyo Teleport Station on Odaiba takes 25 minutes and costs 480 yen. Note that the Japan Rail Pass, Seishun 18 Kippu and similar JR tickets are not valid on the Rinkai Line between Osaki and Shin-Kiba, even though the line is served by JR trains.

On Foot

It is possible to cross the Rainbow Bridge on foot. The walk across takes about 30 minutes and offers nice views of the waterfront area. To access the bridge, get off at Shibaura-futo Station on the Yurikamome.

Popular DishesJapanese cuisine offers a great variety of dishes and regional specialties. Some of the most popular Japanese and Japanized dishes are listed below.

We have categorized them into rice dishes, seafood dishes, noodle dishes, nabe dishes, soya bean dishes, yoshoku dishes and other dishes. Please note that some dishes may fit into multiple categories, but are listed only once.

Rice Dishes

For over 2000 years, rice has been the most important food in Japanese cuisine. Despite changes in eating patterns over the last few decades and slowly decreasing rice consumption in recent years, riceremains one of the most important ingredients in Japan today, and can be found in numerous dishes.

Rice Bowl A bowl of plain cooked rice is served with most Japanese meals. Forbreakfast, it is sometimes mixed with a raw egg and soya sauce (tamago kake gohan) or enjoyed with natto or other toppings.

Sushi more information Sushi can be defined as a dish which contains sushi rice, cooked rice that is prepared with sushi vinegar. There are various kinds of sushi dishes.

Domburi more information A bowl of cooked rice with some other food put on top of the rice. Some of the most popular toppings are tempura (tendon), egg and chicken (oyakodon), tonkatsu (katsudon) and beef (gyudon).

Onigiri Onigiri are rice balls made of cooked rice and usually wrapped in nori seaweed. They are slightly salted and often contain some additional food in the center, for example an umeboshi (pickled Japanese plum), katsuobushi (dried bonito shavings), tuna or salmon. Rice balls are a popular and inexpensive snack available at convenience stores.

Kare Raisu Kare Raisu (Curry Rice) is cooked rice with a curry sauce. It can be served with additional toppings such as tonkatsu. Curry is not a native Japanese spice, but has been used in Japan for over a century. Kare Raisu is a very popular dish, and many inexpensive Kare Raisu restaurants can be found especially in and around train stations.

Fried Rice Fried rice or chahan has been originally introduced from China. A variety of additional ingredients such as peas, egg, negi (Japanese leek) and small pieces of carrot and pork are mixed into the rice when stir fried. It is a suitable dish for using left over rice.

Chazuke Chazuke is a bowl of cooked rice with green tea and other ingredients, for example, salmon or tarako (cod roe) added to it. It is a suitable dish for using left over rice.

Kayu Kayu is rice gruel, watery, soft cooked rice that resembles oatmeal. It is a suitable dish for using left over rice and is often served to sick people because it can be digested easily.

Seafood Dishes

Hundreds of different fish, shellfish and other seafood from the oceans, seas, lakes and rivers are used in the Japanese cuisine. They are prepared and eaten in many different ways, for example, raw, dried, boiled, grilled, deep fried or steamed.

Sashimi more information Sashimi is raw seafood. A large number of fish can be enjoyed raw if they are fresh and prepared correctly. Most types of sashimi are enjoyed with soya sauce and wasabi.

Yakizakana Yakizakana means grilled fish. Many varieties of fish are enjoyed in this way.

Noodle Dishes

There are various traditional Japanese noodle dishes as well as some dishes which were introduced to Japan and subsequently Japanized. Many of them enjoy a very high popularity.

Soba more information Soba noodles are native Japanese noodles made of buckwheat flour or a mixture of buckwheat and wheat flour. Soba are about as thick as spaghetti. They can be served cold or hot and with various toppings.

Udon more information Udon noodles are native Japanese noodles made of wheat flour. Udon are thicker than soba and can also be served either hot or cold and with various toppings.

Ramen more information Ramen are Chinese style noodles prepared in a soup with various toppings. Ramen is one of the many popular dishes that were originally introduced from China but have become completely Japanized over time.

Somen Like Udon noodles, somen are Japanese noodles made of wheat flour, but they are much thinner than Udon and Soba. Somen are usually eaten cold and are considered a summer speciality.

Yakisoba Yakisoba are fried or deep fried Chinese style noodles served withvegetables, meat and ginger.

Nabe Dishes

Nabe dishes or hot pot dishes are prepared in a hot pot, usually at the table. Typical ingredients arevegetables such as negi (Japanese leek) and hakusai (Chinese cabbage), various mushrooms, seafood and/or meat. There are many regional and personal varieties, and they are especially popular in the cold winter months. Some special nabe dishes are:

Oden A nabe dish prepared with various fish cakes, daikon, boiled eggs, konyaku and kombu seaweed, boiled over many hours in a soya sauce based soup.

Sukiyaki A nabe dish prepared with thinly sliced meat, vegetables, mushrooms, tofuand shirataki (konyaku noodles). The pieces of food are dipped into a raw egg before eaten.

Shabu-Shabu Shabu-shabu is Japanese style meat fondue. Thinly sliced meat, along withvegetables, mushrooms and tofu is dipped into a hot soup and then into ponzu vinegar or a sesame sauce before being eaten.

Chanko Nabe Chanko nabe is traditionally the staple diet of sumo wrestlers. There are many varieties of chanko nabe. A few chanko nabe restaurants can be found around Ryogoku, the sumo district in Tokyo.

Meat Dishes

Meat has been eaten in Japan in larger amounts only since the second half of the 19th century. Nowadays there are a variety of Japanese meat dishes.

Yakitori more information Yakitori are grilled chicken pieces on skewers. Most parts of the chicken can be used for yakitori.

Tonkatsu Tonkatsu are deep fried pork cutlets. Tonkatsu is usually served with shredded cabbage or on top of cooked rice (katsudon) or with Japanese style curry rice (katsu kare).

Nikujaga more information Nikujaga is a popular dish of home style cooking made of meat (niku) and potatoes (jagaimo).

Soya Bean Dishes

Tofu, natto, miso and many other important ingredients of Japanese cooking are made of soya beans. The following are some of the most popular soya bean based dishes:

Yudofu Yudofu are tofu pieces boiled in a clear, mild soup and dipped into a soya based sauce before being eaten.

Agedashi Tofu Agedashi Tofu are deep fried tofu pieces that are dipped into a soya based sauce before being eaten.

Miso Soup A bowl of miso soup often accompanies breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is made by dissolving miso paste in hot water and adding additional ingredients such as wakame seaweed and small pieces of tofu.

Yoshoku Dishes

A large number of Western dishes have been introduced to Japan over the centuries. Many of them have become completely Japanized, and these dishes are now called Yoshoku dishes. Some of the most popular ones are:

Korokke more information Korokke has its origins in the croquettes which were introduced to Japan in the 19th century. Korokke are breaded and deep fried, and come in many varieties depending on the filling. The most common filling is a mix of minced meat and mashed potatoes.

Omuraisu Omuraisu (abbreviation for omelet rice) is cooked rice, wrapped in a thin omelet, and usually served with a gravy sauce or tomato ketchup.

Hayashi Raisu Hayashi rice is Japanese style hashed beef stew, thinly sliced beef and onions in a demi-glace sauce served over or along side cooked rice. It resembles kare raisu, and, like kare raisu, it is also eaten with a spoon.

Hamubagu Hamubagu is a Japanese style hamburger steak. It is typically served on a plate and usually with a demi-glace sauce, but without a bun.

Other Dishes

Tempura more information Tempura is seafood, vegetables, mushrooms and other pieces of food coated with tempura batter and deep fried. Tempura was introduced to Japan by the Portuguese in the 16th century, but has become one of Japan's most famous dishes internationally.

Okonomiyaki more information Okonomiyaki is a mix between pizza and pancake. Various ingredients such as seafood, vegetables and meat can be mixed with the dough and placed on the okonomiyaki as topping.

Monjayaki Monjayaki is a Kanto region specialty that is similar to Okonomiyaki, however, the dough used is much more liquid than the okonomiyaki dough.

Gyoza more information Gyoza are dumplings with a filling usually made of minced vegetables and ground meat. Gyoza were introduced to Japan from China. In Japan gyoza are usually prepared by frying them.

Chawanmushi Chawanmushi is savory steamed egg custard that usually contains pieces of chicken, shrimp, fish cake and a ginko nut mixed inside.

Tsukemono Tsukemono are Japanese pickles. There are many variety of pickles, and a small dish of tsukemono is usually served with Japanese meals.

TransportationHow to get to Tokyo

By Air - Tokyo has two airports: the international Narita Airport is located 60 km outside of central Tokyo, while the domestic Haneda Airport is located more centrally.

By Shinkansen - Most shinkansen (bullet train) lines lead to Tokyo. The trip from Osaka/Kyoto takes about three hours. There are also direct bullet trains to/from Kyushu, Nagano, Niigata and various destinations in the Tohoku Region.

Basic Orientation

Tokyo is covered by a dense network of train, subway and bus lines, which are operated by about a dozen different companies. The train lines operated by JR East and the subway lines are most convenient for moving around central Tokyo.

Tokyo's most prominent train line is the JR Yamanote Line, a circle line which connects Tokyo's multiple city centers. The city's 13 subway lines are operated by two companies and run largely inside the Yamanote circle and the areas around Ginza and Shitamachi. Most of the countless suburban train lines commence at one of the six major stations of the Yamanote Line (Tokyo, Ueno, Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, Shibuya and Shinagawa).

Major JR train lines in Central Tokyo

The map below shows Tokyo's major railway stations and the five JR lines that are most relevant to people who travel within central Tokyo.

Yamanote Line Circle line that connects all major city centers.

Keihin-Tohoku Line Runs parallel to the Yamanote Line on the eastern half of the circle.

Chuo/Sobu Line Runs across the Yamanote circle (local slow service).

Chuo Line (Rapid) Runs across the Yamanote circle (rapid service). Connects Tokyo and Shinjuku.

Saikyo/Rinkai Line Rapid service parallel to the Yamanote Line on the western half of the circle. Connects to Daiba.

Shinkansen Tokaido Shinkansen trains stop at Tokyo and Shinagawa, while bullet trains to the north stop at Tokyo and Ueno.

Subways

Tokyo's subway network is operated by two companies, the Toei Subways with four lines, and Tokyo Metro (formerly known as Eidan Subways) with nine lines. Together, they densely cover central Tokyo, especially the area inside the Yamanote circle and the areas around Ginza and Shitamachi.

Note, that at their terminal stations, the trains of some subway lines continue to operate on the tracks of different companies on suburban train lines. For example, the Chiyoda Subway Line is directly connected with the suburban Odakyu Line at Yoyogi-Uehara Station, and some trains on the Hibiya Subway Line continue to run on the tracks of the Tokyu Toyoko Line at Nakameguro Station.

Other railway companies

Besides JR East and the two subway companies, most other railway companies connect Tokyo with the metropolis' outer regions and surrounding prefectures. Their lines typically start at one of the stations of the JR Yamanote Line. Many of the private railway companies also operate department stores usually at their train lines' major stations.

Tokyu Railways Serving southwestern Tokyo and Kanagawa.

Tobu Railways Serving Saitama and Tochigi. Connection to Nikko.

Seibu Railways Serving the Tokyo Tama Region and Saitama.

Keio Railways Serving the Tokyo Tama Region.

Odakyu Railways Serving Kanagawa. Connection to Hakone.

Keisei Railways Serving Chiba. Connection to Narita Airport.

Keikyu Railways Serving Haneda Airport and Kanagawa.

Tsukuba Express Connecting Akihabara with Tsukuba City, Ibaraki.

Special Tickets

A whole variety of day passes is available for the Tokyo area. Day passes are sold at train stations and vending machines and are valid from the first train in the morning until the last train in the evening.

Tokyo Free Kippu (1580 yen)

Unlimited use of all subway lines (Toei and Tokyo Metro) and JR trains in the central Tokyo area on one calendar day. It is also valid on buses and streetcars operated by Toei.

Toei and Tokyo Metro One-Day Economy Pass (1000 yen)

Unlimited use of all subway lines (Toei and Tokyo Metro) on one calendar day.

Tokyo Metro Open Ticket (1-day: 600 or 710 yen; 2-day: 980 yen)

Unlimited use of the nine Tokyo Metro subway lines, but not the four Toei subway lines. A regular one day pass costs 710 yen, while a tourist version is available for 600 yen (one day) and 980 yen (two consecutive days). The tourist version is only available at Narita Airport.

Toei One-Day Economy Pass (700 yen)

Unlimited use of the four Toei subway lines, buses and streetcars on one calendar day. It is not valid on the nine Tokyo Metro subway lines.

Tokunai Pass (730 yen)

Unlimited use of JR trains in the central Tokyo area on one calendar day.

Holiday Pass (2300 yen)

Unlimited use of local and rapid JR trains in the greater Tokyo area (including Yokohama andKamakura) on one calendar day. It can only be used on Saturdays, Sundays, public holidaysand certain holiday seasons. Elsewhere on the site is a guide devoted to the Holiday Pass.

Prepaid cards don't give you any discounts, but they make the process of taking trains easier, as you do not always need to buy a ticket before riding a train.

Suica and PASMO

Suica and PASMO are prepaid IC cards, that can be used interchangeably on most trains and buses in Greater Tokyo, including JR trains, subways and other non-JR trains. Elsewhere on the site is a guide devoted to Suica and PASMO.

The Japan Rail Pass is valid only on JR trains. It cannot be used on subways or any other non-JR train

Tokyo Metro

Tokyo Metro (formerly known as Eidan) is one of Tokyo's two subway operators. It runs nine of the metropolis' thirteen subway lines, while Toei operates the other four.

On June 14, 2008, Tokyo Metro started operating the new Fukutoshin Line between Shibuya, Shinjuku-sanchome, Ikebukuro and Wakoshi, providing a new direct connection from the suburbs into central Tokyo and an alternative to the busy Yamanote Line section between Ikebukuro, Shinjuku and Shibuya.

Two train categories run on the Fukutoshin Line: local trains stop at all stations, while express trainsstop only at major stations and do the journey between Ikebukuro and Shibuya in just eleven minutes (stopping only at Shinjuku-sanchome along the way).

The Fukutoshin Line provides through service with the Tobu Tojo Line and Seibu Ikebukuro Line at its northern end, and is scheduled to provide through service with the Tokyu Toyoko Line at Shibuya

Station from the year 2012.

While the nine Tokyo Metro lines provide access to many of Tokyo's city centers and tourist attractions, they alone do not provide the perfect solution for getting around Tokyo. Instead, they are best used in combination with the Toei subway lines and the urban JR lines, especially the JR Yamanote Line.

Simplified Network Map of Tokyo Metro: (move cursor over subway line name to highlight a single line)

To provide more convenient connections between the suburbs and the city center, several Tokyo Metro lines provide through service onto other companies' railway lines rather than terminating at their final stations:

Hibiya Line: to Tobu Isesaki Line and Tokyu Toyoko Line Tozai Line: to JR Sobu Line, Toyo Rapid Railway and JR Chuo Line Chiyoda Line: to JR Joban Line and Odakyu Railway Yurakucho Line: to Tobu Tojo Line and Seibu Ikebukuro Line Hanzomon Line: to Tokyu Denentoshi Line and Tobu Isesaki Line Nanboku Line: to Tokyu Toyoko Line and Saitama Rapid Railway Fukutoshin Line: to Tobu Tojo Line and Seibu Ikebukuro Line

Fares:

Tokyo Metro fares range from 160 to 300 yen depending on how far you travel. A one day pass for unlimited use of Tokyo Metro on one calendar day is available for 710 yen, but note that special passes for visitors are sold at Narita Airport for only 600 yen for a 1-day version and 980 yen for a 2-day version.

A day pass valid on both Tokyo Metro and Toei subway lines is available for 1000 yen. Suica and Pasmo prepaid cards can be used on Tokyo Metro. However, the Japan Rail Pass is not valid on subways, because subways are not operated by JR.

JR Yamanote Line

The Yamanote Line is Tokyo's most important train line. It is a circular line which connects Tokyo's major city centers. A trip around the whole circle takes approximately one hour.

Even though a single train on the Yamanote Line is roughly 200 meters long, there are departures about every two to four minutes in each direction.

Below are more details about the stations of the Yamanote Line starting and ending at Shinjuku in their actual, counter-clockwise order:

Shinjuku Shinjuku Station is Japan's busiest train station. It is located in the middle of the large Shinjuku business, entertainment and shopping district. Many suburban train lines commence at Shinjuku Station.

Yoyogi The north entrance of the Meiji Shrine can be accessed from Yoyogi Station.

Harajuku Harajuku is a shopping and entertainment district for young people, especially teenagers. The main entrance to Meiji Shrine is located next to Harajuku Station.

Shibuya Shibuya is a large shopping and business district particularly popular among the younger generations. Several suburban train lines commence at Shibuya Station.

Ebisu Closest station to Yebisu Garden Place.

Meguro

Gotanda

Osaki

Shinagawa The Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen trains stop at Shinagawa Station.Shinagawa is the closest JR station to Sengakuji Temple.

Tamachi

Hamamatsucho Hamamatsucho is the closest JR station to the Tokyo Tower andZojoji Temple. It is also the terminal station of the Tokyo Monorail, which connects central Tokyo with the domestic Haneda Airport.

Shimbashi Shimbashi is a large business area and the closest JR station to the Tsukiji Fish Market, Shiodome Shiosite and Hama Rikyu Gardens.

Yurakucho Yurakucho Station is the closest JR station to the Sakuradamon entrance gate of the Imperial Palace and to the famous Ginzashopping and entertainment district.

Tokyo Tokyo Station is the terminal station of all shinkansen lines. It is located in the prestigious Marunouchi business district, the Imperial Palace and the Imperial Palace East Gardens. Many suburban train lines pass through or commence at Tokyo Station.

Kanda

Akihabara Akihabara Station is located just next to Akihabara Electric Town, a large shopping area for electronics.

Okachimachi The Ameyoko shopping street starts at Okachimachi Station.

Ueno The shinkansen trains to northern Japan stop at Ueno Station. TheUeno Park and the Ameyoko shopping street are located next to the station. Many suburban train lines commence at Ueno Station.

Uguisudani

Nippori

Nishi-Nippori

Tabata

Komagome Rikugien Garden is just south of Komagome Station.

Sugamo

Otsuka

Ikebukuro Ikebukuro is one of Tokyo's largest shopping and entertainment districts. Several suburban train lines commence at Ikebukuro Station.

Mejiro

Takadanobaba

Shin-Okubo

Shinjuku

Local BusesThis page is about local and short-distance buses in Japan and how to use them. Visit our highway bus page for more information on long distance bus travel.

Kyoto City Bus

In Tokyo, Osaka and some other large cities, buses serve as a secondary means of public transportation, complementing the train and subway networks. In cities with less dense train networks like Kyoto, buses are the main means of public transportation.

Buses also serve smaller towns, the countryside and national parks. Major cities are, furthermore, linked by highway and long distance buses.

How to use a bus

Using buses in Japan can be intimidating to foreign tourists because there are usually few English displays or announcements, and there are different systems of ticketing depending on the company. Below is a description of the most common system, followed by notes about exceptions:

1) Enter the bus through the back door (or front door if there is only one door).

2) When entering, pick up a ticket from a small machine. A number is printed on the ticket, which you will later use to determine your fare.

3) A display above the driver shows the next stop and the fares for that stop in yen. To determine your fare, match the number on your ticket with the number and fare on the display.

4) When your stop is approaching, press one of the buttons on the wall to signal the driver that you wish to get off at the next stop.

5) If you do not have the exact fare, use the changing machine to get small coins.

6) When getting off, put your ticket and the exact fare into the box next to the driver.

In many cities or city centers, for example in central Kyoto, a flat fare applies, i.e. you always pay the same price regardless of how far you travel. This means that you do not have to worry about steps 2) and 3) in the above description.

Of course, there are a few exceptions to the above outlined system. The most prominent exception are the Tokyo Metropolitan Buses, where you are supposed to enter through the front door, pay a flat fare when entering, and exit through the rear door.

Travel BudgetThis page is meant to give you a rough idea of the cost of individual travel in Japan, by introducing some sample budgets. View our suggested itineraries to see the sample budgets applied to specific itineraries, and visit our page about package tours.

One US dollar is roughly 100 Yen. Click here for the current Yen exchange rates.

Sample daily budgets Not including cost for transportation.

Single Traveler Two Travelers

Low Budget 2,500 - 6,000 Yen 5,000 - 9,500 Yen

Medium Budget 6,000 - 12,000 Yen 9,500 - 20,000 Yen

High Budget over 12,000 Yen over 20,000 Yen

Accommodation:

Check our accommodation page for more information on different accommodation types and corresponding price ranges.

Low budget: 1,500 - 3,500 Yen per night and person Dormitories and youth hostels, found in most cities and regions of Japan, typically charge between 1500 and 3500 Yen per night and person. Furthermore, booking services likeHostelworld offer great deals.

Medium budget: 3,500 - 7,000 Yen per single room and night 5,000 - 10,000 Yen per double room and night At this level, you will find rooms in cheap business hotels and inexpensive, no-frills minshukuand ryokan. Some tour packages (for individual travelers) include accommodation at quality Western style hotels at this price level.

High budget: over 7,000 Yen per single room and night over 10,000 Yen per double room and night Starting around 7000 Yen per person, you can get rooms in good business hotels and inexpensive Western style hotels. A stay at a ryokan with two meals included typically costs between 10,000 and 30,000 Yen per person and night. For a room in a high class Western style hotel, you typically pay 20,000 to 50,000 Yen per room and night.

Breakfast:

Low budget: 200 - 500 Yen per day At this level, you will have to live from convenience store food (bread, rice balls, etc.) or visit fast food restaurants like McDonald's or Mister Donut which offer inexpensive breakfasts.

Medium budget: 500 - 1,000 Yen per day Many coffee shops and some restaurants in shopping areas and around train stations offer breakfast sets for around 500 to 1000 Yen.

High budget: above 1,000 Yen per day Hotel breakfasts and breakfast buffets will usually cost you more than 1000 Yen. Breakfasts buffets in first-class hotels typically cost between 2000 and 3000 Yen.

Lunch:

Low budget: 400 - 700 Yen per day Inexpensive lunch boxes are available in convenience stores and stands in railway stations and business districts. Various fast food restaurants, specializing in noodles, curry, domburior hamburger, also offer relatively filling meals for 700 Yen or less.

Medium budget:

700 - 1,200 Yen per day At this level you will have an even larger range of inexpensive restaurants such as the above mentioned fast food places, plus restaurants which offer lunch set special, so called teishoku, for around 1000 Yen.

High budget: above 1,200 Yen per day A lunch at most conventional restaurants cost typically between 1000 and 3000 Yen.

Dinner:

Low budget: 400 - 700 Yen per day Convenience stores sell various, inexpensive ready-to-eat meals. Other options are again cheap fast food restaurants.

Medium budget: 700 - 2,000 Yen per day Conventional restaurants are generally more expensive in the evening than during lunch time, as there are no lunch specials. At this level, you will be able to enjoy a nice dinner at a wide range of fast food and conventional restaurants, including the restaurants found in department stores where meals typically cost between 1000 and 2000 Yen, not including alcoholic drinks.

High budget: above 2,000 Yen per day With 3000 Yen per person you will be able to have a good dinner at a wide range ofrestaurants. Calculate 5000 Yen upwards per person for a dinner at upper class restaurants specializing in sushi, French cuisine, sukiyaki, kaiseki ryori, steaks, etc.

Sightseeing:

Low budget: 0 - 500 Yen per day Japan offers many free attractions. Most shrines and some temples do not charge admission fees. A few museums charge no admission on one day of the week or month.

Medium budget: 500 - 1,000 Yen per day Admission to famous temples costs between 100 to 700 Yen (around 200 Yen in Kamakuraand around 400 Yen in Kyoto and Nara). Most museums and castles charge about 200-1000 Yen per person.

High budget: above 1,000 Yen per day Some museums and attractions (usually outstanding ones or tourist traps) charge between 1000 and 3000 Yen per person. Admission to large theme parks typically cost around 5000 Yen per day.

Transportation:

Low budget: Highway buses, the Japan Bus Pass and the Seishun 18 Kippu (only available during

certain times of the year) are among the cheapest ways of traveling in Japan.

All budgets: Travelers of all budgets should consider purchasing a Japan Rail Pass or a regional rail pass. The cost for a 7 day Japan Rail Pass, for example, roughly corresponds to the cost of a single return trip from Tokyo to Kyoto by shinkansen. Two and three week passes are even more cost-effective. Over long distances, domestic flights can be as economical as a rail pass, if you take advantage of the various discount offers.

rban Transportation

Cost on urban transportation can generally be reduced by planning out your route wisely. On each day, try to concentrate on just one part of the city instead of zigzagging around town. Thereby you can walk in between sights and minimize subway and bus travel.

Day passes, regular tickets and prepaid cards

Day passes are available for most major Japanese cities. While some day passes are good deals, many others require you to do a lot of traveling before they pay off. As a result, regular tickets are not rarely cheaper than day passes, especially if plan your route wisely. Prepaid cards, such as Suica and Icoca, do not provide any discounts over regular tickets, but they are more convenient to use.

Bicycles

A rental bicycle can be a convenient and economical way of exploring small to medium sized cities, city districts or rural towns. Rental outlets are usually found around the train station. Rates vary widely but are typically a few hundred yen per hour or 500 to 1000 yen per day. Basic mamachari type bicycle are usually the only type of bicycle available.

Budget Travel - Sightseeing

While Japan has plenty of enjoyable sightseeing attractions that are free, most museums, temples,castles and gardens charge an admission of at least a few hundred yen. Yet there are a variety of discounts that can decrease your sightseeing expenses a little bit.

Free Sightseeing

Below is a list of popular sightseeing spots and activities that do not cost admission:

Tokyo

Tsukiji Market, Meiji Shrine, Imperial Palace and East Gardens, Sensoji Temple, observation deck of the Tokyo Government Office and people watching and window shopping in bustlingShinjuku, Shibuya, Harajuku, Akihabara and Ginza.

Budget Travel - Food

Convenience stores are the budget traveler's friends

It is not necessary to starve yourself to save money when traveling in Japan, as it is easy to find a wide selection of cheap, quality meals throughout the country. The extremely budget conscious could thrive on as little as 1500 to 2000 yen per day on food without sacrificing much variety or their health.

Also when shopping around for accommodation, consider hotel and tour packages that include meals with the stay. Minshuku and ryokan usually include both dinner and breakfast, hotels tend to have various meal plans, and business hotels, manga kissa and capsule hotels often include a complementary light breakfast.

Finally, consider making lunch your main meal of the day. Many restaurants offer inexpensive set menus (teishoku) for around 1000 yen during the lunch hours, while lunch boxes (bento) are available for around 500 yen or less. Higher class restaurants also have less expensive lunch options, making it a great way to check out places that may otherwise be outside of your budget.

Yoshinoya gyudon chain restaurant Set menu (teishoku)

The following are some ways of having an inexpensive meal:

Convenience Stores

Convenience stores are open 24 hours a day, and can be found virtually anywhere in Japan, resulting in inexpensive meals always being close at hand. Convenience stores offer a selection of fresh sandwiches and rice balls (onigiri), snacks, sweets, bakery items, sushi, noodles, lunch boxes, alcohol and other drinks. Thanks to the fierce competition between convenience store chains, the quality of many food items is surprisingly high.

Supermarkets

Japanese supermarkets are comparable to those found in Western countries and offer much of the same items including fresh fruits and vegetables, seafood, meat, canned and dry foods, drinks, alcohol and prepared foods. Imported foods are also widely available, but expect them to be more expensive than back home. While easily found in the suburbs and smaller towns, (normally priced) supermarkets are rare in the centers of large cities.

Note that many supermarkets begin to mark down their unsold lunch items around 14:00 and their other prepared foods from around 19:00. Discounts start off at a modest 10 to 20 percent, but progressively increase until closing and may end up as high as 50 to 70 percent. Many supermarkets also discount fruits and vegetables that are either blemished, overripe or otherwise not fit for sale at full price.

Fast Food

Japan has a lot of international fast food chains such as McDonald's and Kentucky Fried Chicken, as well as many Japanese chains that specialize in one type of dish such as gyudon,udon, soba, ramen, curry or boxed meals (bento). Among these chains are the Yoshinoya, Sukiya, and Matsuya gyudon chains, Hanamaru Udon, Coco Curry House, and the Hokka Hokka Tei and Hotto Motto lunch box chains. Low budget conveyor belt sushi chains could also be listed under this category. The cost of a meal rarely exceeds 1000 yen per person.

Family Restaurants

Family restaurants are another type of restaurant that are a modest step up from fast food establishments, yet still offer a quality selection of inexpensive meals. Chains such as Gusto, Coco's, Royal Host and Denny's offer a wide variety of Western and Japanese dishes, while Saizeriya is popular for its cheap and filling Italian food and Bamiyan for its Chinese dishes.

Business Districts and Train Stations

Especially during lunch hours the competition is fierce among restaurants in large business districts, resulting in competitive prices for filling set meals (around 1000 yen) or lunch boxes (around 500 yen) the latter of which are sometimes sold at temporarily erected stands. Large business districts and busy railway stations also usually offer a wide range of small fast food restaurants where you can easily have a full meal for under 1000 yen.

Alcoholic Drinks

Explore Japan's unique lineup of alcoholic drinks that are cheaper than beer, such as

imitation beer (happoshu and 3rd genre beer), shochu (distilled spirit made from rice, sweet potatoes, wheat or sugar cane) or chuhai (shochu based cocktails with various flavors). Alcoholic drinks tend to be cheapest at liquor stores, convenience stores and supermarkets.

RestaurantsA large number of restaurant types can be found in Japan. Below is an attempt to introduce some of the most popular restaurant types in categorized form:

Specialized Japanese Restaurants

Many restaurants in Japan specialize in just one type of food.

Sushi-ya Sushi-ya are restaurants which specialize in sushi. In most sushi-ya, customers can sit either at a normal table or at a counter (sushi bar), behind which the sushi chef is working.

Kaiten-zushi Kaiten-zushi are sushi restaurants, where the sushi dishes are presented to the customers on a conveyor belt. Customers can freely pick the dishes that they like as they pass in front of them or order dishes which are not available on the belt. In the end, the number of plates is counted to determine the cost. There are usually a few kinds of plates (differing in color or pattern), each being associated with a certain price of typically 100 to 500 yen. Kaiten-zushi tends to be less expensive than usual sushi-ya.

Soba-ya Soba-ya specialize in soba and udon noodle dishes. Most noodle dishes come either cooled with a dipping sauce or in a hot soup and with different toppings. The menu often changes slightly with the seasons, with hiyashi (cold) noodles popular in summer and nabeyaki (hot) udon popular in winter.

Ramen-ya Ramen-ya specialize in ramen dishes, Chinese style noodles served in a soup with various toppings. Every ramen-ya has developed its own soup, the most crucial ingredient for a restaurant's success. Several other dishes of Chinese origin, such as gyoza and fried rice, are usually also available at a ramen-ya.

Kare-ya Kare-ya are restaurants that specialize in curry rice (kare raisu) dishes. There is usually at least one kare-ya and one ramen-ya inside or around any major railway station.

Tonkatsu-ya Tonkatsu-ya serve tonkatsu, deep fried breaded pork cutlets. Korokke and other deep fried dishes are also available at many tonkatsu-ya.

Gyudon-ya Gyudon-ya specialize in gyudon (beef domburi). Gyudon-ya tend to be inexpensive fast food style restaurants.

Okonomiyaki-ya Okonomiyaki-ya specialize in okonomiyaki and sometimes monjayaki. Customers are usually preparing their okonomiyaki by themselves on a hot plate which is built into the table.

Yakitori-ya Yakitori-ya specialize in yakitori, grilled chicken skewers. They are particularly popular among salarymen after work. Along with ramen-ya, they are also popular places to go as a late night snack after drinking.

Tempura-ya Tempura-ya specialize in tempura dishes, such as tendon (tempura domburi) and assorted tempura.

Unagi-ya Unagi-ya specialize in unagi (fresh water eel) dishes such as unajuu and unadon (unagidomburi).

Sukiyaki-ya Sukiyaki-ya specialize in sukiyaki and shabu-shabu. They tend to be expensive and are not very numerous.

Traditional tonkatsu restaurant Table at an okonomiyaki restaurant

General Restaurants

The following are some restaurant types that offer a broader range of dishes than specialized stores.

Izakaya Izakaya are drinking places that offer a variety of small dishes, such as robata (grilled food), salads and finger food. It is probably the most popular restaurant type among the Japanese people. Izakaya tend to be informal, and the people at one table usually share all dishes, rather than ordering and eating individually.

Family Restaurant and Shokudo Family restaurants (famiresu) offer a variety of Western, Chinese and Japanese dishes in order to please all family members. Shokudo also offer a variety of dishes, however, the term is not commonly used anymore, and the difference to family restaurants is small.

Teishoku-ya Teishoku-ya are restaurants that sell teishoku (set menus). A set menu usually consists of a main dish such as a fried fish, a bowl of cooked rice and small side dishes. Teishoku-ya are especially numerous in business areas and popular during lunch time.

Family Restaurant

Foreign Cuisine

Many restaurants in Japan specialize in a foreign cuisine. Especially Korean, Chinese and Italian cooking, as well as American style fast food enjoys a great popularity among the Japanese.

Yakiniku-ya

http://www.japan-guide.com/link.html?/e/e2036.html+468between+gnavi+4+4+0+http://www.gnavi.co.jp/en/+

Yakiniku-ya specialize in Korean style barbecue, where small pieces of meat are cooked on a grill at the table. Other popular Korean dishes such as bibimba are also usually available at a yakiniku-ya.

Chinese Restaurants There are many Chinese restaurants in Japan. Many of them serve slightly Japanized Chinese dishes, while others offer more authentic Chinese food.

Italian Restaurants Italian cuisine is very popular across Japan. Many Italian restaurants have Japanese flavored pasta dishes on their menus besides conventional dishes.

Hamburger Fast Food There are many hamburger fast food restaurants across Japan. They include major American chain stores such as McDonald's, but also various Japanese chain stores such as Mos Burger and Lotteria.

Yoshoku-ya Yoshoku-ya specialize in yoshoku ryori (Western Food). The dishes served at yoshoku-ya are heavily Japanized Western dishes, such as omuraisu and hayashiraisu.

Ethnic Cuisine In Japan, ethnic cuisine means South East Asian food, such as Thai, Indonesian and Vietnamese food.

McDonald's Italian restaurant in department store

Other Restaurant Types

Kissaten and Coffee Shops Kissaten are coffee shops that offer Western style sweets, such as cakes and ice cream, besides beverages. Coffee chain stores such as Starbucks are also quite numerous.

Kaiseki Ryori and Ryotei Kaiseki Ryori may be called "Japanese haute cuisine". It is a refined cooking style related to thetea ceremony, which emphasizes concepts such as simplicity and elegance. It can be enjoyed at special kaiseki ryori restaurants or at ryotei, expensive and exclusive Japanese restaurants for business banquets and similar events.

Yatai and Rotensho Yatai are movable food stalls that can be found along busy streets. They sometimes include seating space inside a tent. Dishes commonly offered at yatai include oden and ramen. Rotensho are food stands that are temporarily constructed for festivals and other large events.Okonomiyaki, takoyaki and yakisoba are just a few of the many dishes commonly sold at rotensho.

Karaage Rotensho

Convenience Stores

More than 40,000 convenience stores, known as konbini, can be found across Japan. Strong competition between the major operators, such as Seven Eleven, Lawson and Family Mart, constantly produces new innovative products and services and makes Japanese convenience stores truly convenient.

Most convenience stores are open 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.

Goods offered

Convenience stores primarily sell food including a large range of meals, snacks and sweets, such asonigiri (rice balls), sandwiches, bread, chips, candy, obento (lunch boxes), instant ramen, microwave meals and hot foods like fried chicken, nikuman and oden. Some cold foods, such as onigiri, can be heated up by the store staff.

The stores also sell all kinds of hot and cold beverages including soda, coffee, tea, water, sport drinks, juice, milk and vitamin drinks. The selection changes frequently and often varies by season as well. Many convenience stores also sell alcoholic beverages including beer, happoshu, chuhai, nihonshu, shochu and wine.

Other goods available include body care products, cosmetics, batteries, blank CDs and tapes, umbrellas, newspapers, magazines and comics. Some stores, particularly outside of the city centers, have a toilet.

Services offered

Convenience stores also offer a wide range of services, many of which can be accessed through automated multi-purpose terminals (the user menu is usually in Japanese only):

ATM: ATMs offer various banking services and often also serve as the above mentioned multi-purpose terminals. Foreign credit and debit cards are usually not recognized by the ATMs found in convenience stores, except at 7-Eleven.

Copier/Fax: A copy machine and fax is available at most convenience stores. If not the ATM, it is usually the copy machine which serves as the store's multi-purpose terminal.

Ticket Reservations: Tickets for sport events, concerts, theme parks, highway buses and othertravel services can be purchased at the multi-purpose terminal.

Digital Camera Prints: You can get prints of digital pictures by inserting your camera's memory card into the multi-purpose terminal. Depending on the store, the prints will be ready instantly or can be picked up later.

Bill Payment: Many bills, including utility, cell phone and insurance bills, can be paid at convenience stores.

Delivery Services: At many stores, it is possible to drop off or pick up deliveries (takuhaibin), such as parcels or luggage. A limited range of postal services, such as the sale of post cards and stamps, is also available.

Below is a sample layout of a typical Japanese convenience store:

SupermarketsModern Japanese supermarkets are organized much in the same way as their Western counterparts. They offer all kinds of goods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh seafood, meat, tofu, pickled, dried and canned food, bread, dairy products, snacks, ready-to-eat meals, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and household articles.

The goods are usually beautifully presented and of excellent quality. Also the cashier system is well organized and efficient. The packages and portions in Japanese supermarkets are usually smaller than comparable packages sold in Europe or North America in particular; nevertheless, they are rarely cheaper. Traditional Japanese foodstuffs, on the other hand, can be relatively inexpensive.

Beautiful food departments are usually located in the basement floors of most department stores. A

visit to such a food department is a highly recommended experience.

Also see our page about convenience stores.

Alcoholic BeveragesDrinking plays an important role in Japanese society. Drinking parties, typically held at restaurants and izakaya, are a common activity that are used to strengthen both social and business ties. A large variety of alcoholic beverages can be found in Japan. Some of the most popular ones are:

Beer Beer is the most popular alcoholic drink in Japan. The leading breweries are Asahi, Kirin, Suntory and Sapporo. The art of brewing beer was imported in the early Meiji Period from Germany as a development project for the northern island of Hokkaido.

Happoshu Happoshu (lit. "sparkling alcohol", also known as low-malt beer) is a relatively recent invention by Japanese brewing companies. It has a similar flavor and alcohol content as beer, but it is made with less malt, which gives it a different, lighter taste. Also due to the lower malt content, happoshu is taxed differently than beer and is consequently sold at a lower price.

Third beer "Third beer" (also known as "Shin Janru" or "New Genre") is the most recent development in the Japanese beer industry. In order to counter tax changes that reclassified the malt content of beer and subsequently raised the price of happoshu, this beer-like beverage contains no malt, instead using pea, soya, or wheat spirits.

Rice Wine (nihonshu or sake) Commonly called sake outside of Japan, nihonshu or sake (note that "sake" is also the general Japanese term for alcohol) is brewed using rice, water and white koji mold as the main ingredients. Besides major brands, there are countless local rice wines (jizake). The alcohol content of nihonshu is typically about 10-20%. It is drunk either hot or cold, and it is usually filtered although unfiltered nihonshu (nigorizake) is also popular.

Shochu, Awamori Shochu is a distilled spirit with an alcohol content usually between 20-40 percent. It is commonly made from rice, sweet potatoes, wheat and/or sugar cane. It is usually served mixed with water and ice, fruit juice and sparkling water, or oolong tea. Awamori is the Okinawan version of shochu. It differs in that it is made from long-grained thai-style rice instead of short-grained Japanese-style rice and uses a black koji mold indigenous to Okinawa.

Chuhai Chuhai (the name is derived from "shochu highball") are fruit-flavored alcoholic drinks with an alcohol content that ranges between 5-8 percent. Common flavors include lemon, ume, peach, grapefruit, lime, and mikan (mandarin orange). In addition there are many seasonal flavors that come and go. Recent ones include winter pear, pineapple, and nashi (Japanese pear). They are usually shochu based, and are available in cans anywhere alcohol is sold.

Plum wine (umeshu) Umeshu is made of Japanese plums (ume), sugar, and shochu or nihonshu. Its sweet, fruity, juice-like flavor and aroma can appeal to those who normally dislike alcohol. Commonly made at home, it is also easily found anywhere alcohol is sold. It is usually served on the rocks, mixed with soda, or as an umeshu sawa (umeshu sour).

Wine Wine is gaining popularity in Japan, especially among women. While imported red, white, and sparkling wines from France, Italy, the United States and Australia are widely available, there also exists a sizable and increasing domestic wine industry. The most famous wine producing region within Japan is Yamanashi Prefecture.

Other liquors Whisky is perhaps the most popular other western liquor in Japan and is often served on the rocks or mixed with water and ice. Gin and vodka based drinks are also commonly available at bars, restaurants, and izakaya.

Alcoholic beverages are sold in supermarkets, department stores, convenience stores, liquor stores (sakaya) and at vending machines (although machines in public shut off after 11PM). The legal drinking age is 20 years old, the same as for purchasing tobacco products.

Drinking Manners

When drinking alcoholic beverages, it is customary to serve one another, rather than serving yourself. You should periodically check your friends' glasses, and replenish them before they are empty. Likewise, if someone wants to serve you, you should drink to make room in your glass if it is full, hold it up for the person while they pour, and then take at least one drink before putting the glass down. These customs apply to everyone in your party even if they are not drinking alcohol.

At the beginning of a meal or drinking party you should not start drinking until everybody at the table is served and the glasses are raised for a toast, which is usually "kampai". Other toasts are acceptable, but avoid using "chin chin" when making a toast, since in Japanese this expression refers to the male genitalia.

While it is considered bad manners to become obviously drunk in some formal restaurants, for example in restaurants that serve kaiseki ryori (Japanese haute cuisine), the same is not true for other types of restaurants such as izakaya, as long as you do not bother other guests.

BanksJapanese banks are usually open Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 15:00.

In order to open an account at a Japanese bank, a foreigner requires to present his/her Alien Registration Card, the document any foreigner needs to apply for when staying in Japan for more than 90 days. An inkan (personal stamp) or signature is also needed.

Japanese banks offer automatic teller machines (ATM) and cash dispensers (CD). At ATMs one can pay withdraw, deposit and transfer money and pay bills, while at CDs it is usually only possible to withdraw money. Most ATMs and CDs are unavailable on weekends and during the night, but the number of 24h ATMs is increasing. The machines found in convenience stores, for example, are often available around the clock.

As a traveler in Japan, be aware that most Japanese ATMs do not accept foreign credit cards. Only theinternational ATMs found in post offices and in a few major department stores and airports accept foreign credit and debit cards.

Telephone and utilities bills can be paid at banks, ATMs, post offices and at some convenience stores.

ATMsMany automatic teller machines (ATMs) in Japan do not accept credit, debit and ATM cards, which are issued outside of Japan.

The big exception are the ATMs found at the over 20,000 post offices and over 10,000 7-Elevenconvenience stores across the country. These ATMs allow you to withdraw cash by credit and debit cards issued outside of Japan, including Visa, Plus, Mastercard, Maestro, Cirrus, American Express and JCB cards and provide an English user menu.

ATMs at 7-Eleven stores are available 24 hours per day on every day of the year. In case of post offices, however, only the central offices of major cities offer a 24 hour/7 days a week ATM service, including theTokyo Central Office, Shinjuku Office, Shibuya Office and the central offices of Osaka, Kyoto and a few other major cities (note that even these ATMs are unavailable on Sundays and public holidays for four hours between 20:00 and midnight).

Postal ATM operating hours then decrease proportionally to the size of the post office, from major post offices (typically 7:00 to 23:00, shorter hours on weekends) to medium sized offices (typically 8:00 to 20:00, shorter hours on weekends, possibly closed on Sundays) to minor offices (typically 9:00 and 16:00, closed on weekends).

Tsuwano Post Office Taketomi Post Office

In addition to the ATMs at post offices and 7-Eleven convenience stores, international ATMs can be found at international airports, in major department stores and in Citibank and Shinsei Bank branches.

In order to use international ATMs, ensure the following at home before leaving for Japan:

Make sure that your credit or debit card can be used abroad. Inquire what fees and daily and/or monthly limits are associated with international

withdrawals. Remember your card's secret 4-digit PIN. Notify your bank that you are going to use your card overseas, since many banks will block a

card which is suddenly used abroad, suspecting a fraud.

Cell Phones in Japan

Mobile phone display racks at an electronics store.

Mobile phones

Japan is a leader in mobile phone technology and usage with about 75% of the population owning one. Mobile phones are everywhere, and they are constantly getting new features such as internet browsers, games, cameras, televisions, electronic wallets/train passes, gps/navigation and music players.

The biggest mobile phone companies in Japan are NTT Docomo, au by KDDI, and Softbank (formerly Vodafone, and before that J-phone). Docomo is the most popular company with about 50 million subscribers. Au is next with about 30 million subscribers, while Softbank has about 15 million subscribers.

Featured Cell Phone Services

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Rentafone Japan We provide a cheap and convenient cell phone rental service for short-term visitors to Japan. Free incoming calls. Free shipping. Low call rates. Check the cost-comparison link on our home page.

Do foreign phones work in Japan?

Due to different technologies, mobile phones from your home country may not work in Japan. Most importantly, there is no GSM network, so GSM phones do not work. There are two things that are required for your telephone to work:

1. Compatibility with the Japanese mobile phone network - The only foreign phones that work in Japan are some 3G models, however the number of compatible phones is increasing. Contact your service provider for details concerning your particular phone.

2. International roaming plan or rental SIM card - With an international roaming plan (from your home service provider) you use your own phone and number, but are charged international roaming rates which tend to be expensive. Alternatively, with a rental SIM card (from a Japanese provider) you use your own phone with a Japanese phone number and lower rates.

Do Japanese phones work outside of Japan?

Many phones that are sold in Japan can operate on 3G and GSM networks (only in certain countries) with the appropriate international roaming plans, although while overseas some of their advanced

functions will likely not work. This means that a person with a handset and service provided by a Japanese mobile phone carrier can roam when travelling outside of Japan.

Generally speaking it is not possible to use a Japanese phone with a foreign service provider due to network differences and because the handsets are locked. Japanese carriers do not unlock handsets. Also, Japanese phones are designed at a hardware and software level to work with only a particular network. As a result they are not interchangeable even between Japanese service providers and some of their features are disabled when used off of the network they were intended for.

There are phones to suit every style, but the display phones are non-working plastic samples.

How to get a mobile phone:

Rental Phones

Renting is the most economical way for the average traveler to get a phone, and typically requires a picture ID and a credit card. Many companies have kiosks at the airports, while other companies will mail a phone to your hotel or to your home. You can return the phones at the airport or through the maildepending on the company.

The fees for rental phones vary and usually consist of the rental fee (typically 250-1000 yen per day) plus a usage fee (typically 70-200 yen per minute domestic outgoing, incoming calls are free). All of the companies at the airports have same day rentals, while some companies offer discounts for advanced reservations.

Prepaid Phones

Due to past criminal abuse of prepaid phones, phone sellers must now verify the identity and place of residence of their buyers. Typical proof can be in the form of a Japanese driver's license, a Japanese Passport, or an alien registration card. Some stores will accept foreign passports along with a hotel address as verification.

Prepaid phones start around 5000 yen. Credit, which is used for outgoing calls, email, internet, etc. depending on what features your phone supports, must be purchased in advance. With most companies, incoming calls are free and outgoing calling rates are comparable to those of rental phones.

Credit can be bought at cell phone stores and convenience stores, and is typically valid for 60 days from activation. Phone numbers remain active as long as you have valid credit in your account, but

will expire after three months to a year without use.

Subscription Plans

With subscription plans you pay for your usage at the end of a monthly billing cycle as opposed to prepaid phones where you buy your usage before you use it. Phones may be free or subsidized although that typically requires a 2 year service contract. Alternatively, the phone may be purchased at full price in which case service is available on a month-to-month contract.

All the latest and most advanced phones are available with subscription plans and the selection of handsets is huge. Subscription plans are only available to residents and require an alien registration card and a Japanese bank account.

Suggested schedulesTwo full days are required in order to gain a superficial feel for Japan's capital. At least one week to get to know it more intimately. Tokyo is the best place to experience modern, urban Japan.

Full day schedules:

From Asakusa to Odaiba: Old and new Tokyo Start in Asakusa, where a touch of the old Tokyo is surviving. Explore centrally locatedSensoji Temple and the surrounding streets. Then, take the boat on the Sumida River from Asakusa to Hama Rikyu, a nice landscape garden at the Tokyo Bay waterfront. From Hama Rikyu it is just a few steps to the elegant skyscrapers of Shiodome, where you can hop onto the Yurikamome elevated train over the rainbow bridge to Odaiba, a futuristic entertainment and shopping district on a man made island.

Imperial Palace, Shibuya, Shinjuku Start the day with a visit to the Imperial Palace and its East Gardens. Then, take the Subway Hanzomon Line from Otemachi to Shibuya and experience some of Tokyo's most famous shopping streets on a walk from Shibuya to Harajuku Station. In the afternoon, visit nearbyMeiji Shrine and take the Yamanote Line to Shinjuku. Spend the evening there.

Tokyo Disney Resort Tokyo Disney Resort, just 15 minutes by train from Tokyo Station, consists of two separate theme parks: Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea.

Half day schedules:

Old Tokyo Visit the excellent Edo-Tokyo Museum about Tokyo's history. Afterwards, explore the nearby Asakusa area around Sensoji Temple where a touch of the old Tokyo can still be experienced.

Futuristic Tokyo From Shimbashi Station take the Yurikamome, an elevated train across the Rainbow Bridge onto a man made island in Tokyo Bay. There, visit the shopping and entertainment attractions and view the futuristic architecture and landscape design around Odaiba and Tokyo Big Sight.

Shinjuku In Shinjuku, visit the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office, Tokyo's tallest building, for a

free bird's eye view of the city. Then take a look at Japan's busiest train station and surrounding department stores. To escape the crowds, take a break in the Shinjuku Gyoen, a spacious city park. In the evening, experience the notorious Kabukicho entertainment district.

Shibuya, Harajuku, Meiji Jingu Shibuya and Harajuku are the most popular shopping and entertainment districts of Tokyo's young generations. For some contrast, visit Meiji Shrine, located in a spacious wooded park just next to Harajuku Station.

Imperial Palace, Ginza Visit Imperial Palace and its East Gardens before exploring Ginza, Tokyo's most expensive and famous shopping district.

Side trips:

Kamakura Kamakura, one hour south of Tokyo, is full of historic temples and shrines. It makes a perfect one-day trip from Tokyo.

Nikko Nikko, two hours north of Tokyo, is the site of the famous Nikko Toshogu Shrine, the mausoleum of one of Japan's most influential personalities. The shrines and temples of Nikko can be seen in a one day trip from Tokyo, but if you also wish to visit Nikko's beautiful national park, at least two days are recommended.

Yokohama Yokohama is Japan's second most populated city, only half an hour south of Tokyo. It makes a good one-day trip from Tokyo.

Hakone Hakone is part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, two hours west of Tokyo, offering beautiful nature, good views of Mount Fuji, a few historic sites and many hot springs. Hakone can be visited in a one day trip, but an overnight stay at a ryokan with hot spring is recommended.

Kawagoe Kawagoe, 30 minutes from Ikebukuro, is called "Little Edo" (Edo is the former name of Tokyo), because the city retains some of the architecture and atmosphere of past centuries, which have disappeared in Tokyo itself due to earthquakes, wars and redeveleopment.

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