Tokyo

Tokyo Travel Guide

  • About Tokyo
The archetypal Asian metropolis, Tokyo is a heady blend of the futuristic and traditional. From neon signs to Shinto shrines, this is a city of true sensory overload. The sheer size of Tokyo means you’ll never run out of things to see and do. Start by scaling the 634m-high (2,080 ft) SkyTree, an observation tower which is also the world’s second-tallest structure after Dubai’s Burj Khalifa. On a clear day, you can see the whole Tokyo metropolitan area and as far as Mount Fuji. Anime lovers should take the train to the suburb of Mitaka to visit the stunning Studio Ghibli museum. Replete with classic characters from the films of Hayao Miyazaki, it offers an amazing insight into modern Japanese culture. Afterwards, head back to Shinjuku Station and lose yourself in the maze of shops and restaurants underneath this vast, ultra-modern terminal. Set your alarm to see Toyosu Fish Market (previously known as Tsukiji Market) come to life in the pre-dawn hours. The world’s largest fish market is the place to eat the best sushi of your life at knockdown prices, but if the queues for the poky restaurants get too much, check out the ace tempura stands instead. Go shopping in high-end Ginza or try and fit in with the cool kids in ultra-hip Harajuku. The latter is the best place to see Tokyo’s most out-there cosplay fashions. Grab a beer with the city’s salarymen in any of the small Izakayas around Shibuya Station, or sink shochu or sake in the tiny bars which hide behind curtains down every alleyway in the centre of the city. Then hit a karaoke bar or practice your gaming skills in the countless, skull-thumping arcades of Akihabara. Be sure to kick back in a public bath where locals love to go for a gossip after a long day in the office. And take time to visit incense-shrouded shrines and get a minute’s peace away from the throb of the city. After the 2020 Olympics, Tokyo’s popularity is certain to boom further. Get there now to see why it remains one of the world’s most captivating cities.
  • Tokyo History
Compared to the likes of Rome, Paris or London, Japan’s capital is a relative newcomer to the global city scene. Still, in less than 500 short years, Tokyo has become one of the most culturally and economically illustrious cities in the World, despite suffering major environmental disasters and devastating conflicts. Tokyo’s story begins in 1590, when the shoguns (Japan’s hereditary military dictators) moved their base from Kyoto to where Tokyo stands today. They named the city Edo, and although the Emperor remained in Kyoto, power and profit moved east with them. Sealed off from the rest of the world for another two centuries, the Edo period was a time of samurai, tea ceremonies and calligraphy. When the shogunate fell in 1867, Emperor Meiji seized the real reins of power and moved to Edo. He renamed it Tokyo and established it as Japan’s capital, throwing open the country’s borders and actively welcoming outside influences, particularly western ones. He made Shinto the state religion, thus establishing himself as a divine being with total power over the nation. Perhaps unsurprisingly, this whirlwind of change became known as the Meiji Revolution and it thrust Tokyo headlong intothe 20th century. People flocked to the city from the countryside, educational standards rapidly improved and the arts and the theatre both bloomed. Then in 1923, Tokyo was devastated by the Great Kantō Earthquake. With over 100,000 dead and nearly 2 million left homeless, the city was still trying to recover when war swept across the world. Although Tokyo escaped the atomic bomb, WWII rained down over 100 other missiles onto the city, decimating buildings and halving the capital’s population in only five years. Yet, somehow, Tokyo really did rise from the ashes, entering the 21st century as one of the greatest cities in the world.
  • Did you know?
The engineering company behind Tokyo Tower believe it could withstand an earthquake that is twice as intense as the 1923 Great Kantō earthquake, which reached a magnitude of nine. Each train station in Tokyo has its unique theme song.
  • Weather in Tokyo
Tokyo, the largest city in the world, enjoys a humid subtropical climate with fairly mild winters and humid summers. Spring (March to May) is the best time to visit Tokyo as the weather is mild with plenty of sunny days. From late March to mid-April, parks across Tokyo are ablaze with cherry blossom and the city gets busy with many Sakura (cherry blossom) festivals. In April, the average temperate is 14°C (57°F). Summer (June to August) is hot, humid and rainy. June is often the wettest month while August is the warmest month. Built-up areas in central Tokyo can feel warmer than usual due to the heat being stored in buildings and pavement. In August, the average high is 29°C (79°F) while the average low is 23°C (73°F). Autumn (September to November) is also a popular time to visit Tokyo, but bring an umbrella if you are visiting in September and October as the average precipitation is still over 200mm (8 inches) a month. By November though, rain frequency has decreased and you get cool, crispy autumn days. Temperatures wise, the average high is 15°C (59°F) and the average low is 9°C (48°F) in November. Winter (December to February) is mild with little chance of snow. January is often the coldest month with an average high of 8°C (46°F).

CONTACT A TRAVEL EXPERT

1-to-1 Service | Reply within 24hrs | Expert’s Advice