The capital of Japan, Tokyo is considered to be the cultural, educational and scientific center of the country. A very interesting and fascinating city to visit, Tokyo is a teeming metropolis that showcases the best of both Eastern and Western culture.
Formerly known as Edo before 1868, Tokyo is home many temples, shires and museums that stand side by side with tall gleaming skyscrapers that almost touch the sky. Ranked among the most expensive cities in the world, Tokyo citizens have a high standard of living. With a strong work ethic and fast paced lives the people of this city almost never sleep. With a proud cultural heritage that takes root from the ancient Samurais, Tokyo is a captivating, intriguing and absorbing blend of old and new Japan.
Tokyo Weather
The weather is Tokyo is moderate and comfortable throughout the year except in winter when the temperature can drop pretty low.
Having a temperate zone climate, summers in the city are hot and humid, with chances for typhoons. However during the winter the city experiences long dry cold spells. The rainy season in Tokyo lasts from June to mid-July during which period the humidity escalates quite a bit causing rain nearly everyday. It is only after the rainy season that summer really set in becoming hot and humid.
Shopping in Tokyo
Tokyo is a shopper’s haven. One thing that must be pointed out here is that Tokyo is one of the most trendiest cities in the world. Here fashion and clothing change every season. Most of the shops in Tokyo are open from 10 am to 8 pm daily; however some department stores do close on Wednesdays. For traditional Japanese souvenirs the Nakamise Shopping Arcade near Sensoji Temple, Kappabashi Dori near Asakusa Subway Line and the Oriental Bazaar located on Omotesando Dori are great places to shop at.
For reasonably priced fashionable clothing and accessories try Harajuku, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Shimokitazawa and Kichijoji, while for those who can afford it there are plenty of designer boutiques in Omotesando and Aoyama. Department stores can be found all over the city; the best ones are in Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukero, Ginza and Nihombashi. For those looking for some inexpensive bargains, the "100 Yen” Shops are a real steal, with everything costing only 100 Yen. You can find these shops in most major shopping districts.
What to Wear in Tokyo
Since Tokyo has four clearly defined seasons, it is necessary to dress appropriately. Your dressing should also depend on where you are going. For example if you visit a temple, please do not wear skimpy clothes as it is offensive. However if you a visiting a top notch restaurant or hotel, you must wear formal clothing. The people of Tokyo are totally fashion crazy and spend huge amounts of money on clothing and accessories, so be warned. Casual clothing is fine if you are visiting Tokyo during the summer, however during winter a thick winter coat is essential.
Travel Around Tokyo
Wandering around Tokyo can be quite a difficult as the city is made up of hundreds of tiny streets and alleys most of which have no names. If you plan on traversing the city alone please be sure to take a map, so that you don’t get lost. Tokyo has a well developed transportation infrastructure so traveling around should not a problem. Trains and monorails are the cheapest and easiest ways to get around Tokyo, with most subways providing directions in English. Buses are also inexpensive way however the directions provided here are mostly in Japanese. For a great way to see the city, take a ride on a water bus which you can catch in the Rinkai area. Taxis are an expensive mode of transport and are only recommended if you want to go a short distance.
Health Services in Tokyo
The medical and hospital services in Tokyo are of a very high international standard, however just like everything else the Japanese healthcare system can be very costly. Some well known hospitals with an English-speaking staff and 24-hour emergency care include; the International Catholic Hospital in Shinjuku-ku; the Japan Red Cross Medical Center in Shibuya-ku; and St. Luke's International Hospital in Chuo-ku. In the case of an emergency call 119 to report a fire or request for ambulance. For the police call 110 and for disasters like earthquakes dial 171.
Tokyo Nightlife
Tokyo has some of the best nightlife in the world with plenty of clubs, bars, and pubs. For those who prefer a more subdued evening visit the opera house or go to the theater, multiplex or some of the many art galleries in the city. A place that is definitely worth visiting is an Izakaya or a Japanese style pub. Most locals hang out and wind down here, as the food and drinks are reasonably priced. Irish and English pubs and German beer halls are found all over in the city. The Dubliners' Pub in Shinjuku is a great pub to hang out at. Some excellent bars can also be found in the Omotesando, Roppongi, Shinjuku, Shibuya and Ebisu areas. Some popular nightclubs in the city include; Ageha in Shin-kiba, Milk in Ebisu, Velfarre in Roppongi and Womb in Shibuya.
Dining Out in Tokyo
Tokyo offers a variety of great places to dine at and with cuisines from all over the world. For some local delicacies look out for the noodle, ramen and curry-rice shops located in and around the subway stations. Another cheap eating option is the revolving sushi bar which can be found in most districts. Yoshinoya and Tenya also offer great inexpensive Japanese food. Fro those who want to try an expensive meal, the restaurants in Roppongi have some great menus. For sushi and sashimi try Fukuzushi, while for teppanyaki and shabu-shabbu go to Seryna.
Tokyo Business
Tokyo is the financial hub of Japan. This bustling cosmopolitan city is home to most major Japanese companies head office as well as foreign companies with a presence in Japan. The main business district is around the National Diet and Ministry buildings near the Imperial Palace. West Shinjuku is Tokyo's skyscraper office district.
