Tokyo東京都

Tokyo (東京, Tōkyō, "Eastern Capital") (Japanese: [toːkʲoː] ( ), English /ˈtoʊki.oʊ/), officially Tokyo Metropolis (東京都, Tōkyō-to), is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the most populous metropolitan area in the world. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family. Tokyo is in the Kantō region on the southeastern side of the main island Honshu and includes the Izu Islands and Ogasawara Islands. Tokyo Metropolis was formed in 1943 from the merger of the former Tokyo Prefecture (東京府, Tōkyō-fu) and the city of Tokyo (東京市, Tōkyō-shi).

from Tokyo (Wikipedia) CC BY SA 3.0

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Komeda Coffee: the First Trend to Start in Nagoya images

Komeda Coffee: the First Trend to Start in Nagoya

Komeda Coffee is a chain cafe that originated in Nagoya, and has since spread across the country. I often joke with my friends that Nagoya is the last place to be informed of the latest fads, but this time around, Nagoya became the trendsetter. Of the more than 400 stores nation-wide, in Aichi …(320 words)

Misa image

Misa

Licensed To Drive..Finally!! images

Licensed To Drive..Finally!!

This article was originally published on my blog site on January 2008. Please come and visit http://mirai.hayashi-web.net to see more about my experiences in living and working in Japan.About 6 years ago I attempted to get a Japanese drivers license, since I was still driving with an internati…(4721 words)

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MiraiZ

Popular Anime Locations in Japan images

Popular Anime Locations in Japan

One of the most popular anime ever. In an apocolyptic future, after the destruction of Tokyo by giant monster, the capitol of Japan is moved to Hakone`s Sengokuhara area.The main characters go to school in the Hakone area as they train to become Mech drivers in an effort to thwart another alien…(324 words)

Kintaro-man image

Kintaro-man

Shibuya Subway Station, by Tadao Ando images

Shibuya Subway Station, by Tadao Ando

The Shibuya Subway Station is famous for a number of reasons. It was designed by world renowned Japanese architect, Tadao Ando. It's design, in not surprising Tokyo cool, is egg shaped and intentionally designed to look like a spaceship. There are locations in the station where the design can se…(469 words)

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mikekato

The secret behind the deliciousness of Sano Ramen is in the water images

The secret behind the deliciousness of Sano Ramen is in the water

Ramen is one of the most popular dishes in Japan. There are various types of ramen. Some have soy sauce as the main ingredient of the broth. Others have miso as the main ingredient. The thickness and thinness of the noodles are different with each ramen. Ramen is loved all of the Japan. Recently, r…(265 words)

DeepJapan Editor image

DeepJapan Editor

Spectacles of Saitama: 4 Spots to Feel Saitama's Culture and Nature images

Spectacles of Saitama: 4 Spots to Feel Saitama's Culture and Nature

Located directly northwest of Tokyo, Saitama is often confused with simply being a part of Tokyo, but it’s a city of its own, offering all sorts of exciting locations, attractions and activities. Today we’d love to share a few of those places with you! First, we’ll take you downtown to the largest …(936 words)

DeepJapan Editor image

DeepJapan Editor

Kameido Tenjin's birds for good fortune images

Kameido Tenjin's birds for good fortune

Kameido Tenjin Shrine (亀戸天神社) is known as a shrine for people who wish for success in their studies, like passing exams. On January 24 and 25, the shrine has a special event, the usokae-shinji (鷽替神事). Similar festivals are held at a few shrines in Japan, in Tokyo also at Yushima Tenjin, Ja…(241 words)

David image

David

Learning not dressmaking but KIMONO-making images

Learning not dressmaking but KIMONO-making

Last year, I made casual kimono (Yukata) by myself from a roll of cotton fabric. (Kimono is usually made from one roll of fabric.) I was the very beginner and the process was challenging, but I really enjoyed kimono-making.Kimono-making is called Wasai in Japanese. You can learn Wasai in Miyuki…(333 words)

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skymaho

Horseback riding on the beach images

Horseback riding on the beach

Summer is around the corner and the temperature is rising day by day.Time for us to plan our summer vacation. (maybe already done?)Japan is a mountain country surrounded by sea...so we can reach both mountains and beaches easily. Either way is good to escape the summer heat.This time I ch…(298 words)

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Zara

Street Photography in Japan images

Street Photography in Japan

Almost everyone enjoys taking photographs. In Japan, I would venture to say that EVERYONE enjoys taking photographs! Whether it be the camera embedded in modern smartphones or high end digital SLRs, cameras have become an integral part of our lives. And so has photography. My dad was an avid photog…(1485 words)

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Ani

Harmony with Nature at Yokohama's Acclaimed Zoo images

Harmony with Nature at Yokohama's Acclaimed Zoo

Zoorasia is one of Japan's newest, largest and best maintained zoos. Zoorasia was established in 1999, and has since been operating under the themes of "Symbiosis of Life" and "Harmony with Nature". The animals, which number some 400 animals and 68 different species, are generally kept in spacious …(261 words)

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Former Deep Japan Writer

Winter Fruit: Strawberries! images

Winter Fruit: Strawberries!

Best Winter Fruit: Strawberries!The strawberries that are grown in Japan are different varieties than those grown in my home country (U.S.A) and are super large and super sweet! Whereas American strawberries are grown in fields, Japanese strawberries are grown in elevated beds in vinyl greenhou…(221 words)

Andrea Miyata image

Andrea Miyata

'SKIP Ferret & Cafe' in Okayama images

'SKIP Ferret & Cafe' in Okayama

When I recently heard that Okayama City now has a ferret cafe, I knew I had to go. Although I'm not especially "into" ferrets, I enjoy interacting with animals of all kinds, so news of this cafe caught my attention.Apparently there are only a few ferret cafes in the country; I found online refe…(486 words)

Andrea Miyata image

Andrea Miyata

Enospa Sojourn Part 3: “The true meaning of massage and Enoshima Island Spa Bengteng Spa” images

Enospa Sojourn Part 3: “The true meaning of massage and Enoshima Island Spa Bengteng Spa”

... My partner chose to experience the Signature Massage" (see Enospa Sojourn Part 2) ... I went for the 40 minute massage which focuses on the feet mostly going as far as the knees. This was a real foot massage by a kind and polite yet very strong armed professional massage therapist My partner o…(265 words)

Andrew Grimes image

Andrew Grimes

Kumamon, the Japanese Bear Character of the Kumamoto Prefecture images

Kumamon, the Japanese Bear Character of the Kumamoto Prefecture

Kumamon from Kumamoto Prefecture might be a benchmark for how to bring the genki back to regional areas battling the power drain that comes with ultra-ageing and decreasing populations.I visited the Kumamoto Prefecture Tokyo Representative Office in Nagatacho the other day and “upbeat” is the best …(722 words)

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Explore a back street of Shibuya, and you’ll find secret restaurants. images

Explore a back street of Shibuya, and you’ll find secret restaurants.

If you want to visit Shibuya and find a secret place where few tourists are seen and only locals are around, I'd like to recommend the Hyakkendana area in Shibuya’s Dogenzaka town. Hyakkendana means “100 stores” and this used to be the busiest area in Shibuya more than a half century ago. Actually …(512 words)

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Hagi

Craze for Friendly and Cute Rabbits images

Craze for Friendly and Cute Rabbits

T he rabbit is a popular animal in Japan. Many rabbits show up in Japanese fairy tales and children’s stories. Wild rabbits can’t be seen in the center of large cities, but most pet shops have rabbits. In order to get closer to them, some people go to rabbit cafes or visit an island that is home to…(497 words)

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HiraganaTimes

Lots of authentic French bakeries in Japan images

Lots of authentic French bakeries in Japan

Many bakeries in Japan, especially in a trendy area/at a major station building, offer authentic French-style bread. Paul is a well-known French bakery chain, but Jean Francois, Le Pain Quotidien, Bigot, Viron, Aux Bacchanales and many other local bakeries have amazing selections of bread too. …(71 words)

Natchan image

Natchan

Kawasaki St Clare's Church images

Kawasaki St Clare's Church

7:30 PM Dec 24 the Christmas eve service.The church is location near to Chin Kawabashi hospital about 15 minutes by walk from the Kawasaki JR station 20 minutes from Kawasaki Keikyu station.Location: http://4sq.com/uilyuaKaizuka Kyoukai 〒210-0014 Kawasaki City Kawasakiku Kaizuka 1-8-9 r…(52 words)

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idivilayil

Kansai Kyoto ben (Kansai Kyoto dialect) images

Kansai Kyoto ben (Kansai Kyoto dialect)

I was born in Kyoto and raised up in Shiga (next to Kyoto). As I lived in Kansai area until I decided to move to Tokyo for job change when I was 30, people can tell I am from Kansai after talking with me for a while :-)As I was working as a sales back then, I tried not to sound too Kansai perso…(211 words)

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EmiOnishi

Let a Lion Bite Your Head (for Good Luck) images

Let a Lion Bite Your Head (for Good Luck)

If you could use a little more good luck, let a lion help you. Lions protect many shrines and temples in Japan. The dance of the lion dispels evil and calls in good luck. For an extra dose of good luck put your head in the lion's mouth and let it bite you.This is the lion dance, shishi-mai, at Kame…(250 words)

David image

David

Hatsune Miku Wing Shop in Haneda Airport images

Hatsune Miku Wing Shop in Haneda Airport

Open til end of March, the virtual diva Hatsune Miku has not one, but two shops dedicated to her merchandise at the Haneda International Airport! There is one Wing Shop in the domestic flights terminal as well as one in the international terminal. So Hatsune Miku fans traveling from/to Japan as…(137 words)

Alex Kobayashi /Subtokyo image

Alex Kobayashi /Subtokyo

Have you Heard of Hayama Gyu Japanese Beef? images

Have you Heard of Hayama Gyu Japanese Beef?

Just a few days ago, I had an opportunity to visit one of the best “Wagyu Cattle Ranches” in Japan, which is located in the city of Hayama, less than 2 hours train/ bus ride from Tokyo. The ranch is surrounded by serene nature, it lies among a combination of bamboo, cedar forest, a stream and many …(739 words)

AustinA image

AustinA

Have you Heard of Water Shield? It's a Vegetable and No, I haven’t Heard of it Either. images

Have you Heard of Water Shield? It's a Vegetable and No, I haven’t Heard of it Either.

In Japan, this vegetable is called “Junsai” and I remember seeing it in my local supermarket, wondering what it was, and then moving on to the more familiar Nori or seaweed area as usual. This is something I do often, and learn to regret when a new menu translation comes down the pipeline to my des…(541 words)

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Shinsen near Shibuya images

Shinsen near Shibuya

There is an area "Shinsen" which is close to Shibuya on the Keio train line. This area is well known for housing many Japanese celebrities both television and movie. While it may be difficult to actually meet a Japanese celebrity, unless you know exactly who you are looking for, you can see some of…(114 words)

KurtisW image

KurtisW

Home of the Emperor of Japan, Ornate Edo Castle images

Home of the Emperor of Japan, Ornate Edo Castle

I think the best way to access this area is from Yurakucho station. It is an open area that used to be the Edo Castle. It is now home to the Emperor but you can see the remains of the buildings, the moat is huge and if you are really lucky you might actually witness a dignitary visiting the Emperor…(90 words)

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Chigasaki Beach for your Japan Travel images

Chigasaki Beach for your Japan Travel

Have you ever been to a city call “Chigasaki”? It is located central Kanagawa Prefecture between Fujisawa and Hiratsuka city with population of little over 236,000 people and a population density of 6,610 person per square kilometer.I had an opportunity to visit the Chigasaki city taking JR Tok…(301 words)

AustinA image

AustinA

Ethiopian Food in Nakameguro images

Ethiopian Food in Nakameguro

when you would like to try spicy ......try Queen Sheba at Nakameguro.This restaurant was the oldest Ethiopian restaurant in Tokyo.You can try traditional Ethiopian food such as, spicy meat and vegetable in the form of wat (also w'et or wot), a thick stew, served atop injera, a large sourdough f…(91 words)

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yukorose

5 Food Streets in Japan - The Paradise for Foodies ! images

5 Food Streets in Japan - The Paradise for Foodies !

1. Dontobori Food StreetAs the landmark of Osaka, Dontobori is not only the shooting location of many Japanese films and plays, but also the famous paradise for foodies in Japan, which is praised as “the No.1 food of Japan.”The most delicious gourmet here is Tokayoki, Okonomiyaki, sushi, frie…(482 words)

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Alexlovetravel

Wear a kimono and transform into a person from Japan’s Edo period images

Wear a kimono and transform into a person from Japan’s Edo period

The Edo period is a familiar historical time period for those who are interested in Japanese history. The Edo period began in the year 1603 and came to an end in the year 1868. The samurai and ninja were prevalent and flourished in Japan during this time period. Tokugawa Ieyasu formed the shogu…(318 words)

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DeepJapan Editor

We do negotiate prices sometimes in appropriate situations! images

We do negotiate prices sometimes in appropriate situations!

In most B2C cases, Japanese consumers don't negotiate prices and most shop clerks don't have the power to lower them, but in some situations we do! When we go buy electronic appliances, PC's, tablets, etc. at some mass merchandise stores/outlets such as Yamada Denki (LABI), BIC Camera, Yodobash…(348 words)

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maxnino

Curry Rice in Japan : Extra Topping Matters. images

Curry Rice in Japan : Extra Topping Matters.

"Curry rice" (カレーライス) originates in India but it has been loved for decades in Japan as well. Traditional curry rice among Japanese consists of steamed rice with viscous curry sauce covering boiled beef, pork or chicken and can be enjoyed at curry restaurants, ramen restaurants, beef bowl res…(278 words)

Hagi image

Hagi

Dolls Day - March 3rd images

Dolls Day - March 3rd

March 3rd, is Girls' Day in Japan. It's also called Hina Matsuri (Doll Festival).Those who have sets of Hina Dolls display them in their homes on a platform - in tiers- and the tiers are covered with a red cloth. The dolls are called hina-ningyoh. They represent the Emperor, the Empress, and …(515 words)

Joe Peters image

Joe Peters

Cosplay in Harajuku images

Cosplay in Harajuku

Head to Harajuku on a weekend to catch the young and trendy Tokyo crowd! Takeshita dori, the place to find the up-and-coming fashion trends of tomorrow, will be crowded, but a walk is well worth you time.I read an interesting story in Japan Today yesterday about how to deal with your partner be…(215 words)

Emelie Fågelstedt image

Emelie Fågelstedt

Menu Translation in Japan, What a Great Job! images

Menu Translation in Japan, What a Great Job!

I feel very lucky that part of my job is Japanese to English menu translation. Do you know how many little jewels lie silent on that Japanese menu in front of you every time you enter a soba, tempura or tonkatsu restaurant in Japan? Ahhh! Yes, that is right, most people visiting Japan have heard of…(969 words)

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Minshuku, the Best Way to Experience Japan images

Minshuku, the Best Way to Experience Japan

There are many different kinds of ryokan/minshuku in Japan and you can see definitions of them at http://JapaneseGuestHouses.com/ryokan-styles/Personally I like minshukus best as they small and more personable. The owners run the minshuku and cook the meals. They take great pride preparing meal…(141 words)

Jeff Aasgaard image

Jeff Aasgaard

For English books, Bookoff in Jiyugaoka and Naka Meguro images

For English books, Bookoff in Jiyugaoka and Naka Meguro

Since the closure of Bookoff Cafe in Shiroganedai, the Bookoffs in Jiyugaoka and Naka Meguro are probably best equipped with English books. So it seems that these shops picked up most of the used books from Shiroganedai.It should be said that Jiyugaoka recently (February 2014), is offering …(62 words)

Steve image

Steve

Visit the "Castles" of Past Daimyo, Feudal Lords in Japan images

Visit the "Castles" of Past Daimyo, Feudal Lords in Japan

If you are interested in learning about the Edo Period, I recommend visiting one of the many daimyo yashiki (feudal lord mansions) that can still be found in many parts of Tokyo. During the Edo Period, every feudal lord was forced by the Tokugawa Shogunate (the central government) to build and main…(221 words)

GenS image

GenS

Junkudo Books - Ikebukuro Station East Exit images

Junkudo Books - Ikebukuro Station East Exit

Junkudo is a very big bookstore (about 10 stories high) with everything from magazines to children's books to best sellers to the classics. There is a whole floor given over to English books only. One nice feature in this very nice store is that there a chairs dotted around the whole building on ev…(113 words)

Andrew Grimes image

Andrew Grimes

First-Class Cleaning Service on Japan Rails Transforms Into a Science images

First-Class Cleaning Service on Japan Rails Transforms Into a Science

Recently selected as a required course for all 900 students in the Harvard Business School MBA program, TESSEI makes cleaning and keeping the Japanese Shinkansen in mint condition for every single passenger, the new textbook benchmark for efficiency and teamwork.Check out this video report on …(641 words)

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