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

Advice about Tokyo

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The Legendary Tengu

One common statue at various Japanese temples is the Tengu. It is defined by its characteristically long nose, and round face often with a beard that gives it the appearance of an elderly man.The earliest Tengu however were origingally depicted with a beak, likening it to a bird of prey. In fac…(128 words)

KurtisW

Fisherman's Lunch in Tsukiji

If you are looking for a cheap and delicious in Tokyo, I recommend going to the Tsukiji fish market. Tsukiji is famous for being the largest fish market in the world. You may visit it early in the morning to watch the fishermen negotiating the prices for tuna. When you are done with that, DO NOT FO…(134 words)

AustinA

Asakusa-Odaiba Direct Line (Sea & River Boat Cruise)

Asakusa-Odaiba Direct Line connects Odaiba and Asakusa.http://www.sunnypages.jp/travel_guide/tokyo_leisure/water_busses/Asakusa-Odaiba+Direct+Line/1875http://www.suijobus.co.jp/cruise/line/as_od_line.htmlOdaiba (お台場 or simply Daiba 台場) is a popular newly-redeveloped waterfront area wit…(197 words)

maxnino

Beautiful Sumidagawa River near Asakusa or Shinagawa Tokyo. Japan from a river view is truly lovely.

Honestly, when I hear the word "Yakatabune", what comes up in my mind first is; a night river cruise in a decent sized house boat with inner tables, legless chairs installed on a tatami floor in it, where, you are probably with your close friends or good colleagues at work, and will be served tradi…(392 words)

Masa

Did you know you can eat Raw noodles in Japan?

Tsuke-men can be one of the best Ramen Experiences ever! You can get a soft boiled egg along with the dish and I like to cut the egg in half with my chopsticks and put it in the sauce to add the juicy egg-yolk to the mix. You pick up cooler noodles and then dip them into the sauce. This is differen…(163 words)

Theft Prevention

Bike crime in Tokyo is certainly present, so locking up your bike is always a good choice. Because so many people ride bikes in Tokyo, the registration system is somewhat strict, and police will enforce the system by checking bike registration at random, to make sure that the bike belongs to you.…(201 words)

KurtisW

Tsukishima Mizukake Matsuri

Tsukishima is one of the small island in Tokyo Bay. It is famous for its monjayaki street today. Tsukishima in English mean the Island of the Moon, which is quite poetic, but it used to be a place for fishing in the past (it must be why it is called so as fishing occurs early morning, before th…(179 words)

Claire

Omnipresent "KOBAN" - translated as "police detached station"?

You have seen them! They are everywhere, omnipresent, nearly invisible and they are among us: the KOBAN. Koban are small police stations, detached from the main office and in charge of peace within a small territory. Usually, the policemen and women are in the little station, either sitting or …(263 words)

Claire

Hanami

Hanami is the Japanese traditional custom of enjoying the beauty of flowers and people eat “bento” and drink alcohols under the trees. Every television and newspapers share the blossom forecast early March each year, which shows how hanami is a cherished annual event for the whole nation. T…(95 words)

Daijo

Planning An Amazing Trip To Japan, But Not Sure Where To Go?

Are you thinking about or planning a trip to Japan, but not sure where to go?Check out this amazing 2 week sample itinerary that includes some of Japan's most unique & worthwhile places to visit!DAYS 1-3: TOKYO - One of the world’s most fascinating cities! Stay in a modern & stylish hotel (like…(443 words)

Andres Zuleta, Boutique Japan

The Perfect Birthday Dinner at Antonio’s, Minami-Aoyama, Japan

For my mother’s Birthday last night, my sister and I decided to treat her to a special dinner at Japan’s oldest Italian restaurant, Antonio’s. We couldn’t have left more satisfied, a truly five-star experience. Antonio’s was originally established in 1944 by Mr. Antonio who was a chef for the I…(259 words)

GenS

Ride Local Trains for an Different and Deeper View of Japan

The Little station in Yokohama Caught me Off GuardI was there on a visit with my friend Keiji to see one of his colleagues at one of Japan’s largest Engineering firms. It was like a slip back in time to step off the train onto a long cement platform with no safety barrier, no electronic sur…(456 words)

Railway rules - “Mutual Cooperation Culture” in Japanese commuter trains

Rush hours are extreme in Tokyo as well as Japan's other major cities. In order to make this brutal moment of every day less stressful, both commuters and train companies are making invisible efforts.During the morning rush hours, people will get in line and stand in a queue. They will get on train…(449 words)

yumin

Japan’s Farmers Markets

Since the onset of the notion of people bringing their consumable goods together in one area for others to sample, enjoy, and obtain, they were unknowingly creating the concept of markets as we know them today. What might come to mind when I say the word market are smartly lined shelves, refrigerat…(321 words)

Alex

Send Out the Towels

Ikeuchi Organic is a Japanese company that makes towels like no other. Towels are not its only products, but towels are the company's core products. And what wonderful towels they are!The company philosophy is totally organic. Certified organic: There are no chemical fertilizers or agricultural…(813 words)

mikekato

Visiting Nokogiriyama

Earlier this month I was able to visit a mountain a bit further from my normal territory, in Chiba prefecture. Nokogiriyama is located in Futtsu, South Western Chiba, and the name of the mountain translates to "Saw Mountain" due to the mountain region running from East to West creating a saw-toothe…(460 words)

Alex Kobayashi /Subtokyo

Japanese Stationery that Frees Your Creativity

Japan is a country and culture that takes its stationery and stationery shops super seriously - arguably to the point of insanity. For those people who don't care about what pen or pencil they use, the Japanese obsession with office and home supplies probably seems a waste. But for those who do car…(402 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Horseback riding at the foot of Mt Fuji

What's your plan for the next weekend ?If not decided, how about horseback riding ?No, it's not that difficult nor scary experience at all as you might imagine.They can even take the first time riders out for trekking on horses!After learning basic control, how to go forward, turn left or…(289 words)

Zara

A Summer Day Tour in Misaki Port and Jogashima

If you have a day to get out and adventure, I suggest you make your way to Miura's Misaki Port and neighbouring island, Jogashima. Only one hour away from Yokohama, it makes for a perfect day trip.Misakiko, now a thriving tuna port (the locals call it the "City of Tuna), it boasts a fish market…(424 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Untouched, Friendly and Awaiting your Arrival; Shizukuishi, Iwate Japan.

I planned to arrive in Shizukuishi, Iwate Prefecture while the sun was still shining, but a speech in Chiba City delayed my arrival until long after the moon rose on this village of just over 17,000 residents in Northeast Japan. It was a sweltering day with temperatures around 36 degrees Celsiu…(1112 words)

Visit to a Shinto Shrine, steps to follow and their explanations

Working for one of the main Shinto Shrine in Japan, there are a few things that I've been able to study, experiment and understand through my work. Here are a few advice if you wish to make a proper visit of a Shinto place, with the usual respect signs to show to the Gods... that even Japanese …(900 words)

Sam

Enjoy Yokohama on Discount Tickets

The only thing better than visiting Yokohama is visiting Yokohama at discount prices! Thanks to several -often unknown about- special discount tickets - you can!Here's a list of the best values (all tickets are good for one day only):Yokohama-Minatomirai Pass (JR East)The Yokohama-Minat…(547 words)

Former Deep Japan Writer

Dont Forget to Manga-fy Yourself at Purikura! (part 2)

What would it be like to be a fairy princess? What would it be like to have that little pointy chin, big eyes and pouty mouth? Ever since my PuriKura “print club” experience in Kumamoto, I now know exactly how, at least, I would look.Found in almost any game center or resort (ski, hot spring, e…(607 words)

Kokonotuido Home-Fired Suenosato Hand-blown Glassworks Make your own original glass creation

“Kokonotuido Home-Fired Suenosato Hand-blown Glassworks”, where you can try your hand at glassblowing, is a 10-minute bus ride from JR Ofuna Station. After walking through a peaceful rural area for around five minutes, Haruka Sato and Kaname Onoguchi came to meet me from the glassworks (photo 1).…(777 words)

Kanagawa　P.G.T.D.

The Roof of Japan: where sakura bloom in Golden Week within 3 hours of Tokyo!

One of the top things that visitors from overseas want to see when they come to Japan is, of course, the sakura (cherry) blossoms. Timing as they say, is everything and this very much applies to sakura (cherry) blossoms. Sakura blossoms are ephemeral things: the blossoms only last a week and when …(542 words)

Phil

How to be successful at a japanese-english bilingual fair. Be an explorer.

Career Forum is a bilingual job fair organized by DISCO International worldwide (Boston, Tokyo, Osaka, London,etc). You have to register through the CFN website. Rome wasn't built in one day. Finding a job is a lengthy process. Furthermore, nothing could guarantee you to win the first prize: a …(645 words)

Naoka

Cycling the scenic Seto Inland Sea

If you're looking for a holiday in Japan which involves stunning scenery, great food and some moderate exercise then the Setouchi Shimanami Kaido Cycling route is for you. The cycling route runs for about 70 kilometres across 6 islands and bridges of the Seto Inland Sea, linking Imabari City in Ehi…(605 words)

Phil

Tokyo walks: Asakusa to Kuramae

Walking is a great way to explore Tokyo. Go for a walk and keep your eyes open. Start your walk in Asakusa at the famous red Kaminarimon Gate that marks the entrance to Senso-ji Temple. If you have questions about getting around or need a map, ask at the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Cent…(705 words)

David

Washi: Japanese traditional paper in Yamanashi

Yamanashi prefecture is a beautiful area boasting three of the highest mountains of Japan. The most famous is, of course, Mt. Fuji. Yamanashi can be easily accessed from Tokyo, the largest city in Japan. From Tokyo, it takes only 2 hours to Yamanashi. The Kofu valley is at the center of the prefe…(1474 words)

DeepJapan Editor

Japan off the Beaten Track: 13 Things to Do, the DeepJapan Experience

Where would you want to go if you traveled to Japan? You might think of the typical places like Kyoto, Osaka, and Tokyo, but why not try somewhere different? Somewhere people don’t always visit? Japanese countryside areas have a lot of great ways to show you the local lifestyle, real Japanese cultu…(1231 words)

DeepJapan Editor

Food in Taito

If you are one of many food lovers around the world, you must know that Japanese food is amazing. In Japan, food is sacred. When preparing a dish, only the freshest, highest quality ingredients are used. These ingredients along with the painstaking and meticulous mode of preparation set Japanese cu…(637 words)

Taito-kun

Spring in Japan is cherry blossom season

Sakura – cherry blossom time“Sakura are all things cherry, everything cherry blossoms and cherry trees. Think of sakura as a season in Japan, the height of spring... Hanami, written with the characters for flower and to see, is just that: seeing the flowers. Taking a walk and looking at the che…(460 words)

DeepJapan

My Top 7 Japan Travel Advice for Filipinos

Due to its popularity, Japan remains among the top country’s Filipino travelers want to visit. I can only agree that this is a good choice since the country has so much to offer. Even though it is famous for being expensive in terms of commodities, transportation, and accommodation, I urge Filipino…(1114 words)

Ada

Getting contact lenses in Japan - Megane Super

There are a lot of contact lens and eye glasses super stores around Tokyo, but I have always had a good experience at Megane Super. You do need to get an eye exam the first time, but that is easy enough and not too expensive, probably about 3500 JPY.Then they fit you for your lenses, most l…(103 words)

William Nealy

Tama River Rafting

Flowing from high in the mountains of Yamanashi the Tama River makes its way to the ocean after traversing a nearly 140 kilometer long trail. The last several kilometers of the river is the dividing line between Tokyo and Kanagawa. The river is dammed along the way, forming Lake Okutama, a major so…(616 words)

Joe Peters

Breakfast in Japan

Japan just doesn't have the "eat breakfast out" culture the way that , say , the USA has with diners offering breakfast almost anytime, or cafes in Europe offering coffee, breads/cheese and pastries.A typical breakfast for the Japanese is fish with rice, pickles, natto (fermented beans) and mi…(170 words)

slapshot

Nakameguro is very Female Friendly!

The neighborhood of Nakameguro (nickname Nakame) is packed with great little boutiques, cafes, and restaurants. The beautiful tree lined canal (cherry blossoms in hanami season) is perfect for a day out with friends, or a lovely afternoon on your own. The range in this small neighborhood is amazing…(124 words)

LShannon

Tokyo Union Church is great for English Language Services in Japan

If you are planning to shop at Omotesando Hills or go to the Oriental Bazaar, Tokyo Union Church is situated just along the main Omotesando road on the left when you have Harajuku ahead of you. This is the church where many expats go and it would be a familiar protestant service for visitors from t…(106 words)

Yokohama Bay

Just south of Tokyo, about 30 minutes by train, you'll find Yokohama, the first major international port at the beginning of the Meiji period in Japan. You will definitely find yourself spending at least a day or two in Yokohama during your time in Tokyo, so it is a great place to get a little bit …(129 words)

KurtisW

Take a trip to the beautiful port city of Yokohama in Japan!

If you have a full day to spend and you’re in Tokyo, I recommend taking a trip to the port city of Yokohama, especially if it's a beautiful day. On a sunny day, the Minatomirai area with its series of shopping malls, amusement park and hotels situated around a bay is a must see! Yokohama is only ab…(303 words)

GenS