Live your dream of flying; let Cathay Pacific look after you as you travel to a bustling metropolitan city –Tokyo. It is a major city with a huge history, inspiring culture and art, and outstanding modernization. It was renamed from ‘Edo’to ‘Tokyo’ after the Meiji restoration in 1868. It is one of the world’s most populated cities. The picturesque city is welcoming. Tokyo has less of the ancient buildings as the city has seen massive destruction in the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 and the War of 1945. As a result, the city has a very modern architecture and infrastructure. The city is not only known for its contemporary and vibrant places to visit but it also has some enchanting and mystical islands – The Izu and Ogasawara Islands.
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Best Places To Visit:
Tokyo has an abundance of shopping malls, entertainment, dining, nightlife, art and history, and tourist attractions.
For Shopaholics:
The city is filled with fascinating shopping malls. There are few areas like Harajuku, Aoyama, Ginza, Shinjuku, and Shibuyawhere you can delight your way for shopping pleasure.
- Ginza – One of the renowned shopping districts of the city is Ginza, it has brim-full high-end boutiques, shimmery cocktail bars, and grand restaurants. Ginza Six mall along with Uniqlois one of the best tourist places.
- Shinjuku- Some of the leading chic departmental stores and malls like Takashimaya, Kinokuniya books, NeWoman, Bicqlo, and Sekaido nestle here.
- Shibuya- This special ward holds two busiest stations in the world. Discover trendy and modern shopping centers for clothing, accessories, and more.
- Harajuku- Find clothing, accessoriesand merchandises which are of outrageous fashion and sober and sophisticated.
- Aoyama-Offers some iconic lifestyle stores like Issey Miyake and Comme des Garcons, etc.
Tip: carrying a passport helps tourists get some tax-free items.
For Foodies:
The city brings exquisite gourmet experience with authentic and luscious cuisines in rooftop skyscrapers or glitzy restaurants and hotels also street food.
From traditional areas like Kanda to swanky places like Otemachi and Marunouchi enjoy the best culinary art in Japanese cuisines such as Sushi, Ramen, lightly battered tempura delicacies, and soba buckwheat noodles. The city has around 200 Michelin starred eateries. monjayaki, fukagawa-meshi, dojo-nabe, and chanko-nabe are few local specialties rare to get outside Tokyo.
Some of the Michelin starred restaurants in Tokyo are Ginza Kojyu, Ishikawa, JoëlRobuchon, NihonryoriRyuGin.
Tip: Most restaurants in Tokyo cater to vegetarian food and tipping is not the common culture here.
Tokyo’s Popular Attractions:
Tokyo is a must-see city for its breath-taking attractions. The effervescent city has major historical attractions and scenic places with glittery high rise buildings or simple yet iconic architectures.
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Sensoji Temple
Asakusa’sSensoji Temple is the most visited place by tourists. It is one of the oldest temples having a history of 1400 years.
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Meiji Jingu
Meiji Jingu is the shrine built in remembrance of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken.It is located in Shibuya surrounded by the lush green meadow.
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Hamarikyu Gardens
A soothing place designed to relax and unleash. This place has a great history of feudal lords using the place for recitals and cultivation to falconry and army training.
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Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum
Explore the museum that preserves and exhibits historic buildings in KoganeiPark, Tokyo.
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Olympic Venues
The New National Stadium, the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, Nippon Budokan, and RyogokuKokugikan are some amazing venues to gaze at the stunning sports performances.
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TOKYO Tower
The Tokyo Tower in Minato is the second tallest structure in Japan. It depicts economic growth and development post-war. It is a famous tourist attraction as it stands 1,092 ft in height. It is especially for thrill-seekers and not for the weak-hearted.
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Sumida River
Escape in the alluring illuminations in the night in a lovely cruise along the river witnessing some historic bridges all through the river.
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Anime attractions
For anime and manga fans some of the biggest places are Ikebukuro, Nakano, and Akihabara to explore and shop games, souvenirs, and life-like toys.
Tip:The best times to shop are in January, July, and September around the holiday season.
The Islands
A chain of 11 awesome islands forming from Izu& Ogasawara islands leave you speechless with their wonderful view. You can spend your time in adventure sports or just stroll in serenity. These chains of majestic islands are volcanic each of them will mesmerize you with clear blue waters and epic sea view.