Tokyo City Guide
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
- Official name: Tokyo
- Language: Japanese
- Religion: Shinto and Buddhism
- Currency: Yen
Tokyo Sights and Museums
WHAT TO SEE
- Akihabara is a district in Tokyo where there are way too many electronics stores. If you want the newest gadget or just a cheap CD player, you'll be sure to find it here. It is neat to see all the cool stuff, but if you're not looking to buy anything, it gets boring pretty quickly Shinjuku station is (I think) the busiest station in Japan. More than 2 million people a day go through Shinjuku station. I didn't get to spend too much time in Shinjuku, and I wish I could have spent more. Unfortunately, since I didn't spend a lot of time there I can't comment too much about it, except for the fact that it is indeed very busy and crowded.
- Ginza is the 5th Avenue or Rodeo Drive of Tokyo. This is where the serious go to shop. It has some good nightlife and clubs.
- The Tokyo Fish Market is located down by the Port. Apparently, it is the largest fish market in Asia, and over 80% of the fish consumed in Japan goes through the market (that's what I heard anyway). It is most busy early in the morning - that's when all the buyers come in to get the day's fresh fish. If you can't handle the sight of blood or lots of dead fish (and other sea creatures), then don't bother coming, but otherwise it is interesting to see.
Tokyo Entertainment
EVENTS
- The Hibiya Park Gardening Show marking its 4th year started in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of Hibiya Park, the first western-style park in Japan. Supported by the booming popularity of gardening, the event also attracts an attention from those who are interested in environmental issues and urban greening. A variety of lectures, seminars and symposiums are scheduled during the show, including a nature study tour through the park. Some events require a fee while many free events are also available Discover the benefit of plants and flowers in the nature-rich park right in the center of Tokyo.
- Marking the 19th year, the Tokyo International Film Festival is the only film festival in Japan officially recognized by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations and is one of the world's twelve major international movie festivals. Using Roppongi Hills and Bunkamura as its main event site, the festival is held at different theaters and facilities throughout Tokyo for nine days from Oct. 21.
- Musashimurayama Chamber of Commerce Walking Event. The course for this walking event is designed along the former "low-standard" railroad, which was used in the early Showa period to transport gravel and other materials to build artificial Sayama Lake. Participants may choose either a 11-kilometer Satoyama course (about 3 hours except break) or a 6-kilometer Katakuri-no yu course (about 2 hours except break). Participation is free and a prize is given to those who complete the course. In the park on the course, the same model of the diesel locomotive that was used then is on display along with a "torokko" truck called "nabetoro," a miniature model of G-gauge truck, and photo panels of the former railroad. At the point of satoyama minka (country house), the participants may also enjoy a guided tour, seasonal food corner and old playing corner (10:00 - 15:00).
Tokyo Transports
- Train: The Tokyo train system can seem a bit daunting at first. Many travellers' initial confusion arises from the fact that Tokyo is serviced by a combination of JR, private inner-city subway lines and private suburban lines. This sometimes necessitates switching between not just different trains but also different train systems. There are also 12 subway lines operated by two companies. The subway services are essentially the same and have good connections from one to the other, although they do operate under separate ticketing systems.
- Bus: Many Tokyo residents and visitors spend a considerable amount of time in the city without ever using the bus network. This is partly because the train services are so good and partly because the buses are much more difficult to use. In addition, buses are at the mercy of Tokyo's sluggish traffic flow. Services also tend to finish fairly early in the evening, making buses a pretty poor alternative all round.
- Tram: Tokyo has one solitary tram service still in operation. It doesn't really go anywhere of interest, but it does pass through a couple of areas that haven't been claimed by redevelopment.
- Taxi: The frustrations, jams and high tolls that plague the driver in Tokyo may tempt you to try a taxi, but stick to the public transport system unless you are particularly plump of pocket.
- Walking: The only way to explore areas like Shinjuku, Shibuya and Ueno is on foot, but walking between districts is hard work; you can quickly find yourself in a wasteland of grey buildings and overhead expressways.
- Bicycle: Unless you have a death wish, don't even consider cycling on the Tokyo streets; most locals actually ride on the pavement. There are often piles of discarded bikes around railway stations, but don't be tempted; if it is stolen and you're pulled over by the police to have your serial number checked (which often happens), you may find yourself in trouble.
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