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  • Tokyo is the capital of Japan and with a population of nearly 40 million also the largest metropolis on Earth.

  • In the middle of the Greater Tokyo area is Tokyo Prefecture itself

  • and at its most populated core are 23 special wards called "ku."

  • Here you'll find Tokyo's multiple downtown areas which are all connected by the JR Yamanote line.

  • From Tokyo station it's only a few hours by bullet train to several other major cities

  • Despite its size or possibly because of it

  • Tokyo has developed into extremely orderly city with a convenient and reliable

  • public transportation system as well as a remarkably low crime rate. Although it has a high population density it can feel surprisingly

  • suburban or even rural once you venture away from the major railway stations.

  • In the 16th century Tokyo was a small castle town named Edo. It became the political center of the country when the shogun, Tokugawa Ieyasu

  • established his feudal government here in 1603.

  • Quickly Edo grew into the world's largest city and at the end of the feudal period after the Meiji restoration

  • in 1868 it was made the new capital of the country and renamed Tokyo

  • The Emperor's residence was moved from Kyoto to Tokyo and the former grounds of Edo Castle were converted into the new imperial palace.

  • Today Tokyo is one of Japan's premier hubs for culture, cuisine, entertainment, and shopping and also has countless historic

  • temples, gardens, parks, landmark and museums.

  • Here are our top five recommendations in Tokyo

  • Number Five: Akihabara

  • Also called Akiba in the last few decades the Akihabara district has emerged as a center for anime, manga

  • and video game otaku culture in Japan.

  • It has dozens of specialty stores selling everything from figurines to collectible trading cards to retro video games.

  • There are also several multi floor arcades, called game centers, as well as maid cafes other themed restaurants.

  • On Sunday afternoon Chuo Dori, the main street of the area, is closed to car traffic

  • so pedestrians are free walk anywhere they like.

  • Another nickname for the Akihabara district is "Electric Town" because of the many electronic shops here

  • ranging from large department stores selling the latest technology to small stalls selling computer components.

  • Number 4: Meiji Shrine and the Surrounding Areas

  • A few minutes walk from Harajuku Station is the famous Meiji Shrine and its forested grounds.

  • Completed in 1920 the shrine itself is dedicated to the late emperor Meiji, and his consort Empress Shoken.

  • Ruling from 1867 to 1912 made you was the first emperor of Modern Japan.

  • During the Meiji period the country transitioned from being an isolated feudal nation to becoming an industrialized world power

  • The shrines grounds are a peaceful oasis amid the densely built up city.

  • Together with neighboring Yoyogi park, this forested area of Tokyo provides an excellent place to escape the busy city.

  • Near Meiji Shrine are several other worthwhile areas to explore.

  • Just across the street is Harajuku which is known as the center of teenage culture in Japan.

  • Here you'll find the famous Takeshita Dori shopping street

  • As well as the elegant Omotesando Avenue which has many high-end shopping options

  • and is the main approach to Meiji Shrine.

  • Lastly Meiji Shrine is only one stop from Shibuya.

  • The Shibuya District is famous for its shopping and is generally regarded as the capital of young fashion in Japan.

  • This is also where you'll find the legendary Shibuya Scramble pedestrian crossing where up to 3,000 people will cross at each light change.

  • Number Three: Shinjuku

  • Shinjuku is a lively entertainment and business district known for being one of Japan's premier nightlife spots

  • During the Edo era It used to be located outside the city center and was the first

  • rest stop along the Koshu Kaido which was one of the five major trade highways at the time

  • Since then Tokyo has expanded and Shinjuku has become one of its multiple major downtown areas

  • handling over three and a half million passengers every day Shinjuku station has become the busiest train station in the world.

  • To the west of the station is the skyscraper district where many of Tokyo's tallest buildings are located.

  • Among these is the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office Building

  • which has free observation decks on the 45th floor of each tower that provide unique views of the city

  • On the east side of Shinjuku station is the nightlife district.

  • Here you'll find endless dining shopping and entertainment options.

  • A few popular places to explore our Kabukicho with its restaurants bars wild nightlife and neon lights.

  • Omoide Yokocho with its network of alleyways from tiny eateries

  • and Golden Gai which has over 200 small bars and unique restaurants

  • Finally for a change of pace in the Shinjuku area, about a 10-minute walk east of Shinjuku station

  • is Shinjuku Gyoen which is a large and beautiful park which contains three different themed gardens.

  • Number Two: Asakusa

  • One of the best districts to experience old-fashioned Tokyo is historical Asakusa.

  • Located in the center of an area traditionally known as Shitamachi

  • this was a part of the city generally inhabited by common townspeople during the Edo era.

  • The main attraction in Asakuka is Sensoji Temple.

  • Completed in the 7th century, it is one of Tokyo's oldest and most popular Buddhist temples.

  • Leading up to the main temple building is the iconic gate Kaminarimon and Nakamise Shopping Street

  • which is lined with vendors selling local specialty items and souvenirs.

  • Crossing Nakamise Street is Denpoin Street

  • which is designed to look like a street from the Edo era.

  • For food west of Sensoji Temple is Hoppy Street

  • which is a 70 to 80 meter long street that has a nostalgic charm and is lined with Izakaya serving Japanese pub food.

  • About 15min west of Asakusa near Ueno is Kappabashi Street.

  • This unique street has dozens of specialty stores selling everything needed by restaurant operators

  • except for food.

  • From pots and pans to dishes to plastic food samples

  • this street has it all and is an interesting place to wander.

  • A day in Asakusa could easily be combined with a stroll along the Sumida River

  • and a visit to nearby Tokyo Skytree, Japan tallest structure.

  • Number One: Food

  • As a city Tokyo has received the most Michelin stars of any city in the world

  • and offers an amazing range of dining opportunities.

  • Of course, like every region of Japan you can find local specialty cuisine items

  • such as nigiri-zushi, tempura,

  • soba, chankonabe, and monjayaki to name a few.

  • However because people from all over Japan have been relocating to the capital for hundreds of years

  • It's also possible to find authentic regional food from all across the country in Tokyo

  • Similarly the city has become the home of a wide variety of international

  • communities which have brought their local cuisine with them.

  • As a result Tokyo has become an excellent destination for finding a broad range of high-quality international food.

  • There are even several districts with concentrated ethnic specialties

  • such as Koreatown in Shin-Okubo

  • Little France in Kagurazaka

  • and Chinatown in Ikebukuro to name a few

  • It's safe to say there are dining establishments to accommodate all tastes and budgets in Tokyo.

  • You could easily spend several weeks exploring Tokyo and not experience everything

  • But we hope this top 5 list gives you a good place to start.

  • For more information about any of the places mentioned in this video or to explore another region

  • click the links on the screen now or head over to japan-guide.com

  • Your comprehensive up-to-date travel guide first-hand from Japan.

  • Thanks for watching and be sure to subscribe for more videos about Japan.

  • Happy travels.

Tokyo is the capital of Japan and with a population of nearly 40 million also the largest metropolis on Earth.

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