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Destination facts

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Where is located

How to get there

Airplane

Local public transportation

Subway, Commuter Train, Bus

Time Zone

(GMT+9:00) Asia/Tokyo (Japan Standard Time)
Local Time in Destination: 14:36

Elevation

3m

Top 5 landmarks

  • Shibuya Crossing
  • Imperial Palace
  • Ueno Market
  • Tokyo Government Building
  • Shinjuku

Personal Rating

Food: 10 / 10
Nightlife: 10 / 10
Landmarks: 10 / 10
Activities: 10 / 10
Mobility: 9 / 10

Weather in Tokyo

Tokyo: The most bustling capital in the world

Once you land in Tokio Haneda airport you realise that this country is different from other countries. The first impression someone is getting from a country that visits escpecially if it is an island or consists of islands is the airport and everyone knows that the first impression matters.

Politeness and hospitality is written big in the vocabulary of the Japanese people and this is made clear once you talk with the people in the airport regardless if it is the airport staff, security officers, sales persons etc.

After you finish with the security and passport check you have to take the train that connects with the city center. Tokyo has two airports Haneda Airport and Narita Airport. Haneda Airport is much closer to the city center. A fare with the train costs 270 Yen (6.2024) which is approximately 1,60 Euro or 1,70 US Dollars. You can also buy a 72 hours subway ticket that is exclusively only for tourists and costs 1500 Yen (6.2024) which is around 9 Euro or 9,5 US Dollars. You can buy additional 72 hours tickets before its expiration in big subway stations such as the Ueno Station.
Tokyo city has around 14 Million citizens. The urban area of Tokyo has more than 39 Million citizens making Tokyo the biggest metropolis in the world. But Tokyo wasn’t always like that. Before the 17th century Tokyo was just a small fishing village.

History of Tokyo

Tokyo was before the year 1868 known as Edo. Only after 1868 the city changed the name from Edo to Tokyo (which means Eastern Capital). The city has suffered some disasters such as the Great Kanto Earthquake at 1923 and the bombing raids during World War II. The people of Tokyo and Japan refuse though to leave their country undeveloped and rapidly the city has been transformed to a modern megacity making also Tokyo home for 29 of the world's largest 500 companies.

In the 20th and 21st centuries, Tokyo became the first city in Asia to host the Summer Olympics and Paralympics in 1964, and again in 2021, and it also hosted three G7 summits in 1979, 1986, and 1993. Tokyo is an international research and development hub and an academic center with several major universities, including the University of Tokyo, the top-ranking university in the country.

Tokyo Station is the central hub for the Shinkansen, Japan's high-speed railway network, and Shinjuku Station in Tokyo is the world's busiest train station.

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What to do there

Of course in a megacity of more than 39 Million citizens are lot of things to see and do.

First of all it is highly recommended to visit the Imperial Palace. You can reach it easily with the subway.

Take a look of the whole Tokyo from the Tokyo Government Metropolitan Building. Also easily accessible with the subway. The stop station is the E28.
Another highlight that you should definitely not miss is the Shibuya area and the Shibuya Crossing. There where thousands of people are crossing the road when the traffic light goes green for the pedestrians. The station is accessible from three different subway lines.

Some streets above Shibya is the Shinjuku and the main shopping district area. There you can find many anime stores and be again a child. Kabukicho street contains a numerous of eating spots and is a street full of life and colors. Definitely worth a visit.

If you want to learn more about the history of Tokyo and Japan you can visit the National Museum and the National Garden. Also of course accessible with the subway.
Another beautiful park in Tokyo is the Yoyogi Park. It is accessible with the Chiyoda Line and the stop station is the C02. There is a small admission fee of around 2 Euro / 2.5 US Dollars but it is worth the visit.

Another highlight is the Tokyo Tower a Tower that resembles the Eifel Tower in Paris. Also you should definitely visit it.

What would be of course Tokyo without some local and traditional shopping. The local market of Ueno offers a variety of local products and if you would like to buy some souverins back home then you should also visit this market. The market is accessible via the Ueno Station. There are two subway lines that are running from the station so the market is easily accessible.

Another local market is the Asakusa Market. The Market is accessible from two subway lines. Also in the near proximity of the Asakusa Market is the Temple of Asakusa that you should also don’t miss to visit it.

If you are a fish fan then you should visit the Toyosu Market. The market is also accessible with the subway of course.

Please note that Tokyo is a megacity and the rush hour in the subway practically never ends.

What to eat there

Japan has a huge tradition in food so there is a big variety of tasting experience for all the types of food. Some of the recommendations are:

  • Takoyaki with octopus
  • Katsu chicken curry
  • Tonkatsu
  • Different types of Ramen
  • Yaki Gyoza
  • Dumplings
  • Waguy Beef

Where to stay there

I highly recommend the Hotels of the APA Hotels chain. They are all over the Tokyo. If you are using the Haneda Airport I recommend the APA Hotel Kamata-Ekimae that is close to the train station Keikyu Kamata and has easy access to the airport.

How to get there

Tokyo has 2 Airports. The Haneda Airport and the Narita Airport. Haneda Airport is more close the city center while Narita Airport is outside of the city. Both Airports are of course accessible with the train without any problems.

Arrivals inside the last hour in Tokyo Airport

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