Tokyo

Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo's technological leaps and passion for everything new have made the rest of the world sit up and take notice. A city made of smaller cities, Tokyo's neighbourhoods are individual and unique in what each can offer, from cultural sights to vast shopping malls. Get ready for a whirlwind of modernity and tradition in the neon-lit Japanese capital.

Population:

13.96 million (2021)

Currency:

Japanese Yen (JPY)
¥100 ~ US$0,90

Emergency Numbers:

110 Police
119 Fire & Ambulance

Opening Hours:

Banks are open Mon–Fri between 9am–3pm, major banks/branches are closed on Saturday and Sunday and closed national holidays. Shops are generally open Mon–Sun between 10am–8pm.

Newspapers:

Japan Times, The Daily Yomiuri
Asahi/International Herald Tribune
Tokyo Journal
Metropolis magazine

The City

Before you set your foot outside the hotel door, be aware of Tokyo’s complicated address system. Very few streets have names and instead are identified by numbers indicating building, block and area. 1-11-18, Shibuya, Shibuya-ku would therefore translate as the 18th building of the 11th block of the 1st area of Shibuya in Shibuya ward. Invest in a bilingual map of Tokyo and don’t hesitate to ask police for directions, as even the locals can get confused.

Once you have grasped the navigation system, Tokyo is a delight to get around. The metro is super efficient, the city is clean and people are courteous and friendly. Though addresses may be confusing, Tokyo is divided neatly into 23 wards, each with a certain distinctive characteristic. Visit Asakusa for old-town charm and temples, Ginza for shopping, Mecca and Akihabara for electronics galore. Blend old and new to get a taste of Tokyo’s great diversity.

Variety is Tokyo’s key. Few other world cities are as wonderfully idiosyncratic. International and local influences intertwine in cuisine, festivals, music, galleries, shopping and even accommodation. Bizarre and fast-moving, yet peaceful and intrinsically religious, Tokyo’s identity is above all, distinctly Japanese, despite existing as a world of its own.

Do & See

Whether you’re a techno buff or want to take in some more traditional Japanese sights and sounds, this city can offer it all. Visit splendid Shinto shrines or indulge in some shopping on Tokyo’s equivalent of Fifth Avenue.

Dining

Boasting more than 300.000 restaurants, cafes, and food stalls, the only problem when going for dinner in Tokyo is too much choice. Japanese food is famous for its clean and fresh taste, but here you can really delve into the depths of this oriental cuisine. Sample the best sushi before moving on to more adventurous fare in an izakaya or yatai street stall.

High-end dining can be expensive, but in restaurants such as the New York Grill, there is no doubt that you are paying for the very best in terms of cuisine and, in the former, spectacular views. Many of the more pricey venues offer great deals for lunch, so it is worth making the most of these culinary delights earlier in the day. Book ahead for most places, especially during the weekends and watch out for a particular eating etiquette. Sticking your chopsticks into your rice vertically is a funerary custom!

Cafés

Cafe culture is thriving in Tokyo, where novelties such as the manga craze have taken over many venues. In addition, the Japanese are caffeine fanatics and kissaten, literally, a "tea-drinking shop" that is also a coffee shop, has been set up on every corner to cater to this demand.

During the past decade, Tokyo has seen the emergence of the 24-hour manga kissaten, which offers comic books, internet access, and even a place to sleep for cartoon addicted night owls. Manga, literally translated as "crazy drawings", total almost 40 per cent of everything published in Japan. Magazines can amount to 5 or 6 hours of reading time each, which perhaps indicates the need for around the clock access in manga cafes.