Description Tokyo often includes the adjective "most": the most populated city of the planet, for many years the most expensive city in the world, Tokyo is the most crowded metro, and the city ranks first among the world's largest agglomerations for GDP .But all this will not frighten the inquisitive traveler - Tokyo is actually not as huge as it seems, but the developed system of public transport allows you to move around the city without any problems .For a week or two, it will be difficult to cover all the fun in Tokyo, but it's worth it to try .

Tokyo review

On the first day, an overview bus tour can become a good help in getting acquainted with the city (in English). Looking at the main tourist sites with one eye, in the following days it will be easier to choose what you want to see in detail. All interesting areas of Tokyo can be reached by the ring and radial branches of the JR (electric train). It is noteworthy that the city center in the usual sense in Tokyo does not exist - the city consists of 23 self-governing districts.

Gardens and parks

The unique heritage of Japanese culture - stunning gardens and parks, many of which were part of the temple complexes .Without them one can not imagine modern Tokyo .The most popular are Ueno-koen, Kitanomaru-koen (Park of the northern gates of the imperial palace), Yoyogi-koen (admission is free) .One of the best Tokyo parks - this was intended in due time for the emperor Shinjuku-gyoen (entry 200 yen) .April is the traditional month for the Sakura Festival in city parks .Tokyo Gardens are most often hand-crafted spaces with carefully selected vegetation and a thoughtful landscape .

Temples of Tokyo

In Tokyo, a huge number of Shinto (pagan) and Buddhist temples .The first are indicated on the maps by an arch, and the latter by a stelo on a pedestal or a swastika .Not far from the Imperial Palace there is a Shinto shrine built in 1869, Yasukuni-jinja (Ichigaya station of the JR Chuo Line line) .After World War II, the temple was dedicated to the compatriots killed in hostilities .The Yushukan museum, open at the temple, details the events of those years .One of the most monumental temples of the city is the Buddhist Zojo-ji, erected in the late 14th century (Toei Oedo Line, Akabanebashi station) .And the Senso-ji temple is noteworthy for a 53-meter pagoda in five floors, this is the second-highest pagoda in the whole of Japan .

Traditional Japanese culture

Tokyo Attractions are not limited to architectural wonders and historical sites .On a trip to the capital, you can enjoy immersion in traditional Japanese culture: visit a tea ceremony or training sumoists, dine under a geisha playing, take a couple of lessons in possession of a samurai sword, relax in a shiatsu massage session or stroll around the city in a rented kimono .One of the gastronomic pleasures of this kind is the dinner of Kayseki .The ceremony consists of tasting several dishes in small portions of unique ceramic dishes, a sense of focus on taste is enhanced by finding it in a separate room, the windows of which ideally go into a secluded garden .

In addition to the traditional Japanese sushi in Tokyo, it is worth trying the expensive delicacies - sushi from the whale and "o-toro" - sushi from the fatty parts of tuna, which is melting in the mouth. A tiny piece will cost you $ 5-6, but the whole fish is sold at the famous tuna auction for no less than $ 20,000. Trades are held from 5 to 6 am on the market Tsukiji and attract hundreds of tourists. This world's largest fish market is closed on Sundays, national holidays and on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month.

Tokyo baths

Communicate to the hedonistic side of life of the average Japanese can, if you go enjoy yourself in onsen .This is a kind of public baths, where the main procedure is immersion in a very hot bath with mineral (or ordinary tap) water .Many onsen offer in addition to baths under the roof or in the open air a wide range of spa pleasures: massage, sand baths, peeling, foot care with the help of Garra Rufa fish, eating dead skin cells, cosmetic procedures and, of course, food and drinks .

Modern Tokyo

The most, perhaps, non-standard entertainment in Tokyo - a visit to Ikebukuro Bosai-Kan - the center of information about the rules of conduct during the earthquake. In addition to lectures and video viewing, the short course includes simulating a 7-point earthquake, leaving an unforgettable experience. Classes are free of charge, the address of the center is 2-37-8 Nishi-Ikebukuro, Ikebukuro station of the JR Yamanote line.

If there is very little time left for comprehending modern Tokyo, it is worth spending it for a walk along the boulevard Omote-Sando, whose architectural appearance has developed over the last decade, and climb to one of the city's observation platforms to look Tokyo with a farewell glance from a bird's eye view .The best view of the city opens at sunset from the Roppongi Hills heliport (entry 1800 yen, but you can buy a ticket in advance at the Seven-Eleven or Family Mart mini-market for 1,500 yen) .Free you can get to the observation deck in one of the towers that complete the building of the government of Tokyo Prefecture (Tokyo Tocho), - in December-January from there you can even see the Fujiyama volcano .

All prices are for March 2012.

Author - Gulshat Zakirova