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Tokyo Holidays, Hotels & Travel Guide
Travel guide to hotels & holidays in Tokyo
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Tokyo Holidays Overview
A guide to holidays in Tokyo - As a modern city Tokyo, capital of Japan, could
be described as too good to be true. People dress in the latest
gear, excellent restaurants serve up delicious food of all
varieties, and the trendiest nightclubs keep things hopping. The
public transport system is punctual and one of the most efficient
in the world; and shops and vending machines provide necessities
and luxuries both day and night. Best of all, experiencing the best
of what this city has to offer is inexpensive and often free. All
this is achieved in a city that is home to 12 million people, amid
the confusion of bumper-to-bumper traffic, flickering neon signs
and a crush of humanity packing subways and sidewalks. In the crush
and rush Tokyo remains, remarkably, one of the world's safest
cities with a low crime rate and local people who are only too
willing to spare the time and effort to assist a
stranger.
With such a dense population, Tokyo is
an urban maze of buildings that jostle for space in an unplanned
jumble of grey concrete, which makes it ugly and drab. The city
fills a huge area that seems to go on forever, with no specific
city centre, but rather a succession of districts grouped together.
In the back streets, where timber houses line narrow lanes, there
are reminders that this is exotic Japan: kimono-clad women prune
bonsai trees and colourful neighbourhood festivals take
place. The more one explores Tokyo the more it
becomes obvious that one cannot judge a book by its cover. Inside
the modern buildings the cultural life of Japan is very much alive
and well. Interiors reflect the tranquil minimalist oriental style
and taste of Japan. The city is an exuberant
experience for visitors. It also hosts many museums and is the
largest repository of Japanese art in the world. Then, of course,
it would take forever to exhaust the shopping possibilities in this
megalopolis.
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Tokyo
holidays - Top Places To Go
1. Imperial Palace
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What is it? Japan's Imperial Palace is regarded as the
heart and soul of Tokyo, standing on a huge site that still bears
the remains of Edo Castle, stronghold of the Tokugawa shogunate.
The present palace was completed in 1888 and is still home to the
emperor of Japan. The palace is off-limits but its grounds and
surrounds provide a much-needed green open space for the city with
Higashi Gyoen (East Garden), site of the Edo Castle keep, open to
the public. On 2 January and 23 December each year visitors are
able to enter the inner grounds and see the Imperial family make
public appearances from the balcony. Guided tours of the palace are
offered, but are only in Japanese, although an English pamphlet and
audio guide are provided; these must be reserved in advance through
the Imperial Household Agency. In spring the gardens are abloom
with cherry blossom, particularly along the castle
moat.
Hours of Operation: East Garden is open daily except Monday and Friday
from 9am to 4pm (until 3.30pm between November and February).
Closed from 28 December to 3 January and when Imperial Court
functions take place
Phone: |
2. Yasukuni Shrine
www.yasukuni.or.jp |
What is it? To the north of the Imperial Palace lies the
controversial Yasukuni Shrine, built to commemorate Japanese war
dead and now regarded as home to the souls of about two and a half
million who perished in conflict, mostly in the Pacific War of
World War II. Soldiers fought in the knowledge that their spirits
would find rest and honour at Yasukuni in the after-life. The
shrine has caused controversy for various political reasons over
the years since it was built in 1869 in honour of supporters of the
emperor, killed in the run up to the Meiji Restoration. More
recently, with regard to the country's constitution that requires
the separation of State and religion, cabinet ministers have been
criticised for attending anniversaries of Japan's defeat in World
War II held at the shrine. The shrine is confined behind a huge
steel torii gate, opening onto a long avenue lined with gingko and
cherry trees. The Worship Hall itself is a simple Shinto style
building. North of the shrine is the Yushukan Museum, containing
war memorabilia, some of which is disturbing and thought-provoking
such as the human torpedo and kamikaze suicide attack
plane.
Hours of Operation: Shrine open 24 hours daily. Museum open daily 9am to
5pm (November to February); 9am to 5.30pm (March to
October)
Phone: |
3. Edo-Tokyo Museum
1?4?1 Yokoami, Sumida-ku
www.edo-tokyo-museum.or.jp |
What is it? Tokyo's museum dedicated to detailing the
city's history, art, culture and architecture through the medium of
visual displays is an impressive, not to be missed attraction. Edo
was the old name for Tokyo from its foundation in 1590 when it
became the seat of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun. Exhibits
include a replica of an ancient Kabuki theatre, maps, photographs
and portrayals of the lives of the city's merchants, craftsmen and
townspeople in days gone by.
Hours of Operation: Daily 9.30am to 5.30pm; Saturdays closing at 7.30pm.
Free tours given daily between 10am and 3pm
Phone:(03) 3626 9974 |
Tokyo
holidays - Top Events
1. Sumida River Fireworks Festival
From 2007-07-01
To 2007-07-31
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What is it? Every summer Japan prepares for its numerous
fireworks (hanabi) festivals held throughout the nation. The
biggest of these is the display over the Sumida River, which is a
major event on the cultural calendar of Tokyo, with spectacular
multicoloured layers that blossom into the night sky to awe the
millions of spectators gathered along the banks or in boats on the
river. Many dress in traditional kimono and festival wear for the
occasion. The highlight of the display is a dazzling competition
between highly acclaimed fireworks manufacturers. For more
information contact the Fireworks Office on +81 (0)3 5246
1111.
Where is it? Sumida River |
2. Eric Clapton Live In Tokyo
From 2006-11-20
To 2006-12-09
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What is it? Eric Clapton is arguably the greatest
guitarist alive and has influenced many guitarists playing today.
His touring band consists of Doyle Bramhall II (guitar), Derek
Trucks (guitar), Willie Weeks (bass), Steve Jordan (drums), Chris
Stainton (keyboards), Tim Carmon (keyboards), Michelle John
(backing vocals), Sharon White (backing vocals), Simon Clarke,
Roddy Lorimer, Tim Sanders (The Kick Horns). Clapton has a large
following throughout the world and is playing the far east leg of
his tour until January.
Where is it? Tokyo Budokan |
3. Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival
From 2007-03-15
To 2007-04-17
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What is it? Heralding the beginning of spring, cherry
trees burst into a riot of pink and white blossoms all over the
city drawing thousands of holidaymakers daily for cherry blossom
viewing (hanami). The cherry blossom, or Sakura, is Japan's
national flower and a symbol of Japan. For many years, the Japanese
people have celebrated the cherry blossom season every year, which
depends on the local conditions, but usually starts in Okinawa in
January, reaching Kyoto and Tokyo in late March to early April, and
Hokkaido in late May. They celebrate this popular festival with
hanami parties under the trees with picnics, drinking, singing and
dancing. Street stalls are set up and musicians serenade the merry
picnickers, many of whom are decked out in outrageous costumes and
masks. For more information contact the Tokyo Tourist Information
Centre on (03) 5321 3077.
Where is it? Various |
4. Sanja Festival
From 2007-05-18
To 2007-05-20
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What is it? The Sanja Matsuri or Sanja Festival is the
biggest of Tokyo's three great festivals, along with the Kanda
Festival and Sanno Festival, which alternate every year. During the
annual festival thousands of frenzied devotees gather for
traditional portable shrine processions, ancient ritual music and
dancing, and other festivities. The processions are in honour of
the three resident deities of the Asakusa Shrine, who are paraded
through the streets in huge, elaborately decorated mikoshi or
portable shrines carried on the shoulders of dozens of strong men
dressed in traditional festival clothing, and surrounded by
chanting worshippers. Up to 100 other mikoshi are carried around in
processions meant to bring blessings and good luck to the area and
its inhabitants. For more information contact the Tourist
Information Centre on +81 (03) 3201 3331.
Where is it? Asakusa Shrine area |
5. Japanese F1 Grand Prix
From 2007-10-07
To 2007-10-07
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What is it? The Japanese Grand Prix usually falls towards
the end of the Formula One season and has over the years provided
much excitement, and often been the track to crown the season's
champion. In 2007 the race will move from Suzuka to the Fuji
Speedway in the Shizuoka Prefecture.
Where is it? Fuji Speedway |
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