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For decades Tokyo was visited mainly by business people connected with Japan's booming electronics and car manufacturing industries. Today, more and more people are coming to this huge, exciting megalopolis in order to enjoy its vast array of attractions and to experience a little of the almost 'other-worldly' culture that Japan offers visitors from overseas. Tokyo's infinite charms include temples, palaces and gorgeous, intricate gardens as well as a nightlife second to none. As for shopping, Tokyo is world famous for its boundless variety of shops and stores. Visitors in spring can enjoy the special bonus of seeing the fabulous cherry blossoms that attract vast crowds to the city parks. But a trip to Tokyo, at any time, is guaranteed to be a profoundly interesting and enjoyable experience.

Tokyo Attractions

The National Museum of Modern Art
3-1 Kitanomaru Koen, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8322
Tel: +81 3 3214 2561

The National Museum of Modern Art was opened in 1952 as Japan's first-ever national art museum. Since then, the Crafts Gallery and the National Film Centre have also been opened. These three facilities offer a wide range of activities, including the collection and preservation of works of art, craft and film, as well as related materials, surveys and research on these works and exhibitions and screenings organised for the public.

The Imperial Palace
Marunouchi, Tokyo
Tel: +81 3 3213 1111 Ext: 485, 486

An amazing complex that extends over a staggering one million square metres in this most crowded of cities. Three areas are usually open to the public: the Outer Garden, the Eastern Imperial Garden and Kitanomaru Park. These can be reached from the central exit of Tokyo Station's Marunouchi side or Otemachi on the Chiyoda subway line.

Tokyo National Museum
13-9 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-8712
Tel: +81 3 3822 1111

The largest museum in Japan with also the largest collection of Japanese art in the world.

The National Science Museum
7-20 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-8718
Tel: +81 3 3822 0111

National Museum of Japanese History
117 Jonai-cho, Sakura, Chiba Prefecture
Tel: +81 4 3486 0120

Meiji Jingu Shrine
1-1 Yoyogi Kamizonocho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 151-8557
Tel: +81 3 3379 5511

Hara Museum of Contemporary Art
4-7-25 Kitashinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 140-0001
Tel: +81 3 3445 0651

Sugino Costume Museum
4-6-19 Kami-Osaki, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141-8652
Tel: +81 3 3491 8728

Sumo Museum
1-3-28 Yokoami, Sumida-ku, Tokyo 130-0015
Tel: +81 3 3622 0366

Tokyo Shopping Neighbourhoods

Tokyo has various shopping districts famous for specific products. Akihabara is well-known for electronics stores, Shinjuku for camera and book shops, Ginza for department stores and luxury goods, Shibuya and Harajuku for teenage fashion, and Jinbocho for used (and new) books.

Shibuya — Teen fashion

Harajuku — Street/teen fashion

Shinjuku — Cameras, computers

Omotesando — Fashion, luxury brands

Ginza — Department stores, luxury brands

Ueno — Ameyoko Market

Jinbocho — Used and new books

Akihabara — Electrical appliances

Odaiba — Shopping and entertainment on Tokyo Bay

Roppongi — Nightlife area popular among foreigners

Ebisu Garden Place - Pleasant shopping area

Daikanyama — upmarket boutiques

Budokan — Concerts, martial arts

Tokyo Dome — Baseball, concerts

Oedo Onsen Monogatari in Odaiba — Hot spring

Tokyo Disney Resort — Disneyland and Disneysea

(wikipedia content)