The city of Tokyo is the capital of modern Japan

Ancient capital

The founding date of Edo is 1185-1333, during the Kamakura samurai regime. It was named after the governor of the Kanto region, Edo Shigenaga. Thanks to the accessibility of land and sea routes, the ruler decided to turn this settlement into his own headquarters. Also due to the decision of the Minamoto prince Tokugawa Ieyasu to establish the Tokugawa shogunate there in 1603 , Edo was transformed into the capital it is today.

Emperor's residence on the island of Honshu

A lot of time has passed since the founding of the imperial residence in the city of Heijō-kyo in 710. For 74 years, the entire basic life of the royal family and the territory under its control depended on the decisions that were born in the imperial palace. The structure of the ancient capital of the Land of the Rising Sun was largely subordinated to the traditions of China. A wide road began its journey from the palace of the supreme rulers; residences for the emperor’s vassals, temple complexes, Buddha sculptures and other monuments of oriental architecture were built in an important settlement for the country.

History of the city's development

By 1721 it had become the most populous city in the world. It was the political and commercial center of Japan, thanks to the strength of the government. It was considered especially important in an economic sense, but was able to take the title of “capital” from Kyoto only after the Meiji Revolution.

During this period, supporters of the Emperor fought to return the Meiji ruler to the throne and deal with the feudal system. The country's last shogun, Tokugawa Yoshinobu, ceded rule and position to Meiji when the troops were defeated by the imperial army.

Including, the territory of the city of Tokugawa was transferred to the new ruler. Instead of trying to transfer the power, influence of the city to the capital, Edo became the new home of the Emperor, then the capital of the country. Received the name of the “ Eastern Capital ” - Tokyo.

The modern capital of Japan is a new city, but already with a difficult fate. In September 1923, the Great Kanto Earthquake struck Tokyo. Fires caused by the earthquake burned the center to the ground. During World War II, the city was crushed by American bombings, again destroyed and burned.

What is the first capital of Japan known for now?

On the island of Honshu, among green fields, small hills and dense forests, on the southern shore of Lake Biwa, the small town of Nara lives and is still alive in the pristine splendor of precise architectural and geometric proportions. This is what the very first capital of Japan is now called. Millions of curious tourists from all over the world come every year to admire this legendary place for the country. Those who are lucky enough to visit here will be given a unique opportunity:

• look into your own soul in the serene peace of Toshodaiji Monastery and leave its walls completely freed from heavy internal doubts;
• experience the magic of the collection of deity statues in the “Temple of Prosperity of Law”;
• become happy by touching the Miroku-bosatsu sculpture in Kofuji’s “Shrine that Generates Happiness”;
• feed cookies to the “sacred deer” of Nara in the city’s park area;
• enjoy natural landscapes, because this is a place where centuries-old monuments coexist harmoniously with clean ponds, forested areas, mountains, and corners of nature almost untouched by man.

The first capital of Japan - a pretty ancient Japanese town that keeps the magical secrets of the emperors of the Land of the Rising Sun, will forever remain in the hearts of everyone who comes here to touch the centuries-old history of the powerful eastern power.

Tokyo now

The current city is a rich, lively and densely populated metropolis (about 13.5 million people). The area reaches 14034 km² . The coat of arms (better said, the emblem) depicts the sun emitting energy in 6 directions.

The Tokyo region consists of Tokyo and three neighboring prefectures :

• Saitama;
• Chiba;
• Kanagawa.

The area is home to 30% of Japan's population . The National Capital Region consists of Tokyo and seven surrounding prefectures:

• Saitama;
• Chiba;
• Kanagawa;
• Ibaraki;
• Tochigi;
• Gunma;
• Yamanashi.

The Tokyo metropolis consists of administrative divisions of special wards and municipalities . The "Central" region is divided into 23 special districts (ku in Japanese). The islands of Izu and Ogasawara are also the administrative part of the city.

The main areas of the capital to visit:

1. Ginza is popular for restaurants, 5-star hotels, clubs, boutiques, and museums. Main attractions: Marunouchi Skyscraper, Emperor's Palace, Kabuki Theater.
2. Harajuki with the authentic Takeshita Dori street, ancient temples in this area - Togo, Meiji.
3. Asakusa features elements of an ancient Japanese city. The temples of Sensoji and Dampoin for Buddhists are located here, and festivals are held. The majority of parks, museums, galleries, and a zoo are located in Ueno Park.
4. Roppongi is an area of ​​interest for tourists and local residents of the country. There are bars, restaurants, pubs, clubs. Roppongi Hills is a place of entertainment, hotels, cinemas. The district contains skyscrapers, the Mori and Suntory museums - for lovers of contemporary art, and the National Art Center. Suitable areas for stopping foreigners: Akasaka, Roppongi, Hiroo.
5. Odaiba - coastal area, continues on the artificial islands of the bay. Here is the famous Rainbow Bridge, the 26-story Fuji TV building with panoramic views, the National Science Museum, and the Marine Science Museum.
6. Akihabara is a noisy district with billboards and colorful signs. Shopping area with the latest technical products, hundreds of electronics stores.

must-see attractions include: Shibuya Crossing, Tsukiji Fish Market, Yasukuni Shrine, Jojoji Shrine, Meiji Shrine. You can appreciate the scale of the city from the Tokyo and Sky Tree television towers.

Kyoto - the cultural capital of Japan

For 1200 years, Kyoto was the capital of the Japanese state and its main cultural center . Due to the fact that during the Second World War Kyoto was almost not damaged by bombing, it managed to preserve its economy much better than many other cities. Ancient villas, palaces, ancient shrines and temples here easily coexist with small villages, comfortably located on the slopes of the hills surrounding the city. While enjoying the amazing landscape, in Kyoto you also become familiar with the rich historical past of Japan.

In the old quarter of Gion you can still see geishas, ​​in the Kamigyo-ku traditional textile makers (Nishijin Ori), and in Fushimi you can see those who make sake. Numerous artisans and owners of small shops sacredly honor the traditions of the past, preventing the original Japanese culture from completely disappearing under the pressure of time and progress. Although, of course, it cannot be said that everything in Kyoto is old or outdated: modernity inexorably gets here, and many blocks are completely transformed during the construction process, losing their “historical” face. However, here you can still find classic Japanese houses ( machii ) - wooden buildings with tiled roofs and beautiful, specially decorated facades.

Gion Quarter

Locals say: “To know and understand Kyoto, you have to live here your whole life.” However, most tourists usually come here for just a few days. The ideal option is a week, especially if you add excursions to the cities of Ohara, Kumano, Uji or Nara. But if you don’t have more time, you can see the main attractions in a couple of days.

get to Kyoto from Tokyo by Japan Railways (JR) Shinkansen train on the Tokaido Line, which takes two hours and fifteen minutes. from Osaka to Kyoto , which also runs on the Tokaido Line from the Shin-Osaka platform in just 25 minutes.

History of Kyoto

In 794, Kyoto became the residence of the Japanese Emperor, which had previously been located in the vicinity of Nara. The new location was chosen for cult rather than strategic reasons: the city is surrounded on three sides by mountains, but open to the south, and two rivers flow through it from the north. Initially, Kyoto was called Heian-kyo - “Capital of Peace and Tranquility” , and its construction was carried out according to the classical Chinese model - with a regular, strict layout of all avenues and streets.

Over time, the city began to be called simply "Kyoto", which means "capital" in Japanese. In addition to being the epicenter of political life, it was also an important religious center and a battleground for various Buddhist sects. The most important temples of Kyoto are the living heritage of each of them: – Enryakuji (Tendai sect), Toji (Shingon sect), Nanzenji, Tenryuji, Daitokuji (Zen sect) and Nishi-Honganji (Jodo Shinshu sect).

Tokyo

History of Tokyo

We can talk about the past of the capital of Japan for a long time and in the most picturesque colors, but we still cannot cover all of its eventful, centuries-old history, so we will dwell on the brightest pages of the almost 600-year-old chronicle of Tokyo.

1910, Ginza district of Tokyo. View looking west down Harumi-dori towards the Imperial Palace. The Hattori Clock Tower was considered the most recognizable landmark of the area.

The founding date of the city is considered to be 1457, when the samurai Edo Castle, whose name translates as “entrance to the bay,” was built in its place. The very convenient location on the plain and at the intersection of trade routes, not far from a bay convenient for the construction of ports, contributed to the development of the settlement that subsequently arose around the castle. A century and a half was enough for the city to acquire greater significance, beyond the boundaries of the regional center, however, not yet going beyond.

The transformation of Edo - the settlement then had the same name as the fortress - into the main city of Japan is associated with the name of the first shogun Ieyasu, who came from the noble Tokugawa family. He extended his power to the future capital in 1590 and became a very influential person at court. Formally, after the emperor, he was the second most important figure on the imperious Olympus, but in fact, he was the ruler of the country. Ieyasu Tokugawa became the founder of an entire dynasty that ruled until 1867. Edo Castle became her residence and remained so until the events that became known in Japanese historiography as the “Meiji Restoration.” During the time of the first shogun, rapid construction began in the city.

Tokyo in 1960

By the middle of the 18th century, Edo became one of the largest cities in the world. By the early 1790s, it, including the surrounding area, had more than 1.3 million inhabitants. However, the port status of this de facto main city of then Japan was poorly used, which threatened with sad consequences on a national scale. Edo, and all of Japan, could be under occupation: the first signal was the “visit” of the American commander Matthew Perry in 1853-1854. With the beginning of the so-called “Meiji Restoration,” the power of the Tokugawa shoguns came to an end, and many changes took place in the life of the country, as a result of which the island empire embarked on the path of rapid industrial growth. In 1869, the emperor and his entire court moved to Edo (before that, the residence of the head of state was Kyoto), the city was renamed Tokyo, and it became a full-fledged capital.

Rapid industrialization in a matter of decades turned the new capital into the flagship of the Asian economy. The terrible earthquake of 1923, during which there was enormous destruction and many people died, seemed to throw Tokyo far back. Only the resilient Japanese, accustomed to looking only forward and following the path of progress, quickly restored their capital. The Second World War, or rather its final stage, also had catastrophic consequences for the city. Until 1944, the seemingly invincible Kwantung Army conducted successful military operations throughout the Pacific region. But then a radical turning point occurred in the war, and American military aircraft began circling over Tokyo, dropping deadly bombs on the city. As a result, hundreds of thousands of Tokyo civilians died, and the survivors took refuge in rural areas of the country.

Streets of Edo in the 17th century

After the war, Tokyo began to recover quickly, becoming the clearest example of the Japanese economic miracle, which is still talked about today. The Americans bombed the city - they also provided great assistance in its restoration in record time. Overseas investments played an important role in the rapid growth of industry. The capital of the Land of the Rising Sun literally before our eyes has turned into a leading global industrial center - one of the largest in the world. Industrial products produced here were mostly exported.

But accelerated industrialization also had its downside - a negative one, manifested by a number of problems. However, the Japanese would not be Japanese if they could not successfully solve at least some of them. In 1964, Tokyo hosted the XVIII Summer Olympic Games. In preparation for the grandiose sporting event, Tokyo residents built a network of modern highways, thanks to which traffic on the streets returned to normal. A high-speed railway line connecting the capital with Osaka also appeared in time for the Olympics. It became the prototype of modern highways that encircled the entire country.

Tokyo in 2000

Tokyo's economy has experienced not only ups, but also downs. The fuel and energy crisis of the early 70s of the last century was a serious blow to it. But, as they say, every cloud has a silver lining: the economy, having taken a new path, began to rise from its knees. In Tokyo, energy-saving industries and IT technologies have developed greatly, but the so-called traditional industry has begun to lose its dominant position. It became obvious that high-tech technologies are the right and win-win path to the future, to new heights and achievements.

This development path remains a priority for the capital of Japan in the 21st century. Currently, Tokyo is the largest financial, investment and information center of the entire post-industrial world and the undisputed capital of the “new Asia”. This status is unlikely to be lost in the foreseeable future.

Attractions

The epithet “most” is often used in relation to Tokyo, and deservedly so. We have already said above that this is the most populated metropolis on the planet. Let's add that here is the longest metro in the world. And the capital of Japan is the largest agglomeration on Earth in terms of GDP and the most expensive city. But all this is unlikely to scare off inquisitive travelers. In fact, Tokyo is not as huge as it might seem at first glance, and the developed network of urban transport makes it easy to move around it, getting to know interesting sights.

Tokyo from above

One of the hallmarks of Tokyo is the Palace of the Emperor of Japan, located in the city center and surrounded by dense greenery. The palace complex, covering 7.5 km², is surrounded on all sides by ancient walls, moats and canals. Access to the residence of the head of state is limited, except for the fact that on certain days the Oriental Park, built in traditional Japanese style, is open to the public. Excursions to the palace courtyard without visiting the palace usually last 1 hour 15 minutes and are organized by appointment. The audio guide “speaks” in Japanese and English. The best time to visit the palace is March-April, when sakura and plum trees bloom.

Imperial Palace Park in Tokyo

The private imperial chambers, hidden from the views of outsiders, are under strict security. The high status of the palace is also evidenced by the fact that it is forbidden to lay a subway underneath it, and aircraft should not fly in the sky directly above it. Emperor Akihito himself, Empress Michiko and the entire ruling family can be seen by his subjects twice a year: on the Emperor’s Birthday on December 23 and on January 2, on the occasion of the New Year. The most august persons greet the people gathered on the square from the balcony, behind bulletproof glass.

Fushimiyagura Watchtower

Nijubashi Steel Bridge

From the time of the shogunate, the Fushimiyagura watchtower and the Nijubashi steel bridge have been preserved in the imperial palace complex. In the middle of the last century, a building was built here, which was named in an elegant Japanese manner: the Peach Garden Music Hall. Concerts of both traditional Japanese and classical music take place within its walls. Their Majesties are known to be great fans of the classics, and also play musical instruments themselves. Together with our famous virtuosos Mstislav Rostropovich and Yuri Bashmet, the Emperor and Empress even staged joint performances in the palace.

Ginza

Now let's move to one of the most famous, fun and noisy areas of Tokyo - Ginza. Its name translates as “coin” and it is really popular among tourists. Once you are here, it immediately becomes clear how suitable this name is for this quarter. There are countless shops here, there are popular shopping centers, not to mention cafes, restaurants and clubs, the prices of which are sometimes unreasonably inflated. In other words, Ginza seems to be specially created so that money does not linger in your wallet and migrates to the pockets of the owners of all these shopping and entertainment establishments. The quarter got its name thanks to the Mint, where Japanese silver coins were minted from the 17th to the 19th centuries.

Ginza's main street is the semi-pedestrian Chuo. Traffic on it is blocked from 14:00 to 17:00 on Saturdays and from 12:00 to 17:00 on Sundays. One of the most famous buildings in the quarter is the Ginza-Wako Tower, built in 1932, whose premises are occupied by boutiques with a diverse range of products and jewelry stores. Ginza is also known as the place where the headquarters of the world's flagship electronics company, Sony, is located. You can see the latest models of TVs, cameras and game consoles and get acquainted with the latest developments in the company's numerous showrooms.

In the heart of Ginza is the popular Kabuki-za theater - one of the most unusual in the world, which has become a source of national pride for the Japanese. For this smart nation, the named temple of Melpomene has become a real standard, and it is difficult to say what exactly it is about it that captivates them so much: perhaps the rich costumes, or maybe the ornate semantic load of the performances or even the “crazy” makeup of the actors. The theater has a seating capacity of 1,964 spectators, but tickets should be purchased in advance as there may not be any seats.

Chuo pedestrian street

Kabuki-za Theater

Everyone who loves cars and speed in Tokyo invariably flocks to the Toyota Mega Web exhibition center - the main automobile museum of the Land of the Rising Sun. It is also a showroom of a world-famous concern and a fantastic amusement park. For fans of really cool cars, visiting here is tantamount to a pilgrimage to a holy place. The museum occupies several floors of the huge Palette Town entertainment center and introduces visitors not only to the cars of the past, but also of the future. Toyota Mega Web has six permanent exhibitions where cars of different models, ages and designs are displayed.

Toyota Mega Web

Children will not be bored in Tokyo either, especially within the walls of the local Disneyland - the first in the world built outside the United States. The entertainment center is also one of the popular business cards of the Japanese capital. It is located in the city of Urayasu, located on the shores of Tokyo Bay, and covers an area of ​​almost 47 hectares. Disneyland has several thematic zones: “Fantasy Land”, “Adventure Land”, “Toon Town”, “Wild West Country”, “Tomorrow Country” and the smallest of them – “Animal Country”. The entertainment center has its own developed tourist infrastructure: hotels, shops, restaurants, parking lots. For ease of movement between objects, the latter are connected to each other by a monorail. At Disneyland every evening you can watch the enchanting procession of all the characters, and this action is accompanied by music and a fireworks show.

Disneyland in Tokyo

Five-meter bronze statue of a robot security guard at the Ghibli Museum

Not only adults, but also children will definitely enjoy the museum of the Ghibli anime studio, the name of which the Japanese pronounce “Jiburi”. This is one of the largest animation film studios, founded back in 1985, with the legendary Hayao Miyazaki at its origins. Anime fans will find within the walls of the establishment everything that will make their hearts flutter, namely cute characters with their characteristic big eyes and kawaii faces. The only thing that upsets tourists is the difficulty in purchasing tickets remotely by mail from international Ghibli representatives. The second option remains: a few days before your planned date of visiting the museum, stop by the Loppi ticket machines that are installed in Lawson shops. If you don't speak Japanese, take a guide with you. The machine will tell you which days are free and issue you the coveted ticket.

Another popular museum in Tokyo is dedicated to the Little Prince, the world-famous hero of the work of the French writer Antoine de Saint-Exupery. Whatever you say, the Japanese are truly an amazing nation: who would have thought that they would think of creating a museum of this particular literary character, where, by the way, authentic letters and photographs of the author are presented. The museum even has its own park, the exhibition of which is so thought out to the smallest detail that walking through it is equally pleasant and comfortable at any time of the year.

Continuing to introduce you to Tokyo museums, we cannot ignore two more of them - the Miraikan Museum and the Subway Museum. The first, which has national status, offers a look into the behind-the-scenes of fundamental sciences such as biology and physics, computer science and astronautics, and robotics in a playful and intuitive manner. Here you are allowed not only to look, but also to touch, stroke, twirl, scratch and, of course, turn on. If you know English, you will not have any difficulties in learning new information. But in the second of these museums you can fully experience the rhythm of a huge metropolis, getting acquainted with its morals and customs. The grandiose Subway Museum reproduces the underground world of Tokyo, where most of the citizens' lives take place, as accurately as possible. Within its walls, foreigners will be helped to understand the confusing metro system and learn the peculiarities of local communication and etiquette.

Little Prince Museum

Now is the time to go to one of the most famous temples of Melpomene in Tokyo, the National Theater No. Its main treasure is considered to be characters in masks of all stripes - good and scary, evil and cheerful. During the performance they are accompanied by a choir, flute and drums, adding to the already impressive effect of visiting this original establishment. Noh theater, which originated in the 14th century, is located in the Shibuya region. In his performances, lasting from 3 to 3.5 hours, he introduces the viewer to funny and sometimes tragic stories from the lives of gods, demons, spirits and mere mortals. Among the latter there are both Buddhist monks and ruthless killers.

National Theater

Tokyo has many wonderful gardens, and one of the most famous is Happo-en Garden. In the spring, these corners of nature are strewn with sakura flowers, and in the fall they begin to resemble ancient Japanese engravings, which you can admire for an endlessly long time. The name “Happo-en”, although consonant with the expression “happy ending”, which has become firmly established in the Russian language, is translated as “Garden of Eight Landscapes”. It was not chosen by chance, if only because in Japanese tradition the number “8” symbolizes happiness. And why there are so many landscapes becomes clear when visiting this cozy oasis, located in the middle of the concrete jungle of the capital of Japan: no matter how you look at it, it is beautiful!

National Theater no[pic|s=34]

To conclude our brief overview of the sights of Tokyo, we invite you to the artificial island of Odaiba, which in the past was a huge garbage dump. Today nothing reminds us of this period of its history. Odaiba, also called the “island of the future,” impresses with an abundance of futuristic objects and ideal cleanliness and order. As a new district of Tokyo, reclaimed from the ocean by enterprising Japanese, this piece of land became a shining embodiment of local ingenuity and industriousness.

In 1990, the mayor's office ordered housing construction to begin here, and over the next two decades, Odaiba became a favorite vacation spot for Tokyo residents and city guests. Odaiba has been called a “miracle incarnate,” and the wonders begin just as you approach it, as the automated Yurikamome train loops over the bay, arriving at its destination over the double-decker Rainbow Bridge. The island is home to the grand headquarters of Fuji Televizion and the Tokyo Big Sight exhibition center, which is impressive in size and architecture. By the way, the Miraikan Museum mentioned above is also located on this island.

Odaiba Island

Rainbow Bridge

Japanese cuisine: what and where to try in Tokyo?

If you are not at all familiar with Asian cuisine and Japanese cuisine in particular, it may shock you at first. After all, many dishes are based on raw fish, some strange algae, not to mention other inhabitants of the depths of the sea, which are almost moving on the plates - it seems that it is not you who are about to eat them, but they are you. Although we have the opportunity to try many variations on the theme of Japanese cuisine - sushi, rolls and sashimi - in Russia, you can only get to know the taste of real Japanese cuisine in its homeland, and Tokyo offers excellent opportunities in this regard.

Monja-yaki

Fukagawa-mashi

A truly Tokyo treat is monja-yaki. It is made from cabbage combined with sweet corn and dried squid. All this “wealth” is poured with liquid dough directly on a hot stove. The result is a kind of mixture of pancake and pizza, somewhat reminiscent in appearance of an omelette familiar to Russians. Another Japanese delicacy is “fukagawa-mashi”. The preparation of the dish is simple: fatty shellfish are placed in miso (a thick paste obtained by fermenting rice, soybeans, wheat, or a mixture of them using special molds) and boiled directly in the shells with the addition of leeks. It is usually served with soup along with rice.

For a quick snack on the street, another Japanese equivalent of pizza is suitable - “okonomiyaka”, a flatbread stuffed with sauce, noodles, pieces of meat, vegetables and seafood. You will probably also like local chestnuts, but you won’t have a chance to try them before autumn. At the end of September - beginning of October, the chestnut festival takes place in Tokyo. This colorful event is accompanied by national music, performances by artists, and various theatrical performances.

Dessert with chestnut

Okonomiyaka

One of the symbols of Japan is rice vodka - sake. Near the Toranomon metro station there is the Sake Plaza information center, where in a light and relaxing atmosphere you will be told about the history of the legendary drink and, of course, will be allowed to taste its best varieties.

But let’s return to national cuisine and answer the question of where in Tokyo you can try them. There are konbini shops in the city - you can find them on literally every corner. Local cuisine is presented in a wide range. Here you will find sandwich rolls, a Japanese version of a set lunch called bento, and various salads, drinks and even ordinary sandwiches. There are also specialized retail outlets: bento shops, curry shops and noodle shops.

Konbini store - comes from convenience store, that is, “convenient store”

Fresh octopus at Tsukiji Market

Fast food Lotteria

There are many fast food restaurants in the Japanese capital, including the famous American McDonald's and KFC, as well as exclusively local First Kitchen, Freshness Burger, MOS Burger and Lotteria. In establishments under the signs of Matsuya, Ootoya and Yoshinoya you will be treated to exclusively traditional cuisine. A good selection of national dishes can also be found in izakaya establishments. Should I say these are bars? No. Restaurants? You can't tell either. Rather, they are something in between.

By the way, there are many restaurants in Tokyo that can boast of having been awarded Michelin stars - for true gourmets and aesthetes it is considered an honor to dine in such a recognized establishment. Among them, we’ll highlight one of the best sushi restaurants, Tsukiji, while Akasaka, Ginza and Roppongi Hills will delight you with an excellent selection of Japanese cuisine.

As for the prices, in these establishments they bite. Dinner at an expensive restaurant usually costs 2000-2500 yen, and this is per person. Well, in a truly fashionable establishment you will have to pay from 10 to 20 thousand JPY for dinner for one person. In "regular" Tokyo cafes and restaurants, visitors are offered set meals combining Japanese and Western dishes, which cost from 700 to 1000 yen. In the cheapest cafes, a plate of sushi costs from 100 JPY. In those where the level of service is higher, a set of sushi and rolls will cost 800-1500 yen.

Restaurant with a view of Tokyo

Street Cafe

Shopping in Tokyo

The most famous shopping district of the capital of Japan is the already mentioned Ginza. It is also the oldest, dating back to 1612. In those distant times, they traded mainly in jewelry. Nowadays, this quarter is home to shops where far from poor people can afford to shop. The largest Chanel boutique on the planet is located in this area. Three popular supermarkets, Mitsukoshi, Matsuya and Matsuzakaya, which sell only national brands, are also located here.

Shopping in Ginza

If you want a state-of-the-art computer, a cool gadget, a laptop or any other computer and household equipment, do not pass by the Akihabara area. Such goods are sold by Nishikawa Musen and LAOX, popular stores in this quarter. It’s enough to tell the taxi driver the “magic” words of Akihabara Electric Town and he will immediately understand where you need to go. And those who travel by public transport should follow the Akihabara Station sign.

Akihabara area

Young people who already have new gadgets but need to update their wardrobes are flocking to the Shibuya area. Youth clothing is presented in local stores not only by well-known world brands, but also by products from Japanese manufacturers. This shopping area is famous for its large shopping and department stores Seibu and Kimuraya, and also for the fact that there is a monument to the famous Hachiko, an Akita Inu dog, which is a symbol of fidelity and devotion in Japan. Many shops opened by Europeans and Americans are located in the Omotesandro quarter, near Shibuya. Here are the names of some of them: Morgan, Zara, H&M, Benetton.

Shibuya area

Young shopaholics do not ignore the Harajuku area, where there are also many shops specifically for this age category. Not only the Japanese themselves, but also young representatives of other subcultures, even the most exotic ones, can find clothes to their liking. Inexpensive clothing can also be found in the capital's suburb of Minami Machida, which boasts the largest shopping mall in Tokyo. It's called Grandberry Mall.

Let’s complete our short review of the trading opportunities of the capital of Japan with a virtual trip to the world’s largest fish market, Tsukiji. The counters here are bursting with all kinds and sizes of fish and other seafood, which this unique country is so rich in. Such abundance not only makes your eyes run wild, but also your head begins to spin. For a little while, as they say, you can come to your senses in a cafe or restaurant, of which there are many on the territory of the market. The history of Tsukiji, located in the Tokyo district of the same name, dates back to the distant 1923. The market is conventionally divided into two parts: the so-called “internal”, where wholesalers usually buy goods, and the “external”, where in addition to a rich assortment you can even purchase kitchen utensils. On the territory of the “external” market there are various fish eateries and restaurants.

Tsukiji Fish Market

Note to tourists

A street overlooking the Tokyo TV Tower.
Japanese shops, and those in the capital are no exception, are open seven days a week and without lunch breaks. They open at 10 am and accept customers until 7 pm. Boutiques “wake up” an hour later and close the same amount later.

Foreigners usually bring souvenirs from Tokyo such as classic Japanese kimonos, chopsticks, bowls, samurai dolls, and porcelain. Calligraphy kits are also trending. As for food, they usually stop at dried octopus and squid, sweets and Japanese green tea.

In Tokyo, as throughout the country, haggling is not accepted, so don’t even try to persuade the seller to lower the price he announced. The only way to save money is on sales that are held at the end of each season. The biggest discounts await customers before and after the New Year, that is, from mid-December to mid-January.

The duty-free trading system, known as Tax free, also operates in many stores in the capital. If the purchase price at a participating outlet exceeds 10 thousand yen, then you are exempt from paying 5% VAT. Moreover, this difference can be deducted from you right in the store by pasting a confirmation receipt into your passport, which will then be collected by a customs officer at the airport.

Transport in Tokyo

Like any other large metropolis, the Japanese capital is literally suffocated by frequent traffic jams, which is why both Tokyo residents and city guests prefer the metro. But you won’t feel much comfort, since almost 9 million passengers a day use the subway – it won’t be difficult to imagine what kind of crowd you’ll find yourself in.

Subway in Tokyo

Tokyo subway map

It will be especially difficult for beginners. How to understand the multi-colored metro lines? There are no less than 13 of them, and almost three hundred stations! There are also JR lines and several private branches. But there is no need to panic. First, try to take the JR Yamate circular line, which circles the central part of Tokyo. Its advantage is the presence of connecting stations with almost every important line. A full circle takes about an hour, so you can get to any area quickly and without any difficulties. And, of course, maps and modern navigators will help you.

City buses are available for those who don't want to get involved with the metro. The routes are laid out in such a way that they successfully connect different subway stations. The only inconvenience is that buses make many stops at stations, and you can’t get from one end of the city to the other in one go. Trams also run in Tokyo, but only on one line, it is called Arakawa. The route runs through the old city quarters, covering about 13 kilometers in about an hour. Bus and tram tickets cost 200 and 160 yen, respectively. You can take a day pass, it will cost you 500 and 400 JPY.

Tokyo can also be called a city of cyclists, since the network of bicycle paths here is well developed. There are plenty of two-wheeler enthusiasts among both local residents and visitors. When getting behind the wheel of a bicycle, remember that maneuvering experience will be very useful, so if you are a beginner, it is better not to rush to join the dense flow of cyclists. The capital of Japan is located on a hilly area, which also makes walking on a two-wheeled “horse” difficult: it’s better to ride along the flat paths of some park. You can rent a bicycle at tourist rental points, but it is expensive. Many mini-hotels and hostels offer rentals two to three times cheaper, for only 500-800 yen.

Bicycle is a popular transport in Tokyo

City bus

A car rental service is also available in Tokyo, but holders of international driving licenses will be disappointed. Japan, unlike Russia, in its traffic rules adheres not to the Vienna Convention, but to the Geneva Convention, so our domestic rights here are just meaningless pieces of paper. They, of course, can be legitimized, but some red tape awaits you. First, the document must be translated into Japanese. Secondly, pass the local traffic rules exam. Thirdly, your driving record will be checked and a certificate of your vision will be required. And it’s up to you to decide whether it’s worth going through all these bureaucratic delays.

Taxi

Many people decide for themselves that it’s not worth it, so they choose a taxi. But this also has its pros and cons. The positive thing to note is that you can get to any area of ​​Tokyo by checkered car at any time of the day. The disadvantages include long distances and frequent traffic jams, which waste your time and result in the high cost of the trip. Just landing and the first 2 kilometers will cost the passenger 650 yen, or even more. For each additional kilometer you will have to pay an additional 300 yen. Night fares are 30% higher, but at this time of day the roads are clearer and you can get there faster.

Communications and Internet

To avoid communication problems in Tokyo, take care of this in advance by downloading the Japan Connected-free Wi-Fi application to your mobile device. Alternatively, you can use the convenient Free Wi-Fi Japan service from NTT EAST, which foreigners have already appreciated.

These simple manipulations will provide you with constant access to the network and free you from the need to buy expensive access cards and rent local phones or devices for connecting to the mobile Internet, which also cannot be called cheap.

People on the streets of Tokyo

Hotels and accommodation

In Tokyo, the most fashionable hotels are concentrated, in particular, in the Akasaka and Shinjuku areas. Luxurious rooms with beautiful views from the window and top-level service - you will find all this here. The cost of accommodation cannot be called moderate: a junior suite will cost your budget 57 thousand yen, and an executive apartment - 180 thousand.

The only disadvantage of super-expensive hotels is the lack of exotic options. For national flavor, you need to go to ryokans, hotels with interiors in the national style, which in themselves are attractions of Japan. The doors are made of paper, the floors are covered with tatami mats instead of carpets, and instead of beds there are only mattresses. A night in a good ryokan in the capital will cost from 10 to 16 thousand yen. Many standard hotels, aware of the interest of tourists in everything Japanese and unusual, add the word “ryokan” to the name of their establishment as a lure. In fact, such establishments don’t even smell of the spirit of antiquity and national traditions, so don’t let your guard down and don’t fall for the deception!

Traditional Ryokan Inn

Capsule hotel in Tokyo

You've probably heard about hotels with capsule rooms; they are often shown on TV shows about traveling to Japan. Whatever you say, such original hotels are truly a miracle of local engineering, architectural, tourism and other ideas. Staying in a capsule hotel is like spending the night on the top bunk of a train compartment. In principle, it is very convenient. The only drawback is limited space, so this hotel option is contraindicated for those suffering from claustrophobia. Capsule hotels mostly differ by gender, that is, some accept only men, others only accept women. There are, however, mixed ones, for representatives of both sexes. They are mainly preferred by married or simply loving couples. How much will it cost to stay overnight in a capsule? The pleasure is inexpensive compared to other hotels, from 2000 to 2700 yen.

Hostels and guest houses are also popular in Tokyo, mainly among European and American young people traveling in groups. If you love peace and quiet, being in the vicinity of such groups will bring you discomfort, since, having cut themselves off from their home, young people like to have noisy fun, or even get violent.

Booking.com

How to get there

Tokyo is connected to Moscow by air. S7 planes from the Russian capital depart here four times a week. The cheapest ticket will cost a tourist $770, and he will spend about nine and a half hours in the air.

It’s cheaper, from 273 USD one way, to fly with Aeroflot. Direct flights to Tokyo operate daily. Those flying from St. Petersburg will have a transfer. The best price offer from Aeroflot from the Northern capital is approximately $300. Travel time will be 14 hours.

Haneda International Airport

S7 aircraft also fly from Vladivostok (three times a week) and Khabarovsk (twice a week). Given the geographical proximity, travel time will be about 2 hours 30 minutes. The most budget ticket will cost a passenger, if he is traveling light, 220 USD. More expensive with luggage: $250.

Avia and Yakutia operate flights to Tokyo from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk once a week. Ticket prices start from $290 and $246, respectively. You will spend two and a half hours on board the plane.

If you are already in Japan, but far from the capital, it is also better to get to Tokyo by plane - it will be faster. For example, you can fly from Sapporo in just an hour and a half. The cost of a ticket depends on the carrier: local low-cost airline (as budget airlines are called) Peach asks 4,950 yen. The global public company AirAsia rates its passenger delivery services more expensive, but only slightly.

From prefectures (provinces) and cities located in the vicinity of Tokyo, it will be easier to get to the capital by bus. The road network is well developed, but here’s the problem: you can get stuck in a traffic jam, and it’s impossible to predict how long you’ll stay in it. It is faster and more reliable, but more expensive, to travel by rail. So, for a trip on a high-speed train, also called a “bullet”, you will have to pay almost 17 thousand yen. In any case, the final choice - bus or train - is yours.

Calendar of low prices for air tickets