The Tokyo Metropolis, commonly and simply referred to as Tokyo, is the capital city of Japan. It used to be a small fishing town called Edo, but during the Meiji Restoration in the 1860s when the capital of Japan was moved from Kyoto to Edo, it was renamed Tokyo.

The Tokyo we know today is not just a single city but a cluster of cities, towns, special wards, and two groups of islands – Izu Islands and Ogasawara Islands. Formed by merging former Tokyo Prefecture and Tokyo City in 1943, it is officially considered a metropolitan prefecture, functioning like a city and a prefecture in one. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government administers the whole metropolitan prefecture, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building located in Shinjuku Ward houses its headquarters.

With a population of over 37 million, it is currently the most populous area in the world. Tokyo is also one of the world’s major financial center; placing fifth in the world and third in Asia according to 2017 Global Financial Centres Index.

Tokyo Travel

Aside from investment banks and insurance companies, tourism also contributes to not only the economy of the metropolis but also that of Japan. Locals and foreigners alike visit Tokyo for leisure and education; the shopping and entertainment districts are as popular as those historical and cultural sites and establishments. The formerly known Tokyo City area is now divided into 23 special wards where most of the attractions are situated.

Tokyo, although highly urbanized, has plenty of parks and gardens. In fact, it boasts four national parks – Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, Chichibu Tama Kai National Park, Ogasawara National Park, and Meiji no Mori Takao Quasi-National Park.

Not to be outdone by skyscrapers and historical sites, the food industry, especially the fish and seafood, draws a huge number of tourists in Tokyo. Tsukiji Fish Market is the biggest wholesale fish and seafood market in the world. Experience gastronomic delights when you join food walk tours or just surprise yourself when you score good food without digging deeper into your pockets.

With the very efficient transportation system and the most extensive urban railway network in the world, you have heaps of options getting into, out of, and around Tokyo. The metropolis is the country’s domestic and international transportation hub. Aside from the impressive rail network, Tokyo has numerous airports with Haneda Airport and Narita International Airport serving as the major gateway for foreign travelers to Japan. Tokyo is also one of Japan’s five major ports along with those of Osaka, Nagoya, Kobe, and Yokohama.

Additional information about Tokyo:

Language: Japanese (Nihongo). English is not commonly spoken, but some locals can understand it. Signs are translated in English too.
Currency: Japanese Yen (JPY, ¥). JPY 1000 is about USD 9.3, EUR 7.6, PHP 485 (as of April 2018)
Modes of Payment: Most establishments prefer cash payment, but many also accept credit cards.
Electricity Info: 100V. Plugs with two flat pins.

Plan Your Tokyo Trip

Top Hotels and Hostels	Top Things to Do
Best Time to Visit	Shopping!
Sample Itineraries

Tokyo Commute Guide

How to Get Around Tokyo	Tokyo Travel Passes and IC Cards
Narita Airport to City Center	Haneda Airport to City Center

Tokyo Travel Essentials

Tokyo Pocket Wi-fi Stay Internet-connected while in Tokyo! ➡️ RESERVE HERE	Japan Local SIM Local SIM Card with data plan! ➡️ RESERVE HERE
Tokyo Subway Ticket Unlimited rides to all subway lines in Tokyo! ➡️ RESERVE HERE	JR Pass Unlimited train rides within the JR network. ➡️ RESERVE HERE

Top Tokyo Attractions

➡️ RESERVE A TICKET HERE	➡️ RESERVE A TICKET HERE
➡️ RESERVE A SLOT HERE	➡️ RESERVE A KIMONO HERE

Top Tokyo Hotels

Hotel Ryumeikan Ochanomizu Honten ➡️ CHECK RATES & AVAILABILITY	The Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho ➡️ CHECK RATES & AVAILABILITY
Mimaru Tokyo Nihombashi Suitengumae ➡️ CHECK RATES & AVAILABILITY	Palace Hotel Tokyo ➡️ CHECK RATES & AVAILABILITY