 Central Tokyo Travel Guide
Central Tokyo (4 April, 2008)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
Central Tokyo is the heart of the metropolis. It is situated to the north and west of the Sumida River. This was where the first shogun, Ieyasu, built his castle.
Right in the middle of Central Tokyo is the Imperial Palace. Although devastated by fires and war bombardment, Central Tokyo has totally redeveloped. This is the administrative center for Japan, with the Hibiya and Marunouchi districts being the political heart of the country.
Central Tokyo is where most visitors to Tokyo start their exploration. This is where you find the commercial centers of the city such as the Ginza and Nihonbashi districts, with their huge department stores offering shoppers and window-shoppers an amazing array of things to buy or to feast the eyes. There's also plenty of upscale boutiques in these two areas.
Akihabara, Tokyo
Author: Jmho (Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported)
Also within Central Tokyo is Akihabara, the discount electronics center of the city, and the Jinbocho area, noted for books. The Tsukiji Fish Market is also located in Central Tokyo.
Central Tokyo is densely developed. Nevertheless there is the occasional park that break the otherwise concrete expense.
Yasukuni Shrine
Author: Wiiii (Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported)
Tokyo International Forum
Author: 663highland (Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported)
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Places of interest in Central Tokyo
- Ginza
This is a famous shopping district in Tokyo.
- Hamarikyu Gardens
Garden near the estuary of the Sumida River.
- Matsuya
Major department store in the Ginza district.
- Matsuzakaya
Major department store in the Ginza district.
- Mitsukoshi
Major department store in the Ginza district.
- Wako
Department store housed in a landmark 19th century building in Ginza.
- Kabuki-za Theater
This is the main Kabuki theater in Tokyo.
- Tsukiji Fish Market
The main fish market for Tokyo is also the biggest such market in the world.
- Hama Detached Palace Garden
Garden by the Sumida River built in 1654 as a retreat for the shogun's family.
- Sumida River
The main river that flows through Tokyo.
- Sumida Tiver Trip
Pleasure cruise down the Sumida River.
- Tsukuda Island
Area in Tokyo that escaped bombing in World War II, and now a center of old Edo culture.
- Shiba Park
Park that was once the Tokugawa family's graveyard.
- Zojoji Temple
Family temple of the Tokugawa shogun.
- Tokyo Tower
Telecommunications tower and tallest structure in Tokyo.
- Nihonbashi District
District in Tokyo that used to be the mercantile district during Edo period.
- Marunouchi District
District to the south and west of Tokyo Station.
- Tokyo International Forum
One of the most distinctive structure in downtown Tokyo.
- Hibiya District
Location of Japan's Diet Building.
- Diet Building
Parliament building houseing the legislature of the Japanese government.
- Imperial Palace
Residence of the Emperor and his family in Tokyo.
- Kitanomaru Park
Park to the north of the Imperial Palace.
- Yasukuni Shrine
Shrine to the Japanese soldiers and civilians who died in wars since the Meiji Restoration.
- Jinbocho Booksellers' District
Major book-publishing district and home to Meiji University.
- Koishikawa Korakuen Garden
This is one of the best traditional gardens in Tokyo, a pocket of serenity in a bustling city.
- Kanda Myojin Shrine
Shrine that dates back 1,200 years. The present structure was erected in 1923.
- Akihabara Electronics Districts
The place to browse at shops with the latest electronic devices.
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