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Central Tokyo
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
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
Yasukuni Shrine
Author: Wiiii (Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported)

Tokyo International Forum
Tokyo International Forum
Author: 663highland (Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported)

Places of interest in Central Tokyo

  1. Ginza
    This is a famous shopping district in Tokyo.

  2. Hamarikyu Gardens
    Garden near the estuary of the Sumida River.

  3. Matsuya
    Major department store in the Ginza district.

  4. Matsuzakaya
    Major department store in the Ginza district.

  5. Mitsukoshi
    Major department store in the Ginza district.

  6. Wako
    Department store housed in a landmark 19th century building in Ginza.

  7. Kabuki-za Theater
    This is the main Kabuki theater in Tokyo.

  8. Tsukiji Fish Market
    The main fish market for Tokyo is also the biggest such market in the world.

  9. Hama Detached Palace Garden
    Garden by the Sumida River built in 1654 as a retreat for the shogun's family.

  10. Sumida River
    The main river that flows through Tokyo.

  11. Sumida Tiver Trip
    Pleasure cruise down the Sumida River.

  12. Tsukuda Island
    Area in Tokyo that escaped bombing in World War II, and now a center of old Edo culture.

  13. Shiba Park
    Park that was once the Tokugawa family's graveyard.

  14. Zojoji Temple
    Family temple of the Tokugawa shogun.

  15. Tokyo Tower
    Telecommunications tower and tallest structure in Tokyo.

  16. Nihonbashi District
    District in Tokyo that used to be the mercantile district during Edo period.

  17. Marunouchi District
    District to the south and west of Tokyo Station.

  18. Tokyo International Forum
    One of the most distinctive structure in downtown Tokyo.

  19. Hibiya District
    Location of Japan's Diet Building.

  20. Diet Building
    Parliament building houseing the legislature of the Japanese government.

  21. Imperial Palace
    Residence of the Emperor and his family in Tokyo.

  22. Kitanomaru Park
    Park to the north of the Imperial Palace.

  23. Yasukuni Shrine
    Shrine to the Japanese soldiers and civilians who died in wars since the Meiji Restoration.

  24. Jinbocho Booksellers' District
    Major book-publishing district and home to Meiji University.

  25. Koishikawa Korakuen Garden
    This is one of the best traditional gardens in Tokyo, a pocket of serenity in a bustling city.

  26. Kanda Myojin Shrine
    Shrine that dates back 1,200 years. The present structure was erected in 1923.

  27. Akihabara Electronics Districts
    The place to browse at shops with the latest electronic devices.

Return to Tokyo Travel Guide & Tourist Information
Return to Japan Travel Guide & Tourist Information






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