TOKYO

Tokyo is a tight accumulation of districts and areas, all of them full of people. It’s a miracle, not ony in the eyes of tourists, how the city can function at all. Day after day, sheer incredible amounts of employees and students commute from the affordable suburbs to the huge stations in the city center, using the tight network of suburban railways and subways. Shinjuku, for example, handles about 4 million commuters every day. The Japanese love their capital. It is the symbol for Japan’s flourishing economy and for the country’s modernization. After all, up until the end of the 16th century, the present megacity used to be nothing more than a fishing village called Edo. The Shogun turned it into a vibrant city. In 1867, after the Shogun abdicated and a Japanese emperor regained rule over the country, Edo was renamed Tokyo („Eastern Capital”) and made the new capital. Tokyo was destroyed substantially two times: the 1923 earthquake and World War II left a lot of dilapidated buildings and a ruined infrastructure behind. Both times, however, the population bounced back quickly. Walking through the city during the cherry-blooming season today gives you the impression that Tokyo has always been this perfect.

Airport
Narita Airport (www.narita-airport.jp/en) is located approx. 60 km east of the city. The "Narita Express" (NEX) run by Japan Railways (www.jreast.co.jp/nex) or the "Skyliner" run by Keisei Railways (www.keisei.co.jp/keisei/tetudou/accesse) are the fastest options to reach the city. Rides take an hour, tickets cost between 920 and 2,900 yen. Airport buses (www.limousinebus.co.jp/e/) go between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. and take you to Hakozaki City Terminal (a subway station) or the major hotels in 70 minutes for a price of 2,900 yen. A taxi ride into the city center costs about 25,000 yen. Please note: a red sign means that a taxi is available, whereas a green sign means it is occupied.

Public transportation
8 million people use Tokyo's subways and suburban railways every day. Since trains are run by different independent companies, tickets are usually valid for certain routes only. A 24-hour ticket for Tokyo Metro costs 710 yen, one for all subways and suburban railways 1,580 yen. Please note: many trains don't stop in all stations, and there are no trains going between 1 and 5 a.m. Schedules: www.tokyometro.jp/e/index.html or www.kotsu.metro.tokyo.jp/english/index.html

Tokyo National Museum
The National Museum houses the greatest collection of Asian artifacts, including swords, suits of armor, masks and kimonos. The "Asian Gallery" exhibits art from all regions in Asia, ranging from precious Indian and Chinese works to modern Japanese paintings.
Ueno-k�?en 13-9, Tait�?-ku, opening hours 9.30 a.m. - 5 p.m., closed on Mondays, www.tnm.jp

Sens�?-ji
Tokyo's oldest and most important Buddhist temple. Pilgrims from all over the world come here to experience the healing powers of Sens�?-ji. Every year in May, the sacred place hosts the three-day Matsuri Festival. There are many souvenir shops on the street between the Thunder Gate and the temple.
Asakusa 2-3-1, Tait�?-ku, opening hours 6 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Kyoko Higashi Gyoen
There used to be an important Shogun castle in the "Imperial Palace East Gardens". The gardens are the only part of the imperial palace open to the public. The gardens accommodate a teahouse, a lake and waterfalls.
Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, opening hours 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., closed on Mondays and Fridays

Sūmo
In Japan, sumo wrestling is more than just a sporting event. It combines athletic, religious and cultural elements. Sumo has been Japan's national sport for more than 2000 years, and the athletes enjoy a status that can be compared to pop stars in the western world. Sumo wrestling matches follow a complicated set of rules: for example, there are 80 different ways to defeat your opponent. Even though you won't be able to follow the rules right away, you should still watch a match during your stay in Tokyo.
Yokoami 1-3-28, Sumida-ku, www.sumo.or.jp/eng/

Hai Whan
This gourmet restaurant is situated in the fancy district of Akasaka. It serves modern Cantonese cuisine. Specialties include fish and seafood, the atmosphere is quite imperial.
Akasaka 3-10-4, Minato-ku, tel. 35 88 00 08

New York Grill
Dine among Japanese celebrities in Shinyuku, on Park Hyatt Hotel's 52nd floor - if you get a table at all. Windows reaching up to the ceiling offer an incredible view over the city. From time to time, there are live jazz performances at "New York Bar". Sunday brunch is also quite popular.
3-7-1-2 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, tel. 53 23 34 58, www.tokyo.hyatt.com

Park Hyatt Tokyo
Tokyo's highest hotel is situated in the heart of Shinjuku, a vibrant business and entertainment district. Scarlett Johansson and Bill Murray had a wonderful view over the city from Shinjuku Park Tower in the Hollywood movie "Lost in Translation".
Nishi Shinjuku 3-7-1-2, Shinjuku-ku, tel. 53 22 12 34, double room from € 363.00, www.tokyo.park.hyatt.com

The Strings Hotel Tokyo
Near Shinagawa Station, about seven kilometers outside the city center. The rooms are decorated in an elegant and modern fashion. After an exhausting day you can relax at the sauna or enjoy a massage. If you're fed up with sushi, you will be pleased that the hotel restaurant serves French dishes. You also have a panorama view over Tokyo Bay from there.
26-32Fl. Shinagawa East One Tower, 2-16-1 Konan, Minato-ku, tel. 45 62 11 11, double room from € 275.00, www.stringshotel.com/english

Homeikan Honkan
A traditional Japanese living experience. The 89 rooms are Asian-styled and decorated with precious timber, strawmats and bamboo.
Hongo 5-10-5, Bunkyo-ku, tel. 38 11 11 81, double room from € 72.00, www.homeikan.com

What's hot and what's not?
Tokyo's most popular clubs hardly ever stay popular for longer than a week. Get more information on the hottest bars, clubs and parties at www.metropolis.co.jp and www.tokyo.to

Clubs
The dress code for Tokyo's clubs is usually not too strict. The important thing is that you pay the high admission fees - in return, you will get the first few drinks for free. Velfarre (7-14-22 Roppongi) is a huge dance club situated on multiple floors. Club Asia (1-8 Maruyamacho, Shibuya, www.clubasia.co.jp) is also quite popular. Celebrities and models meet at the trendy Lexington Queen (3-13-14 Roppongi). Salsa Sudada (7-13-8 Roppongi) offers a Latino atmosphere, and Age-Ha (2-2-10 Shinkiba, Koto-ku, www.ageha.com) is the perfect place for gangsta rappers.

The elegant district of Ginza accommodates Tokyo's fanciest stores, designer shops and galleries. Tokyo's youths buy clothes, CDs and kitschy stuff in the young and modern districts of Shibuya and Harajuka. Electric appliances, computers and cameras for favorable prices are sold at Shinjuku and Akihabara. However, please note: you need an adapter for Japanese appliances! Even though Tokyo in general is a rather expensive place, bargains can be made at the vibrant Ameyoko Market under railway lines to the south of Ueno Park. Most shops are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day, shopping malls usually close one day a week. At the shopping malls, do not miss the fancy food departments in the basement.

Numerous small shops specializing in Japanese art and arts and crafts can be found in the streets around Sensoji Temple in Asakusa. Flea markets for rummaging take place every Sunday: on the first and the fourth Sunday of the month they are held at the Togo Shrine at Harajuku, on the second Sunday of the month they take place at the Nogi Shrine at Nogizaka, and almost every Sunday there is a flea market at the Hanazono Shrine at Shinjuku. We also heartily recommend the city's biggest souvenir store, Oriental Bazaar (5-9-13 Jingumae, tel. 34 00 39 33, opening hours Friday through Wednesday 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.).

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