The primary transportation in Tokyo is the rail. This city has the most extensive railway network in the world. There are 101 trains serving Tokyo, and there are 18 more trains catering to Greater Tokyo area. So a total of 119 trains serving the whole Metropolitan area. If you search online, you can come across maps that give you an idea of the vast network of railway lines running up and down, all through Tokyo. The whole railway map is so vast that the operator builds his own map using the key points of transfer. The tourists are not shown the subway map only for the sake of keeping it simple. (more…)

In the year 1872, the largest and the oldest museum in Japan, the Tokyo National Museum, was established. This houses a wonderful range of arts and archaeological objects that belong to Japan. There are important holdings on Cultural Property, 610 in number, and holdings on National Treasure. (more…)

There are mainly two reasons behind this architectural jaggedness. The majority of the buildings are quite recently built. War, earthquakes, and Japanese desire for frequent renovation are the factors hindering the architectural age of Tokyo. The history of Tokyo is as old as many European metropolises, but the architectural age of Tokyo is not at all rich unlike European cities. Secondly Tokyo has low skylines, compared to its size and class. This is due to the high seismic zone. Japan is the most unfortunate to be shaken regularly by earthquakes, as the tectonic plates assemble in Japan. For safety measures, City Hall is the tallest building measuring 248m. With more technological advancement, a new office tower measuring 338m high was planned at west Shinjuku.

It should also be pointed out that Tokyo hosts some unique architectural structures. The Tokyo International Forum, a huge 225m-glass hall in length resembling a skeleton of a whale, is a marvelous creation. In Odaiba, the immense spherical observation arena of the Fuji Television head office definitely cannot be missed out. The City Hall of Tokyo depicting the Notre Dame church is a unique architectural structure. The microchip design allover presents Tokyo’s innovative character. Other vintage points like Carrot Tower, Sumitomo building, Garden Palace Tower, Marunouchi building, St Luke’s Tower, Tokyo Tower, World Trade Center building, and Sunshine 60 building are just exclusive of its kind, adding some life to Tokyo’s architecture. Many buildings serve as observatories to the public, where a paramount view of the city can be experienced. The Tokyo City Hall is the best of all offering a 360-degree vision of the city.

Many mutant structures were subject to wide photography and documentary study. A survey named Made-in-Tokyo was conducted with the city’s odd and unnamed buildings. The surveyed buildings were distinguished by an obstinate integrity when compared to its surroundings. They were then called “da-me architecture” i.e., “no good architecture.” The expression proposed to replicate an identical mix of disdain and liking. Majority is unnamed and architecturally ordinary.

Most buildings made in Tokyo are not good-looking. They do not smell of rich architectural craftsmanship and uniqueness of design as in most of the old cities of the world. They don’t follow suite to the culture and history. They are largely reasonably priced with competent solutions by minimum effort. They are not shinning with glossy culture, but simple buildings. Utilization happens whenever they get any opportunity. Walls, rooftops, gaps amid lots are simply utilized. Mostly spaces are utilized for two varied functions, resulting hybrids. Like a departmental store beneath an expressway is a hybrid. The store is dependent on the expressway’s structure.

Though the urban legroom of Tokyo seems to be muddled up, it carries an aspect of liberty for the constructing of buildings. The throb of Tokyo is driven by da-me.

Shopping hours in Tokyo starts around ten to eleven A.M, and extends up to seven to eight P.M. Most stores are open on holidays as well as on weekdays. In Tokyo, you would have to pay consumption tax that amounts to five per cent in addition to the price. Department stores in Tokyo are real good places for shopping. They carry the latest in fashion as well as traditional Japanese products. Most of store sales are made in the months of January, August, July and December. (more…)

Getting tickets for the baseball game in Japan is not difficult. If you are planning to visit Japan and want to enjoy popular sports games, you should go and watch a baseball game. You can contact Japanese travel agencies for further details. There are also ticket centers called Ticket Pia where you can get the ballgame tickets.

Baseball in Japan was first introduced in the mid-nineteenth century, and since then it has come a long way. That was the time when the country tried to get over all conservatism and move over to more modern and western ideas in culture, economy and sports. However, baseball in Japan took quite some time to gain ground. It was a little over a century that the game got a strong foothold and things looked brighter with the building up of the two leagues that was made up of 5 teams in each league. The American all-star team came over to Japan in the year 1934 and the All Japan team was then chosen from the non professional teams. The Nihon baseball club was organized and this was the first professional team that was organized at the end of the year 1934. The professional baseball in Japan grew to be the most popular sport after the wars and the number of people attended was 14 million. This is, in short, the history of baseball in Japan.

The leagues take part in a championship called the Nippon Championship. There are now a number of teams to cheer for in regard to baseball in Japan and the baseball frenzy is on a spurt everyday.

Outside America, the most famous team in baseball in Japan is the Yomiuri Giants who have their fans scattered everywhere in the country. The game is held in the Tokyo Dome. This has connections to the stations and it also arranges tours along with the housing of the Baseball in Japan Hall of Fame. The Meiji Jingu Stadium is another place for baseball in Japan and this is at a more convenient location than Tokyo Dome.

The teams build strategies which are quite comparable to a game of chess and it is a wonderfully absorbing experience to see such a baseball match in Japan. The ambience of the game is enthused with the loud cheer and noise of the audience. There are bull horns playing all over adding to the fun quotient.

For a baseball match ticket, the price is three thousand to ten thousand yen. For watching the giants’ baseball in Japan, it would burn a deep hole in your pocket, but it is worth experience!

From a small village in the year 1889, it developed into a town in the year 1909, and later emerged as an entertainment center and a commercial spot. It became the special ward in 1947. Shibuya commemorates the story of Hachiko, which was a dog waiting for his master at the station of Shibuya from 1923-1935, day in and day out. The dog became an epitome of love and loyalty for his master. A statue of the dog was built and Hachiko Square was built in memory of the dog. This is a popular meeting point in the town. The Summer Olympics 1964 was held in the year 1965 at Shibuya’s Yoyogi Park.

Shibuya is largely developing as a place for fashion and there are department stores of fashion apparels. This is famous for the Kogal subculture. The street that runs from Shibuya to Harajaku is also known as Fashion Street. Youth culture is predominant in these places. Sendagaya, the apparel design district of Tokyo, Omotosando, are the major streets where “fashion” is the buzzword of the day.

With the fast emergence of the IT in the 1990s, this small town of Shibuya became the center of IT sectors in Japan. It is referred to as the Bit Valley which is otherwise called the Bitter Valley – the word to word translation of Shibuya.

The residential and commercial districts of Shibuya Ward are Yoyogi, Sendagaya, Omotesando, Higashi, Hiroo, Harajuku, Ebisu, and Daikanyama.

The place Shibuya is a trendy and popular place for the young women in Japan, who are fashion conscious and love to shop. There is the Bunkamura theatre and complex. The tallest building is the Cerulean Tower, and the Ebisu Garden Place features all the restaurants. At Sendfagaya a visit to the National Noh theatre would be interesting. There is also the seat of ballet, opera and other performances at New National Theatre. The NHO Broadcasting Center, the shopping Mall at Omotesando Hills, the National Gymnasium, Yoyogi, one of the biggest department stores known as the Takashimaya Times Square are worth mentioning.

The crossroad in front of the Shibuya station is known as the scramble crossroads because during green light, the pedestrians cross from one place to another in all directions. This is popular joint for fun and hang outs. Shibuya is noted for its fashion trends, like the loose socks which are socks which the Japanese senior and Junior school girls wear. This is called ganguro and the trend is said to have started in Shibuya. There are words which also have come in use from this place Shibuya. Along with chain stores for foods, there are also game centers and karaoke bars which is a favourite haunt of the youths in Tokyo. Shibuya is full of life and bustling with activity like any other busy township.

Hakone is better known for its substantial tourist attractions and activities and both international and Japanese visitors come to Hakone. They come to Hakone to visit its mountains and parks and also for treatment at the health resorts.

Lake Ashi, seen from the Hakone Ropeway is a major attraction for Tourists in Hakone. The National Park around Lake Ashi is a well known tourist attraction which is famous for its hot springs. There are many picturesque sights which include the Hakone Shrine on the lake shore, the Botanical Gardens of Hakone and the Wetlands, the Great Boiling Valley. The places are noted for their scenic views with the Chinese Silvergrass and also the cherry blossoms in full bloom that enhance the beauty of the surrounding parks.

Hakone can be reached from Mishima and Odawara which is a seventy minutes distance from Shinjuku in Tokyo. The Hakone Tozan line runs into the various resorts in Hakone. The Hakone cable car commutes with passengers to Sounzan. The lake can be crossed by very funny looking small ships meant for the tourists. The ropeway is an added attraction and it goes to the top of the Mountain Komagatake. The free pass available for commuting freely in many forms of transport in Hakone is very common and popular. The free pass can be bought at Odawara, Shinjuku and at other stations too. The open air museum at Hakone is very famous.

A trip to this picturesque place would not be complete without having a dip at the hot spring in Hakone. The visitors would enjoy a bath at the hot spring in the Ryokan or the bath house while these are opened for the visitors. The guests staying on can use the baths for free while the visitors who just come to pay a visit during daytime have to pay an admission fee somewhere between five hundred and two thousand yen.

The area in and around Hakone has some great hiking trails. You can find a list of hiking trails on the internet. At Togendei, the visitor’s center, there are hikes in and around the Lake Ashi. The hikes take around two and a half to three hours and covers high altitudes also. An accommodation at Hakone is available for budget range, mid range and the Splurge.

The major attractions of Hakone include the Great Boiling Valley. This place is full of sulphurous springs. There is also the Jinja Shrine to the south of the Lake which is close to a picturesque shrine. A visit can be paid to the Hakone Open Air Museum which displays a wide number of artwork and sculptures within a setting of parkland. This also exhibits paintings of Picasso and pottery exhibits.

Staying in a Youth Hostel

Of the nearly 500 Youth Hostels available in the entire country Japan, the majority are privately owned. If you are not a member of the Youth Hostel, your fees will be a bit higher. You can expect to receive breakfast and dinner for a small charge as there are no facilities for cooking. Before you consider staying in a Youth Hostel, it is recommended you get in touch with the Youth Hostel Association in your area for booking your room because the price is higher when you book on site. You will need to bring a photo in order to become a member. (more…)