Tokyo is one of the world's largest cities, with a population estimated at around 33 million (according to some sites - after a while, who's counting?). It's a dense, vibrant, urban place where you are never very far from a shopping opportunity, a restaurant, or some other form of entertainment. Not exactly a pretty or charming city, it has almost no setting to speak of, and little natural beauty. The best Tokyo has to offer is its crowds, the neon and the wild architecture - and I spent many days engrossed in it all as the first stop on my Japan visit in 2007, and finally left reluctantly.
Photo List (Total 375 Photos)
Click bolded headers below to view, or click "just the best" for quick tour
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Imperial Palace (20 photos) - The Imperial Palace is in the middle of Tokyo, but since Japan still has a royal family who lives there, most of the grounds are for royalty only. These photos show what is visible of the palace, and the moats and gardens which surround it.
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Around the Imperial Palace (42 photos) - Photos of areas around the Imperial Palace. To the north, it includes the National Museum of Modern Art and other buildings. To the east, it includes Marunouchi (an area just outside the palace), Tokyo Station, the Tokyo International Forum and other buildings in "central" Tokyo. To the south, there are a few photos of the government district and the National Diet (parliament).
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Odaiba (41 photos) - Artificial island in Tokyo Harbour with zany buildings. Also includes photos of beach, old fort (now a park) in the harbour, and some photos of the port.
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Roppongi (59 photos) - Roppongi is a major nightclub area (though I was never there at night) but also has the Roppongi Centre and Tokyo Midtown, two upscale shopping destinations, and the very new National Art Centre. Also included are views of Tokyo from the top of the Roppongi Centre, and Aoyama Cemetery.
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Asakusa (31 photos) - Older part of Tokyo near the Sumida River, with small commercial streets, downscale eateries. Also includes photos of the Asakusa Temple Complex, river views, the very strange building across the river, and some shots in Asumbashi, a downscale neighbourhood across the river.
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Ginza (25 photos) - Day and night photos of Ginza, a central upscale shopping district near the Imperial Palace, including the grand daily opening of the department stores.
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South of Ginza (51 photos) - Includes the Shiodome cluster of tall buildings, the very interesting Shinjuku Fish Market, the lovely Hama Garden on the waterfront, and the fabulous Nakagin Capsule Tower.
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Aoyama (44 photos) - Includes high end shopping along Otemosando, narrow streets with interesting buildings, and Yoyogi Park.
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Shibuya (22 photos) - Intense commercial shopping area, where Lost in Translation was filmed.
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Shinjuku (22 photos) - This area has busy commercial streets, lots of lights, a huge train station, and tall buildings including Tokyo City Hall. Also includes many evening photos of lighted buildings.
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Transit photos (14 photos) - Subways, subway stations, bullet train and the interior of a taxi as well.
