Harajuku Fashion - Top Tourism Attractions in Tokyo

For youth culture Japan, Harajuku, just north of Shibuya, is the number one fashionable, fun, faddish, ridiculous, crazy place to hang out. Come along on a Sunday and you’ll see it all!

Harajuku Fashion

If it’s Harajuku’s youth culture you want to see, don’t even bother unless it’s the weekend and preferably a Sunday. The bridge across the train tracks from Harajuku Station to Yoyogi Park is full of Gothic Lolita, Rockabilly, Punks, Costume Play and Gothloli teens.

The costumes are very outstanding and you can’t miss them. It is funny to see the surprise of the western tourists heading to Yoyogi Park and Meiji Jingu who clearly had not read their guide books fully on Harajuku. You can hear their comments that make it very clear they just don’t understand what is going on. Essentially the youth who have dressed up are just hanging out with friends, many of them come with the hope of being snapped by one of the many magazine photographers who mingle in the crowd. Failing that there are lots of western tourist happy to take their pictures.

Takeshita-dori

A narrow street packed with young fashionable people and lined with fashion boutiques and cafes. This is definitely the place to be seen if you are young Tokyoite, but well worth visiting as a tourist. Takeshita-dori represents the cutting edge of fashion in Tokyo where you can see all the latest in Japanese street fashion and then buy in the boutiques. Takeshita-dori is opposite the exit to Harajuku Station.

Tsukiji Fish Market - Top Tourism Attractions in Tokyo

The Tokyo Metropolitan Central Wholesale Market, commonly known as The Tsukiji fish market is located near the  Tsukijishijo Station on the Toei Oedo Line or Tsukiji Station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line.

Tsukiji fish market is the biggest wholesale fish and seafood market in the world and also one of the largest wholesale food markets of any kind. The market is located in Tsukiji in central Tokyo, and is a major attraction for foreign visitors (few Japanese casually visit the market).

The best times to visit are between 5:00AM and 9:00AM.

The market handles more than 400 different types of seafood from tiny sardines to 300kg tuna, from cheap seaweed to the most expensive caviar. Overall, more than 700,000 metric tons of seafood are handled every year at the three seafood markets in Tokyo, with a total value in excess of 600 billion yen (approximately 5.5 billion US dollars). Tsukiji alone handles over 2000 metric tons of seafood per day.

The number of registered employees varies from 60,000 to 65,000, including wholesalers, accountants, auctioneers, company officials, and distributors.

The market opens most mornings (except Sundays and holidays) at 3:00 a.m. with the arrival of the products by ship, truck and plane from all over the world. Particularly impressive is the unloading of tons of frozen tuna. The auction houses then estimate the value and prepare the incoming products for the auctions. The buyers (licensed to participate in the auctions) also inspect the fish to estimate which fish they would like to bid for and at which price.

The auctions start around 5:20 a.m. Bidding can only be done by licensed participants. These bidders include intermediate wholesalers [nakaoroshi gyousha] who operate stalls within the marketplace, and other licensed buyers who are agents for restaurants, food processing companies, and large retailers.

A visit to Tsukiji Market is best combined with a fresh sushi breakfast or lunch at one of the onsite or local restaurants. Restaurants typically open around five in the morning and close between 12:00 and 15:00.

Imperial Palace and Gardens - Top Tourism Attractions in Tokyo

The Tokyo Imperial Palace is the imperial palace of Japan and the residence of the Emperor of Japan. It is located in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo and is close to Tokyo Station. It is roughly the size of Central Park, which has an area of 3.41 squared kilometers.

The Imperial Palace is the home of the Emperor of Japan (the Japanese head of state). The actual Imperial Palace building was part of the Edo Castle. It is surrounded by a moat and a high wall and occupies the most expensive square kilometre in the world.

The inner palace gardens and buildings are closed to the public except on January 2 and December 23, when the imperial family makes a public appearance; foreigners can also apply online to join a guided tour at other times, but you must book in advance.

The Imperial Palace Tokyo was destroyed by allied bombing during World War II, even though it was not supposed to be targeted. It was rebuilt in the same style in 1968.

The Imperial Palace East Gardens, however, are open to the public daily except Mondays and Fridays. Kept in impeccable shape, the gardens are particularly beautiful during the March and April plum and cherry blossom seasons. Entrance is free through a number of gates; most visitors use the Otemachi gate near the subway station of the same name.

Ryokan Tradition Accommodation

A ryokan is a type of traditional Japanese Inn dating from the Edo Period (1603 - 1868) when they served travelers along Japan’s highways. They typically feature tatami matted rooms, communal baths, and other public areas where visitors may wear yukata and talk with the owner.

Ryokan are difficult to find in Tokyo and other large cities because many are expensive compared to hotels, and Japanese people increasingly use hotels for urban tourism, with a notable exception being Kyoto, a city people visit for its ryokan. Nonetheless, some major cities do have reasonably priced ryokan, with some as little as $40 a night. However, ryokan are more typically located in scenic areas—in the mountains or by the sea—and can charge upwards of $400 per night.

A stay at a ryokan is highly recommended to all foreign visitors of Japan, as it offers the opportunity to experience a traditional Japanese atmosphere.

Typical rates for ryokan range between 6,000 and 20,000 Yen per night and person, but some no-frills establishments offer rooms for less. Guests stay in Japanese style rooms with tatami floor and a low table. Shoes are usually removed at the ryokan’s main entrance, where slippers will be kept ready. You are supposed to remove even your slippers before stepping onto tatami mats.

Except in case of inexpensive ryokan, dinner and breakfast are included in the overnight stay. At the better ryokan, meals are served in the guest room, while common dining rooms are to be used elsewhere. Both meals are typically Japanese style and often feature regional specialties.

During your stay, you will also have the opportunity to enjoy a Japanese style bath. Most ryokan come with a gender separated, communal bath, but in many cases it is also possible to use the bath on a private basis (by reserving a time slot). In hot spring resorts, the ryokan’s bath water is directly supplied from the hot spring. Read more on how to take a bath.

Last but not least, ryokan guests sleep in traditional style, using a futon, which is spread out on the tatami floor. The ryokan staff will prepare the futon for you before bed time, except at inexpensive ryokan, where you have to do it by yourself. During the day, the futon is kept in a closet.

Karaoke in Japan

A trip to Japan is simply not complete without a visit to one of the many karaoke bars or boxes available. You have not sampled karaoke properly until you have tried it the way it was meant to be experienced.

Karaoke is one of the main social activities of Japanese adults, especially businessmen or “salarymen”. These men visit “lounge” or “snack” bars after work, drink for hours, and divulge their worries and concerns to the women at hand. In between, they sing their favourite tunes at which the women clap enthusiastically, regardless of talent.

But karaoke is much more than just businessmen loosening their ties. The bars are popular with people from all walks of life. It is a staple form of entertainment.

Many karaoke bars are open 24 hours. You hire a room with a group of friends for around $12 per person per hour. This sometimes features an all-you-can-drink or an all-you-can-eat deal.

Participants are guided to their own room, which is kitted out with all the karaoke paraphernalia necessary, such as microphones, TV, video/karaoke machine and sometimes tambourines and maracas for friends to accompany the singer.

Rooms vary in size and style. Cheaper places tend to be bare walled and basic but they can get very colourful indeed. The TV and karaoke equipment will be at one end, with seats along the sides and a table in the middle. Food and drinks can be ordered by phone.

With just you and your friends in a room, it is far more private than karaoke in other countries which usually involves a DJ and a bar full of strangers, and hence is a lot more fun.

Many places in Japan have a good selection of songs. While the songbooks bulge with Beatles tunes, they also have a surprising number of new British and American songs too. Although Japanese people usually sing Japanese songs, they do love to have a go at a Western number from time to time, and especially if there is a Westerner present.

Mount Fuji

The highest mountain in Japan, Mt.Fuji is 3776-meter high. Mt.Fuji, which had been a sacred mountain, appeared the present form about 10,000 years ago. More than 200,000 people climb to the top of Mt.Fuji in a year. 30% of them is foreigners. Now, Mt.fuji is a mountain which the people from the world can be friendly.

The most popular period for people to hike up Mt. Fuji is from 1 July to 27 August, while huts and other facilities are operating. Buses to the fifth station start running on 1 July.

There are four major routes from the fifth station to the summit with an additional four routes from the foot of the mountain. The major routes from the fifth station are (clockwise) the Kawaguchiko, Subashiri, Gotemba, and Fujinomiya routes. The routes from the foot of the mountain are the Shojiko, Yoshida, Suyama, and Murayama routes. The stations on different routes are at different sea levels. The highest fifth station is located at Fujinomiya, followed by Kawaguchi, Subashiri, and Gotemba.

Even though it is only the second highest fifth station, the Kawaguchiko route is the most popular route because of its large parking area and many and large mountain huts where a climber can rest or stay. During the summer season, most Mount Fuji climbing tour buses arrive there. The next popular is the Fujinomiya route which has the highest fifth station, followed by Subashiri and Gotemba.

The easiest way to view Mount Fuji is from the train on a trip along the Tokaido Line between Tokyo and Osaka. If you take the shinkansen from Tokyo in direction of Nagoya, Kyoto and Osaka, the best view of Mount Fuji can be enjoyed from around Shin-Fuji Station on the right hand side of the train, about 40 to 45 minutes after leaving Tokyo. 

Mount.Fuji

Long.138°45′1"E
Lat.35°21′5"N
3775.63m above sea level
Consists mainly of basaltic lava(about 50% silicon dioxide)

Mountaintop

temperature -18°to +8°C (monthly average)
atmospheric pressure 630 to 650 mb

Seasons for Mountain Climbing

July 1st to August 31th
The weather is stable,and there is no snow at the mountaintop. Many mountain huts are open,so most Japanese climb in this season. However,depending on the year,the mountain trail may be partly closed in early July,because of snow near the summit.

Late July to mid August
The weather is especially stable,so a crowd of climbers appear every year. However,there may be a regulation on cars in mid August.Restrictions may be seen in some roads. In that case,use a near by parking area and take a shuttle bus.

Late August
The weather becomes unstable.

Before June and after September
There may be snow at the mountaintop.The weather is too unstable for climbing,and the mountain huts are mostly closed. Equipment for winter climbing is necessary.Also,a planned script for climbing must be submitted. June is rainy season,and in September,taifoon may arrive.

Osaka Aquarium

The natural environments of the Pacific "Ring of Fire," the volcanic perimeter which surrounds the Pacific Ocean, have been recreated in 14 separate exhibits and populated with over 35,000 specimens representing 580 species in the Osaka Aquarium. Located in the harbor area of the city, the aquarium is centered on a huge nine-meter deep-water tank, which represents the Pacific Ocean.

According to the Pacific Rim volcanic belt, “Ring of Fire,” KAIYUKAN reproduces the huge Pacific Ocean and neighboring environments, and makes consideration that visitors can easily follow such environments from northwestern part of the Pacific Ocean where Japan locates.

 

Tank		Image	Introduction & ★Main creatures
Aqua Gate Water volume: 140 tons Water temperature: 21 degrees C Tunnel length: 11 meters Area: 63 square meters			Tour of KAIYUKAN begins by walking through this tunnel-shaped tank (11 meters long), Aqua Gate. Colorful schools of fish playing around this tunnel come from tropical and subtropical seas. This fantastic blue world will attract you. ★Javanese cownose ray, Damselfish,
Japan Forest Water volume: 60 tons Temperature is the same as that of the outdoors Water temperature: 15 - 23 degrees C Area: 430 square meters			Forest rains gather in rivers flowing to the sea. Enjoy the green forests, river fish and shore living things of Japan’s inland areas. ★ Giant salamander, Char, Red spotted masou trout, Asian smallclawed otter, ★Zelkova serrata, Acer palmatum var. matsumurae, Strawberry geranium
Aleutian Islands Water volume: 250 tons Temperature: 13 degrees C Water temperature: 10 degrees C Area: 50 square meters			This tank re-creates the harsh, rocky environment of Aleutian Islands, where the water temperature ranges from 2 to 10 degrees C. Playful sea otters are popular among children. ★Sea otter, Rainbow trout
Monterey Bay Water volume: 1,050 tons Temperature is the same as that of the outdoors Water temperature: 18 degrees C Area: 250 square meters			A variety of marine mammals live along the California coastline. This display offers a rare chance to see underwater behaviors of sealions and harbor seals. ★Harbor seal, California sealion
Gulf of Panama Water volume: 500 tons Temperature: 26 degrees C Water temperature: 22 degrees C Area: 50 square meters			This display replicates a tropical rainforest in a dry season with a forest-dwelling twotoed sloth and tropical reef fish. ★ Hoffmann’s two-toed sloth, Geochelone carbonaria , Pocupine fish,
Ecuador Rain Forest Water volume: 250 tons Temperature: 26 - 30 degrees C Water temperature: 26 degrees C Area: 150 square meters			Deep in the heart of Amazon, you’ll find the world’s greatest diversity of plant and animal life. ★Pirarucu, Common squirrel monkey, Iguana iguana
Antarctica Water volume: 350 tons Temperature: 0 - 3 degrees C Water temperature: 10 degrees C Area: 50 square meters			Penguins live in frozen rocks and ice. Visitors can see them gracefully swimming under the water, as if they fly through the air. ★King penguin, Gentoo penguin,
Tasman Sea Water volume: 1,350 tons Temperature: 10 - 26 degrees C Water temperature: 18 - 23 degrees C Area: 260 square meters			Water temperature around New Zealand varies. Visitors to this tank can see dolphins swimming in the warm water. ★Pacific whitesided dolphin ★Kangaroo vine, Fern
Great Barrier Reef Water volume: 450 tons Water temperature: 26 degrees C Area: 60 square meters			This tank faithfully imitates the world’s largest coral reef extending 2,000 kilometers along the eastern coast of Australia. ★Butterflyfish, Damselfish, Chiloscyllium punctatum,
Pacific Ocean Water volume: 5,400 tons Water temperature: 23 - 24 degrees C Area: 620 square meters			This is the largest tank in this aquarium with 9 meters deep, and 5,400 tons of water. You will never forget the whale shark swimming in this tank. ★Whale shark, Manta ray, Bluefin tuna, Spotted eagle ray
Seto Inland Sea Water volume: 150 tons Water temperature: 17 degrees C Area: 40 square meters			Not a large ocean though, this sea has many faces, and is a home for wide variety of living things. Many kinds of species live in this local area. ★Sea bream, Olive flounder, Common octopus
Kelp Forest Water volume: 300 tons Water temperature: 17 degrees C Area: 40 square meters			A dense kelp forest covers the seabed of California coast, where various fishes swim. ★Garbaldi, Opaleye, Strawberry anemone, Ocean sunfish
Coast of Chile Water volume: 250 tons Water temperature: 18 degrees C Area: 40 square meters			Cold currents, flowed from Antarctica, abound in nutrients and produce a lot of plankton on the coast of Chile. Sardines live in groups to eat the plankton. ★Sardine, Japanese anchovy, Perjerrey
Cook Strait Water volume: 350 tons Water temperature: 18 degrees C Area: 40 square meters			Seaturtles and fish from Cook Strait separating the northern and southern islands of New Zealand are exhibited. ★Loggerhead seaturtle, Green seaturtle, Pink maomao, Blue maomao
Japan Deeps Water volume: 80 tons Water: 11degrees C Area: 40 square meters			No sunlight reaches the quiet, dark, and deep sea. The largest crab living on the trench slope of 200-400 meters below the sea level are exhibited. ★Giant spider crab, Snipe fish
Floating Jelly Fish Water volume: 11 tons in total in 12 tanks Area: 289 square meters			In the floor of Floating Jelly Fish, twelve species representing about six hundred specimens centering jelly fishes living in the coast of Japan are exhibited. Visitors are able to see fantastic appearances of jelly fishes floating in twelve tanks. ★Brown jellyfish, Moon jelly, Tima Formosa, Pacific Sea Nettle, etc.
KAIYUKAN Gallery Exhibition Area: Approx. 390 square meters			This Gallery is an exhibition room located on the fourth floor in KAIYUKAN Entrance Building and holds large-scale exhibitions periodically.

1-1-10 Kaigandori Osaka, FL 552-0022 Japan +81 6 6576 5501 info-e@kaiyukan.com Open Hours10am-8pm daily

Tokyo Disneyland - Top Tourism Attractions in Tokyo

Tokyo Disneyland is a 115 acre theme park at the Tokyo Disney Resort located in Urayasu, Chiba, Japan, near Tokyo. It was the first Disney park to be built outside of the United States and was opened on April 15, 1983.

The park was constructed by Walt Disney Imagineering in the same style as Disneyland in California and the Magic Kingdom in Florida. It is owned by The Oriental Land Company, which licenses the theme from The Walt Disney Company. It, along with its companion park, Tokyo DisneySea, are the only Disney parks not owned by The Walt Disney Company.

There are seven themed areas, each complementing each other yet unique in their style. Made up of the World Bazaar, the four classic Disney lands: Adventureland, Westernland, Fantasyland and Tomorrowland, and two mini lands, Critter Country and Mickey’s Toontown.

The park is noted for its huge open spaces to accommodate the massive crowds the park receives on even moderate attendance days.

In 2007, Tokyo Disneyland hosted approximately 13.9 million guests, ranking it the third-most visited amusement park in the world, behind only its two American sister parks, the Magic Kingdom and Disneyland.

Maps and Guide PDF Downloads:

Tokyo Disneyland Resort Map
Tokyo Disneyland Attractions Map
Tokyo Disneyland Shops & Restaurants Map
Tokyo DisneySea Attractions Map
Tokyo DisneySea Shops & Restaurants Map

Shinjuku Station - Top Tourism Attractions in Tokyo

Serving as the main connecting hub for rail traffic between central Tokyo and its western suburbs on inter-city rail, commuter rail and metro lines, the station was used by an average of over 4 million people per day, making it the busiest train station in the world in terms of number of passengers.

Japan Railways East, Odakyu, Keio and Seibu Shinjuku are some of the private companies operating trains in and out of out of this terminal. The station is packed with bars, restaurants, a couple of department stores, kiosks selling everything from ties to tissues. Coin lockers are available. The biggest thing to worry about here is the crowds, but they are quite orderly except perhaps late on Saturday nights. Including an underground arcade, there are well over 200 exits.

Many department stores and shopping malls are built directly into the station. These include
Lumine Est - above JR’s east exit
Odakyu department store - above the Odakyu line concourse
Odakyu Mylord - above the southern end of Odakyu line concourse
LUMINE 1 shopping mall - above the Keiō Line concourse
LUMINE 2 shopping mall - above JR’s south and Lumine exits
Keio Department store - above the Keiō Line concourse
Keio Mall - underground mall to the southwest of the Keiō Line concourse
Odakyu Ace - underground malls beneath the bus terminal by the west exit.

In addition to the above, the Metro Promenade, which is an underground mall owned by Tokyo Metro, extends eastwards from the station beneath Shinjuku-dori avenue, all the way to the adjacent Shinjuku-sanchōme station with 60 exits along the way. The Metro Promenade in turn connects to Shinjuku Subnade, another underground shopping mall, which leads onto Seibu Railway’s Seibu-Shinjuku station.