Next Stop, Japan

Akihabara

Akihabara (秋葉原) is an area north-east of central Tokyo that is most famous for its electronics stores. Recently, major redevelopment and the emergence of stores catering to otaku has altered the ambiance of Akihabara. The area's name is sometimes shortened to "Akiba".

Chiyoda Ward
Tōkyō

Ameyoko

Ameyoko (アメ横) is a busy bazaar-style market with hundreds of stalls that runs about 400 meters besides and under the elevated track from JR Okachimachi Station to JR Ueno Station. It is famous for its jam packed stores, bargain prices and a dingy, no-frills shopping experience.

Taitō Ward
Tōkyō

Asakusa

Asakusa is 10 minutes east of Ueno on the subway and beside the Sumida River (隅田川). Since the Edo period, the river banks in Asakusa have been a famous place to view cherry blossoms in the spring.

Taitō Ward
Tōkyō

Ebisu

Ebisu is one of the smallest districts that is worth a mention in Tokyo. Like many places in Tokyo, its distinct ecosystem of shops and cliental is centered around a major train junction. Historically, it was a working class factory district with one of earliest large scale beer factories in Japan.

Today, all the factories have moved to cheaper locations and Yebisu Garden Place, an upper class shopping mall, stands where the beer factory once stood. The character and urban flavor of smaller eateries has given way to higher class restaurants in many parts of Ebisu.

Shibuya Ward
Tōkyō

Edogawa

Edogawa City (江戸川区) is the eastern most of the 23 special wards that make up Tokyo. This coastal area of Tokyo gets its name form the Edogawa River that defines its border and that of Tokyo with Chiba Prefecture. Edogawa City was formed out of the merger of seven towns and villages in 1937. The initially proposed name, Matsue, was soundly rejected by several of the areas.

Edogawa Ward
Tōkyō

Ginza

Ginza is one prestigious place name in Tokyo that needs very little introduction to anyone with a desire to be seen spending in Tokyo. Top fashion and cosmetic boutiques are now clustered in many places in Tokyo, but the history and cultural momentum of Ginza makes shopping here especially alluring.

Chūō Ward
Tōkyō

Harajuku

Harajuku (原宿) has been regarded for many years as the place where many of Japan's nascent youth trends will emerge. It is located in Shibuya Ward in south west central Tokyo.

Shibuya Ward
Tōkyō

Odaiba

Odaiba (お台場) is one of the most popular destinations in Tokyo for Japanese people. Besides its shopping and other attractions, Odaiba's wide open spaces and location in Tokyo Bay also makes it one of the most scenic and relaxing recreation areas in Tokyo.

Kōtō Ward
Tōkyō

Shibuya

Shibuya (渋谷) is one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo. The area northwest of Shibuya Station emerged as a major fashion district for youth during the 1980s and it has remained so ever since. During the weekend, the sidewalks become saturated with young shoppers. It is often said that in front of Shibuya Station is one of the world's busiest pedestrian crossing.

Shibuya's raw popularity comes from its status as a major train junction (two private railways, two subways and many JR lines). Shibuya Station is the 2nd most popular station in Tokyo.

Shibuya Ward
Tōkyō

Shinagawa

Shinagawa (品川) is one of 23 special wards of Tokyo. The area around Shinagawa Station is generally thought of as Shinagwa, however, it is not actually in the modern Shinagawa City. It was the first post town on the ancient Tokaido Road from Tokyo to Kyoto.

Shinagawa has a number of attractions and historic sights but is mainly a business district. It is a popular place to stay because of its proximity to Haneda Airport and to other major districts of Tokyo. A number of high class hotels like that Shinagawa Prince Hotel are located around the station.

Shinagawa Ward
Tōkyō

Suidobashi

Suidobashi (水道橋) is a loosely defined section in Chiyoda City and Bunkyo City to the north of the Imperial Place where drinking water for central Tokyo once crossed over the Kandagawa River. Its name literally means aqueduct bridge. Today, JR's Suidobashi Station is located in the general area where the bridge once stood.

Chiyoda Ward
Tōkyō

Ueno

Ueno (上野) is a short distance north east of central Tokyo in the Taito City which is one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo. Ueno, along with Asakusa to the east, was part of the historic downtown district of Tokyo called Shitamachi. Ueno hill (now Ueno Park) was where the Tokugawa Shogunate in 1868 made their last stand against the new Meiji government.

Taitō Ward
Tōkyō

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