TOKYO DISTRICTS

TOKYO DISTRICTS

Akasaka is one of Tokyo's central business districts, full of corporate headquarters and exclusive hotels. Akasaka, part of the Chiyoda Ward, is not far from Tokyo Imperial Palace. Akasaka also features the Akasaka Palace which is used by visiting state dignitaries.

Akihabara is famous for its high tech shopping (electric town), entertainment and meido cafe. Akihabara is in the eastern part of Chiyoda Ward in Tokyo.

Aomi is a district in Koto Ward of central Tokyo. Aomi forms part of what is commonly known as Odaiba, a modern development area on an artifical island in Tokyo Bay. Aomi makes up much of the southern and western parts of Odaiba and features many attractions including Daikanransha Ferris Wheel and Palette Town.

Ariake is a district in Koto Ward of central Tokyo. Ariake forms part of what is commonly known as Odaiba, a modern development area on an artifical island in Tokyo Bay. Ariake makes up the northern part of Odaiba and includes Tokyo Big Sight and Ariake Colosseum.

Asakusa District, part of the Taito Ward is to the north east of central Tokyo. Asakusa is most famous for Sensoji Temple (sometimes referred to as Asakusa Temple), a long with the surrounding temples and shrines.

Daiba is a district in Minato Ward of central Tokyo. Daiba forms part of what is commonly known as Odaiba, a modern development area on an artifical island in Tokyo Bay. Daiba includes section water front area on the north eastern part of Odaiba. Daiba features many attractions including Fuji TV Studios and Aqua City Odaiba.

Ginza is an up market shopping district in central Tokyo featuring major department stores, international fashion brand stores, galleries, restaurants and some distinctive architecture. Ginza is within the Chuo Ward.

Golden Gai is a small area within Kabukicho District of Shinjuku Ward. Golden Gai is several narrow lane ways filled with bars and food outlets, which is between Shinjuku Ward Office and Hanazono Shrine.

Harajuku is a significant fashion and shopping district, but it also includes Tokyo's most popular shine, Meiji Jingu Shrine and one of the most signficant parks in Tokyo, Yoyogi Park. Harajuku is part of Shibuya Ward.

Higashiyama is a district within the central Tokyo Ward of Meguro, where shell mounds (remains of shells left by humans) have been found that date back to the paleolithic period (10,000+ years old).

Ichigaya is a district within Shinjuku Ward, which is to the East of Shinjuku Station. Ichigaya includes the Ministry of Defence Headquarters.

Ikebukuro is a commercial and entertainment district to the north east of central Tokyo in Toshima (one of the 23 special wards of Tokyo). Ikebukuro is focused around Ikebukuro Station, which combines the JR East, Seibu Ikebukuro Line and the Tobu Tojo Lines. Ikebukuro Station is the second busiest station in Tokyo. Surrounding Ikebukuro Station are several department stores including Seibu, Tobu, Marui and Don Quijote. Also near Ikebukuro Station is the Sunshine 60 Building which was the tallest building in Tokyo.

Kabukicho is the entertainment district of Shinjuku Ward. Kabukicho is filled at night with bright colored neon signs which light up the narrow streets packed with bars, restaurants, cinemas and hostess bars.

Kagurazaka District is to east of Shinjuku Station, near Iidabashi Station, in Shinjuku Ward.

Meiji Jingu Gaien is the outer precient of Meiji Jingu Shrine, but is not directly attached to the shine grounds. Meiji Jingu Gaien is around 1km to the east of Meiji Jingu Shrine. The center piece of Meiji Jingu Gaien is the Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery, but the 330,000 sqare metre complex includes the Jingu Baseball Stadium, a Second Baseball Stadium, Golf Driving Range, Softball Grounds, Indoor Stadium for Ball Games, Tennis Club, Ice Skating Rink and the Avenue of Gingko Trees which is one of top places to see autumn leaves. Meiji Jingu Gaien is in Shibuya Ward of central Tokyo.

Nihonbashi is a business district in the Chuo ward of central Tokyo. Nihonbashi, which literally means Japan Bridge, derives its name from the historic bridge which crosses the Nihonbashi River. The first Nihonbashi (bridge) was wooden and completed in 1603. In 1911, the current stone bridge was completed. Nihonbashi (bridge) was referred to as the Japan Bridge as it was the eastern end of the Nakasendo and Tokaido roads which joined Tokyo and Kyoto. Even today all distances for roads are measured from the central point of the bridge. Nihonbashi is the location of the first department store in Japan, Mitsukoshi, which has now been joined by the Takashimaya Department Store. Nihonbashi is the site of the Bank of Japan and the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

Nishi-Shinjuku is Tokyo's largest skyscraper district and is to the west of Shinjuku Station in the Shinjuku Ward. Several of the tallest buildings in Tokyo are in Nishi-Shinjuku, including many great examples of modern Tokyo architecture.

Roppongi is a district in central Tokyo famous for its nightlife and very popular with foreigners. Roppongi also features many of the embassies. Roppongi is to the west of central Tokyo in the Minato Ward.

Shiba District is within the Minato ward in central Tokyo. Shiba District attractions include Tokyo Tower and Shiba Park, which includes Zojoji Temple. The Minato Ward Office is locate in the Shiba District.

Ueno District is north east of the center of Tokyo in the Taito Ward. Ueno is most famous for Ueno Park which is Tokyo's most popular location for viewing cherry blossom. Ueno Station is also a major transport hub. Ueno attractions include Ueno Zoo, Saigo Takamori Statue, Tokyo National Museum, National Museum of Nature and Science, National Museum of Western Art, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Tokyo Metropolitan Festival Hall, Bentendo Hall Temple, Kaneiji Temple, Kiyomizu Kannon-do Temple and Toshogu Shrine.

Yanesen is an area where historical street still remained, which makes this downtown area rare and attractive. Yanesen area consists of three parts, and the name "Yanesen" is a combination of the first few letters of each part's name: Yanaka, Nezu and Sendagi. Yanesen is in Bunkyo Ward central Tokyo.