Tokyo

Central Tokyo

The central area of Tokyo is dominated by the Imperial Palace and Gardens, and it can be tricky to get around if you want to get from one side to the other. Real estate is at a premium here, so you probably don't want to stay in the area but head in early for the Tsukiji Fish Market and enjoy super-fresh sushi for breakfast. If you fancy some retail therapy, Ginzu is home to a huge expanse of high-end retailers or the Akihabara district will open your eyes to the multitude of electronics that Japan is famous for, just watch out for star-struck nerds! Alternatively you can shun the consumerism and head to the National Museum of Modern Art.

Western Tokyo

The lively districts in western Tokyo have plenty to offer and can be a fun place to stay. Shinjuku is well known for having the busiest metro station in this fast-paced city, but the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden can offer respite from the crowds. Fans of youth culture will enjoy the Shibuya district and Yoyogi Park where teenagers meet and spend their free time, with the more sophisticated Daikanyama district next to it offering café culture and pricey boutiques instead. Harajuku is probably the most famous place here, the heart of Japanese cosplay culture, and the incredible costumes on the streets have to be seen to be believed.

Northern District

The pace of life is slower in the north so if you want to sample the joys of Tokyo and then retire for some peace this is a great place to book a Tokyo hotel. The Asakusa district has an old and traditional feel, with the highest concentration of buildings that survived World War II. The well-known Sensoji Temple is here as well as a few smaller temples. Greenery is everywhere; there's Ueno Park with its various museums and galleries, and the Botanical Gardens of the University of Tokyo which showcases the diversity of plant life in Japan. Rikugien Gardens are also popular and feature a number of smaller gardens around a lake, perfect for an afternoon of strolling.

Southern Tokyo

South of the centre is a mixture of the old and new, and with great links to the vibrant districts in the west. The Reppongi Hills Shopping Complex and the multitude of entertainment, shops and futuristic architecture on the man-made island of Odaiba showcase the modern side to this area. Elsewhere in Reppongi you can look out across the cityscape from the viewing deck of the Mori Arts Centre or see what Tokyo used to look like before all the high-rises and people arrived at the Institute for Nature Study nature reserve.

Further Afield

Tokyo is a massive city and there are numerous attractions further outside the central areas. Disneyland is ever popular, whilst you can see Japan's own rival in the cartoon stakes, creators of Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away and more, at the Ghibli Museum further out to the west. The east of the city offers the Edo-Tokyo Museum, which shows off the history of the city, and nestling behind it is the Sumo Museum. At Kasai Rinkai Park on Tokyo Bay you can ride a huge ferris wheel that takes 70 minutes to go around and offers great views of the city. Lover of Bonsai trees will want to make a special effort to head north east to the Bonsai Park for the world's largest collection of these miniature trees.