Tokyo

Tokyo is Japan's capital and one of the world's most dynamic cities, where ancient temples, quiet gardens and traditional neighbourhoods sit alongside towering skyscrapers, neon-lit streets and some of the most advanced public transport on earth. Landmarks such as the Imperial Palace, Senso-ji in Asakusa, Meiji Shrine and the Tokyo Skytree anchor a skyline that feels both deeply historic and unmistakably modern. The city's past reaches back to the fishing village of Edo, which became the seat of the Tokugawa shogunate in the early 1600s and was renamed Tokyo, or 'Eastern Capital,' in 1868. That heritage survives in districts such as Asakusa and Yanaka, while the glass-and-steel cityscape of Shinjuku, Marunouchi and Shiodome reflects Tokyo's post-war rebuilding and its role as a global financial and technology centre. Neighbourhoods give Tokyo its many personalities. Shibuya and Shinjuku pulse with shopping, entertainment and nightlife; Ginza and Omotesando offer high-end retail and galleries; Akihabara and Harajuku are hubs of pop culture and street fashion; and Roppongi and Odaiba mix museums, waterfront attractions and international dining. Tokyo is also a leading destination for business, conferences and events, having hosted the Summer Olympics in 1964 and 2021 and home to the headquarters of many of Japan's largest companies. Its food scene is among the finest in the world, from sushi counters and ramen shops to izakaya, department-store food halls and the seafood markets of Tsukiji and Toyosu. For both leisure and business travellers, Tokyo offers an extraordinary combination of efficient infrastructure, cultural depth, culinary excellence and year-round events, making it one of the most rewarding cities to visit.