Tokyo Overview
By Roz Andrews
Tokyo, the capital city of Japan, is a vibrant, fast-moving city with the snow-capped Mount Fuji as its backdrop.
Enjoy a fresh sushi breakfast at the Tsukiji Central Fish Market and browse through the enormous variety of freshly-caught fish. Afterwards, relax in the nearby Hama Rikyu Onshi-Teien, a former palace garden. Sip Japanese green tea in the unusually-located tea pavilion perched on an island in the duck pond.
Visit a Shinto shrine or Buddhist temple, such as Senso-Ji, founded in the seventh century and dedicated to Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy. Step through the Thunder Gate and browse the stores and food stalls of the Nakamise-dori. As you go through the next gate, a huge five-storey pagoda towers above you and aromatic smoke from burning incense, reputed to bring good health, wafts all round.
Sumo wrestling, a uniquely Japanese sport originating from Shinto ritual two thousand years ago, can be viewed at the Ryogoku Kokugikan sumo stadium during tournaments that take place in January, May and September.
Anime (animation) and manga (comics) are important parts of Japanese popular culture that are celebrated at the Tokyo International Anime Fair, held in late March or early April each year. The Akihabara district of Tokyo is home to many stores selling all kinds of manga and anime throughout the year. Go!
