| Tokyo just might be the largest city in the | | | | There is a tendency to become inundated and |
| world, comprised of 23 individual wards, all | | | | desensitized by the neon lights that line the |
| with their own unique characteristics. | | | | city streets like masts in Japans ocean of |
| Foreigners are easily intimidated by the | | | | technology. While these electric temples |
| sheer expanse of Japans capital city and its | | | | serve to extol a hyper-modern age, Tokyo also |
| 17 million inhabitants (5 million are | | | | possesses some of the most idyllic and serene |
| commuters); however, due to this volume alone | | | | shrines and pagodas in the country. |
| Tokyo has developed an unmatched public | | | | Meiji-jingu is the most impressive of Tokyos |
| transportation system and an intricate | | | | Shinto shrines, built with Japanese cypress |
| network of visitor friendly information | | | | and copper plates for the roof. Even though |
| resources. The best way to travel Tokyos | | | | the shrine was destroyed during World War II, |
| frantic bustle is to allow the subway to lead | | | | the reconstruction has not lost any of the |
| the way. A loose itinerary will draw you into | | | | grandeur. Just north of the city, Bonsai Park |
| true Japanese life through unexpected | | | | treats visitors to the zen-like art of |
| encounters and more intimate experiences. | | | | cultivating these meticulously placed |
| | | | miniature trees and experiencing the calming |
| Tokyo: A Consumer Capital | | | | of the mind. An essential experience for |
| | | | anyone traveling to Tokyo is the view of |
| It may be ironic that one of the most | | | | Mount Fuji in the early hours of dawn. This |
| expensive cities in the world also has one of | | | | is possible from within the city, atop one of |
| the most rampant and flamboyant consumer | | | | the massive skyscrapers such as the |
| cultures. Tourist attractions in Tokyo | | | | Government Building in Shinjuku. Directly in |
| consist of many gargantuan shopping complexes | | | | the center of Tokyo, the Imperial Palace |
| in addition to the cultural favorites. The | | | | (Kokyo) is an inner-city sanctuary that is |
| Ginza shopping district reigns supreme for | | | | home to the Imperial Family. The public can |
| ostentatious spending habits, with thousands | | | | visit the surrounding East Gardens and walk |
| of mega-stores, boutiques and an excessive | | | | along the double bridge over the tranquil |
| array of non-functional novelty stores for | | | | moats of the palace grounds, but the palace |
| the easily amused within us all. For a dose | | | | buildings and inner courtyard are closed to |
| of New York in Tokyo, visit Shibuya, which is | | | | visitors. |
| rife with higher-end shops, shrines, | | | | |
| King-Kong-sized plasma TV screens and the | | | | Travel to Tokyo with a willingness to get |
| busiest pedestrian street crossing in the | | | | lost among the hustle and perhaps find |
| world. | | | | yourself again in the silence of a shrine. |
| | | | The expansive city and system of subways make |
| A Culture of Retrospect and Reflection | | | | it nearly impossible to make a wrong turn. |
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