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