infomapJAPAN Free Travel Guide. Maps, Sightseeing, Access Guide, Accommodation, Events, Japanese Trends, Gifts

Tokyo Dome City used to be known as the Big Egg City was given the new name in January 2000. It is an entertainment complex consisting of various facilities that include the Tokyo Dome Hotel, the Laqua, the Korakuen Hall, and the Tokyo Dome that is the Japan's first domed stadium built as a home field of the Yomiuri Giants professional baseball team in 1988. The stadium accommodates up to 55000 people and has been used not only for baseball games, but also for other sports events, music concerts, shows, and other events. Outside the stadium, are the Laqua that contains shops, restaurants, spas, and attractions, and the Tokyo Dome Attraction, an amusement park used to be called "Korakuen Amusement Park." Professional wrestling and other marshal arts are mainly hosted at the Korakuen Hall. With so many things offered for all age groups, this place is busy throughout a year.

Composed of multiple buildings providing a fine blend of residential facilities and amusement complex including offices, restaurants, cafes, a museum, a hotel, and stores, the Yebisu Garden Palace can be recognized as a representative example of Tokyo's contemporary city developments. The area is not very close to the downtown area, but a 400-meter long mobile path called "Sky Walk" directly connects the JR Yebisu station and the Yebisu Garden Palace is making this place more accessible. The name of this area, "Yebisu" came from the name of the beer. Around the late 19th century, Sapporo began to brew "Yebisu beer" at the beer factory formerly located on this site. The name, "Yebisu" was soon adapted to the train station's name and eventually became the name of this area. The factory itself was closed in 1985; however, the name remains the same as traces of its origin.

Over three decades have passed, the State Guest House or Geihinkan, opened in 1974 as a government facility, has accommodated a number of politically important guests such as Presidents and Primary Ministers from abroad, and it also has hosted international summit meetings. Designed in the neo-baroque style by a Japanese architect, Tokuma Kataymama who had studied under a Briton, the European looking building formerly called "Akasaka Detached Palace" was built in 1909 for the Crown Prince who later became the Taisho Emperor in 1912 to reside in. The building served as a venue for bureaucratic meetings, provided the National Diet Library, and also used as a head office for the Tokyo Olympics held in 1964. After a large scale of renovation took place, the place was converted into today's State Guest House that stands in a large open space covered by greenery in the Moto Akasaka area.

Sumo is Japanese popular national sport. Built in the area called "Ryogoku" where is known as the Sumo town, the current permanent stadium dates back to 1985 after a few reconstructions had taken place since the first stadium was built to host the in-door Sumo matches in 1909. The stadium is relatively new and provides various contemporary features yet preserved its dignified appearance. It accommodates more than 10000 people and holds three out of six Sumo tournaments per year, in January, May, and September, and each tournament lasts for 15 days. The Sumo Museum located inside of the Ryogoku Kokugikan provides a wide collection of materials related to its history to preserve and protect Japan's traditional sport, Sumo. The exhibition theme changes almost every other month. Around the stadium, there are many Sumo-beya (stable where Sumo wrestlers practice), restaurants serving Chanko-nabe (a huge hot pot with everything from vegetables and meat to noodles) that is commonly eaten at the Sumo-beya.

A massive architecture topped with an octangular roof like a temple in the Kitanomaru Park where the Kitanomaru Palace use to stand, is the Nippon Budokan. The Nippon Budokan, which means "martial arts hall" was erected to host the judo competition in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Three halls are comprised in the building and the largest hall has a seating capacity of 14,000. The Nippon Budokan is often regarded as synonym of gateway to success among musicians in Japan and abroad as a consequence of having hosted many music concerts of internationally renowned artists. It is, however, a facility to host Japanese traditional martial arts and it hosts annual national tournaments for all kinds of Japanese traditional martial arts that include not only Judo, but also Kendo, Karate, Aikido, Shorinji Kempo, and others. All sorts of classes are also held here.

Yasukuni Jinja is one of the most well-known shrine in Japan and abroad as it enshrines spirits of war dead who served and died for the country before and after the Meiji Restoration and the number has counted more than 2.5 millions till today. Alongside those died in wars, Class-A war criminals from the World War II are also enshrined in this shrine. The shrine was founded in 1869 as one of the Shokonsha (lit. inviting spirits) built throughout Japan, and it was later renamed as Yasukuni Jija (lit restful country) in 1879. On the grounds of shrine, there's a museum exhibiting war related collections including Japanese military related items. The shrine is located not too far from the Kitanomaru Park surrounded by the mort called Chidorigafuchi and the Imperial Palace that is south of the park. In spring, hundreds of cherry blossom trees in the precinct attract visitors who come to enjoy the cherry blossoms.

Completed in 1936 after 17 years of constructions commenced in 1920, the National Diet Building that is the center of Japanese politics. It was formerly located near the Hibiya Park, but it was moved to the top of a hill where feudal lords used to stay. Built in the distinctive design, it is said that about 30000 tons of rocks and marbles were used. The House of Representatives is in the building on your left and the House of Counselors on your right. You can see some parts of the building such as the assembly hall, rest area, and the central hall without an appointment. A tour of the building is available by making an appointment but you need to make a separate appointment for the each House. Adjacent to the building, is the constitutional government memorial, and there are gardens in both the western and Japanese styles in the front garden.

Located in eastern side of the Meiji Jingu Shrine that is dedicated to the Emperor Meiji and his wife, is a garden called "Gaien (the outer precinct)" by contrast with "Nadine (inner precinct)." Gaien is built in the western style unlike the Nadine that is built in the Japanese style. In the wide space covered with more than 100000 trees, there are sports and cultural facilities including the Jingu Baseball Stadium, the Meiji Memorial Hall, and the Meiji Memorial Picture gallery. The picture gallery is symbolic building for the Gaien and exhibits art pieces related to the political scene during the end of Shogun Era and the Meiji Era. The 300 meter long avenue running outside of the Gaien is famous for ginkgo groves planted on both sides, turns into an avenue covered with beautiful bright yellow in autumn and many people come from both close and long distance to enjoy the view around November.

Founded on March, 28 1993, the Edo Tokyo Museum educates visitors about Tokyo''s history and culture and asks guests to think about the city''s future in light of its rich heritage. The permanent collection consists of three large sections and has about 2,500 articles on display. These include ukiyoe art, picture scrolls, kimono, life-size Rickshaws, hands-on displays and about 50 large-scale models of historical Tokyo relics which have been faithfully recreated from their originals. Special exhibitions and lectures are held regularly and visitors can take time to learn more in the library, Audio-Visual Hall and Audio-Visual Library.

With hills and ponds, this landscape garden follows the Kaiyu style (scenic promenade). It is considered one of the two best Edo period gardens, along with Koishikawa Korakuen Reminiscent of a cascading waterfall, the beautiful weeping cherry trees make this garden a popular spot.

In 1982, this diverse garden was designated a cultural property of Tokyo Prefecture. There are three distinct features; a hilltop western style home, a western style flower garden full of roses, azaleas and peonies and a traditional Japanese garden in the lowlands.