Top Destinations JAPAN Mini Travel Guide for the newbie tourist

JAPAN Mini Travel Guide for the newbie tourist

KYOTO

Kyoto, a Japanese city is the capital of Kyoto Prefecture. In 794, Heiankyo, the new city, which became the seat of imperial court of Japan was renamed to Kyoto. Kyoto was earlier known as Saikyo. The city was the capital until the government was shifted to Edo in 1868. Kyoto was designated on September 1, 1956 and is now considered the cultural center of Japan.





Area & Location: Sits on the middle-western portion of the island of Honshu, Kyoto is surrounded on three sides by Higashiyama, Kitayama and Nishiyama mountains. The city, which is located at 35?1' Latitude North and 135?5' Longitude East, occupies a total area of 827.90 sq. km. It has a population of 1.5 million with a density of 1779 per sq. km.

Tourist Attractions: The cultural heritages in the city are often visited by tourists.

Transportation: Kansai International Airport serves as the main entrance to the city for those coming from other parts of the world.
The city has an extensive rail network that covers the entire country. The bus network, subway system and cycle include the public transportation of the city.

Hotels:As a city known for delicious traditional cuisines, Kyoto offers wide array of hotels that serve mouth-watering dishes. Besides traditional dishes, they also provide other western dishes catering to the needs of its customers. ANA Hotel Kyoto, Kyoto Hotel Okura, Granvia Hotel Kyoto, Palace Side Hotel, Kyoto Kokusai Hotel, Hyatt Regency Kyoto and Nikko Princess Hotel Kyoto are the well-known hotels in Kyoto.

Places of Attraction:Kyoto is a popular tourist destination. Kinkaku-ji -temple built in 1397, Kiyomizu Temple from where it is possible to have a panoramic view of the city, Gion, Nijo Castle-the home of Tokugawa leyasu, one of the most powerful men in Japan, Daitoku-ji Temple Complex-complex of Zen Buddhism that consists of 24 temples, Fushimi Inari Shrine and Kyoto Imperial Palace are the interesting places to visit in Kyoto.


OSAKA

Osaka is the capital of Osaka Prefecture in Japan. It is the historical commercial capital of the country. The area were Osaka is situated was formally known as Naniwa. Naming it Naniwa-no-miya, Emperor Kotoku made the city his capital. It served as the site of palaces of the various Emperors. It was also one of the main ports that help provide economic and cultural contact with T'ang Dynasty of China. In 745, it ceased to be the capital and Osaka became the most important economic center of Japan. During the Edo period, the city developed into one of Japan's most major cities and is still one of the major industrial centers and ports of the country. The modern city of Osaka was designated on September 1, 1956 and is now the third largest city in Japan.





Area & Location: Lies in the Kansai region of the main island of Honshu, Osaka is located at 34?1'37? Latitude North and135?0'7? Longitude East. Situated at the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay, it covers a total area of 222.11 sq. km. with a total population of 2.7 million.

Tourist Attractions: With a number of museums that dates back to its history, Osaka invites tourists to its soil.

Transportation: Osaka International Airport, the main airport that operate domestic as well as international flights provides access to the city from other parts of the world.
Osaka Municipal subway system connects the city with other regions. Besides this, JR trains and many private railways help to move around the city. Nankai Railways and JR West are the other modes of transportation in the city.

Hotels:The city offers fantastic hotels that provide awesome service. The friendly attitude of the staff in such hotels outshines itself from other hotels. The world-class hotels in the city are Swissotel Nankai Osaka, A Raffles International Hotel, New Otani Hotel Osaka, Hotel Nikko, Hyatt Regency, RIHGA Royal, Ritz-Carlton, Hotel Riva Nankai, Imperial Hotel and Ramada Osaka.

Places of Attraction:Osaka offers various entertainment facilities not only to the tourists but also to its visitors. Dotonbori Bridge, Triangle Park and Amerikamura are the well-known places in Osaka. As a city known for theaters, Osaka has many theaters including bunraku -the traditional puppet theatre and kabuki theatre. Osaka Castle, Kaiyukan- the world' s largest aquarium tank that houses even sharks, Tsutenkaku Tower and numerous amusement parks like Universal Studios Japan, Expoland, Nakanoshima Park and Festival Gate are the real fascination of the children. Several museums in Osaka tell the story of the city. Some of them are Osaka City Museum, Osaka Municipal Oriental Porcelain Museum and Osaka Municipal Science Museum.


TOKYO GUIDE

Transportation | Lodging and Dining | Traditions | Sightseeing | Shopping and Useful Tips | Immigration Information | Essential Services

Tokyo as we call it, actually consists of the Greater Tokyo area within which lies the city of Tokyo. It is considered the capital of Japan because it houses the Japanese government and the Japanese emperor. It is situated in the Japanese island of Honshu. It is located in the region called Kanto. Under Japanese law, Tokyo is a metropolis, not a city. Dozens of cities, villages, and towns are located in Tokyo. The economy of metropolitan Tokyo is the largest among all metropolises of the world. It is considered a major financial center of the world, with the headquarters of many of the world's largest investment banks and insurance companies being located here. It is among the top cities of the world in financial importance. Tokyo is considered among the top world cities and is considered an Alpha City along with New York, London, and Paris.




Island: Honshu

Country: Japan

Location: Tokyo is located in the mid-eastern part of Honshu and extends westward onto the Kanto plain. It is surrounded on the southeast by the Tokyo Bay.


Geographic Coordinates: Latitude 35.40 N, Longitude 139.45 E


Map: To view a Tokyo city map, click here. Map of Tokyo.

Area: Tokyo has an area of 2187 square km.

Per Capita Income: Tokyo has a per capita income of 4,180,000 Yen. This is equal to US $36,479.


Population: As on 2003, the population of Tokyo was 12.5 million.

Age Structure: According to a census of the year 2000, the age structure of the population of Tokyo was as follows: 16.9 percent of the people were between the ages of 0 to 19 years, while 33 percent of the people were between 20 to 39 years. A 20.36 percent of the people were between 40 to 54 years, 18.41 percent of the people were between 55 to 69 years, while 10.28 people were 70 years of age or above.


Racial Makeup: As of the year 2005, 1 Jan, there are 353,826 foreigners living in Tokyo. The maximum number of foreign residents belonged to the following countries: Chinese (120,331), Korean (103,191), Philippines (31,505), American (18,043), and British (7,585)

Economy:Tokyo is one of the most important city of the world financially. It has a GDP of $1.315 trillion, greater than the national economies of many large countries. Headquarters of several of the world's largest insurance companies and investment banks are located here. Tokyo has a diverse economy.

Amongst its major manufacturing industries are electronic goods, transport equipment, cameras and optical goods, automobiles, furniture, textiles, printing, and publishing. It exports electrical goodsThe Liberal Democratic Party, The Social Democratic Party, New Party Sakigake, The New Frontier Party, The Japanese Communist Party, The Democratic Party of Japan, The Taiyo Party and automobiles and many other items. The bubble economy collapsed in the early 1990s, and Tokyo and the whole of Japan underwent through a decade of deflation. But, the financial situation is now much better and confidence among the people of Japan is at an all time high.

Climate: Tokyo experiences temperate or subtropical conditions for most of the year. It remains spring season from March to May. During this time, the weather is pleasantly warm and comfortable. The peach, plum, and cherry blossoms appear at this time covering the streets in a myriad of colors. The months from June to August are the hottest months of the year. Temperatures at this time often exceed 30o C and there is humidity also. During the autumn months of August and September, the temperature often rises to 30o C. It is during this time that typhoons sometimes hit Tokyo, bringing with them powerful winds and heavy rain. Winter season is from December to February and it's comparatively mild with occasional snowfall. The best time to visit Tokyo would be from March to May or late September to November when the weather is the most congenial.

Earthquakes: Japan is one of the most earthquake prone regions of the world. A huge earthquake, known as the Great Kanto Earthquake, occurred in Tokyo in 1923. Besides this, Tokyo was hit by powerful earthquakes in 1703, 1782, 1812, and 1855. The magnitude of the 1923 earthquake was 7.9 on the Richter scale. The death toll of this earthquake exceeded 130,000. Studies show that earthquakes of this magnitude have been occurring at intervals of about 70 years in Japan.

Rainfall: Tokyo has an annual rainfall of 1,407 mm.

Government Type: Tokyo is a metropolis, not a city. Within Tokyo lie 27 cities, 13 towns and villages, and 23 wards. These 23 special wards are called "ku" in Japanese. Each of these wards has a Mayor and a Council. The 27 cities and 13 villages have a local government. The government of the entire Tokyo Metro area is lead by a Governor, who is elected publicly, and a metropolitan assembly. Japan has a democratic form of government. The head of state of Japan is the Emperor of Japan. The chief executive is the Prime Minister.

Major Political Parties: The Liberal Democratic Party, The Social Democratic Party, New Party Sakigake, The New Frontier Party, The Japanese Communist Party, The Democratic Party of Japan, The Taiyo Party


YOKOHAMA

Yokohama is the capital of Kanagawa Prefecture in Japan. The city, officially incorporated on April 1, 1889 is the Japan's largest incorporated city. The Port of Yokohama, which was opened in1859, became one of Japan's major ports and it later turned out to be the base of foreign trade in Japan. The foreigners occupied 'Kannai' a district of the city. The city became the international city in the country with foreigner areas extending from Kannai to the Yamate Bluff area and the Yokohama Chinatown. During the 20th century, there was a rapid growth in the industries, which enhanced the importance of the city.





Area & Location: Located in the Kanto region of the main island of Honshu, Yokohama is situated at 35?6' Latitude North and 139?8' Longitude East. Lies on an area in the western side of Tokyo Bay, which is 30 km away from Tokyo, Yokohama has a total area of 437.35 sq. km. The city has a total population 3.6 million.

Tourist Attractions: The city, which is close to a port, attracts tourists from every nook and corner of the world to enjoy the beauty of it.

Transportation: Yokohama port which has historical importance, help in commercial trade. Maglev trains and CosmoClock 21, are the modes of transportation in the city. Limited express or express trains provide easy and quick commutation in and around the city. The international Narita Airport and the domestic Haneda Airport serve the city.

The two major railway stations in the city the Yokohama Station and Shin-Yokohama Station operates number of trains that provide easy travel for the passengers who travel inside the country.

Hotels:The Yokohoma hotels that offer all facilities to its customers are the main lounge of the tourists visiting the city. The city has a wide variety of hotels ranging from cheap to luxurious with unique features. Inter-Continental Hotel, Pan Pacific Yokohama, Yokohama Excel Hotel Tokyu, New Grand Hotel, Yokohama Royal Park Hotel, Yokohama Isezakicho Washington Hotel, Yokohama Bay Sheraton Hotel and Towers and Breezbay Hotel are the famous hotels in the city.

Places of Attraction:The port areas like Yamashita Park, Minato Mirai 21, Yokohama Chinatown, Yokohama Stadium, the Silk Center, the Yokohama Doll Museum and the Yamate area -the foreigner's cemetery welcome tourists from all parts of the world who are interested to know and learn the history of the city. The Rose Garden, Sankeien, a garden, ramen museum and the curry museum also attract tourists. Walking through the 860m long suspension bridge -Yokohama Bay Bridge gives wonderful experience. Yokohama Port Symbol Tower and Yokohama Landmark Tower-the tallest building in Japan are the notable landmarks of the city that catch the sight of those entering Yokohama.