| Tokyo Pop. 12.015 millon |
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Explanation of Signs - Scenic tourist destination: the number
of star (from 1 to 4 ) corresponds
to the
degree of excellence of the location.- Tourist destination with historic heritages
and/or cultural assets: the number
of star
(from 1 to 4) corresponds to the importance
of respective location. - Grade of YH facility. 3-star is for the
standard grade, and 4-star is for the
highest
grade. |
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 This megalopolis is the capital of Japan.
Renowned entertainment and shopping districts,
including Ginza, Shinjuku, Shibuya and Ikebukuro,
are scattered along the JR Yamanote line.
It could be fun for foreign visitors to experience
a murderously crowded train ride in the rush
hour. Tokyo is a huge city indeed, but many
gardens and parks are being preserved in
the central area. A visit to Shita-machi
(traditional shopping and entertainment district)
such as Asakusa is also very popular among
the tourists. A panorama of Tokyo from the
Rinkai Bayside Park is impressive. Visitors
may have to work out a clever way to use
the public transportation facilities in order
to travel efficiently in this mega city.[Access from major cities] Train / - Shin Osaka St. <Shinkansen, Hikari> 3hr (553km)  Tokyo St.- Nagoya St. <Hikari> 1hr55min.(366km) Tokyo St.- Shizuoka St. <Hikari> 1hr (180km) Tokyo St.- Sendai St. <Shinkansen, Yamabiko> 2hr5min.(352km) Tokyo St.- Morioka St. <Yamabiko> 2hr25min.(535km) Tokyo St.Airplane / - Nagasaki Apt. 1hr40min. Haneda Apt.(Tokyo). - Fukuoka Apt. 1hr 30min. Haneda Apt.- Hiroshima Apt. 1hr20min. Haneda Apt.- Itami / Kansai Apt.(Osaka) 1hr10min. Haneda Apt.- Shin Chitose Apt. (Sapporo) 1hr30min. Haneda Apt.- Haneda Apt. <bus> 40min. Tokyo St.- There is also a monorail that runs between Haneda Apt. and Hamamatsucho St. on the JR Yamanote line. Long distance bus / - Osaka St. <bus> 8hr (night bus) Tokyo St. / Shinjuku St. / Ikebukuro St.- Kyoto St.<bus>8hr (night bus) Tokyo St. - Nagoya St. <bus> 5hr55min. Tokyo St.- Sendai St.<bus> 5hr30min. Shinjuku St. (Tokyo).Boat / Oarai Feery Terminal <boat> 19hr. Tomakomai Ferry Terminal[Festival] Kanda Festival: mid-May. Asakusa Sanja Festival: mid-May Asakusa . Samba Carnival: end of July [YH in the area] Tokyo Yoyogi YH tel 03-3467-9172Tokyo International YH tel 03-3235-1107Skycourt Koiwa YGH tel 03-3672-4411Skycourt Asakusa YGH tel 03-3875-4411[Tips on sightseeing]
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| Main Route from Tokyo to Sendai | ||
| Nikko The brilliantly lacquered Toshogu Grand Shrine, built in the 17th century, is on the list of the UNESCO's World Heritage Sites. A line of the Japanese cedars older than 300 years that stand along a historic boulevard is one of the highlights in Nikko. A beauty of the scenery grows as you go further into the 'inner' part of Nikko; from the elegantly shaped Kegon Waterfall to the shores of Chuzenji Lake, and on to another beautiful cascades, highlands (the cold moors) and mountains. The views of Lakes and forests on the way toward the Jyomo Highland are also superb. A recommended season for visiting the area is autumn. The mountains with the trees flaming with autumn colors pro-vide a piece of scenery that typifies the beauty of the season. There are also a plentiful hot spring resorts in Nikko. A tow day trip from Tokyo is most likely. 'Nikko-Kinugawa Free Pass' (4 -day validity, Yen 5740) and 'Nikko Mini-Free Pass' (2-day validity, Yen 4940), both available from Tobu Tetsudo, are reasonable and convenient. Sightseeing buses leave from Tobu Nikko Station and Kinugawa Onsen Station. [Festivals] Rinnoji Temple/Gohan Festival: Apr 2. Futaarasan Shrine/ Yayoi Festival: Apr 16-17. Toshogu Shrine/Samurai Parade: May 18 & Oct 17. [Access] - Asakusa St. <private, Tobu Tetsudo, ltd.express> 1hr50min. Tobu Nikko St. - Utsunomiya St. <JR, local> 45min. Nikko St. - Nikko St. <bus> 6min. Nishi-sando (Toshogu) <bus> 35min.
Chuzenji-ko[YH in the area] Nikko Daiyagawa YH tel 0288-54-1974Green-road Nikko Suginamiki YH tel 0288-26-0951Mashiko Widely known as a town of pottery. A British potter once lived here and devoted himself to the pottery making. Although sundry items for daily use are the main product of Mashiko, the number of ceramist who makes artistic objects is on the rise. There are several museums of ceramics in the town. Tourist steam locomotive runs between Shimodate and Mashiko on weekends and holidays. One-day trip from Tokyo to Mashiko is feasible. [Access] - JR Utsunomiya St. <walk> 20min. Tobu Utsunomiya St. <bus> 1hr 10min.
Mashiko. - Oyama St. <JR, local> 25min. Shimodate St. <private, Moka Tetsudo,
local> 45min. Mashiko St.- Moka Tetsudo/steaw locomotive is operated on Saturdays, holidays and certain days of summer holidays. The train departs Shimodate St. at 10:52, and rrives at Mashiko St. at 15:08. Nasu- kogen The Nasu-kogen is a highland lying at the foot of the volcanic Mt. Nasu. It is good to take a walk on the highland. At the far end of the highland, there rises the smoking Mt. Chausudakend, of which mountainside is reachable by ropeway. One of the tourist attractions in this area is the azeleas that cover the surface of the mountain in early summer. Many hot spas, as well as a villa of the imperial family, are in this locality. A half-day to one full day is required for sightseeing in the area. [Access] Nasu-shiobara St. <bus> 50min. Nasu-yumoto <bus> 20min. Nasu-dake Sanroku St. <cable car>
5min. Nasudake SanchoBandai- kogen There are a large number of lakes, all of which are the products of volcanic activities, scatter about on the highland of Bandai-kogen. It is fascinating to have oneself surrendered to the beauty of crystal-clear lakes and the surrounding mountains. There are a lot of hot springs also. One full day will be necessary for sightseeing in the area. There are tour buses from JR Koriyama station or JR Fukushima station. [Access] Koriyama St. <JR, local> 40min. Inawashiro St. <bus> 40min. Bandai-kogen[YH in the area] Ura-bandai YH tel 0241-32-2811Aizu- Wakamatsu It is an old town, where the donjon of the castle had been restored. Taking a walk down the historic shopping streets with a retrospective atmosphere is pleasant and relaxing. Lacquer wares and 'sake', the Japanese rice wine, are the special products from the locality. There is a hot spring resort Higashiyama Onsen adjoining Aizu Wakamatsu. A road that runs along the river and leads to Aizu Tajima provides a scenic view of the countryside. One or two days will be necessary for sightseeing in the area. A tour bus departs from Aizu Wakamatsu station. [Access] Koriyama St. <JR, local> 1hr20min. Aizu Wakamatsu St.[YH in the area] Aizu-no-sato YH tel 0241-27-2054Aizuno YH tel 0242-55-1020Azuma- kogen The Azuma mountain range, of which peaks rise high at an altitude over 2000 meters, is known as an area where heavy snow falls in the winter. The ridges of the mountains are reachable by bus except in the wintertime. As most of the mountains are active volcanoes, magnificent panorama, along with volcanic craters, can be observed from the mountain edges. While the sides of the mountains are covered with green forests, there are orchards at their roots, which provide beautiful views of flowers in May and June, and fruit-pickings at the harvest season. There are many hot springs in the area. [Access] - Fukushima St. <bus> Takayu <bus> 40min. Jododaira.- Fukushima St. <bus> 40min. Tsuchiyu Onsen[YH in the area] YGH Atoma tel 024-591-2523Azuma-kogen Starhunt YH tel 024-591-1412Zao- Skyline The Okama, a big volcanic crater filled with blue-green water located on the top of a mountain, can be reached via the 'Zao Skyline' turnpike. The area is a fun place to visit for hiking along the mountain ridges, or skiing in the snow-rich winter. Many hot spring resorts scatter at the mountain foot. One full day will be necessary for sightseeing in the locality. There are tour buses from Tokatta-onsen and Sendai St. [Access] Shiroisi-Zao St. <bus> 1hr40min. Zao-katta Sancho (mountaintop)[YH in the area] Minami-zao YH tel 0224-37-2124 |
