While the COVID-19 pandemic limited Tokyo, Japan to 4 million tourists in 2020, it normally welcomes over 30 million visitors annually. Crowded streets illuminated in a glow of neon signage is the typical image one gets when Tokyo is mentioned. While that’s certainly part of its charm, there’s plenty of interesting facts about Tokyo to discuss. Let’s get to it!
1. Tokyo Isn’t A City
Contrary to popular belief, Tokyo isn’t a city. It’s a prefecture, which is similar to a state or province. Japan is divided into 47 prefectures. Tokyo is further divided into 23 wards (or districts) which are considered cities inside of Tokyo. For example, the wards Shinjuku or Itabashi are technically referred to as Shinjuku City or Itabashi City. Furthermore, some popular areas such as Akihabara aren’t wards but are located inside of them (in this case, Akihabara is in Chiyoda ward).
2. Tokyo Has The World’s Largest Population
When you add up the residents in all 23 wards, Tokyo has a population of about 9 million people. When you expand it to the metropolis, the population exceeds 13 million. Pushing the boundaries even further, the greater Tokyo area consists of multiple prefectures with a total population of close to 38 million people. This means 30% of Japan’s residents are concentrated in this area. The closest city to rival this population is Seoul, Korea, which is 1.5 times smaller than Tokyo.
3. Tokyo Has A Long History
Tokyo was first settled around 3,000 B.C. Before its current name, Tokyo was known as Edo, which translates to “estuary”. The Edo period lasted from 1603 to 1868. It was the capital of Japan and part of the Tokugawa shogunate, which was the country’s military government until 1868. The proceeding Meiji government restored imperial rule to Japan and changed Edo to Tokyo in 1869.
Tokyo was also heavily bombed by Allied forces in the last year of World War II. Around 1,600 tonnes were dropped along with napalm, decimating a 40 square kilometer area. Between 80,000 and 130,000 people were killed, and over a million people were left homeless.
4. Tokyo Has The World’s Busiest Train Station
Shinjuku Station, located in the Shinjuku and Shibuya wards is the busiest railway station in the world. It’s so busy that oshiya (or “pushers”) are hired to forcibly cram people onto the trains during rush hours. The station sees an average of 3.6 million people pass through it every day. Also of note, Tokyo’s train platforms have overhead blue lights, which is a nudge technique used to combat the country’s high suicide rate.
5. Tokyo Has 2 Disney Theme Parks
Like Disney? You can visit (or stay at) the Disney Resort on the outskirts of Tokyo. The resort has two parks: Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. The former is family-friendly with multiple daily parades, while the latter caters to adults with thrill rides and rollercoasters. The DisneySea theme park is only found in Japan. The entire resort can be travelled by foot, but it also has a monorail for added convenience.
6. The Tokyo Cherry Blossoms
Japan is famous for its cherry blossom trees, which are considered the national flower. Also known as sakura or Japanese cherry, they bloom at different times across the country. Blooming in Tokyo takes place for 2 weeks from late March to mid-April. Ueno Park alone has more than 1,000 trees which can be enjoyed through hanami, a centuries-old tradition of flower viewing. You can keep any that have fallen on the ground, but it’s illegal to pluck them off the trees.
7. Tokyo Is Designed To Withstand Floods and Earthquakes
Japan is a highly earthquake-prone country. They’ve had 6 major quakes in the past 300 years. A 1923 earthquake caused 142,000 casualties, and 2011’s quake and tsunami took 18,000 lives. Modern buildings are built with earthquake-proof technology, and the country even has an Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) system. This alerts citizens 1 minute before a quake via cell phones, websites, and television stations.
Floods are also common. Tokyo uses 5 massive cylindrical shafts in a 6.3-kilometer tunnel underneath the city to combat this problem. The shafts store floodwater and divert it into the Edo River, protecting the city from destruction.
8. Tokyo Tower Looks Familiar
No, you’re not imagining things. Tokyo Tower is modelled after France’s Eiffel Tower. However, Tokyo Tower is more than a fancy monument. It’s actually a functioning communications tower that also has 2 observation decks. The tower measures 333 meters (1,092 feet) tall, which is 13 meters higher than the Eiffel Tower. It’s also 50% lighter and 78 years younger. Tokyo Tower is painted orange and white to comply with air safety regulations. Every 5 years it requires a paint job by hand using over 7000 gallons of paint.
9. Tokyo Has Multiple Viewing Platforms
Taking in the stunning views of Tokyo from high above the city is something all tourists should do. Some viewing platforms have an entry fee while others are completely free. Here’s a quick list:
- Tokyo Tower
- Tokyo Skytree
- Shibuya Sky at Shibuya Scramble Square
- Roppongi Hills Mori Tower
- Ikebukuro Sunshine
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (free)
- Sky View at Caretta Shiodome (free)
- Bunkyo Civic Cener Observation Deck (free)
- Yebisu Garden Place Tower (free)
- Sky Carrot Observation Lobby (free)
10. Tokyo Is A Foodie Paradise
Tokyo is a mecca for food lovers. It has more than 226 Michelin-starred restaurants, with 22 of them being sushi restaurants. Aragawa has one of the most expensive meals at ¥35000 ($310 USD) per person for their Kobe Sanda beef. The oldest restaurant in Tokyo is Komagata Dozeu, which dates back to 1801. There’s also Gonpachi Nishi-Azabu, which was replicated in the movie “Kill Bill” if you’re looking for something more touristy. Food in Tokyo can be expensive, but you can get very good quality quick meals at convenience stores like Family Mart if you’re on a budget.
11. Tourists Can Shop Tax-Free
Like shopping? Tourists can shop tax-free in Tokyo. The only stipulations are that your purchase is over ¥5000 ($44 USD) and you need to produce your passport. Ginza is Tokyo’s high-end shopping district with plenty of department stores and luxury boutiques to keep you busy.
12. See Extreme Fashions In Harajuku
The “weird stuff” that you always hear about Japanese culture can be found in Harajuku. It’s a trendy section of the city that leans heavily into pop culture and more specifically, kawaii (cute) culture. You’ll also find some outrageous fashions here – people dressed up in lolita outfits, goths, colorful decora kei, and cosplayers. Take a stroll down the busy Takeshita street and enjoy the madness.
13. There’s Vending Machines Everywhere
Tokyo has an almost-comical amount of vending machines. There are roughly 4.5 million in the country, making it a 60 billion dollar/year industry. That’s 1 machine for every 23 citizens! There’s no rhyme or reason as to what they’re filled with. Everything from hamburgers, fish broth, umbrellas, energy drinks, tea, coffee, milk, fruits, condoms, action figures, beer, cigarettes, and even underwear can be purchased. In Tokyo, there’s a vending machine every 12 meters, and they’re one of the most talked-about aspects amongst tourists.
14. Tokyo Hosted The Olympics Twice
A world-class city like Tokyo has hosted the Olympics and Paralympics twice, once in 1964 and most recently in 2021. It was also tapped to host in 1940, but the games were cancelled due to World War II. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic postponed the games by a year. In addition to the Olympics, Tokyo is also known for hosting the Tokyo Marathon, with sumo wrestling and baseball also being popular sporting events.
15. Tokyo Has Lots of Museums
Tokyo has somewhere around 100 museums and galleries for you to visit. There’s a wide range to choose from. Here are some of the best:
- The National Museum of Modern Art
- Samurai Museum
- Tokyo Photographic Art Museum
- Ghibli Museum
- Yayoi Kusama Museum
- Tokyo National Museum
- Mori Art Museum
- Museum of Contemporary Art
- TeamLab Borderless Digital Art Museum
16. The Tsukiji Fish Market
The Tsukiji Fish Market was the largest wholesale and seafood market in the world. It was a mix of wholesale and retail activity, with a famed 5 am tuna auction. In recent years, bluefin tuna has been sold here for upwards of 3 million USD! The wholesale activity and auction have since been moved to Toyosu Market, but Tsukiji still has plenty to offer tourists. The outer market has over 300 shops and restaurants where visitors can grab a bite.
17. The Imperial Palace Is Only Open 2 Days Per Year
Tokyo’s Imperial Palace is built on the site of the city’s old Edo Castle. It was completed in 1888 but destroyed during World War II. The palace was subsequently rebuilt in the same style. It’s the main residence of the Emperor of Japan and the Royal Family. Guided tours of the grounds are offered but tourists are only allowed to enter the inner palace grounds and buildings 2 days of the year: January 2 (New Year’s Greeting), and February 23 (Emperor’s Birthday).
18. Capsule Hotels Are Popular
Also known as pod hotels (not to be confused with Japan’s love hotels), capsule hotels are just what they sound like – you sleep in a capsule. With accommodation in Tokyo being pricey, capsule hotels are an affordable way to get a good night’s sleep. They’re arranged in rows, are double-stacked, and resemble an oversized futuristic coffin. Inside the capsule is a mattress, power outlets, and sometimes a TV and air conditioning. The rest of the hotel has shared amenities (ie. washrooms, common areas), and valuables/luggage are stored in a hotel locker.
19. Tokyo Has A Cafe For Everyone
Tokyo has traditional cafes, but you’ll also find themed options. Animal cafes are popular. Here you can interact with cats, hedgehogs, rabbits, owls, and snakes while enjoying your coffee. Those craving a human touch can spend time in a cuddle cafe, and there are also ghost-themed, ninja-themed, and cosplay-themed cafes around the city.
20. Otaku Culture in Akihabara
Otaku (geek) culture is alive and well in Tokyo’s Akihabara district. The majority of shops here specialize in anime/manga/video game products. There are also hundreds of electronics shops selling everything from cameras, phones, TVs, appliances, and electronic parts. On Sundays, the main street, Chuo Dori, becomes walkable as it’s closed to car traffic from 1pm to 6pm.
21. There’s Multiple Godzilla Statues
What’s Tokyo without Godzilla? The monster famously destroyed the city in the 1954 kaiju film, and Godzilla has since become a pop culture icon. Various tributes can be seen around Tokyo, with the most popular being the Godzilla head in Shinjuku. You can also see the monster outside the Toho Studios building in Setagaya, as well as at Hibiya Godzilla Square, which has the largest Godzilla statue in the country.
22. Tokyo Has A Mountain
Located in the Tama region of west Tokyo is Takaosan, aka Mount Takao. It stands 599 meters high and is easily walkable. It takes roughly 50 minutes to get to from downtown Tokyo. You can hike trails, visit the Yakuoin temple, see Japanese macaques, bathe in an onsen (hot spring), and take in the stunning views. The more famous Mount Fuji takes about 2.5 hours to get to from Tokyo and can be seen from the downtown area on a clear day.
23. Tokyo Is Super Safe
In Tokyo, you’ll likely have zero issues where travel safety is concerned. It’s consistently rated as one of the safest destinations in the entire world. In a country of 127 million people, Japan usually sees less than 10 gun deaths per year. Crimes against tourists are virtually unheard of, and police booths (kobans) are set up at night just in case.
24. Cultural Traditions Are Still Enforced
As a tourist, you won’t be familiar with all the Japanese customs. But bowing or even a simple nod of the head is customary when greeting someone. Removing your shoes is a must when you’re visiting a temple, private home, or a building with a sunken foyer. Onsens and sentos (public bathhouses) require your body to be free of tattoos. This is largely due to the association of nefarious individuals (namely the Yakuza aka Japanese mafia) having tattoos. However, some of these facilities will allow you in provided you cover up your ink.
25. Tokyo Has Something For Everyone
There’s never a dull moment in Tokyo. From the busy streets to quiet parks, you can easily get lost exploring its many districts. You have endless options for food and shopping and, and you’ll see plenty of “weird things” to keep you entertained (ie. The Robot Restaurant). If you’re into nightlife, bars and clubs are popular options, while others prefer to hang out in arcades or karaoke bars.
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