42 Fascinating Facts About Tokyo To Know Before Your Trip

Blue lights were installed at train stations to prevent people from committing suicide. A study showed that from the moment of installment in 2009 to 2013, the suicide rate fell by a whopping 84%. Blue lights are said to help relax those experiencing psychological stress.

Unlike many other cities in the world, if you spend over 5,000 yen (36.70 US dollars) and have your passport on you while shopping at licensed stores, you don’t have to pay tax as a foreign tourist in Tokyo.

Even if you have never been to Japan, you most likely recognize Mount Fuji when you see it in pictures. And though theoretically, it is possible to see it when in Tokyo, smog and weather conditions often make it invisible.

If you want to feel like you’re in the future when visiting Tokyo, check in at the Henn na Hotel in the district of Ginza. Fully staffed with robots that can turn their heads, blink, and carry your luggage, it is the perfect place for those who don’t like any form of social interaction in a public place. The hotel offers entry through facial recognition, so no keys are required.

Located in a highly seismic zone, Tokyo has suffered from many earthquakes, one of the largest being the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923. Another large destruction was caused by the 1657 Great Fire of Meireki.

Located in the Shibuya district of Tokyo, Shibuya Scramble Crossing sees as many as 3,000 people crossing at a time. A statue of the famous dog Hachiko can be found between the intersection and the Shibuya railway station.

Tokyo has proudly held on to this title for over a decade. With a total of 212 Michelin stars, there are 14 three-star, 42 two-star and 158 one-star restaurants. Three of the world’s most famous three-star restaurants are located in Tokyo: Kanda, Quintessence, and Joël Robuchon.

If you are not allowed to keep pets at home, you can pay an hourly rate and have fun with a cat in a cafe.

Until 1890, the modern capital of Japan was called Edo. Founded in 1603, with time Edo became the seat of the Tokugawa shogunate. The name, which literally translates as “Eastern capital” (as opposed to Kyoto in the west), was changed in the late 19th century during the Meiji Restoration. And though the capital was transferred to Tokyo, no official rules were made regarding this.

Sakura trees start blooming in April, and tourists from all over the world come to observe this breathtaking sight. Both the tender pink flowers and leaves are edible and are ingredients of traditional Japanese teas and sweets.

Connecting railway traffic between Tokyo’s special wards and Western Tokyo, Shinjuku station has inter-city rail, commuter rail, and subway lines. In 2018, an average of 3.59 million people used the station per day, making it the busiest railway station in the world. It officially holds the title recorded in the Guinness World Records.

It may have started out as a small fishing village, but in 1868 Edo became the capital of the empire. It was later renamed Tokyo.

Despite its size and large population, Tokyo is regularly named at the top of the list of safest cities for travelers. Crimes occur at a very low rate here. Tokyo has a crime index of 24.23 and a safety index of 75.77, so tourists may feel safe experiencing the city's numerous attractions. Pickpocketing and home or car burglaries from unlocked cars are as one of the most frequently reported crimes in Tokyo.

Being located in a highly seismic zone, Tokyo is no stranger to strong earthquakes, and its residents benefit from any alert they can get. The Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) system sends warnings through TV broadcasts, cell phones, and web pages throughout the country.

The population of Tokyo and its greater metropolitan area counts over 37 million people. Due to this, Tokyo holds the title of the most populous metropolitan area, followed by Jakarta, Indonesia, with 35 million, and Delhi, India, with 30 million people.

Despite having such a large population (and need for real estate space), parks and green spaces are an important part of the city’s infrastructure. Some of the most famous places include the Imperial Palace East Gardens, the Meiji Shrine Forest, and Shinjuku Garden.

At only 90 square feet, each capsule apartment in this building can be rearranged like Lego pieces to suit individual tastes.

From ikebana (flower arranging) to origami (paper folding) to kabuki (traditional theater), if you have been wanting to try out traditional Japanese arts, Tokyo is a great place for that.

It may have been inspired by the Eiffel Tower, but the Tokyo Tower is, in fact, taller than its own inspiration. Built in 1958, it is 332.9 m tall, and painted orange and white as per air regulations. Tokyo Tower houses TV signal broadcasting, FM radio reception and transmission, manages traffic information, and collects weather and air pollution data. Even though the Tokyo Tower is not the tallest tower in the world, the one holding this title, Tokyo Skytree (634 m or 2080 ft), is also located in the capital city of Japan.

If someone bows to you, it is polite to return the bow. Another strictly observed tradition is to take off one’s shoes when entering a temple or a home, whether yours or someone else’s.

On average, the daily temperature stays above 26°C (79°F) during these months, with August being the hottest period.

In 1964 Tokyo hosted the Olympics, which were not only the first for Japan but also the first games to be held in Asia. Japan came third with 16 gold, five silver, and eight bronze medals, with the United States and the Soviet Union in first and second places, respectively.

The street fashion of Harajuku can be described as anything but boring. Way before it was made popular in the West by music stars, Harajuku fashion came into existence during the postwar period, when local and foreign styles started mixing to create something unique.

The Tokyo Skytree is also the third tallest structure in the world. Its height of 634 meters (2,080 feet) was selected based on the old name of the region where the Tokyo Skytree stands, Musashi, with each syllable representing one figure in Japanese.

Established in 2007, the Tokyo Marathon is held every February. Participants must finish 42.2 kilometers (26.2 miles). In 2012, the race received its title of one of the world’s major marathons.

It is also recorded that most married couples in Tokyo stay together. The city holds 8th place in the country according to its divorce rate, which is not that bad for a huge population like Tokyo’s.

Officially called Passenger Arrangement Staff, they push people trying to board the train during rush hours to ensure as many get on board as physically possible.

You might call Shinto the original religion in the country, as it is as old as the rest of the Japanese culture. Buddhism came in the 6th century from the mainland.

There are very, very few items you can’t purchase from a vending machine in Tokyo. From hamburgers to umbrellas to bananas and anything in between, you will find a vending machine at least every 12 meters, with an average of one vending machine per 23 people. There is also a “mystery vending machine” that dispenses a random item wrapped in white paper.

The first Disney theme park outside the US was built in Tokyo. Launched on April 15, 1983, it was the largest Disneyland at the time. Today it contains two separate parks: Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea, the latter being the only one of its kind in the world.

To optimize administrative management, Tokyo is divided into 23 so-called special wards. Each of them has its own mayor and assembly. Wards are also divided into districts and neighborhoods.

If measured by market capitalization, it is also the second largest in the world.

It’s not only about economics. Tokyo has a lively cultural scene as well. Some of its most famous museums include the Tokyo National Museum and the Edo-Tokyo Museum. As for theaters, here you can enjoy both traditional Japanese performances and Western-style plays. When you’re in Tokyo, make sure to visit Kabuki-za and the New National Theatre.

Narita International Airport and Haneda International Airport are there to help handle the inflow and outflow.

If you are into ghost hunting, Tokyo is the place for you. Experts recommend visiting the Komine Tunnel in Hachioji, which is rumored to be the home of a girl in a red dress. This might explain the frequency of traffic accidents in the area.

Another number one in the world for Tokyo, the Tsukiji market trades over 400 types of fish and seafood. If you come here at 5 a.m., you can even participate in tuna auctions.

Ginza is located at the junction of five ancient roads that connected Japan’s major cities. Its historical location defined Ginza’s destiny as the country’s commercial center, and it has lived up to its name for centuries.

Every cultural or religious festival has its celebration tradition in Tokyo. With food stands, entertainment, and carnival games to keep people entertained, festivals are frequently centered around a single event. Some are centered on temples or shrines, others around hanabi (fireworks).

Each season offers its own attractions and paints nature around you in different colors. Tourists will find something to do in Tokyo during every season.

Whether you are interested in them from a cultural or religious point of view, take your time to explore the temples and shrines around Tokyo. You could start at the Sensoji Temple and the Meiji Shrine. There are around 1,450 shrines in Tokyo.

If you count all the neon signs in the city, it beats Piccadilly Circus, Times Square, and even Las Vegas, which seems to be made up entirely of neon signs. But since there are more streets in Tokyo than in Las Vegas, there is also more space for neon signs.

Back when Tokyo was still in a property bubble, the 1.32-square-mile grounds were priced higher than the gross real estate of California.