Cheap Flights to Tokyo

There is no more exciting city in Asia than Japan’s capital. At over 12 million people in the official metropolitan area alone, Tokyo is the core of the most populated urban area in the world, Greater Tokyo (which has a population of 35 million people). This huge, wealthy and fascinating metropolis brings high-tech visions of the future side by side with glimpses of old Japan, and has something for everyone. Tokyo prefecture spans not just the city, but rugged mountains to the west and subtropical islands to the south. Mount Fuji is not part of the city but you can see the Japanese icon on clear days from downtown Tokyo. Over 400 years old,Tokyo grew from the modest fishing village known as Edo. The former seat of the Tokugawa Shogunate, the Imperial family moved to the city after the Meiji Restoration in 1868. The metropolitan center of the country, Tokyo is the destination for business, education, modern culture, and government. Make sure you put a visit to the city’s world renowned fish market – Tsukiji – on your list of things to do in Tokyo. The market opens at 4 a.m. and that when you have to be there if you hope to see fishmongers tossing around 400 pound fish. Then go to the restaurants next door (our fravorite is the Daiwa Sushi House) where you can have fresh sushi for breakfast. Other things to do in Tokyo include: Take a boat ride on the Sumida River from Asakusa; Lose yourself in the dazzling neon jungle outside major train stations in the evenings. Shibuya and east Shinjuku at night can make Times Square or Piccadilly Circus look rural in comparison — it has to be seen to be believed; Enjoy a soak in a local sento or public bath; check out the hip and young crowd at Harajuku’s Takeshita-Dori (Takeshita Street) or the more grown up Omotesando; visit one of the city’s many parks or museums;  take the Yurikamome elevated train across the bay bridge from Shimbashi station to the bayside Odaiba district, and go on the giant Ferris wheel — the largest in the world until recently; watch a baseball game, namely the Yomiuri Giants at the Tokyo Dome, or the Tokyo Yakult Swallows at Jingu Stadium.; or take a stroll through the Imperial Palace's East Gardens (open to the public daily at 9 a.m, except Fridays and Mondays).

Best time to visit: Spring (cheery blossom time) and fall.

Getting around: Tokyo has one of the world’s best subway systems and the city’s cabs are the cleanest on the planet – an not very expensive but drivers rarely speak or understand English.

Our favorite hotel: Every major hotel chain has a branch office here but for something truly unique, may we suggest you try a traditional Japanese inn, known as a ryokan. It’s not the lap of luxury but it does offer insight into how Japanese travelers have been accommodated through the country’s history. Go to www.kangetsu.com/sub7.htm for information.

Our favorite restaurant: Restaurants can be very expensive, especially western-style eateries, so may we suggest you stick to the local noodle houses, known as ramen shops – there you get healthy noodles swimming in a delightful broth crowned with meat or fish for just a few dollars. Excellent value and healthy!