Akihabara Station is located in the Chiyoda ward of Tokyo. The area is known as a lively shopping district, with many stores specializing in electronics and otaku, the diehard anime and manga fandom. Akihabara was named for the Akiba, a local shrine formerly found there. Akiba was the god of fire, and Akihabara means “autumn leaf field.”
Shibuya Station Travel Guide
Shibuya is one of Tokyo’s 23 wards, famous for the shopping and entertainment district centered around Shibuya Station. Many of Japan’s fashion trends are born on the streets of Shibuya.
Shibuya is also a station with a long history. Shibuya Station opened in 1885 as a stop along what is now called the Yamanote Line. It was also the afternoon rendezvous of the famous dog Hachiko, now immortalized in bronze statues, film, and print. Continue reading “%s”
Studio Ghibli Museum: Access and tickets
Located in Tokyo’s Mikata district, the Studio Ghibli Museum was established by Hayao Miyazaki, a master of Japanese anime. Miyazaki is the director behind award-winning, acclaimed childhood films such as My Neighbor Totoro (1988), Spirited Away (2001), and Howl’s Moving Castle (2004),
The museum is an interactive experience dedicated to a studio often called the ‘Disney of Japan’ and is suitable for the entire family. It identifies itself as “a portal to a storybook world” and boasts a number of exhibits including enormous statues of Ghibli characters and exclusive short films.
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Ikebukuro Station Travel Guide
Tokyo’s Ikebukuro Station is one of the busiest train stations in the world, second only to Shinjuku Station. The station has a long history, having opened in 1903. In 1903, around 28,000 passengers used the train station each day. Today, that number is over two million, including local commuter as well as tourist traffic.
Ikebukuro is the main station in the north-west of Tokyo. This shopping and entertainment district boasts unique shops and indoor theme parks, many of which cater to the anime and manga fandom. Use this guide to find your way around Ikebukuro Station.
Shinagawa Station Travel Guide
Shinagawa Station is among the oldest train stations in Japan, having opened its doors in 1872. Interestingly, the station became operational four months prior to the inauguration of the first railway in Japan.
While none of the original structure remains, Shinagawa Station continues to play a role in the rail history of Japan. The introduction of the Shinkansen bullet trains to Shinagawa helped alleviate the congestion of other busy Tokyo stations. In less than a decade, Shinagawa will be among the first stations in the world to host the innovative, gravity-defying maglev train.
Best cherry blossom festivals and viewing spots in Japan
Japan is famous for its flowering cherry trees. These trees are much sought after around the world. Cherry blossom festivals are held in such diverse regions as Washington, Vancouver, Paris, Stockholm, and Spain’s Jerte Valley. Still, Japan remains the premier location in the world for viewing the cherry blossoms or attending a cherry blossom festival, especially when seeing Japan by train.