The JR Kanto Area Pass is available at a discounted price for unlimited rides in Tokyo and the surrounding Kanto area. Valid for three days, the pass allows unlimited reserved seat rides in ordinary cars of the Shinkansen, limited express and other trains. The JR Kanto Area Pass makes travel to popular tourist destinations such as Mt. Fuji, Izu and Karuizawa easy and economical. The pass, launched on December 1, 2011, is for foreign nationals only and a passport needs to be shown at the time of purchase. Reservations are not required. The price is 8,000 yen for adults (4,000 yen for children).

For sales locations and more details, see http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/kantoareapass/

The area around Shibuya Station is under re-development and set to become a town where the latest culture and entertainment gather. As a start-up of this big project spanning more than 10 years, Shibuya Hikarie, a high-rise complex facility, will open in front of Shibuya Station on April 26, 2012. The 34-story building with 4 basement floors will house a large event hall that can accommodate a myriad of events, such as trade fairs, exhibitions, and fashion shows, a stylish shopping arcade produced by Tokyu Department Store, a creative lab space showcasing works of artists from Japan and the rest of Asia, cafes, restaurants, and offices. "Tokyu Theatre Orb," an authentic musical theater with 1,972 seats, will open on July 18, 2012, with the performance of West Side Story.
http://www.hikarie.jp

©MICHELIN2011

The MICHELIN Guide Tokyo Yokohama Shonan 2012 was published on December 2, 2011, with Japanese and English editions. In Tokyo, 16 restaurants earned three stars, 52 restaurants earned two stars, and 179 restaurants earned one star. One restaurant was added to the selection with three stars and 1 restaurant was promoted from two stars to three stars. Five restaurants were added to the selection with two stars, 4 restaurants were promoted from one star to two stars, and 34 restaurants were added to the selection with one star in Tokyo. Seventy percent of the selection is made up of Japanese restaurants, and composition of the remainder is in a variety of categories including French, Italian, Spanish, Chinese, Korean and others. Enjoy fabulous cuisine in Tokyo!
http://us.vocuspr.com/Newsroom/MultiQuery.aspx?SiteName=Michelin&Entity=
PRAsset&SF_PRAsset_PRAssetID_EQ=947718&XSL=Release&IncludeChildren=True

The Palace Hotel Tokyo, which has temporarily closed since January 31, 2009, for reconstruction, will reopen as an entirely new, fully contemporary luxury hotel in Marunouchi on May 17, 2012. The 23-story hotel stands in the very heart of Tokyo amongst a landscape of greenery and waterways. The hotel will have 290 guest rooms including 12 suites. On the 5th floor, the renowned "evian SPA TOKYO" from the "Evian Resort" celebrity spa in France, makes its first appearance in Japan. The hotel is within easy walking distance from Tokyo Station. The first basement level entrance of the hotel will directly access Otemachi Subway Station via a passageway scheduled to open in spring 2013. The surrounding Marunouchi area is the financial center of Japan and the opening of many high-end world brand shops has been attracting much attention recently.
http://www.palacehoteltokyo.com/en/main.php

The Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum has temporarily closed for renovation beginning November 2011. It will reopen in 2014.
http://www.teien-art-museum.ne.jp/info/e_index.html

Renovated Building Image

The Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum is scheduled to reopen on April 1, 2012. It aims to be an "Entrance to Art" museum with exhibits for both children and adults alike, where artists in the making can introduce their works to the public, and with facilities that are user-friendly for handicapped persons. "Masterpieces from the Royal Picture Gallery Mauritshuis" will be the first special exhibition after reopening and will run from June 30 through September 17, 2012, and Girl with a Pearl Earring, the great masterpiece of Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer, will be exhibited.
http://www.tobikan.jp/ (Japanese only)

The unique classical music festival La Folle Journée began in France in 1995 and first came to Tokyo, Japan in 2005. During the festival, top musicians from all over the world perform from morning until night at many indoor and outdoor places around the Tokyo International Forum. The theme for 2012 is "Le Sacre Russe," the Russian Festival in French, named after Sacre du Printemps, the work by Russian composer Igor Fyodorovitch Stravinsky that caused a sensation in music circles in the early 20th century.
Date: April 27 (Fri) to May 5 (Sat, holiday), 2012
http://www.lfj.jp/lfj_2012e/

Mt. Fuji, the highest mountain in Japan, has been revered since ancient times. It has been depicted in numerous pictures and described with adoration in innumerable novels, poems, and songs. The lofty, elegantly isolated mountain has been an attraction since time immemorial. Especially in winter, the snow-covered mountain is breathtakingly beautiful against the clear blue sky. Located about 100 km west-southwest of central Tokyo, on clear days, dramatic views of Mt. Fuji were often seen in the past from Tokyo hilltops unobstructed by high-rise buildings. These days, the mountain can be viewed from observation decks and rooftops around the city, and is especially awesome in the early morning and around dusk on clear winter days. It is possible to experience Mt. Fuji without leaving the city in one of the many Mt. Fuji-related places in Tokyo!



Charged Places
The Sunshine 60 Observatory on the 60th floor of Ikebukuro Sunshine City
Lights are dimmed in some part of the observatory around sunset to facilitate capturing photographs of Mt. Fuji in the afterglow of the sunset.

Hours	10:00 a.m.-9:30 p.m. (Entry until 9:00 p.m.)
Admission Fee	620 yen (adults), 460 yen (elementary and junior high school students), 310 yen (children aged 4 and over), 500 yen (people aged 65 and over)
URL	http://www.tourism.metro.tokyo.jp/english/kanko/toshima/spot/40214.html

Map

Tokyo City View on the 52nd Floor of Roppongi Hills Mori Tower
The observatory at 250 meters above sea level offers a splendid view of Mt. Fuji on clear days. The outdoor observatory Sky Deck on the rooftop is 270 meters above sea level.

Hours	10:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m. (Entry until 10:30 p.m.), 10:00 a.m.-1:00 a.m. on Fri, Sat, and days before holidays (Entry until midnight) *Sky Deck 11:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. (Entry until 7:30 p.m.)
Admission Fee	1,500 yen (adults), 1,000 yen (college and high school students), 500 yen (children aged 4 and over, elementary and junior high school students) *Extra fee (300 yen) is necessary for the Sky Deck.
URL	http://www.roppongihills.com/tcv/en/

Map

Free Places

Photo by Bunkyo Ward Office

Bunkyo Civic Center
The observatory lounge on the 25th floor is famous for Mt. Fuji views among photo enthusiasts and one of the 100 best places to see Mt. Fuji in the Kanto area. Mt. Fuji is seen looming over the Shinjuku skyscrapers.

Hours	9:00 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
URL	http://www.kanko.metro.tokyo.jp/english/kanko/bunkyo/spot/40229.html

Map

Yebisu Garden Place
Mt. Fuji to the west is viewed from the observatory areas on the 38th and 39th floors of the tower.

Hours	11:30 a.m.-11:00 p.m.
URL	http://www.kanko.metro.tokyo.jp/english/kanko/shibuya/spot/40163.html

Map

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observatories
Nice winter views of Mt. Fuji are often seen from the observatory on the west side of the 45th floor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building from December to February.

Hours	Northern Observatory: 9:30 a.m.-11:00 p.m. (Entry until 10:30 p.m.) Southern Observatory: 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. (Entry until 5:00 p.m.)
URL	http://www.metro.tokyo.jp/ENGLISH/TMG/observat.htm http://www.tourism.metro.tokyo.jp/english/kanko/shinjuku/spot/40197.html

Map

Marunouchi Building
The observatory spaces on the 35th and 36th restaurant floors offer a view of Mt. Fuji between high-rise buildings.

Hours	11:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m. from Mon to Sat / 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Sun and holidays.
URL	http://www.marunouchi.com/marubiru/english/index.html

Map

Banks of the Ara-kawa River
Even from ground level, views of Mt. Fuji are possible and this is one of such rare places in Tokyo's 23 wards.

Nearest stations

Kosuge and Gotanno stations on the Tobu Isesaki Line, Ayase and Kita-senju stations on the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line and the JR Joban Line.

Hiking

From Sengen-One Ridge

Sengen-One Ridge in Hinohara-mura (village) in western Tokyo has a popular hiking route that is a nice place to see Mt. Fuji. The popular Mt. Takao and other mountains along the JR Chuo Line also offer nice views of Mt. Fuji on clear days in winter.

Sengen-One Ridge
Map
Hinohara-mura
http://www.kanko.metro.tokyo.jp/english/tourists/spot/area_spot/area_spot/area_spot43.html

Mt. Takao
Map
Mt. Takao (Hiking Trails)
http://www.takaotozan.co.jp/takaotozan_eng1/course/index.htm

New Spot

Photo by Tokyo Port Office, MLIT

Tokyo Gate Bridge, a new bridge connecting Wakasu, Koto Ward, and Chuo Bohatei Sotogawa Umetatachi (Outer Central Breakwater Reclamation Area) spanning Tokyo Bay, will open in February 2012. It will have a pedestrian walkway that has good views of both Mt. Fuji and TOKYO SKYTREE®.

From Shin-kiba Station to Wakasu Camp-jo-mae (terminal): 15 minutes by bus bound for Wakasu Camp-jo-mae
Map
http://www.tptc.co.jp/park/wakasu/rinkai_oohashi/tabid/402/Default.aspx (Japanese only)

Fujizuka of Ekoda

Fujizuka, Miniature Mt. Fuji
A Fujizuka is a small artificial hill constructed in the likeness of Mt. Fuji. Pilgrimages to a Fujizuka hill began in the Edo period (1603-1867) and disseminated mainly throughout the Kanto area. In those days, going to and climbing up the real Mt. Fuji was very difficult for ordinary people but climbing a Fujizuka was easy and available to many. It is said that there are more than 100 Fujizukas just in Tokyo. Most Fujizuka hills are in the precincts of shrines; at some Fujizuka hills, climbing to the summit is restricted to January 1 (New Year's Day), July 1 (official opening day for climbing Mt. Fuji), or several other days. In Tokyo, three Fujizuka - Ekoda in Nerima Ward, Toshima Nagasaki in Toshima Ward, and Shitaya Sakamoto in Taito Ward - are designated as Important Tangible Folk Cultural Properties. Below are several Fujizuka open to the public. Enjoy climbing "Mt. Fuji" in Tokyo!

Fujizuka of Ekoda
Location: Kayahara Sengen Shrine
Map
http://nerima-kanko-en.blogspot.com/2010/08/fujizuka-of-ekoda.html

Fujizuka of Toshima Nagasaki
Location: Nagasaki Sengen Shrine
Map
http://bunka3.nii.ac.jp/SearchDetail.do?heritageId=203193 (Japanese only)

Fujizuka of Shitaya Sakamoto
Location: Onoterusaki Shrine
Map
http://taito-culture.jp/city/landscape_e/si_216/089/s1.html

Sendagaya Fuji
Built in 1789, this is the oldest existing Fujizuka in Tokyo.

Location	Hatonomori Hachiman Jinja Shrine
Height	6 meters
Nearest station	Sendagaya Station on JR Chuo/Sobu (Local) Line

Map
http://www.hatonomori-shrine.or.jp/ (Japanese only)

Shinagawa Fuji
The opening ceremony of the official climbing season is held on July 1.

Location	Shinagawa Jinja Shrine
Height	15 meters
Nearest station	Shimbamba Station on Keikyu Line

Map
http://www.tokyo-jinjacho.or.jp/syoukai/09_shinagawa/9001.html (Japanese only)

Fujimizaka

There is terrain in Tokyo with characteristics of intricately combined hills and valleys. In the Edo period, people could see Mt. Fuji from even a small hill because there were no tall buildings obstructing the view. They called such slopes "Fujimizaka," or hills offering a view of Mt. Fuji. These days, Mt. Fuji cannot be seen from many of the Fujimizaka because of buildings but the Fujimizaka in Nippori in Arakawa Ward is one of the rare ones still with a view of Mt. Fuji. The "Diamond Fuji" can be seen from there in winter.
http://www.kanko.metro.tokyo.jp/english/tourists/spot/area_spot/area_spot/area_spot10.html#arakawa2

Diamond Fuji from Fujimizaka

On days when the sun rises and sets directly above the summit of Mt. Fuji and the weather is good, the rays of sunshine create a diamond-like sparkle, called "Diamond Fuji." From Tokyo, east of Mt. Fuji, the Diamond Fuji can be seen at the sunset. The Diamond Fuji is seen twice a year but, in Tokyo, the wintertime sight is the best. Check the best place and date so you don't miss the chance for this charming and rare sight!

Available Places and Dates (dates may differ slightly depending on the year)

Tokyo City View on the 52nd Floor of Roppongi Hills	Map	February 8, November 3
Bunkyo Civic Center	Map	February 1-2, November 9-10
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observatories	Map	February 1, November 10
Mt. Takao	Map	December 17-26
Fujimizaka in Nippori	Map	January 29-31, November 11-13
Tokyo Tower	Map	February 9, November 2

There are about 800 public bathhouses in Tokyo. Bathhouses traditionally have huge wall paintings with Mt. Fuji being the most popular motif. It is said that the first Mt. Fuji wall painting was painted at a bathhouse in Kanda, Chiyoda Ward, in 1912. Because of its majestic conical shape symmetrically spreading to the earth and a symbol of good luck, Mt. Fuji is loved by all and often painted. In the past, there were many bathhouse painters but as the number of bathhouses decreased so also did the number of bathhouse painters. Now, there are only two such painters in Tokyo. Both of them are fast and can complete a huge wall painting within a couple of hours. Soaking and relaxing in a bath while viewing a dramatic Mt. Fuji through the steam is sure to be blissful, especially after a chilly winter outing.

Photos of each public bathhouse in Ota Ward, where Haneda Airport is located, are put on the website of Ota Yokujo Rengokai (Ota bathhouse association) and you can find a bathhouse with a painting of Mt. Fuji.
Ota Yokujo Rengokai

Mt. Fuji has been attracting people from ancient times and continues to provide memorable experiences to people of all ages.

Edogawa-ku Fireworks Festival

The Sumida River Fireworks Festival dates back to the 18th century. These elegant fireworks, famous for the most in Tokyo, explode over the water on the last Saturday in July every year at the center of the metropolis.
Nearest stations: Asakusa stations on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, the Toei Asakusa Line, and the Tobu Isesaki Line, Kuramae Station on the Toei Asakusa Line

Edogawa-ku Fireworks Festival is held annually on the first Saturday in August. The festival show is staged by a fireworks producer with the fireworks launched in time to music over the river. Enjoy the dynamic show from a very near but safe distance.
Nearest stations: Koiwa Station on the JR Sobu Line, Shinozaki Station on the Toei Shinjuku Line

The samba carnival and contest is annually held in Asakusa, an old district of Tokyo, on the last Saturday in August and is the largest samba carnival in Japan. The level of dancing and length of the parade has continued to increase since the first carnival in 1981. Now, it attracts about 500,000 people every year. The professional samba dancing teams from Brazil the home of samba, gorgeous costumes, and flamboyant floats are a must-see. The parade with the beat of samba, harmonious singing, and dynamic dancing are a highlight in the heat of the late summer in Tokyo.
The Asakusa Samba Carnival was canceled in 2011 due to the Great East Japan Earthquake. In 2012, the carnival will be held on August 25.
Nearest stations: Asakusa stations on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, the Toei Subway Asakusa Line, and the Tobu Isesaki Line

The Child Sumo Festival is held at Okunitama Jinja Shrine, Fuchu City, on August 1 every year. August 1 is considered to be a lucky day and a variety of festivals take place on that day throughout Japan. On this day, Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo Shogunate, entered Edo Castle in 1590. Commemorating his entrance, people started to dedicate sumo to the deity to pray for good harvests and peace during the Edo period (1603-1867). Now, the child sumo wrestling is dedicated to the shrine. Teams of elementary school pupils and other children from each town compete in league matches. Adult sumo wrestlers from the town, who wrestled when they were children, come and encourage the little wrestlers.
http://www.kanko.metro.tokyo.jp/english/kanko/fuchu/spot/40687.html
Nearest stations: Fuchu Station on the Keio Line, Fuchu-hommachi Station on the JR Nambu and Musashino lines

Shinjuku, the World's Busiest Station
With an average of 3.64 million passengers per day passing through the station, Shinjuku Station in Tokyo is the world's busiest railway station. The station is the main connecting hub of JR, subways, and private railways serving the city’s western suburbs, and has over 200 exits.
http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/records-9000/busiest-station/

TOKYO SKYTREE®, the World's Tallest Tower
TOKYO SKYTREE®, a tower in Sumida Ward under construction since July 2008, reached a height of 634 meters in March 2011. On November 17, the tower was listed in the Guinness World Records as the world's tallest tower, surpassing Canton Tower in China.
http://english.kyodonews.jp/photos/2011/11/126744.html

Radiation Level in the Air (Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Public Health)
Environmental radiation levels in Tokyo

Radiation Level in Tap Water (Bureau of Waterworks Tokyo Metropolitan Government)
No radioactive substances have been detected either from raw water or at the water purification plants of Tokyo since April 2011.
Latest information related to the effect on purified water by radioactivity

List of banned foods and shipping restrictions
Food products are monitored every day for radioactive materials. The Japanese government restricts distribution and consumption of food products containing any level of radiation that exceeds the regulatory standards.
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare: Information on the Great East Japan Earthquake