HINOMARU LIMOUSINE Co., Ltd. operates new city tours "Tokyo Splash Tour" with an amphibian bus "SKY Duck" from this March. Two courses, which are SKYTREE course and Kameido course, are available. Reservation is accepted a month prior.

Course		Duration	Operation	Price (Child)
SKYTREE	TOKYO SKYTREE® -> Kameido Umeyashiki -> Kyu-Nakagawa Kawa no Eki -> Nishi-Ojima -> TOKYO SKYTREE®	100 min	4 times/day	2,800JPY (1,400JPY)
Kameido	Kameido Umeyashiki (newly opened Tourist Information Center) -> Kyu-Nakagawa Kawa no Eki -> Nishi-Ojima  -> Kameido Umeyashiki	70 min	5 times/day	2,500JPY (1,200JPY)

Sky Bus Tokyo

For "fashion freaks," Tokyo is always a dream destination. But did you know that the fashion culture is slightly different by areas?
JFA, Japan Fashion Association, is happy to tailor your own course depending on your participants' taste in fashion. Their fashion analyst guides you through some of the distinctive apparel shops and shows you how unique Tokyo fashion is.

For travel professionals only. Fees vary. For further information, please contact JFA directly.
Japan Fashion Association
info@style-arena.jp (Japanese or English)

The world's only kabuki-specialized theater, Kabukiza, which has been rebuilt since 2010, will newly open on April 2. The earphone guide is available as before and a subtitle guide service is introduced as well. It also retains non-reserved seats (makumiseki). It is necessary to purchase one ticket for each play.
Kabukiza Gallery on the 5th floor of Kabukiza Tower, an office tower at the back of the theater, exhibits authentic kabuki costumes, stage properties, and valuable videos. As the building directly connects to Higashi-ginza Station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line and the Toei Asakusa Line, it is very convenient. The program of the opening from April is already announced and the ticket reservation has already started. For details, check here.
Kabuki Web
Map

In this spring, some more new shops and shopping complexes are opening and expanding. One of the main features this spring should be "KITTE," opened on March 21st in front of Tokyo Station, Marunouchi side.
Adjacent to the Tokyo Station, it naturally is a great place to get some souvenirs from all over Japan, buy a box of bento, or to take a rest at café.
However, what's outstanding is the museum "INTERMEDIATHEQUE," jointly operated by Japan Post Co. Ltd. and the University Museum, the University of Tokyo. The second and third floors of the former Tokyo Chuo Post Office were renovated as a museum space.
This characteristic, arty museum houses a variety of skeletal preparations, stuffed specimens, dried medical plants as well as... a collection of art, such as African masks and objets. This is the place "intermediate" between academic and art museum. From the rooftop garden of KITTE, you can take great photos of Tokyo Station and bullet trains.
KITTE
INTERMEDIATHEQUE
Map

Haven't you felt like going somewhere for no specific reason only by being at or simply thinking about a railway terminal? With about 3,700 trains leaving from and arriving at and about 460,000 people coming and going in one day, Tokyo Station, the symbolic terminal of Tokyo, is one of the biggest terminals in Japan. Representing the capital Tokyo, Tokyo Station shows off its resplendent appearance among the tall modern buildings in the surrounding area. Let's thoroughly feature Tokyo Station!

Designed by the most prominent architect in the Meiji and Taisho eras (1868-1926), Kingo Tatsuno, who also designed the headquarters building for the Bank of Japan, the Marunouchi building of Tokyo Station is one of the biggest red-brick ones in Japan. The height to the top of the dome is about 45 meters, and the width from one end to the other end of the building is about 335 meters. The station building is considered to be the only one in the world to have such a scale. An art historian has stated that Japanese people have an innate sense for appreciating things that extend transversely (Shuji Takashina, "JR east September Fall Edition").

Tokyo Station opened in 1914. Widely known for its sturdy structure, Tokyo Station was almost untouched by the Great Kanto Earthquake with a magnitude of 7.9 in 1923. The air attacks in 1945 burned down the two domes and the third-floor part of the building; however, the basic structure didn't suffer any severe damage. After the war damage, an octagonal roof was built where the domes had been, and the third-floor part was removed. This was an emergency measure during the post-war shortage of materials.

In 2003, Tokyo Station was designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan. The restoration of the original building started in 2007, with investigation of the original colors and embellishments in the available documents. After five years of restoration, Tokyo Station was reborn in its original form - officially on October 1, 2012 - about 67 years after it was damaged in the war.

One of the original pillars of Tokyo Station

If you want to have a glimpse of history, you can look at the driving wheels of Steam Locomotive Type C62-15, which used to run on the Tokaido Line, in Dorin no Hiroba Square outside the Marunouchi Underground North Gate.

Also on Platforms 5 and 6 (Yamanote Line and Keihin Tohoku Line southbound to Shinagawa Station), the pillars, which have been in existence since the opening of the station, are still supporting the structure. You can easily spot these green pillars located near the front of the platform.

Tokyo Station has exits on both sides of the platform area. The Marunouchi side is facing in the Imperial Palace direction and the Yaesu side is home to the Shinkansen bullet train platforms. On the 1F, the Marunouchi side has three exits, the North, Central, and South exits, and the Yaesu side has three exits alike. On the B1F, the Marunouchi side also has three, and the Yaesu side has one, the Central Exit.


The station has several commercial complexes: GRANSTA is located around the Central Street on the 1F and B1F and Ecute is sandwiched between the Central Street and the Southern Street on the 1F. The Tokyo Ichibangai Shopping Mall is situated outside of the B1F Central Exit on the Yaesu Side.


Must-see 1: North and South domes
The large domes situated in the north and south parts of the building are beautiful and gorgeous, making the station look more like a palace. Enjoy the beautiful reliefs with fine sculpture. If you look carefully, you will notice the Japanese design at the center in the ceiling of the dome, a delicate sculpture of a chrysanthemum.
North dome
South dome

Must-see 2: Comparison between the new and old bricks
About 850,000 bricks cover the station building, and you will notice that the walls of the building have different colors with the boundary between the second and third floors. The bricks covering the building up to the second floor are from the early 20th century, and those above that are from last year's restoration. The walls of the first and second floors didn't get replaced in order to preserve the original building as much as possible.

Must-see 3: Illumination
Designed by lighting designers, including Kaoru Mende, the illumination of the station creates a bright and eco-friendly atmosphere based on the concept of "warm and friendly scenery," with all LED lights.

Must-see 4: Best spots to take photos
The closest platform to the red-brick station building is Platform 1 for the Chuo Line. You will be overwhelmed by the size of the North and South domes. The station building viewed from JP Tower just outside of the Marunouchi South Gate is probably the most typically known view and you can see that in post cards. From Miyuki-dori Street stretching from the Marunouchi side of the station to the Imperial Palace, you can see the majestic appearance of the building right in front.


Tokyo Station is a gigantic structure, almost a town in itself. The station is not only for catching a train but also a great indoor space with a wide variety of places to visit and things to buy. Enjoy strolling around the shopping complex in this historic station!

GRANSTA and Ecute, two commercial facilities inside the ticket wickets, are chock full of attractive shops and a great place to buy delicious bento (box lunch), souvenirs and many other fine goods.

Must see at GRANSTA
Hasegawa Liquor Shop
Hasegawa Liquor Shop offers a wide variety of Japanese sake, including those with the original Tokyo Station Building label only available at Tokyo Station. This is a great place to pick up a unique souvenir or have a drink at their stylish bar.

Nippon no Ekiben
More than 150 kinds of popular ekiben (box lunches sold at train stations and in the train) from all over Japan are available at Nippon no Ekiben. Enjoy the taste of the local areas in Japan without leaving Tokyo. Some ekiben are sophisticated and beyond the range of the boxed lunch.
Map

Nomu su Expre-su Tokyo
This standing room only café serves healthy, vinegar-based drinks from fruits and vegetables. Hot vinegar soup is only available here in Tokyo Station. A set of miniature bottles of various fruit vinegars is a unique souvenir.
Map
 
Check out these shops at Ecute. In addition to cafés, free space is available for a rest and eating takeaway.

Tokyo Anpan mame ichizu
This unique shop specializes in anpan (sweet rolls filled with red bean paste), a rarity even in Japan. All major ingredients are made in Japan. Tokyo Renga (red brick) pan is bread in the shape of the bricks used in the original Tokyo Station.
Map

When going out the B1F Central Exit on the Yaesu side, you will find the Tokyoeki Ichibangai Shopping Mall, which houses many attractive shops for your browsing or buying pleasure.

Tokyo Ramen Street
Eight popular ramen shops from Tokyo are located on this street. After trying ramen at all of these reputable shops, you will definitely be Tokyo ramen savvy.
Map

Tokyo Okashi Land
Tokyo Okashi (sweets) Land sells confectioneries from leading Japan companies including Glico, Morinaga, and Calbee. You can observe them being made and sample fresh-from-oven snacks.

Tokyo Character Street
For those who love pop style and cute things, this is the place to go. As many as 1,200 items are available at the Hello Kitty shop and popular anime ONE PIECE goods are available at JUMP SHOP.

Tokyo Miyage Center
Looking for an efficient place to get the best Tokyo souvenirs? This shop has many including traditional, seasonal, and unique items only available here.

Standing Sushi Bar UOGASHI NIPPON ICHI
Fresh fish directly from the early morning auction at Tsukiji Fish Market is served. Prices start at 75 yen per item. Why not experience Tokyo-style fast food?


JR EAST Travel Service Center
This center provides services that are especially useful for foreign travelers. At the travel counters, you can exchange a JR EAST PASS, request arrangement for various tickets, and purchase optional tours. The center also has a tourist information center, currency exchange counter, ATMs, and luggage delivery service counter.
Map

Cloak Service
They will keep your luggage under 30 kilograms for 500 yen. You can explore the station without cumbersome bags if there is time before departure.

Station Concierge
An English-speaking concierge teaches you not only about the station but also tourist and events information in Tokyo in English. Their motto is "Never say I don't know."

The Tokyo Station Hotel
Many great writers, such as the Nobel Prize winner Yasunari Kawabata and Hyakken Uchida, loved the station building and hotel. The prominent mystery writer, Seicho Matsumoto, came up with the plot of one of his best works, "Points and lines," when he was watching the trains coming and going through the platforms from room 209 in the old hotel building.
After the restoration, the hotel offers the comfort and practicality of the latest hotels in a formidable classic atmosphere. Along with a total of 150 guest rooms, the hotel has a beautiful classic-style lounge, authentic bars, and restaurants with popular chefs, as well as high-quality fitness and spa facilities.
Map

Mesh of piano wires

- The number of platforms at Tokyo Station is 15, with 30 rails, and is the highest in Japan.

- Numerous piano wires run across the inside of the domes. They are part of the measures to prevent birds from coming into the building. Everything is really carefully planned!


- The center of the station building has an entrance exclusively for the Imperial family. It is a special entrance that is open only for the use of the Emperor and/or other royalty.


The two high-rise buildings located on the Yaesu side will be connected by a pedestrian bridge in the fall of 2013. While the Marunouchi side has a historical atmosphere, the Yaesu side will have an expansive modern-style station building with lots of glass in an open atmosphere. Tokyo Station keeps evolving. It offers you much more than a place to pass by or through. Enjoy Tokyo Station!

Ikegami Honmon-ji Temple
October 11-13

Ikegami Honmon-ji is the temple where great Buddhist priest Nichiren died on October 13, 1282. The Oeshiki ritual ceremony, in which people commemorate the spirit of Nichiren, is annually held on the anniversary of the death of Nichiren for three days from October 11 through 13. In Manto Neri Kuyo in the evening of the 12th, a long procession of more than 3,000 people walk with lanterns and flags in their hands 2 km from Ikegami Station to Honmon-ji Temple. As many as 300,000 people flock to see the event on the evening of the 12th.
Ikegami Honmon-ji
Map

Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum, Koganei City, Tokyo
Hama-rikyu Gardens, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
autumn 2013 (tbd)

Tokyo Grand Tea Ceremony is held at Hama-rikyu Gardens and Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum to promote traditional tea culture and introduce the culture of Edo and Tokyo, which have nurtured the tea culture. Traditional tea ceremonies in tea rooms and also ones outside take place. They also have a tea class for beginners, an English-language tea ceremony, events and more.
Map (Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum)
Map (Hama-rikyu Gardens)

Meiji Jingu Shrine
October

The All Nippon Sumo Championship dedicated to Meiji Jingu Shrine is held at Ryogoku Kokugikan every October and before the bouts Dohyoiri, or Ring-entering Ceremony, is performed by yokozuna, the highest-ranking wrestlers (currently there are two), at the shrine. A yokozuna wrestler displays a dynamic performance either in Unryu-style or Shiranui-style, stamping his feet and making a hand-clapping sound to expel evil spirits. Shout "Yoisho" as the yokozuna lifts high his leg and stamps it down to the ground!
Meiji Jingu Shrine
Map

Radiation dose after touring Tokyo for one day (July 9, 2012) Report on field measurements (Japan Tourism Agency)
According to the survey on radioactivity in Tokyo conducted by the Japanese Tourism Agency, the measured air dose was below the global average.
Radiation dose after touring Tokyo for one day (July 9, 2012) Report on field measurements

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

Q&A on Foods and Fishery products
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries: Questions and answers on rice, meat and eggs, milk, dairy products, mushrooms, and edible wild plants (as of December 19, 2012)
Fisheries Agency: Questions and answers on fishery products