Hello Kitty Pilgrimage

Tokyo is the capital of Japan and the core of the most populated urban area in the world, Greater Tokyo, which has a population of 35 million people. This massive, wealthy and fascinating metropolis places high-tech visions of the future side by side with glimpses of old Japan, and has something for every type of visitor.

Huge and varied in its geography, with over 770 square miles to explore, the Tokyo area spans not just the city, but also rugged mountains to the west and subtropical islands to the south.

Tokyo is so vast, it is best thought of not as a single city, but a constellation of cities that have grown together. Tokyo's districts vary wildly in character, from the electronic blare of Akihabara to the Imperial gardens and shrines of Chiyoda. If you don't like what you see, hop on the train and head to the next one, and you will find something entirely different.

The sheer size and frenetic pace of Tokyo can intimidate the first-time visitor. Don't get too hung up on ticking tourist sights off your list: for most visitors, the biggest part of the Tokyo experience is just wandering around at random and absorbing the vibe.

Walking through the big red-lanterned "Thunder Gate" (Kaminarimon), look beside you to see images of the Wind and Thunder gods staring down at you. You have just entered on to Nakamise Street where you will find large crowds of locals and out-of-towners alike browsing in the wide variety of stores and stalls leading up to Senso-Ji Temple. The rather large temple, devoted to the Kannon deity, is distinguished by the five-tiered pagoda on your left and Kannon Hall, where a small golden statue is located and revered by worshipers.

This perfect example of Shinto architecture--muted colors and spare lines--was opened in 1920 to commemorate the death of Emperor Meiji in 1912. Surrounded by 72 hectares (178 acres) of shady trees and various Japanese flora of the Meiji Jingu Park, it is one of Japan's most sacred and picturesque shrines. The Imperial Treasury House annex exhibits mementos, including the coronation carriage, of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken.

Possibly the most famous of souvenir shops, Oriental Bazaar is also the most imaginatively laid out. There are four floors and the higher you go, the more expensive the items get. The basement stocks bright, cheap and cheerful, touristy items, while the top floor offers antiques and traditional Japanese kimono and crafts. It is notably one of the best places to buy affordable and beautiful, second-hand original kimonos. Yukata (bathrobes), ceramics, towels and papercraft are some of the more popular items.

Akihabara is known as denki machi or Electric Town in Tokyo. All manner of electrical appliances, from washing machines to refrigerators, and from stereo and audiovisual equipment to fax machines, can be found here. There are also a number of shops selling computer hardware and software. Visitors to Japan will want to bring their passports along with them to purchase duty free products. Appliances with a range of voltages to suit different countries are available.

At this museum, beer culture enthusiasts will enjoy a virtual reality tour of a brewery! Beer was introduced into Japan during the Meiji Era and Tokyo's first beer hall opened in 1899. Beer drinkers have never looked back and consumption has now surpassed that of sake. Exhibits describing the history of beer manufacture in the west plus liquid samples of Suntory's version are the main attractions at this museum. See website for visitor info. Admission: Free

This might not be everybody's peak experience, but the run around the Imperial Palace could be second best and a whole lot easier than climbing Mout Fuji. The 5km plus-a-few-meters course takes participants around the Imperial Palace, passing near the Marunouchi business district, the Budokan, venue to sports and concerts, the British Embassy and Hibya Park. There is even an annual charity team-relay run that does the distance and is organized by the Japan Times. For those who require a more leisurely pace, there are plenty of things to look at while you complete the circuit.

The busiest railway station in the world, Shinjuku Station handles some four million passengers daily. Japan Railways East, Odakyu, Keio and Seibu Shinjuku are some of the private companies operating trains in and out of out of this terminal. The station is packed with bars, restaurants, a couple of department stores, kiosks selling everything from ties to tissues. Coin lockers are available. The biggest thing to worry about here is the crowds, but they are quite orderly except perhaps late on Saturday nights. Call the number below for JR East.

This excellent example of classic Shinto architecture was built in 1869, and dedicated to the war dead of Japan. Each August 15, the anniversary of Japan's defeat in World War II, it draws controversy, when the nation's top politicians come and offer their prayers to its dead heroes, amid protests from neighboring countries victimized by Japan during WWII. Yasukuni means; peaceful country. This is an irony when the place itself reminds people so much of war and grief. The site opens daily at 9 a.m.

The official residence of the Emperor and Empress of Japan since Tokyo became the political and imperial capital in 1868. Located in what was once the inner section of Edo Castle, the seat of the Tokugawa shogun, this 1.15 square kilometer of prime real estate in central Tokyo is enclosed by walls and moats, making a glimpse of its residents impossible. Only on two occasions--January 2 (New Year) and December 23 (Emperor Heisei's birthday) do the Emperor and the Royal Family emerge and wave to the gathering crowd from behind bulletproof windows.

So named because of its changing nighttime lights, Rainbow Bridge spans the bay from Shibaura Wharf to Odaiba one of Tokyo's premier wining and dining areas. Comprising eight traffic lanes and two rail, the bridge also has a pedestrian walkway and observation towers. Opened in 1993, the suspension bridge is 918 meters long with a distance of 570 meters between the two towers. Another way to see this spectacular bridge would be to travel over it on the Yurikamome monorail line departing from Shimbashi. Or you could take a cruise boat up river from Hinode Pier to Asakusa.

Tokyo Dome city is like a dream come true for any tourist because there is so much to do here that a day is too short to conquer the whole place. The amusement park rocks with its rides such as Thunder Dolphin and Wonder Drop. If you want to relax and get pampered, the spa here is just for you. If shopping is on you mind, make sure that you visit the big mall with numerous shops. You will definitely be hungry after so many activities, so wind your day by picking any restaurant that serves your favorite cuisine.

Symbolized by the 54-story Mori Tower, Roppongi Hills is a mega complex that incorporates upscale shops, restaurants, a movie theater, a museum, and an observatory as the most notable aspects of its facilities. As part of an ongoing process to reshape the image of Roppongi, this project has helped to create a classier side of this city, which is notorious for its sleezy nightlife on the weekends. The diversity of entertainment at this site provides an ideal place for families and couples to spend the day, as well as provide enough splendor for the casual tourist who is looking to sightsee and experience modern day Tokyo. - Erin Sanchez

The latest models of audio visual and computer products are yours to test out in this tall, slim, and eye-catching building. On the 6th floor, devoted solely to Play Station, there are giant screens where the games you requested can be played. The High-Vision Theater shows free movies every Saturday. Tech and game fans, this is an invitation to lose yourselves in the world of Sony products. Children will get a kick out of the musical staircase between 1F and B1F. Admission: Free

Constructed in 1958, Tokyo Tower soars 332 meters (1092 feet), 13 meters (42 feet) higher than the Eiffel Tower. There are two observatories from which to get panoramic views of Tokyo, and Mount Fuji on a clear day. The Main Observatory is 150 meters (492 feet) high, the Special Observatory, 250 meters (820 feet) high. The tower is lit by 164 floodlights: orange in winter, and incandescent white in summer. Inside the tower, you will also find the Tokyo Tower Wax Museum, the Mysterious Walking Zone and the Trick Art Gallery.

A millennium ago so the legend goes, the Hirokuma brothers found the statue of Kannon (the Bodhisattva of Mercy - the deity alleged to have great powers in purifying people and granting them true happiness) in their fishing nets and the village chief dutifully enshrined it. The Asakusa Shrine was thus established in 1649 and the three persons in the legend were consecrated as gods of the shrine, hereby earning it the nickname Sanja-sama (the shrine of the three gods). Undoubtedly the most famous shrine in Tokyo, it also hosts the Sanja Festival in May.