Tokyo Facts – 5 Unique Facts!
The city of Tokyo is a popular destination for millions of people across the world. Frequently listed on travel ‘bucket lists’ due to its combination of futuristic appearance, culture and technological integration, the capital of Japan is a sight to behold. For those thinking of visiting or studying Japanese in Tokyo, we have put together a list 5 unique Tokyo facts about this Eastern metropolis. These highlights are enough to whet the appetite of any potential visitors.
5 Tokyo Facts:
1. Not Always Called Tokyo
A relatively ‘new’ city, the capital city of Japan has not always been referred to as Tokyo. Until 1868, Tokyo was actually called Edo. Prior to this, the capital of Japan was considered to be what is now modern day Kyoto.
In 1868, the home of the Emperor and Seat of the Government of Japan were moved to Edo. This city was then renamed Tokyo and declared the nations new capital.
Due to this move of capital city in recent years, Kyoto is referred to as the the second capital city of Japan or the Western Capital. The first on our list of Tokyo facts.
2. Shibuya Crossing
We have all seen photos and videos of neon lit streets and bustling pedestrians in Tokyo. The Shibuya Crossing is the most famous of these and holds the title of the busiest pedestrian intersection in the world! This world famous intersection was inaugurated in 1973 and has become a culturally iconic location for Tokyo.
With up to 3,000 pedestrians crossing per light sequence (every 2 minutes), this crossing sees an average of 300,000 users per day! Despite the vast amount of users however, there are rarely traffic jams or incidents at the intersection.
Overlooked by advertising signs, offices and shops, the crossing draws its own tourists and visitors. Similar to, but on a much larger scale than, Abbey Road in London, tourists are frequently seen snapping photos as they cross.
3. Henn Na Hotel
Japan have been at the forefront of technology and convenience for decades. Boasting one vending machine for every 23 residents, simplicity and automation have been key to the country’s development. But the Henn Na Hotel, opened in 2018, has taken this to a new level.
Staffed by robots and automation machines, this truly is the future of lodgings. All customer service staff are animatronic and booking in is completed via touch screens.
The rooms themselves feature a built in dry cleaning machine which removes the need to send your clothing items off to be cleaned. The rooms are all accessible via a key which is sent to your smart phone. If you would prefer however, you can ‘borrow’ one of the hotel smartphones called a ‘Handy’ which also offers constant connection to Wi-Fi services and can even be used to make calls.
The increase in budget, automated hotels has increased worldwide in recent years, but the Henn Na Hotel might be a glimpse into the future of these lodgings.
4. Tokyo Metro System
The Tokyo Metro system is the perfect way to travel across the city and outer regions. Connecting the vast urban areas of the city, it is reliable and fast. However, there are some drawbacks.
Most UK residents have experienced a level of overcrowding on the London Underground or commuter trains at some point. However, these busy tubes and trains pail in comparison to Tokyo.
Due to the popularity of public transport use in Tokyo, during busy periods you will find employees of the network ‘assisting passengers’ onto busy trains. These staff members are called ‘oshiya‘, or ‘pushers’, and their job is to literally push passengers onto the train to maximise the load.
It should be noted that these are part time roles and usually only found on the busiest lines at peak times. However, it is advised that tourists don’t travel on these services as the conditions for journeys during rush hour can be somewhat uncomfortable.
5. Most Populous Metropolitan Area
Covering 8,457 square kilometres, Tokyo is vast metropolitan city. This, combined with a population of over 37 million people, makes it the most populous city in the world!
Despite its vast population, Tokyo is still considered one of the safest and wealthiest cities in the world. Its low crime rate and wealth of its residents makes it a perfect city to visit and study in. The last on our list of Tokyo facts!
More information about Tokyo facts and how to learn Japanese with Cactus:
Are you looking to start learning Japanese and have full-immersive experience? Cactus offers a variety of Japanese language courses in Tokyo and language holidays across the world. We also offer online language courses, language classes in the UK, and private classes.
Are you looking to find out more about Tokyo facts and want to learn Japanese? Cactus Language Holidays Brochure gives you all the information you need for your next unforgettable experience! Learning a language have never been easier and is a great way to start uncover a different culture.
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