Tokyo, Japan's largest city at the start of the 21st century Map of the Kanto region Tokyo was extensively developed following the move to the area of Tokugawa Ieyasu's first Shogunate Government in 1603. The town, which then centered on Edo Castle, was primarily constructed during the 70-year regeneration of Edo that followed and in the years after the demise of the 265-year reign of the Tokugawa Shogunate, as Japan's Meiji Restoration remodeled Japan along more modern lines. Tokyo became the nation's capital city after the Emperor moved east along the Tokaido road from Kyoto. With a current population of some 12 million, Tokyo is by far the largest city in 21st century Japan and one of the charms of Tokyo is to be found in the combination of the traditional and historical sites sitting side by side amidst the ultramodern urban landscape. To that end, there are many places in Tokyo with their own unique character: the Shitamachi (older and more traditional) districts in and around Asakusa and Ueno. The shopping zones of Ginza, Aoyama, Shinjuku and Shibuya and of course other well known areas for visitors to shop or eat till they drop such as Nihombashi, Akihabara, Odaiba, Harajuku, Roppongi and Ikebukuro. For visitors and inhabitants, Tokyo has something for everyone.

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Hagoita-ichi Market - Sensoji Temple, Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo - December 17th (Wed)-19th (Fri), 2008 The origins of the Hagoita-ichi can be found in a traditional wish for the healthy development of female children as the hagoita is a board supposedly capable of knocking away evil spirits. (Hagoita is a game similar to badminton in which wooden paddles roughly rectangular in shape are used to hit a shuttlecock back and forth) Many beautiful hagoita are displayed in stalls and shops around the grounds of the temple with thousands being purchased over the three-day festival. http://www.senso-ji.jp/

Boro Market in Setagaya - Around Setagaya 1-chome, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo - December 15th (Mon), 16th (Tue), 2008 and January 15th (Thur), 16th (Fri), 2009 Setagaya Boro Market is one of the most famous and traditional events in Setagaya, and it has a history stretching back more than 400 years. The origin of the event is a market where people gathered to exchange old clothes, old tools and agricultural products. "Boro" means old clothes. In the modern-day Boro Market, about 700 stalls are lined along Boro-ichi Street (which is the location of the Daikan-yashiki mansion), selling antiques, daily commodities, old books and used game software. This event attracts many people every year. http://www.tokyo-cci.or.jp/setagaya/tiikijouhou/boroichi/ (Japanese version only)

Chichibu Yomatsuri Festival - Chichibu Shrine, Chichibu City, Saitama Prefecture - December 2nd (Tue)-3rd (Wed), 2008 One of the largest festivals of Chichibu Shrine, and one of the "the 3 biggest Hikiyama (float) festivals" in Japan, (the Gion Festival in Kyoto & the Takayama Festival in Hida the others) is set for midweek in the middle of December. The sound of the Hayashi Orchestra, floats and fireworks as well as a number of other dynamic events are all waiting as are a selection of different traditional performing arts - in the nearby Chichibu City. http://www.chichibuji.gr.jp/yomaturi/16yomaturi.html (Japanese version only)

Tori-no-ichi (Bird Market) - Otori Jinja Shrine, Taito-ku, Tokyo - November 5th (Wed), 17th (Mon), 29th (Sat), 2008 The Tori-no-ichi Market is a festival held at the Chokoku-ji and Otori shrines on the Japanese calendar's day of the Rooster during November. This annual event has been held continuously from the Edo era (1603-1868) and participants wish for good luck and the prosperity of business. The festival held in Asakusa is the largest, and the most enthusiastic Tori-no-ichi in Tokyo. Within the precinct stand over 200 stalls selling Kumade (a rake) with decorations of (faux) gold, silver or other treasures. Hoping to rake up the luck and happiness with the Kumade, Edokko or native born and bred locals of Tokyo enjoy this ritual. http://www.otorisama.or.jp/english.html

Mount Takao - Momiji Festival - Mount Takao, Hachioji City, Tokyo - November 1st (Sat)-30th (Sun), 2008 Mount Takao in autumn is usually covered in seasonally changing leaves of all shades and colors and in this period of celebrations for the famed momiji leaf, large numbers ranging in age from young to old gather to enjoy a variety of events, such as masu-zake (sake) drinking, monkey entertainment or street performances. See the red color of momiji leaves and really feel the Japanese autumn. http://www.hachioji-kankokyokai.or.jp/guide10.html (Japanese version only)

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