The Tokyo Traveler

Visit the The Imperial Palace, home to Their Majesties, the Emperor and Empress of Japan, on December 23rd to wish Emperor Akihito of Japan a happy 75th birthday.  A national holiday in Japan, Tenno Tanjyo-bi, is celebrated on the Emperor’s birthday day each year and it is only one of two days when the Imperial Palace is open to the public.  The other is January 2nd when the Imperial Family offers a new year greeting to those assembled.

 

Cross the famous Nijubashi bridge from the Imperial Palace Plaza from 9:30 AM to 11:20  AM on December 23rd to be there when the Imperial family steps out onto a balcony to greets visitors at 10:20AM, 11:05AM and 11:40AM or sign the Greeting Book from 12:30PM to 3:30PM in front of the Imperial Household Building.

 

If you are spending Christmas in Tokyo, be one of the few who have stepped beyond the Imperial Palace Plaza onto the grounds where Japan’s royalty have lived since 1868 when the capital was moved from Kyoto.  

 

Access the Imperial Palace (map) by taking the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line to Nijubashi-mae Station or one of the other stations located in the area.

 

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"Enjoy and Experience the unique Japanese Culture" is the tagline for Yokoso Japan’s Japan Weeks 2009 promotion.  Running from January 20 through February 28, 2009, the theme for this promotion is hands on experiences and shopping.

 

Nearly one-quarter of the nation’s department stores and half of the 40 outlet malls throughout Japan are participating in the Yokoso Japan Weeks 2009 campaign. Various events, hands-on experience tours, and privilege campaigns will be hosted by nearly 600 stores throughout the country. A wide variety of services will be offered as well as free original gifts. 

 

This is a great opportunity to take advantage of discounts on shopping and accommodation and to learn more about the culture of Japan.  If you plan on being in the Tokyo area in early 2009, take some time to browse through the different events and discounts available for visitors to the Kanto Region.  Here are just a few of the great events going on: 

 

Modern Cultural Experiences: 

• Sign up for fashion tour of Harajuku,
• Check out the latest electronics in Akihabara,
• Take a helicopter tour of the city or,
• Wisit one of the city’s great museums.  

 

Traditional Cultural Experiences:

• Take a calligraphy class,
• Learn how to make sushi,
• Create an Ikebana flower arrangement,
• Learn how to wear a Kimono,
• Take a ride in a Rickshaw or,
• Learn the way of Samurai and Ninja.  

 

There is so much to do and see during Yokoso Japan Weeks 2009 that you will want to stay for the whole month so that you can fit everything in!

 

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