Room Rate
Best available room rate. Our most flexible option.
Highlights
Whether you need to know local public holidays or highlights through the seasons, we hope you will find the facts gathered below useful tools for your travel planning. Please feel free to contact us if we can assist you further.
Learn More About Tokyo
General information
One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Tokyo is home to 13 million people, resulting in vast oceans of humanity on every corner. Organised in a uniquely Japanese fashion, the city’s myriad rail systems and subways make travelling effortless and have created a series of town centres around the major rail stations. Despite its limited space for harmonious living, Tokyo is one of the cleanest and safest cities in the world.
Tokyo is located on the eastern coast of Japan at the head of Tokyo Bay on the Pacific Ocean. Mount Fuji is 40 kilometres (25 miles) west of the city, rising to a height of 3,776 metres (12,388 feet).
Public holidays
| Emperor's Birthday | December 23, 2011 |
| New Year's Eve | December 31, 2011 |
| *New Year's Day | January 1, 2012 |
| Coming of Age Day | January 9, 2012 |
| National Foundation Day | February 11, 2012 |
| Spring Equinox | March 20, 2012 |
| *Day of Showa | April 29, 2012 |
| Constitution Memorial Day | May 3, 2012 |
| Greenery Day | May 4, 2012 |
| Children's Day | May 5, 2012 |
| Marine Day | July 16, 2012 |
| Respect for the Elderly Day | September 17, 2012 |
| Autumnal Equinox Day | September 22, 2012 |
| Health and Sports Day | October 8, 2012 |
| Culture Day | November 3, 2012 |
| Labour Thanksgiving Day | November 23, 2012 |
| *Emperor's Birthday | December 23, 2012 |
| New Year's Eve | December 31, 2012 |
| *Holidays falling on Saturday or Sunday are taken on the following Monday | |
Quick Reference
Time zone
GMT +9 hours
Language(s) spoken
Japanese, some English
Electrical system
Local voltage is 100 volts AC. Adapters available; please request through the Concierge.
Shopping hours
10:00 am to 7:00 pm
Working hours
9:00 am to 6:00 pm
Seasonal highlights
January
- New Year Congratulations: The inner grounds of the Imperial palace are open to the public on this day between 9:30 am and 3:00 pm. The Emperor appears with other members of the royal family to wave to well-wishers.
- New Year Sumo Tournament: Held at Kokugikan.
- Coming of Age Day: Held at Meiji Shrine and other shrines. People who have recently turned 20 years old, or who will in the coming year, dress up in kimonos and suits to attend ceremonies.
April
- Cherry Blossom Festival: Held at Ueno Park, Yasukuni Shrine, Shinjuku Gyoen, Chidorigafuchi and many other parks.
April–May
- Golden Week: A holiday week.
July-August
- Fireworks displayed in Tokyo Bay, Edogawa River, Sumida River and more.
November
- Chrysanthemum exhibitions held at Shinjuku Gyoen, Jinday Botanical Garden and Yushima Shrine.
- Seven-Five-Three-Festival: Held at various shrines, where children aged three, five and seven years old wear kimonos and pray at the shrines for good luck.
November-December
- Toyota Cup: Held at Yokohama International Stadium
December
- Battledore Market (Hagoita ichi): Held at Sensoji Temple Asakusa. Hagoita are paddle-shaped bats and many temples hold markets to sell the bats, which are used in the New Year game of Hanetsuki (Japanese badminton). Sensoji Temple has Tokyo's largest market.
- Emperor's Birthday: One of only two days in the year when the inner palace grounds are opened to the public.
