Around the World. Japan. Tokyo city Lights.
Tokyo By The Numbers:
Population: 12.36 million
Elevation: 26 feet/ 8 meters
Average Winter Temperature: 42 degrees F/ 6 degrees C
Average Summer Temperature: 78 degrees F/ 26 degrees C
The Greater Tokyo area has a population of over 33 million; making one of the most densely populated urban areas in the world. After World War II, Tokyo quickly became a highly industrialized metropolitan center while nevertheless preserving a distinct cultural heritage. Despite historical tragedies including the 1923 Kanto Earthquake, the loss over 80,000 lives during World War II, the economic "bubble burst" of 1989, and the 1995 nerve gas attack, Tokyo is nevertheless considered a thriving hub of industrialization. 
Tokyo is located on the southeastern part of the Honshu Island. Tokyo is a conglomeration of distinctive districts including Shinjuku (the hectic transit center), Shibuya (the trendy shopping district), Ueno Park (the hub of cultural events), Asakusa (the historical district) and Ginza (the upscale shopping district).
Archaeological evidence indicates that the site of Tokyo was inhabited by Stone Age tribes. The present city was founded in the 12th cent. as the village of Edo (also Yedo or Yeddo) [estuary]. A local warlord, Edo Taro Shigenada (whose family, according to tradition, probably took the name Edo from their place of residence) built a fort there. In 1456—57 Ota Dokan, ruler of the Kanto region under the Japanese shogunate, constructed a castle at Edo.
Just over 400 years ago when the shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu decided to move his government to Tokyo. The place soon developed in Japan's largest city, and became the largest city in the world in the 18th century. The name changed from Edo to Tokyo (which means "eastern capital") in 1867 when the shogunate collapsed and the new Meiji regime came to power, and the capital was officially displaced from Kyoto to Tokyo
To call Japan: For dialing Japan, the country code is 81. If you're calling a Tokyo telephone number from outside Tokyo but within Japan, the area code for Tokyo is 03. If you're calling Tokyo from abroad, drop the zero and dial only 3. If you have questions, call the international operator in the country from which you are placing your call.
Japan is 9 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time, 14 hours ahead of New York, 15 hours ahead of Chicago, and 17 hours ahead of Los Angeles. Since Japan does not go on daylight saving time, subtract 1 hour from the above times if you're calling the United States in the summer.
Because Japan is on the other side of the international date line, you lose a day when traveling from the United States to Asia (if you depart the U.S. on Tues, you'll arrive on Wed). Returning to North America, however, you gain a day, which means that you arrive on the same day you leave. (In fact, it can happen that you arrive in the U.S. at a time earlier than when you departed from Japan.)
One of the delights of being in Japan is that there is no tipping -- not even to waitresses, taxi drivers, or bellhops. If you try to tip them, they'll probably be confused or embarrassed. Instead, you'll have a 10% to 15% service charge added to your bill at higher-priced accommodations and restaurants.
A 5% consumption tax is imposed on goods and services in Japan, including hotel rates and restaurant meals. Although hotels and restaurants are required to include the tax in their published rates, a few have yet to comply (especially on English-language menus). In Tokyo, hotels also levy a separate accommodations tax of ¥100 (95¢) per person per night on rooms costing ¥10,000 to ¥14,999 ($95-$142); rates ¥15,000 and up are taxed at ¥200 ($1.90) per night per person. Some hotels include the local tax in their published rack rates, others do not.
Tokyo is one of the safest cities in the world. However, crime -- especially pickpocketing -- is on the increase, and there are precautions you should always take when traveling: Stay alert and be aware of your immediate surroundings. Be especially careful with cameras, purses, and wallets, particularly in crowded subways, department stores, or tourist attractions (such as the retail district around Tsukiji Market). Some Japanese caution women against walking through parks alone at night.
If you're in need of a restroom in Tokyo, your best bets are train and subway stations (though these tend to be dirty), big hotels, department stores, and fast-food chains like McDonald's. Use of restrooms is free in Japan, but since public facilities may not supply toilet paper, it's a good idea to carry a packet of tissues.
To find out whether a stall is empty, knock on the door. If it's occupied, someone will knock back. Similarly, if you're inside a stall and someone knocks, answer with a knock or else the person will keep on knocking and try to get in. And don't be surprised if you go into some restrooms and find men's urinals and private stalls in the same room. Women are supposed to walk right past the urinals without noticing them.
Smoking is banned in public areas, including train and subway stations and office buildings. In most wards (city districts), nonsmoking ordinances ban smoking on sidewalks but allow it in marked "Smokers Corner" areas, usually near train stations. Many restaurants have nonsmoking sections, though bars do not.
