10 Fun Facts About Tokyo to Celebrate the Start of the Summer Games in Japan

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Tokyo is the world’s most populous metropolitan area

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02of 10The Cherry Blossom is the unofficial national flowerAround April, these famous trees, also known as Sakura, bloom for several weeks with pretty pink flowers that draw visitors from around the world. The blossoms are known for their delicate, fluttering appearance. Both the blossoms and the leaves are edible and are used in traditional Japanese sweets and teas.

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The Cherry Blossom is the unofficial national flower

Around April, these famous trees, also known as Sakura, bloom for several weeks with pretty pink flowers that draw visitors from around the world. The blossoms are known for their delicate, fluttering appearance. Both the blossoms and the leaves are edible and are used in traditional Japanese sweets and teas.

03of 10Tokyo was originally named EdoGetty ImagesEdo is the former name of Tokyo. It was the seat of power for the Tokugawa shogunate which ruled Japan from 1603 to 1868. The Edo Museum in Tokyo memorializes the history and culture of that era.

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Tokyo was originally named Edo

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Edo is the former name of Tokyo. It was the seat of power for the Tokugawa shogunate which ruled Japan from 1603 to 1868. The Edo Museum in Tokyo memorializes the history and culture of that era.

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Tokyo first held the Olympics in 1964

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Shinjuku Station is the busiest train station in the world

06of 10Tokyo Tower is one of the city’s most famous landmarksKAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP via Getty ImagesThe Tokyo Tower was modeled after the Eiffel Tower in Paris and opened in 1958. It measures 333 meters (1,092 feet) tall and was the tallest structure in Japan until the the Tokyo Skytree, which is 634 meters (2,082 feet) tall, surpassed it in 2010. Visitors to the city can go to the top of both structures for a spectacular view.

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Tokyo Tower is one of the city’s most famous landmarks

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The Tokyo Tower was modeled after the Eiffel Tower in Paris and opened in 1958. It measures 333 meters (1,092 feet) tall and was the tallest structure in Japan until the the Tokyo Skytree, which is 634 meters (2,082 feet) tall, surpassed it in 2010. Visitors to the city can go to the top of both structures for a spectacular view.

07of 10Shibuya Crossing is the world’s busiest intersectionAkio Kon/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesTokyo is also home to the world’s busiest intersection, Shibuya Crossing. At peak travel times, the crossing, which contains five massive crosswalks, can see thousands of visitors and commuters scurrying to their destination.

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Shibuya Crossing is the world’s busiest intersection

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Tokyo is also home to the world’s busiest intersection, Shibuya Crossing. At peak travel times, the crossing, which contains five massive crosswalks, can see thousands of visitors and commuters scurrying to their destination.

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The Harajuku district is popular for its eye-catching fashion

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09of 10Tokyo has its own Disneyland — and a park that exists nowhere elseCarl Court/Getty ImagesJapan has its own Disney parks that will make you feel the magic but with a Tokyo twist. Tokyo Disneyland was the first Disney resort built outside the United States and opened on April 15, 1983. With its 114-acre plot size, it was the largest single Disney park at that time. The Tokyo Disney Resort now contains two parks: Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. The latter exists nowhere else in the world.

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Tokyo has its own Disneyland — and a park that exists nowhere else

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Japan has its own Disney parks that will make you feel the magic but with a Tokyo twist. Tokyo Disneyland was the first Disney resort built outside the United States and opened on April 15, 1983. With its 114-acre plot size, it was the largest single Disney park at that time. The Tokyo Disney Resort now contains two parks: Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. The latter exists nowhere else in the world.

10of 10Tokyo has more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other city in the worldGetty ImagesTokyo is home to a spectacular culinary scene. The city has more than226 Michelin-starred restaurants, and 11 of those have a three-star rating, the highest awarded.

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Tokyo has more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other city in the world

Tokyo is home to a spectacular culinary scene. The city has more than226 Michelin-starred restaurants, and 11 of those have a three-star rating, the highest awarded.

source: people.com