At Tokyo Racecourse, just 30 minutes from central Tokyo, visitors can soak up the hysterical atmosphere at one of Japan's most famous horseracing days, featuring the NHK Mile Cup.

A day at the Fuchu races is thoroughly entertaining and not to be missed. Gamblers flock to the course to see the action and try to make a fortune.

 On a notable race day there can be up to 100,000 ardent fans, so be prepared for a bewildering atmosphere and lots of noise.

Betting in Japan is very traditional and everything, down to the prices, is in kanji (Chinese characters). 

Wakasu Seaside Park, a marine park run by Bureau of Port and Harbour Tokyo Metropolitan Government, faces the Tokyo Bay. It is one of the largest parks in Tokyo.

 The park contains various leisure facilities such as a golf course, cycling road, camp site and fishing place. It is one of a few places in Tokyo, where you can escape from the bustle of the big city and enjoy the sea.

.

This is Tokyo's oldest and most popular temple, with a history dating back to 628. According to popular lore, two brothers fishing in the nearby Sumida River netted the catch of their lives - a tiny golden statue of Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy and happiness who is empowered with the ability to release humans from all suffering.

 Sensoji Temple was erected in her honor, and although the statue is housed here, it's never shown to the public. Still, through the centuries, worshippers have flocked here seeking favors of Kannon; and when Sensoji Temple burned down during a 1945 bombing raid, the present structure was rebuilt with donations by the Japanese people.

Shibuya is a major shopping area and a definite place to visit for anyone interest in Japanese fashion. Not only are there many very trendy fashion stores, but you can see many young Japanese people wearing the latest and some just outrageous fashion in the streets.

Shibuya 109 Building shopping centre filled with many very trendy clothing boutiques. It is very popular among young people, especially teens, and it is famous as the origin of the kogal subculture.

The Yasukuni Shrine is located in Chiyoda ward Tokyo. It is a controversial shrine to Japan's war dead, housing the souls of some 2.5 million people killed in Japan's wars — including convicted war criminals executed by the Allies.  

It has been made more famous by the controversial visits to the Shrine by the Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi. These visits have been particularly upsetting to countries attacked or invaded by Japan during World War II.

The Yasukuni Shrine is a favourite haunt of right-wing groups in black loudspeaker-equipped trucks.

Shibuya was a long-time center of shopping, fashion and entertainment, especially for the younger set.

Nowadays is famous for nightlife offer. The nwest clubs are opened in this area. 

Tabú is a chic, cosmopolitan ultra lounge, symbolizing everything beautiful, sophisticated and innovative. Incorporated into the captivating design, featuring funky furniture, marble and wood floors and luxurious textures, is an unsurpassed element of technology that cannot be found in any other nightlife venue that exists today.

Club Tabú strokes each of the senses, leaving everything to the imagination. The euphoric environment provides a relaxed type of excitement. It`s opened  from Wenesday to Sunday.   

La Tour D Argent sets the standard for French haute cuisine.  La Tour D Argent is like its famous sister in Paris. The high standard of the food and décor is only matched by the prices in this celebrated establishment situated in the New Otani Hotel. The house speciality is the duck, specially flown in daily from Brittany in France.

Other highlights on the menu are pigeon and fricassee of lobster. It is all prepared by chefs trained at the Paris restaurant and an impressive wine list accompanies the outstanding menu, which changes seasonally. It`s good to know that the restaurant is closed on Mondays and offers dinner only. 

Moreover, reservations are essential and dress code is jacket and tie.

Kamakura has many interesting sights to explore, but most important of them all is the Great Buddha.

The city of Kamakura, located just about 30 miles  from Tokyo at the base of the Miura Peninsula, was the political powerhouse of Japan in the middle ages and the seat of government for most of the 13th century.

Because of its historic importance Kamakura boasts numerous monuments, temples and shrines of interest to tourists. As an added bonus the city sports some sandy beaches and good hiking trails in the nearby wooded hills.

The Great Buddha is located in the grounds of the Kotokuin Temple, and standing at almost 44ft (13,35m) high, it is the second largest Buddha statue in Japan after that found in the Todaiji Temple in Nara.

The Kamakura Great Buddha was cast in 1252 and was originally contained in the temple hall. Tsunami washed away the temple in the late 15th century, but the Buddha prevailed and since then has stood in the open.

Shinagawa Aquarium can be found not far from Tokyo Bay and displays many of the types of underwater life that can be found in the surrounding area's rivers, beaches and harbours. What`s more, it's also the place in Tokyo where you can see dolphins and sea lions performing live in daily shows.

In the basement of the Aquarium is the famous 20-metre underwater glass tunnel. On the first floor there are circular tanks filled with silver schooling fish, swimming round and round in endless loops.

There are also multicoloured displays of coral reefs and recreations of some of the world's great rivers.

Carrying on the aquatic theme, within a few minutes' walk of the Aquarium you can take a ride on a water bus to various other parts of Tokyo Bay.