6^th World Congress on Natural Products, Medicinal Plants and Traditional Medicines September 18-19, 2019 | ANA Crowne Plaza Narita | Tokyo, Japan

 Tokyo is Japan's capital and the world's most populous metropolis. It is also one of Japan's 47 prefectures, consisting of 23 central city wards and multiple cities, towns and villages west of the city center. The Izu and Ogasawara Islands are also part of Tokyo. It has neon, skyscrapers, salaryman crowds, packed trains, cutting-edge architecture and futuristic technology. But it also has ancient shrines, plant-covered wooden houses, cycling grannies, old-school sweet shops and village-like lanes.

Tokyo is a nirvana for foodies, and has the world’s highest volume of Michelin stars in a city. Shopping is another highlight – it’s worth bringing an empty suitcase to fill with hard-to-resist gadgets, trendsetting garments and treasures from craft and design stores. And now there’s another reason to visit: the 2020 summer Olympics will take place in Tokyo. As a result, not only is the mood refreshingly upbeat, but a raft of new developments, hotels and infrastructure upgrades are in the pipeline.

The city’s history can be appreciated in districts such as Asakusa, and in many excellent museums, historic temples and gardens. Contrary to common perception, Tokyo also offers a number of attractive green spaces in the city centre and within relatively short train rides at its outskirts.

With more than 12.5 million residents to entertain, Tokyo has a lot going on. Boasting the Tokyo National Museum, the National Museum of Nature and Science, the Ueno Zoo, and the sprawling green space, Ueno Park are the special places to visit in Tokyo. Edo-Tokyo Museum and the Imperial Palace resembles the history of Tokyo. And no trip here would be complete without visiting some of Tokyo's Buddhist and Shinto sites like the Sensoji Temple and the Meiji Shrine.

Tokyo Disneyland was Disney’s first park outside the US. Tokyo’s Imperial Palace is a major tourist attraction but the vast majority of it is actually closed to the public. Only the members of the Imperial Household Agency are allowed to go inside the other areas. Some special areas are opened for citizens on the Emperor’s birthday and the New Year.

Tokyo is indeed one of the most fascinating cities and it's incomparable to any other place in the world. Besides all those amazing and bizarre things, the city throws out unexpected glimpses of its cultural core.