CNN Travel: Tokyo's Cultural Attractions

Above, the Wako department store in Ginza. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For those considering a visit to Japan, and Tokyo in particular, CNN Travel has posed a travel guide to the city's cultural attractions.

They begin it with:

Tokyo (CNN) — Tokyo is arguably one of the most modern cities in the world, a heaving metropolis with its sights set fully on the future. 

But look closer and you'll see plenty of examples of how it has embraced its cultural traditions along the way. 

Founded as Edo, modern-day Tokyo was the seat of power for the ruling Tokugawa shogunate -- the Japanese military government -- from 1603 until 1868. During this period of stability, the city established its status as a global metropolis, where the Ukiyo, or "floating world," lifestyle blossomed. 

Residents settled into the pleasure-seeking aspects of the culture: indulging in kabuki performances, geisha entertainers and sumo wrestling contests -- traditions that continue today. 

Scenes from the era were captured in Ukiyo-e -- paintings and woodblock prints -- such as "The Great Wave off Kanagawa" by Hokusai. They depicted subjects such as samurai warriors, nature landscapes and even erotica. 

A new exhibition celebrating the great Ukiyo-e artists of that era has just opened at the Edo-Tokyo Museum. It's just one of a huge number of events celebrating art, music and dance -- both traditional and contemporary -- being held as the city gears up for the 2020 Summer Olympics. 

But evidence of Tokyo's ability to honor the customs of the past -- all while forging the city of the future -- can be found throughout the city as well. 

Here, we offer a travel guide on how to fully immerse yourself in the best of Tokyo's old and new while visiting some popular city districts.

To read more, go here.