Every year many Australians take the chance to visit one of the world’s biggest and most exhilarating cities, Tokyo. Thanks to a host of deals March is the best time to book a stay in one of the many hotels in Tokyo.

Over 400 years old, Tokyo started off as a modest fishing village named Edo. It has since grown into the world’s biggest urban area with 35 million residents, and has not let setbacks such as bombings and devastating earthquakes halt its rise.

Today it is a thriving metropolis full of futuristic looking shopping malls and towering skyscrapers. It is known as a major financial centre, and for its mixture of traditional and modern cultures.

Being one of the world’s premier business cities and tourist destinations, the demand for flights to Tokyo is always high. Narita airport is located on the outskirts of the city, and is served by most major airlines from destinations throughout Australia and indeed the world.

Tokyo’s size means that there is a variety of accommodation spread over a very wide area, in all budget ranges. Many of the cheap hotels in Tokyo can be found in the Taito district to the northeast. The western district of Shinjuku houses more of the luxurious hotels and familiar international chains.

In terms of hotel style there is a great deal of variation, for example many hotels promote themselves as being more traditional ‘Japanese Inns’, while others are designed more with business or leisure in mind.

Tokyo’s activities follow a similar theme to its hotels. The Imperial Palace and its surrounding gardens in Chiyoda, Harajuku’s Meiji shrine and the temples of Asakusa on one hand offer a more old fashioned view of the town.

Conversely the bright lights of shopping and entertainment districts Shinjuku, Shibuya and Ginza offer an insight into the more modern aspects of Japanese life. Those with in interest in fashion may also want to visit Harajuku to see Takashita Dori and Yoyogi Park, hangouts for youths displaying a wide range of Japanese styles and trends.

Other attractions include Tokyo Disney Resort, which contains the world’s two most visited theme parks, and an abundance of museums. Tokyo also offers a variety of viewing platforms from which to take in the enormity of the place. Among the best of these are the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, and the World Trade Centre. On a clear day cone shaped Mount Fuji, Japan’s biggest mountain, will be visible.

The fast pace of Tokyo life does not offer any respite at night. Sushi bars are everywhere and restaurants serving food from every corner of the world can be found across the city. The party crowd will find that the dazzling neon lights and paper lanterns help create a boisterous atmosphere, and the city is crammed with pubs, clubs and bars. Roppongi is Tokyo’s most famous nightlife centre, with Shinjuku and Shibuya not far behind.