Tokyo Eye - Season 7 / Year 2013

Enjoying winter in Tokyo. Tokyo can be surprisingly cold and that pushes up demand for heating. We bring you high-tech energy-saving ways to stay warm, along with other hot hints for beating the cold.

24 hours in Marunouchi. Tokyo Station reopened after renovations in 2012, and Marunouchi is the area to the west of the station. We take a look at 24 hours in this exciting business district, also famed for its culture and history.

24 hours in Marunouchi. This is the nerve center of the Japanese economy. The headquarters of big companies and financial institutions cluster here. Businesspeople from around the world fill its office buildings. It also boasts important historical locations like Tokyo Station and the Imperial Palace. These days, startup companies are flooding into Marunouchi. On part 2 of our Marunouchi special, we'll see how this part of town never sleeps.

Shirokane. Upscale, sophisticated and mature, Shirokane offers tranquility and greenery in the heart of the city. For years this district has captivated foreigners and developed to meet their needs. Today we explore the many attractive faces of Shirokane.

Enjoying Asian traditions in Tokyo. People from all over Asia live in Tokyo, and treasure their cultural heritage. Today we visit people who practice and share fascinating traditions.

Tokyo Tourist Japanese. This time: Transport and Shopping. Helpful phrases to make your trip go smoothly. Today we'll tour Tokyo in the company of three exchange students who've mastered some Japanese basics.

Family Fun, for Free! Tokyo is an expensive city. Want to cut back on expenses while you're here? This time, we'll show you free spots and activities that are perfect for parents and children to enjoy together.

Tokyo high-tech tour! Japan leads the world in craft expertise, and Tokyo itself is a technological wonderland. This time we visit some high-tech locations with interactive attractions.

Fascinating temples and shrines. Foreign visitors flock to Tokyo's Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, and in fact the city boasts some of the top prayer spots in Japan. This time we visit established favorites and sample brand-new and unique locations.

Sophisticated Tokyo luxury. Elder tourists with a yen for the good life are on the increase in Tokyo, and the city has plenty of great services intended to please them. Today we present luxury experiences for those who insist on the best -- and want to get it in Tokyo.

Tokyo Bay Area -- Tokyo's waterfront. With its harbors and wharfs, it is the gateway that links Tokyo to the world over the seven seas. Today we'll get to know the charms of the ever-changing Bay Area.

Tokyo Bay Area. A crossroads of people and goods. A beating heart that keeps Tokyo running. We look at the future of Tokyo through its ever-changing waterfront.

Chuo Line culture tour. Some of the most popular residential areas in Tokyo are out along the Chuo Line. These leafy communities, just a short commute from the city center, are packed with universities -- so they have a creative, cultural appeal. This time we visit some of the most distinctive destinations along the Chuo Line.

Tokyo "maranic" guide. Yes, "maranic" -- a word combining marathon and picnic. Some runners like to take things easy -- jogging around tourist spots and stopping for a bite to eat. This is the essence of maranicking -- a whole new way to enjoy Tokyo!

Parks with a difference. Public parks are a great place to relax, and Tokyo has more of them than any other city in Japan. This time we visit diverse parks with fascinating features, ranging from formal gardens to emergency evacuation spaces.

Unique markets. Big city markets are great places to stop, shop and chat. Farmer's markets, antiques markets, flea markets -- we visit some of Tokyo's best.

A streetcar view of Setagaya life. For nearly 90 years, streetcars on the Setagaya Line have been running through residential districts in Setagaya Ward, an area that's long been known for its leafy suburbs. This time we explore the appeal of everyday Tokyo life away from the big tourist attractions.

Tokyo learning experiences. With more study centers than any other city in the land, Tokyo is a great place to learn almost anything -- from hobbies to career skills. This time we focus on things that foreigners like to learn, and one or two of them are really unique.

Hot spots to shop. In Central Tokyo the hits just keep coming! Japan-themed shops, downtown greenery, and community synergy. This time we go in searchof unique ways to shop and have fun.

Tama Hills is a short trip to the southwest of central Tokyo -- it's a rolling expanse of natural treasures where you can go strolling, hiking and enjoy the bounty of nature in various ways. This time we focus on fun for the family in Tama Hills.

Tokyo nature, Part 2: Mt. Takao. At 599 meters, and only a short trip from central Tokyo, Mt. Takao is one of the world's most accessible mountains. Over 2.6 million people climb it every year. We look at the green appeal of Mt. Takao, ranging from diverse climbing routes to restaurants serving local delicacies.

Fun and games in Tokyo. The Japanese capital is a game lover's paradise. We explore the constantly advancing front line in game entertainment, as well as some new takes on traditional pastimes -- and they're all right here in Tokyo.

Unique rides in Tokyo. The city has a fun assortment of brand-new vehicles for visitors. They don't just go from A to B -- they entertain you on the way. So hop aboard and let's see the sights in style!

Ekoda--a dynamic district powered by student energy. Home to three universities, Ekoda is a wellspring of youthful vitality and individuality.

Cool cafes! In a city with a saturated cafe market, the competition is red hot. Popular coffee shops popping up now include ones with a sharp focus on specific customers and unique services. This time we visit the frontline in Tokyo's battle of the cafes.

Made-to-order Tokyo. We're not talking just clothing and shoes -- these days Tokyo offers an amazing assortment of items made especially for you. This time we go in search of some of the latest and greatest examples of bespoke Tokyo.

Summer Vacation, Hands-on Education. Special "hands-on" facilities-where children can run around, interact with interesting objects, and try to make things themselves-are extremely popular in Japan, and summer break is the perfect time to go to one. This time, we'll show you some unique establishments where children learn while having lots of fun.

Jinbocho. With about 200 bookshops, large and small, Jinbocho is said to boast the world's largest selection of antiquarian bookstores. And it's not just books. Here you can find art, musical instruments, old records, traditional entertainment, and much more. A place that caters to so many interests -- this time we visit Jinbocho.

Time travel on the streetcar, Part 1. Back in Japan's boom years Tokyo was crisscrossed by public streetcars, but now only the Arakawa Line remains. A trip along its 12-kilometer track is a journey back to the good old days, so join us for a voyage of rediscovery aboard this Tokyo time machine: the Arakawa Line.

Dating back to 1911, the Arakawa Line is Tokyo's last remaining public streetcar. In part 1 we took in the sights between Waseda and Otsuka. Today we explore the rest of the line to the last stop, Minowa-bashi, enjoying the customs, craft culture and people we meet on the way.

In Tokyo public spaces are made available to any street performer who can pass a test, and the quality of entertainment is getting better all the time -- sometimes provided by winners of top competitions. This time we head out into the city for show time in Tokyo!

Running through the west of Tokyo, the Tama River features relatively few concrete levees. All that natural beauty makes it a great leisure destination, and this time we seek out some of the best ways to relax along the Tama River.

When the big city cools down in early autumn, it's a great time to get your body moving with the help of Tokyo's huge assortment of exercise options. This time we seek out some of the city's more unusual sporting experiences.

How much of the big city can be enjoyed by visitors who can't see, can't hear, or can't easily move? Tokyo is said to offer one of the world's best barrier-free environments, and this time we put that claim to the test -- in the Tokyo accessibility challenge.

Tokyo is one of the safest cities in the world, making it a great place for a woman traveling alone or with friends. Better still, you can find experiences you'll love and yet don't cost a penny. This time we seek out some of Tokyo's best free treats for women.

The ever-changing face of Nihonbashi. Two hundred years ago it was a center of commerce and culture. These days Nihonbashi is undergoing a massive facelift - bringing new blocks, shops and tourist spots. Time-honored establishments and high-tech high-rises rub shoulders in one of Tokyo's fastest evolving districts: Nihonbashi.

The constantly evolving canvas known as Tokyo is a great way to make the most of Japan's most artistic time of year -- the autumn. And it's not just art to look at: there's so much to touch, experience, and enjoy -- and a lot of it is free. This time we roam the streets of Tokyo on a quest for new angles on art.

As new shopping malls and other stores open in Tokyo, the range of great souvenirs just keeps growing. This time we seek out the latest Tokyo souvenirs, ranging from cool to offbeat to ultra-specialized.

Company-run museums have long been used to promote a corporate philosophy along with a firm's products. But recently they've been evolving, and more people are being drawn to interactive corporate display spaces that surprise as they satisfy your intellectual curiosity. This time we visit some of Tokyo's most stimulating company museums.

In Japan, as the year winds down the pace picks up, with excitement building in the run-up to the new year. Traditional Tokyo bustles with time-honored year-end customs. The modern metropolis hums with fun things to do for friends and families. This time, we go looking for great ways to wrap up the year in Tokyo.