3 Best Sights in Urayasu, Tokyo

The star attraction here is the Diamonds and Flowers Ferris wheel, the second-tallest in Japan. The ride takes you on a 17-minute trip to the apex, 384 feet above the ground, for a spectacular view of the Tokyo bay area. On a clear day you can see all the way to Mt. Fuji; at night, if you're lucky, you reach the top just in time for a bird's-eye view of the fireworks over the Magic Kingdom, across the Kyuedo River. As a bonus, all Ferris wheel gondolas are private. The park also has an observatory looking out over Tokyo Bay, in addition to the Tokyo Sea Life Park aquarium, a bird-watching center, and some so-so beaches.

Much like at the original two Disney parks in the United States, Mickey-san and his troupe of Disney characters entertain here at Tokyo Disneyland. When the park was built in 1983, it was much smaller than its American counterparts. In 2001, the construction of the adjacent DisneySea and its seven "Ports of Call," all with different nautical themes and rides, added more than 100 acres and establishing the comprehensive Tokyo Disney Resort. Out of numerous ticket options, most opt for the One-Day Passport, which confers unlimited access to the attractions, as well as shows at one or the other of the two parks.

This three-story dome-like structure houses roughly 600 species of fish and other sea creatures within a dozen zones, including Voyagers of the Sea (Maguro no Kaiyu), with migratory species; Seas of the World (Sekai no Umi), with species from abroad; and the Sea of Tokyo (Tokyo no Umi), devoted to the creatures of the bay and nearby waters. Don't miss the giant 2,200-ton bluefin tuna tank, the rays, or the puffins.