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Tours in Tokyo |
Here is a brief introduction to eight of the leading neighbourhoods in Tokyo, and the key sights to see in each of them.
ROPPONGI
Perhaps the least noticeably ‘Japanese' of all the neighbourhoods, Roppongi is where many expats go to party. Filled for years with packed bars, clubs and restaurants, the area saw the beginning of a new era with the triumphant opening of the Roppongi Hills complex in 2003. With visitor numbers now climbing to 300,000 each weekend, the success of this shining beacon to consumerism inspired the Mid-town Project, which opened in March 2007 on the other side of the neighbourhood. This complex includes the tallest building in Tokyo, the Midtown Tower, which rises 54 storeys and 248m in height, and is home to the city's first Ritz Carlton hotel. There are also designer emporiums, luxury apartments, two museums (the relocated Suntory Museum of Art and the new 21_21 Design Sight), a beautiful park, and a host of eateries. The striking new National Arts Centre is just down the road.
Transport: Roppongi Station (Hibiya or Oedo line).
Website: www.tokyo-midtown.com
The Suntory Museum of Art
Website: www.suntory.com/culture-sports/sma/museum/
21_21 Design Sight
Website: www.2121designsight.jp
National Arts Centre
Website: www.nact.jp
Roppongi Hills
Created as a city within a city, this immensely popular complex offers visitors a taste of Tokyo's future. Every inch of Roppongi Hills has been beautifully designed; visitors can wander through peaceful Japanese gardens and beside water walls, then eat and shop in one of more than 200 restaurants and boutiques. Many of Japan's festivals are celebrated here with dancing and performances in the open spaces, while temporary art sculptures come and go amongst the permanent pieces designed by world renowned artists. Those exhausted from shopping can enjoy the 12 screen Virgin cinema showing the latest blockbusters and night visitors shouldn't miss the chance to catch the best view of the city at Tokyo City View. Offering a 360 degree view of the bustling city from 250 metres above the sea, it is an inspiring sight. Head for the information centre on the B1F floor for leaflets or a guided tour of the complex; but visitors can wander the beautifully lit spiralled towers and winding walkways on their own well into the night.
Tel: (03) 6406 6000.
Website: www.roppongihills.com/en/information/
Opening hours: Daily 24 hours. Free admission.
Tokyo Tower
Opened in 1958, this 333m (1,092ft) red and white tower is an almost exact replica of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. But standing several metres taller than the original, it also includes an aquarium, numerous gift shops and a waxwork exhibit. The 250m- (820ft-) high observation tower offers views as far as Mt Fuji.
4-2-8 Shinbakoen, Minato-ku
Tel: (03) 3433 5111.
Website: www.tokyotower.co.jp
Opening hours: Daily 0900-2200.
Admission charge.
GINZA
The wide tree-lined streets of Ginza are synonymous with the Japanese's favourite hobby; sheer, unadulterated shopping. Despite being destroyed in the 1923 earthquake, the area soon sprung back with designer shops, famous department stores and tiny exclusive boutiques to inspire even the most ‘yen conscious' of visitors. But a visit to Ginza doesn't have to be pricey: splash out on an expensive cup of coffee and make it last, this is the ultimate area for people watching, especially on Sundays when various streets are closed to cars to give pedestrians free reign. But beyond the glittering shop fronts there is plenty to see in the area. Heading south from Ginza brings you to Shiodome, a new commercial centre with a number of shining skyscrapers and the famous Tsukiji fish market is a short walk away.
Tsukiji Ichiba (Tsukiji Wholesale Fish Market)
Set your alarm clock early, as visiting the world's biggest fish market before dawn has even broken is a sight not to be missed. Relocated to this area following the 1923 earthquake the sheer scale of the operation is breathtaking. Now open six days a week (the market is closed on Sundays and national holidays) more than 2,200 tons of fish pass through here every day. Daily deals total approximately £15 million (¥1.8 billion). The main action starts with a tuna auction at a jetlag friendly 0530, where each enormous brightly labelled fish can sell for as much as ¥1 million yens. As well as fish, a wide range of seafood from all over the world, some you might barely recognise, goes under the hammer. The market is frenetic, fast and furious, and spectators are welcome so long as they remain alert, as speeding forklift trucks and enormous crates don't stop for the tourists. With the early morning business seen to, the action shifts to the outer stalls, and hungry spectators can head to any number of food stalls to eat a traditional breakfast of sushi and sashimi. Nowhere in Tokyo can fish be eaten fresher.
5-2-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku
Tel: (03) 3543 4176.
Website: www.tsukiji-market.or.jp
Opening hours: Mon-Sat from 0500.
Free admission.
Hama-Rikyu Garden
Those exhausted by the fish market can seek solace at the nearby Hama-Rikyu Garden. Hidden within a beautiful walled moat, this city oasis boasts manicured lawns, an ancient pine tree and three peaceful lakes. Once the hunting ground of a shogun, this tranquil garden now offers only peace, quiet and a view of Tokyo's famous Rainbow Bridge.
1-1 Hama Rikyu Teien, Chuo-ku
Tel: (03) 3541 0200.
Opening hours: Daily 0900-1700.
Admission charge.
Advertising Museum Tokyo (ADMT)
On the B1F-B2F floors of the Caretta Shiodome skyscraper, this small but fascinating permanent museum is dedicated to the wacky world of Japanese advertising. Using the newest technology guests can touch screens to look through adverts both past and present, or study the 100,000 digital images held on a computer database.
Caretta Shiodome, 1-8-2, Higashi-Shinbashi, Minato-ku
Tel: (03) 6218 2500.
Website: www.admt.jp
Opening hours: Tues-Fri 1100-1830, Sat 1100-1630. Admission charge.
SHINJUKU
Shinjuku is a tale of two cities, divided by the numerous train tracks that run directly through it. To the west lies Nishi Shinjuku, a cluster of shining skyscrapers that serve the business and government district. To the east, Higashi Shinjuku, a number of neon lit streets filled with love hotels, hostess bars and pachinko gambling machines. The Golden Gai is east Shinjuku is worth a visit, four streets packed with tiny smoky bars. Although many don't welcome foreigners, many wander past just to have a look. If your money isn't all gone, head for Takashimaya Times Square, where shopping and eating can be done indoors and on a large scale. Shinjuku is one of Tokyo's largest travel hubs but be warned, the station has over 50 exits and can be a nightmare to navigate. Even locals get lost among the miles of underground tunnels that deposit commuters at their destinations. With two million travellers passing through the station every day numbers are always high, but seriously swell in rush hours, creating the famous images of commuters being pushed into packed carriages.
Tokyo Tocho (Tokyo Metropolitan Government Offices)
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Offices are notable both for their extraordinary architecture and the free observation decks on the 45th floor. Designed by Kenzo Tange, one of Japan's top architects, the monumental twin towers are said to be inspired by Notre Dame, although the imposing granite façade rather brings to mind scenes of Batman's Gotham City. The observation decks (one in each tower and both providing a café) are reached by high-speed elevator and give spectacular views over the city. When the Tokyo mist lifts, visitors can see Mount Fuji.
2-8-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku
Tel: (03) 5320 7890.
Website: www.metro.tokyo.jp
Opening hours: (North deck) Tues-Sun 0930-2230, (South deck) Wed-Mon 0930-1730.
Free admission.
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Originally created for the royal family, these are perhaps the most beautiful gardens in Tokyo. The layout is meticulous and breathtaking, with both Japanese and French garden design, an imperial villa and a tropical greenhouse to explore. The place is filled with families on sunny days, as picnicking here is a Japanese tradition, although cafes are also on hand. The garden is particularly beautiful in the spring, when the cherry trees are in full bloom.
11 Naito-cho, Shinjuku-ku
Tel: (03) 3350 0151.
Website: www.shinjukugyoen.go.jp/
Opening hours: Tues-Sun 0900-1630.
Admission charge.
SHIBUYA
Top teen hangout and neon wonderland, the neighbourhood of Shibuya is always fast and furious. Exiting the station brings you to the most famous meeting spot in the city, a statue of Hachinko the dog. This loyal pup met his master from work every day and even after he died continued with his pilgrimage. So touched were the locals that they cast a statue of him in his honour. More famous to most visitors is the enormous street crossing, which sends hundreds of people across the road every few minutes. The vision many people have of Tokyo, it was also featured in Lost in Translation. While there are some sights to see in Shibuya, the greatest show is people watching, seeing the teens preen and giggle their way through ever changing fashions.
Bunkamura The Museum
For a glimpse of international art, as well as the most innovative and exciting Tokyo can offer, this is the best gallery in town. But it is much more than just a museum, it is a multi media building offering a complete range of music, cinema and events.
24-1,Dogenzaka 2-chome Shibuya-ku
Tel: (03) 3477 9111.
Website: www.bunkamura.co.jp
Opening hours: Daily 1000-1900.
Admission charge.
OMOTESANDO
Fashionistas have long been drawn to Omotesando, where the long leafy avenues join the achingly hip area of Aoyama with the teen filled neighbourhood of Harajuku. Endless designer shops built next to one-off boutiques give this shopping mecca a more laid back feel than the classic air of Ginza, and with trends changing every minute it's the place to stay abreast of Tokyo's chameleon fashions. Make the trip on a Sunday to see one of Tokyo's most infamous attractions, hordes of teenagers dressed in outrageous outfits. Part of the still hot trend of cos-play (short for costume play) the city's young use the pastime as a way to shrug off the stress of the week at school or work. As ever trends come and go, French maids are on the wane while Goths and punks in Nazi uniforms are currently the most popular, and all are happy to pose for the cameras. Exhausted shoppers can then join romantic couples and wealthy dog walkers in Yoyogi Park, a rare green space in adjoining Meiji Jingumae.
Meiji-jingu (Meiji Shrine)
One of Japan's finest examples of Shinto architecture, the atmospheric Meiji Shrine is tucked away in the centre of a dark, cool forest - an unexpected oasis in the centre of the city. Passing through a vast wooden torii gate, the visitor follows the wide gravel path through the forest and into the shrine precincts. Completed in 1920, the shrine honours the memory of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, under whose reign Japan rapidly modernised and was opened to the outside world. On weekends, it is often possible for visitors to see a traditional wedding procession and the precincts are one of the best places to witness the finery and festivities of New Year, Coming of Age Day (15 January) and the children's festival of Shichi-Go-San (weekends around 15 January). During the Autumn Grand Festival (November 1-3), yabusame (horseback archery), budo (martial arts) and aikido are performed and The Gyoen Inner Garden, situated in the shrine grounds, is well worth visiting during June, for the spectacular displays of irises.
1-1 Yoyogi, Kamizono-cho, Shibuya-ku
Tel: (03) 3320 5700.
Website: www.meijijingu.or.jp
Opening hours: Daily dawn to dusk (can vary, but usually 0900-1700).
Free admission to the shrine, charge for the Gyoen Inner Garden.
UENO
Housing the largest park in Tokyo, Ueno is where locals head when the cherry blossoms suddenly bloom. With over 1,000 trees it makes a spectacular sight every spring. Home to several important museums, as well as Ueno Zoo, the park is dotted with historically interesting temples and shrines, including the Tokyo ‘branch' of the Nikko Toshogu Shrine. The Tokyo National Museum houses treasures of Japanese art through the ages, while the National Museum of Western Art and the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum host important visiting exhibitions. Nearby Ameyoko offers a very different experience, a bustling market set alongside the tracks from Ueno station. The name roughly translates as ‘Sweet Alley' and the products do not disappoint, every confectionery is on display here, along with clothes, food and spices at low prices.
Ueno Koen (Ueno Park)
Taito-ku
Tel: (03) 3828 5644. Opening hours: Daily 24 hours.
Free admission to the park and shrines.
National Museum of Western Art
Tel: (03) 3828 5131.
Website: www.nmwa.go.jp
Opening hours: Daily 0930-1700 (Fri until 2000).
Admission charge.
Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum
Tel: (03) 3823 6921.
Website: www.tobikan.jp
Opening hours: Tues-Sun 0900-1700.
Admission charge.
Tokyo National Museum
Tel: (03) 3822 1111.
Website: www.tnm.jp
Opening hours: Daily 0930-1700.
Admission charge.
Ueno Zoological Gardens
Tel: (03) 3828 5171.
Website: www.tokyo-zoo.net/english/
Opening hours: Tues-Sun 0930-1700.
Admission charge.
ASAKUSA
Perhaps the only place to truly get a sense of old Tokyo, Asakusa houses one of the finest temples in the city. Visitors can get lost in the tiny streets that surround it, easily drawn into the hundreds of little shops and restaurants that line the nearby roads. If Tokyo's glossy shops and impeccable designer boutiques leave you cold, Nakamise Dori is the perfect antidote. For hundreds of years the roads leading up to the temple's front gate have been filled with stalls selling traditional Japanese wares, and today that tradition continues. From kimono and chopsticks to delicious delicacies, visitors can spend hours browsing the goods for sale. Just a 5-minute stroll away is the Sumida river, the perfect place to hop on a water bus and see the city from a completely different perspective.
Sensoji Temple
Tokyo's most revered Buddhist temple and a site of pilgrimage and tourism for many centuries, Sensoji Temple was founded in AD628, to enshrine a gold statuette of the Kannon Bodhisattva (the Goddess of Mercy). The temple and its five-storey pagoda are concrete reconstructions built after a 1945 bombing raid but the temple precincts are nevertheless always bustling with worshippers. Smoke from the huge incense burner in front of the temple is said to have healing powers. The impressive Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate) is famous for its enormous red paper lantern and fearsome guardian statues. This area was the centre of Shitamachi (downtown) during the Edo period and the streets, shops and restaurants surrounding the temple still preserve something of the flavour of old Edo. The great Sanja festival takes place annually in Asakusa on the third weekend in May. Over 100 mikoshi (portable shrines) are paraded through the streets, accompanied by great celebration and huge crowds.
2-3-1 Asakusa, Taito-ku
Tel: (03) 3842 5566 (Asakusa Cultural and Sightseeing Centre).
Opening hours: Daily 24 hours (grounds), 0600-1700 (shrine).
Free admission.
ODAIBA
Built on reclaimed land at the height of Tokyo's bubble era, Odaiba (also known as Rainbow Town) was a glimpse into Tokyo's weird and wonderful future. A mixed development of shops, businesses, tourist attractions and spectacular architecture, this enormous development is well worth a day trip. Reached by a driverless monorail that gives excellent views of the famous Rainbow Bridge, various stops on the island deposit visitors at a selection of bizarre and unique sights. Ride on the world's largest psychedelic big wheel, visit Venus Fort (the world's first department store just for women, designed with a unique shifting interior that mirrors Venice at sunset) and relive Edo era bathing at the Oedo Onsen Monogatari theme park (see Further Distractions). Experience old Hong Kong on the sixth floor of ‘Decks Tokyo Beach', then hire a dog and walk along the man made beach.
Tokyo International Exhibition Centre
Commonly called ‘Tokyo Big Sight', this is Japan's largest convention centre. Since opening in April 1996 it has housed hundreds of world famous exhibitions.
3-21-1 Ariake, Koto-ku
Tel: (03) 5530 1111.
Website: www.bigsight.jp
Opening hours: Vary depending on events.
Free admission.
Decks Tokyo Beach
One of the enormous all purpose malls that Tokyo does so well, this time themed to look like a giant ship, beyond which the small beach is filled with courting couples.
1-6-1, Daiba, Minato-ku
Tel: (03) 3599 6500.
Website: www.odaiba-decks.com/einfo
Opening hours: Daily 1100-2300.
Free admission.
MegaWeb
Housing the giant wheel that plays such an important part on Tokyo's new skyline, this development also includes Toyota City Showcase, where petrol heads can both see the newest cars in development and give them a test drive.
Aomi 1-chome, Koto-ku
Tel: (03) 3599 0808.
Website: www.megaweb.gr.jp
Opening hours: Daily 1100-2100 (2200 Sat-Sun).
Free admission.
MARUNOUCHI
Home to the spectacular Imperial Palace, this neighbourhood is a political and financial powerhouse. The previously drab Tokyo station has been given a much needed lift with the recent opening of various shiny buildings, including the Marunouchi Oazo, which like Roppongi Hills offer restaurants and high end shopping to the swarms of salarymen that work in the district. But the new stands alongside the ancient, and the Imperial Palace is the pull for tourists who want to see a slice of the Japan of yesteryear.
Kyoko Higashi Gyoen (Imperial Palace East Garden)
The Imperial Palace East Garden, on the site of the old Edo Castle of the shoguns, is the only part of the Imperial Palace that is regularly open to the public. Entered through the Otemon Gate, once the main entrance to the castle, it is a pleasant formal garden, surrounded by a section of the original moat and incorporating walls and foundations of the inner castle. Special features include a teahouse, pond and waterfall.
Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku
Tel: (03) 3213 1111.
Opening hours: Daily 0900-1630.
Free admission.
Yasukuni Shrine & Japanese War-Dead Memorial Museum
Perhaps the most controversial of all Tokyo's sites, this shrine houses the souls of those killed in various Japanese wars. The grand shrine displays various artifacts and contains a sumo ring and noh theatre.
3-1-1 Kudankita, Chiyoda-ku
Tel: (03) 3261 8326.
Website: www.yasukuni.or.jp
Opening hours: Daily 0900-1700. Free admission to the shrine, charge for the museum.
Edo-Tokyo Hakubutsukan (Edo-Tokyo Museum)
Housed in what looks like a colossal white spaceship, the Edo-Tokyo Museum is a wonderful place for visitors to get a feel for Tokyo's history and culture. The permanent exhibition is divided into three distinct areas. The ‘Edo Zone' opens with a replica of Nihombashi ‘Bridge of Japan', taking visitors through ‘Tokyo Zone' post war reconstruction ending at ‘History Zone'. Throughout the museum, engaging displays present the daily life and customs of the city's past.
1-4-1 Yokoami, Sumida-ku
Tel: (03) 3626 9974.
Website: www.edo-tokyo-museum.or.jp
Opening hours: Tues-Sun 0930-1730 (Thu and Fri 2000).
Admission charge.
ROPPONGI
Perhaps the least noticeably ‘Japanese' of all the neighbourhoods, Roppongi is where many expats go to party. Filled for years with packed bars, clubs and restaurants, the area saw the beginning of a new era with the triumphant opening of the Roppongi Hills complex in 2003. With visitor numbers now climbing to 300,000 each weekend, the success of this shining beacon to consumerism inspired the Mid-town Project, which opened in March 2007 on the other side of the neighbourhood. This complex includes the tallest building in Tokyo, the Midtown Tower, which rises 54 storeys and 248m in height, and is home to the city's first Ritz Carlton hotel. There are also designer emporiums, luxury apartments, two museums (the relocated Suntory Museum of Art and the new 21_21 Design Sight), a beautiful park, and a host of eateries. The striking new National Arts Centre is just down the road.
Transport: Roppongi Station (Hibiya or Oedo line).
Website: www.tokyo-midtown.com
The Suntory Museum of Art
Website: www.suntory.com/culture-sports/sma/museum/
21_21 Design Sight
Website: www.2121designsight.jp
National Arts Centre
Website: www.nact.jp
Roppongi Hills
Created as a city within a city, this immensely popular complex offers visitors a taste of Tokyo's future. Every inch of Roppongi Hills has been beautifully designed; visitors can wander through peaceful Japanese gardens and beside water walls, then eat and shop in one of more than 200 restaurants and boutiques. Many of Japan's festivals are celebrated here with dancing and performances in the open spaces, while temporary art sculptures come and go amongst the permanent pieces designed by world renowned artists. Those exhausted from shopping can enjoy the 12 screen Virgin cinema showing the latest blockbusters and night visitors shouldn't miss the chance to catch the best view of the city at Tokyo City View. Offering a 360 degree view of the bustling city from 250 metres above the sea, it is an inspiring sight. Head for the information centre on the B1F floor for leaflets or a guided tour of the complex; but visitors can wander the beautifully lit spiralled towers and winding walkways on their own well into the night.
Tel: (03) 6406 6000.
Website: www.roppongihills.com/en/information/
Opening hours: Daily 24 hours. Free admission.
Tokyo Tower
Opened in 1958, this 333m (1,092ft) red and white tower is an almost exact replica of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. But standing several metres taller than the original, it also includes an aquarium, numerous gift shops and a waxwork exhibit. The 250m- (820ft-) high observation tower offers views as far as Mt Fuji.
4-2-8 Shinbakoen, Minato-ku
Tel: (03) 3433 5111.
Website: www.tokyotower.co.jp
Opening hours: Daily 0900-2200.
Admission charge.
GINZA
The wide tree-lined streets of Ginza are synonymous with the Japanese's favourite hobby; sheer, unadulterated shopping. Despite being destroyed in the 1923 earthquake, the area soon sprung back with designer shops, famous department stores and tiny exclusive boutiques to inspire even the most ‘yen conscious' of visitors. But a visit to Ginza doesn't have to be pricey: splash out on an expensive cup of coffee and make it last, this is the ultimate area for people watching, especially on Sundays when various streets are closed to cars to give pedestrians free reign. But beyond the glittering shop fronts there is plenty to see in the area. Heading south from Ginza brings you to Shiodome, a new commercial centre with a number of shining skyscrapers and the famous Tsukiji fish market is a short walk away.
Tsukiji Ichiba (Tsukiji Wholesale Fish Market)
Set your alarm clock early, as visiting the world's biggest fish market before dawn has even broken is a sight not to be missed. Relocated to this area following the 1923 earthquake the sheer scale of the operation is breathtaking. Now open six days a week (the market is closed on Sundays and national holidays) more than 2,200 tons of fish pass through here every day. Daily deals total approximately £15 million (¥1.8 billion). The main action starts with a tuna auction at a jetlag friendly 0530, where each enormous brightly labelled fish can sell for as much as ¥1 million yens. As well as fish, a wide range of seafood from all over the world, some you might barely recognise, goes under the hammer. The market is frenetic, fast and furious, and spectators are welcome so long as they remain alert, as speeding forklift trucks and enormous crates don't stop for the tourists. With the early morning business seen to, the action shifts to the outer stalls, and hungry spectators can head to any number of food stalls to eat a traditional breakfast of sushi and sashimi. Nowhere in Tokyo can fish be eaten fresher.
5-2-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku
Tel: (03) 3543 4176.
Website: www.tsukiji-market.or.jp
Opening hours: Mon-Sat from 0500.
Free admission.
Hama-Rikyu Garden
Those exhausted by the fish market can seek solace at the nearby Hama-Rikyu Garden. Hidden within a beautiful walled moat, this city oasis boasts manicured lawns, an ancient pine tree and three peaceful lakes. Once the hunting ground of a shogun, this tranquil garden now offers only peace, quiet and a view of Tokyo's famous Rainbow Bridge.
1-1 Hama Rikyu Teien, Chuo-ku
Tel: (03) 3541 0200.
Opening hours: Daily 0900-1700.
Admission charge.
Advertising Museum Tokyo (ADMT)
On the B1F-B2F floors of the Caretta Shiodome skyscraper, this small but fascinating permanent museum is dedicated to the wacky world of Japanese advertising. Using the newest technology guests can touch screens to look through adverts both past and present, or study the 100,000 digital images held on a computer database.
Caretta Shiodome, 1-8-2, Higashi-Shinbashi, Minato-ku
Tel: (03) 6218 2500.
Website: www.admt.jp
Opening hours: Tues-Fri 1100-1830, Sat 1100-1630. Admission charge.
SHINJUKU
Shinjuku is a tale of two cities, divided by the numerous train tracks that run directly through it. To the west lies Nishi Shinjuku, a cluster of shining skyscrapers that serve the business and government district. To the east, Higashi Shinjuku, a number of neon lit streets filled with love hotels, hostess bars and pachinko gambling machines. The Golden Gai is east Shinjuku is worth a visit, four streets packed with tiny smoky bars. Although many don't welcome foreigners, many wander past just to have a look. If your money isn't all gone, head for Takashimaya Times Square, where shopping and eating can be done indoors and on a large scale. Shinjuku is one of Tokyo's largest travel hubs but be warned, the station has over 50 exits and can be a nightmare to navigate. Even locals get lost among the miles of underground tunnels that deposit commuters at their destinations. With two million travellers passing through the station every day numbers are always high, but seriously swell in rush hours, creating the famous images of commuters being pushed into packed carriages.
Tokyo Tocho (Tokyo Metropolitan Government Offices)
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Offices are notable both for their extraordinary architecture and the free observation decks on the 45th floor. Designed by Kenzo Tange, one of Japan's top architects, the monumental twin towers are said to be inspired by Notre Dame, although the imposing granite façade rather brings to mind scenes of Batman's Gotham City. The observation decks (one in each tower and both providing a café) are reached by high-speed elevator and give spectacular views over the city. When the Tokyo mist lifts, visitors can see Mount Fuji.
2-8-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku
Tel: (03) 5320 7890.
Website: www.metro.tokyo.jp
Opening hours: (North deck) Tues-Sun 0930-2230, (South deck) Wed-Mon 0930-1730.
Free admission.
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Originally created for the royal family, these are perhaps the most beautiful gardens in Tokyo. The layout is meticulous and breathtaking, with both Japanese and French garden design, an imperial villa and a tropical greenhouse to explore. The place is filled with families on sunny days, as picnicking here is a Japanese tradition, although cafes are also on hand. The garden is particularly beautiful in the spring, when the cherry trees are in full bloom.
11 Naito-cho, Shinjuku-ku
Tel: (03) 3350 0151.
Website: www.shinjukugyoen.go.jp/
Opening hours: Tues-Sun 0900-1630.
Admission charge.
SHIBUYA
Top teen hangout and neon wonderland, the neighbourhood of Shibuya is always fast and furious. Exiting the station brings you to the most famous meeting spot in the city, a statue of Hachinko the dog. This loyal pup met his master from work every day and even after he died continued with his pilgrimage. So touched were the locals that they cast a statue of him in his honour. More famous to most visitors is the enormous street crossing, which sends hundreds of people across the road every few minutes. The vision many people have of Tokyo, it was also featured in Lost in Translation. While there are some sights to see in Shibuya, the greatest show is people watching, seeing the teens preen and giggle their way through ever changing fashions.
Bunkamura The Museum
For a glimpse of international art, as well as the most innovative and exciting Tokyo can offer, this is the best gallery in town. But it is much more than just a museum, it is a multi media building offering a complete range of music, cinema and events.
24-1,Dogenzaka 2-chome Shibuya-ku
Tel: (03) 3477 9111.
Website: www.bunkamura.co.jp
Opening hours: Daily 1000-1900.
Admission charge.
OMOTESANDO
Fashionistas have long been drawn to Omotesando, where the long leafy avenues join the achingly hip area of Aoyama with the teen filled neighbourhood of Harajuku. Endless designer shops built next to one-off boutiques give this shopping mecca a more laid back feel than the classic air of Ginza, and with trends changing every minute it's the place to stay abreast of Tokyo's chameleon fashions. Make the trip on a Sunday to see one of Tokyo's most infamous attractions, hordes of teenagers dressed in outrageous outfits. Part of the still hot trend of cos-play (short for costume play) the city's young use the pastime as a way to shrug off the stress of the week at school or work. As ever trends come and go, French maids are on the wane while Goths and punks in Nazi uniforms are currently the most popular, and all are happy to pose for the cameras. Exhausted shoppers can then join romantic couples and wealthy dog walkers in Yoyogi Park, a rare green space in adjoining Meiji Jingumae.
Meiji-jingu (Meiji Shrine)
One of Japan's finest examples of Shinto architecture, the atmospheric Meiji Shrine is tucked away in the centre of a dark, cool forest - an unexpected oasis in the centre of the city. Passing through a vast wooden torii gate, the visitor follows the wide gravel path through the forest and into the shrine precincts. Completed in 1920, the shrine honours the memory of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, under whose reign Japan rapidly modernised and was opened to the outside world. On weekends, it is often possible for visitors to see a traditional wedding procession and the precincts are one of the best places to witness the finery and festivities of New Year, Coming of Age Day (15 January) and the children's festival of Shichi-Go-San (weekends around 15 January). During the Autumn Grand Festival (November 1-3), yabusame (horseback archery), budo (martial arts) and aikido are performed and The Gyoen Inner Garden, situated in the shrine grounds, is well worth visiting during June, for the spectacular displays of irises.
1-1 Yoyogi, Kamizono-cho, Shibuya-ku
Tel: (03) 3320 5700.
Website: www.meijijingu.or.jp
Opening hours: Daily dawn to dusk (can vary, but usually 0900-1700).
Free admission to the shrine, charge for the Gyoen Inner Garden.
UENO
Housing the largest park in Tokyo, Ueno is where locals head when the cherry blossoms suddenly bloom. With over 1,000 trees it makes a spectacular sight every spring. Home to several important museums, as well as Ueno Zoo, the park is dotted with historically interesting temples and shrines, including the Tokyo ‘branch' of the Nikko Toshogu Shrine. The Tokyo National Museum houses treasures of Japanese art through the ages, while the National Museum of Western Art and the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum host important visiting exhibitions. Nearby Ameyoko offers a very different experience, a bustling market set alongside the tracks from Ueno station. The name roughly translates as ‘Sweet Alley' and the products do not disappoint, every confectionery is on display here, along with clothes, food and spices at low prices.
Ueno Koen (Ueno Park)
Taito-ku
Tel: (03) 3828 5644. Opening hours: Daily 24 hours.
Free admission to the park and shrines.
National Museum of Western Art
Tel: (03) 3828 5131.
Website: www.nmwa.go.jp
Opening hours: Daily 0930-1700 (Fri until 2000).
Admission charge.
Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum
Tel: (03) 3823 6921.
Website: www.tobikan.jp
Opening hours: Tues-Sun 0900-1700.
Admission charge.
Tokyo National Museum
Tel: (03) 3822 1111.
Website: www.tnm.jp
Opening hours: Daily 0930-1700.
Admission charge.
Ueno Zoological Gardens
Tel: (03) 3828 5171.
Website: www.tokyo-zoo.net/english/
Opening hours: Tues-Sun 0930-1700.
Admission charge.
ASAKUSA
Perhaps the only place to truly get a sense of old Tokyo, Asakusa houses one of the finest temples in the city. Visitors can get lost in the tiny streets that surround it, easily drawn into the hundreds of little shops and restaurants that line the nearby roads. If Tokyo's glossy shops and impeccable designer boutiques leave you cold, Nakamise Dori is the perfect antidote. For hundreds of years the roads leading up to the temple's front gate have been filled with stalls selling traditional Japanese wares, and today that tradition continues. From kimono and chopsticks to delicious delicacies, visitors can spend hours browsing the goods for sale. Just a 5-minute stroll away is the Sumida river, the perfect place to hop on a water bus and see the city from a completely different perspective.
Sensoji Temple
Tokyo's most revered Buddhist temple and a site of pilgrimage and tourism for many centuries, Sensoji Temple was founded in AD628, to enshrine a gold statuette of the Kannon Bodhisattva (the Goddess of Mercy). The temple and its five-storey pagoda are concrete reconstructions built after a 1945 bombing raid but the temple precincts are nevertheless always bustling with worshippers. Smoke from the huge incense burner in front of the temple is said to have healing powers. The impressive Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate) is famous for its enormous red paper lantern and fearsome guardian statues. This area was the centre of Shitamachi (downtown) during the Edo period and the streets, shops and restaurants surrounding the temple still preserve something of the flavour of old Edo. The great Sanja festival takes place annually in Asakusa on the third weekend in May. Over 100 mikoshi (portable shrines) are paraded through the streets, accompanied by great celebration and huge crowds.
2-3-1 Asakusa, Taito-ku
Tel: (03) 3842 5566 (Asakusa Cultural and Sightseeing Centre).
Opening hours: Daily 24 hours (grounds), 0600-1700 (shrine).
Free admission.
ODAIBA
Built on reclaimed land at the height of Tokyo's bubble era, Odaiba (also known as Rainbow Town) was a glimpse into Tokyo's weird and wonderful future. A mixed development of shops, businesses, tourist attractions and spectacular architecture, this enormous development is well worth a day trip. Reached by a driverless monorail that gives excellent views of the famous Rainbow Bridge, various stops on the island deposit visitors at a selection of bizarre and unique sights. Ride on the world's largest psychedelic big wheel, visit Venus Fort (the world's first department store just for women, designed with a unique shifting interior that mirrors Venice at sunset) and relive Edo era bathing at the Oedo Onsen Monogatari theme park (see Further Distractions). Experience old Hong Kong on the sixth floor of ‘Decks Tokyo Beach', then hire a dog and walk along the man made beach.
Tokyo International Exhibition Centre
Commonly called ‘Tokyo Big Sight', this is Japan's largest convention centre. Since opening in April 1996 it has housed hundreds of world famous exhibitions.
3-21-1 Ariake, Koto-ku
Tel: (03) 5530 1111.
Website: www.bigsight.jp
Opening hours: Vary depending on events.
Free admission.
Decks Tokyo Beach
One of the enormous all purpose malls that Tokyo does so well, this time themed to look like a giant ship, beyond which the small beach is filled with courting couples.
1-6-1, Daiba, Minato-ku
Tel: (03) 3599 6500.
Website: www.odaiba-decks.com/einfo
Opening hours: Daily 1100-2300.
Free admission.
MegaWeb
Housing the giant wheel that plays such an important part on Tokyo's new skyline, this development also includes Toyota City Showcase, where petrol heads can both see the newest cars in development and give them a test drive.
Aomi 1-chome, Koto-ku
Tel: (03) 3599 0808.
Website: www.megaweb.gr.jp
Opening hours: Daily 1100-2100 (2200 Sat-Sun).
Free admission.
MARUNOUCHI
Home to the spectacular Imperial Palace, this neighbourhood is a political and financial powerhouse. The previously drab Tokyo station has been given a much needed lift with the recent opening of various shiny buildings, including the Marunouchi Oazo, which like Roppongi Hills offer restaurants and high end shopping to the swarms of salarymen that work in the district. But the new stands alongside the ancient, and the Imperial Palace is the pull for tourists who want to see a slice of the Japan of yesteryear.
Kyoko Higashi Gyoen (Imperial Palace East Garden)
The Imperial Palace East Garden, on the site of the old Edo Castle of the shoguns, is the only part of the Imperial Palace that is regularly open to the public. Entered through the Otemon Gate, once the main entrance to the castle, it is a pleasant formal garden, surrounded by a section of the original moat and incorporating walls and foundations of the inner castle. Special features include a teahouse, pond and waterfall.
Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku
Tel: (03) 3213 1111.
Opening hours: Daily 0900-1630.
Free admission.
Yasukuni Shrine & Japanese War-Dead Memorial Museum
Perhaps the most controversial of all Tokyo's sites, this shrine houses the souls of those killed in various Japanese wars. The grand shrine displays various artifacts and contains a sumo ring and noh theatre.
3-1-1 Kudankita, Chiyoda-ku
Tel: (03) 3261 8326.
Website: www.yasukuni.or.jp
Opening hours: Daily 0900-1700. Free admission to the shrine, charge for the museum.
Edo-Tokyo Hakubutsukan (Edo-Tokyo Museum)
Housed in what looks like a colossal white spaceship, the Edo-Tokyo Museum is a wonderful place for visitors to get a feel for Tokyo's history and culture. The permanent exhibition is divided into three distinct areas. The ‘Edo Zone' opens with a replica of Nihombashi ‘Bridge of Japan', taking visitors through ‘Tokyo Zone' post war reconstruction ending at ‘History Zone'. Throughout the museum, engaging displays present the daily life and customs of the city's past.
1-4-1 Yokoami, Sumida-ku
Tel: (03) 3626 9974.
Website: www.edo-tokyo-museum.or.jp
Opening hours: Tues-Sun 0930-1730 (Thu and Fri 2000).
Admission charge.
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