Destination Tokyo
Attraction
There are attractive sites both old and new in Tokyo. Shrines and temples, Japanese gardens, the fish market and the numerous museums and art galleries make up only a fraction of the places to see and experience.
Here we introduce a number of the major attractions.
THE IMPERIAL PALACE PLAZA
The Imperial Palace Plaza is home to the imperial family and occupies the former grounds of Edo Castle. Located at the heart of Tokyo and surrounded by moats and soaring walls, the palace is within walking distance from Tokyo station. The famed, two arched Nijubashi Bridge, located at the large graveled imperial plaza in front of the palace, is a popular photo spot.
SENSOJI TEMPLE
The magnificent Sensoji Temple is the oldest and most popular temple in Tokyo. The temple was founded in the 7th century to enshrine a tiny golden statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy. A beautiful five-story pagoda is a prominent landmark within Sensoji. Nakamise street has colorful shops selling traditional crafts and kimono accessories.
TSUKIJI FISH MARKET
Tsukiji is the largest wholesale fish market in Japan and possibly worldwide. The tuna auction, held daily from 5:30 a.m. is not to be missed. Browsing the market reveals hundreds of stalls selling fresh fish to sushi restaurants, retailers and other buyers. The outer market offers cooking utensils and supplies in addition to food items. Currently tours of the tuna auction facilities are limited to between 5:00 a.m. and 6:15 a.m. and entrance to the market itself is open to groups of five people or less.
MEIJI SHRINE
© JNTO
Situated in the depths of an evergreen forest, Meiji Shrine generates calm amidst the busy metropolis. Meiji Shrine was built to honor Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken in 1920. The torii gate at the entrance is the largest in Japan. Over 100,000 trees donated by people nationwide grow in the compound. This shrine draws the largest crowds in Japan for the traditional New Year's shrine visit (hatsumode).
TOKYO TOWER
Modeled on the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Tokyo Tower is a television and radio broadcasting tower. The tower's main observatory (150 m) offers a 360-degree view of the entire greater Tokyo region, while the special observatory (250 m) commands a majestic view of Mt. Fuji. The tower changes its look at night, bathed in orange light in the winter and white light in the summer.
OEDO ONSEN MONOGATARI
The atmosphere of old Tokyo is recreated at this onsen (natural hot spring bath) in Odaiba, Tokyo's waterfront district. The facility offers open-air, foot, sand and steam baths, tatami rooms, massage salons and Japanese gardens. A yukata (traditional Japanese robe) is provided, with 19 different and original patterns to choose from.
SPA LAQUA
This indoor spa, with real hot spring water brought from a depth of 1,700 m, is part of the Tokyo Dome City complex, a popular entertainment center complete with a hotel, baseball stadium, amusement park and shopping mall. Real onsen baths are provided, as well as other spa facilities and services, including a bubble bath, saunas, body and beauty treatments.
TOKYO NATIONAL MUSEUM
Gallery 2, The Gallery of Horyuji Treasures / Photo: Akira Sato
Founded in 1872, Tokyo National Museum is Japan's oldest and largest museum, holding a collection of over 110,000 artifacts, including Buddhist relics, swords and beautiful painted screens. Japan's cultural heritage is covered from the Jomon period (10,000 years ago) to the late 19th century.
TOKYO METROPOLITAN EDO-TOKYO MUSEUM
This colossal museum stands adjacent to the Kokugikan sumo stadium in Ryogoku, eastern Tokyo. Visitors can learn firsthand about Tokyo's history and culture from the days of the Edo period (1603-1867) to the Tokyo period (1867-to around 1950's). Exhibits integrate life-size reconstructions of buildings, scale models and audio-visual presentations with actual artifacts.
OTA MEMORIAL MUSEUM OF ART
The Ota Memorial Museum of Art has an extensive collection of over 12,000 ukiyoe woodblock prints. The collection began when the late Ota Seizo, chairman of Toho Mutual Life Insurance, attempted to stem the loss of Japan's ukiyoe masterpieces to art museums and collectors in the West. The collection includes some extremely rare works by famed artists such as Hiroshige, Sharaku and Utamaro.
IDEMITSU MUSEUM OF ARTS
Irises, Sakai Hoitsu © Idemitsu Museum of Art (Special Exhibition)
The Idemitsu Museum of Arts is one of the largest and best-designed private museums in Japan with an eclectic selection of Japanese, Chinese and Western artworks on revolving exhibition. Ceramics from Japan, China and Korea, ukiyoe paintings by Utamaro and Hokusai, Zen paintings and calligraphy and tea utensils are features of the collection.
EAST GARDEN OF IMPERIAL PALACE
Located east of the Imperial Palace, the 21,000 sq. m East Garden is part of the palace grounds open to the public. A small museum exhibiting crafts and artworks from the imperial collection, the remains of Edo castle's tower, the Ninomaru Japanese gardens and expansive lawns may be enjoyed. The garden is a green oasis in the heart of the city.
HAMA-RIKYU GARDEN
This beautifully designed garden was once the property of the Tokugawa Shogun family, who used it for hunting with falcons. It is a typical garden of the Edo period, with a tidal pond and two duck ponds. The former is a unique tidewater pond designed to reflect a landscape that changes with the ebb and flow of the sea. The garden is close to the Ginza district, and guests can enjoy refreshment in a traditional tea house.
RIKUGIEN GARDEN
This 18th century aristocrat's private garden is now a public haven of tranquility away from the noise of the city. The garden was built in 1702 by Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu, one of the Shogun's favorites. It was designed to recreate 88 scenes from Japanese poems. Year round, the garden has something to offer the visitor in terms of natural beauty, be it the cherry blossoms in spring or the changing colors of autumn leaves.
KIYOSUMI GARDEN
Dating back to the Edo period, Kiyosumi Garden is a place of great scenic beauty, featuring a pond, man-made hills and many rocks and red stones. Once the residence of a wealthy merchant, the garden became the property of Yataro Iwasaki, the founder of Mitsubishi. Iwasaki rebuilt the garden and used it as a place to entertain guests. The pond features three islands, tea houses and a series of stepping stones.
