Tokyo, one of the “hottest destinations” of Japan, unique city, hard to describe until you live it firsthand: you hate it or you love it, there is no middle ground. Many attractions, places to see, hundreds of things to do. Where to start if you have only a few days to spare? From here…
1 – Imperial Palace
The Imperial Palace is the home of the Emperor of Japan. The present building of the Imperial Palace was built in 1888 on the ashes of the former palace, destroyed by fire in 1873.
Opposite the main entrance is the famous bridge Nijubashi and around the Palace are the famous imperial gardens.
2 – Meiji Jingu
The best place to find the union of nature, tradition and religion is Shinto shrine Meiji. Located around Harajuku Station, is the sanctuary where they honor the Emperor Meiji and his consort, the building dates back to 1920.
The areas of the garden of the shrine are covered with evergreen stems of over 100,000 trees donated by the Japanese people on the occasion of the burial of Emperor Meiji and piantanti individually hand and the forest that has been created in almost a century now covers more than 700,000 square meters.
At the entrance of the temple, is a feature of the collection barrels of sake, drink often used in religious ceremonies, the result of donations from various Japanese prefectures at the shrine?
3 – The Kiyosumi gardens
The Japanese people have a strong relationship with nature and its changes due to the passing of the seasons. To grasp this spirit is definitely a must stop in at least one of the countless gardens and parks, Japanese style and not that Tokyo offers, such as Kiyosumi gardens , in “circular” style which also include a beautiful pond. The garden features a wide variety of plants that guarantee a bloom throughout the year, from January to December.
4 – Sumida Hokusai Museum
The Sumida district, Tokyo, recently dedicated an entire museum world renowned artist Katsushika Hokusai, in the Sumida neighborhood where he was born. In addition to preserving his paintings and woodcuts style ukiyo-e , as “The Great Wave at Kanagawa” and “Red Fuji (Clear day with south wind)” from the series Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji , the museum He tells the artist’s personal history, his life in the Sumida neighborhood and how he showed the city, then called Edo, between 1760 and 1849.
5 – Technology
The technology is the embodiment of the spirit of innovation that the Japanese people have embraced without fear since the end of World War II. The symbols of Japanese technology are everywhere in the city of Tokyo, especially in the rail network with speed trains Shinkansen or futuristic monorail Yurikamome that connects the city with the artificial island of Odaiba in Tokyo Bay. On the island of Odaiba we have recommended the Miraikan – National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation – where are detailed the latest trends in science and even robotics.
6 – Shibuya District
Shibuya, dynamic heart of the district of pop youth culture and home to many entertainment venues and bars, welcomes visitors as they exit the station by the statue of Hachiko, the Akita dog breed known. The story of Hachiko is a story of loyalty: every day left home and went to wait for his master’s return from work to Shibuya Station. Even after the death of the master Hachiko continued to go to the station, behavior that made her famous history, which have also drawn international novels and blockbuster films. The statue of Hachiko is now the meeting point par excellence and you can see many people waiting for friends or colleagues in that area.
It seems strange, but one of the main attractions of the district Shibuya is a crossroads. This is not a common junction but the famous scramble crossing, one of the pedestrian crossings cross the most famous in the world, which can be traversed simultaneously by thousands of pedestrians at every green light.
7 – Shinjuku District
During a trip to Japan definitely not to be missed is the neighborhood of Shinjuku, home of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, which offers a free on the 45th floor roof terrace. Do not miss also the vibrant entertainment districts, the Kabuki-cho, called “neighborhood that never sleeps”, and Golden-Gai, born after World War II and dotted with small bars.
Also in Shinjuku, not to miss the sculpture LOVE American artist Robert Indiana!
8 – Public toilets – Atami-yu
It is customary in Japan end the day with a relaxing hot bath to eliminate stress, within the walls of their own home or in one of several public baths (feel) of the city.
In Tokyo, there is a particular public bath, very popular between the Japanese, where in addition to a good bathroom you can admire Mount Fuji … without leaving the center of Tokyo! It is the feel Atami-yu in the Iidabashi neighborhood, inside which lies murals with views of Mount Fuji.
9 – Cruise the waterways
To see the capital of Japan from another point of view you can take advantage of the many cruise services on the waterways. The most famous taking place in the Bay Tokyo, to admire the Rainbow Bridge, and on the Sumida River . It covers the latter interesting cruise that connects the past and the future, starting from the historic Asakusa district and arrival at the futuristic Odaiba Island.
10 – Learn to make sushi
The Japanese cuisine is becoming increasingly popular with peoples and what better time could there be to learn directly how to cook their favorite dishes if not a trip to Tokyo?
Constitutionalism for this purpose the courses sushi making the Tsukiji Tokyo Sushi Academy or the traditional Japanese cooking classes organized by Chagohan Tokyo to Asakusa for a truly unforgettable experience.