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Tokyo Maps & Attractions Guide
Tokyo maps & Attractions - Things to do
in Tokyo
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Tokyo
Attractions - Things to do
1. Imperial Palace
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What is it? Japan's Imperial Palace is regarded as the
heart and soul of Tokyo, standing on a huge site that still bears
the remains of Edo Castle, stronghold of the Tokugawa shogunate.
The present palace was completed in 1888 and is still home to the
emperor of Japan. The palace is off-limits but its grounds and
surrounds provide a much-needed green open space for the city with
Higashi Gyoen (East Garden), site of the Edo Castle keep, open to
the public. On 2 January and 23 December each year visitors are
able to enter the inner grounds and see the Imperial family make
public appearances from the balcony. Guided tours of the palace are
offered, but are only in Japanese, although an English pamphlet and
audio guide are provided; these must be reserved in advance through
the Imperial Household Agency. In spring the gardens are abloom
with cherry blossom, particularly along the castle
moat.
Hours of Operation: East Garden is open daily except Monday and Friday
from 9am to 4pm (until 3.30pm between November and February).
Closed from 28 December to 3 January and when Imperial Court
functions take place
Phone: |
2. Yasukuni Shrine
www.yasukuni.or.jp |
What is it? To the north of the Imperial Palace lies the
controversial Yasukuni Shrine, built to commemorate Japanese war
dead and now regarded as home to the souls of about two and a half
million who perished in conflict, mostly in the Pacific War of
World War II. Soldiers fought in the knowledge that their spirits
would find rest and honour at Yasukuni in the after-life. The
shrine has caused controversy for various political reasons over
the years since it was built in 1869 in honour of supporters of the
emperor, killed in the run up to the Meiji Restoration. More
recently, with regard to the country's constitution that requires
the separation of State and religion, cabinet ministers have been
criticised for attending anniversaries of Japan's defeat in World
War II held at the shrine. The shrine is confined behind a huge
steel torii gate, opening onto a long avenue lined with gingko and
cherry trees. The Worship Hall itself is a simple Shinto style
building. North of the shrine is the Yushukan Museum, containing
war memorabilia, some of which is disturbing and thought-provoking
such as the human torpedo and kamikaze suicide attack
plane.
Hours of Operation: Shrine open 24 hours daily. Museum open daily 9am to
5pm (November to February); 9am to 5.30pm (March to
October)
Phone: |
3. Edo-Tokyo Museum
1?4?1 Yokoami, Sumida-ku
www.edo-tokyo-museum.or.jp |
What is it? Tokyo's museum dedicated to detailing the
city's history, art, culture and architecture through the medium of
visual displays is an impressive, not to be missed attraction. Edo
was the old name for Tokyo from its foundation in 1590 when it
became the seat of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun. Exhibits
include a replica of an ancient Kabuki theatre, maps, photographs
and portrayals of the lives of the city's merchants, craftsmen and
townspeople in days gone by.
Hours of Operation: Daily 9.30am to 5.30pm; Saturdays closing at 7.30pm.
Free tours given daily between 10am and 3pm
Phone:(03) 3626 9974 |
4. Akihabara
www.akiba.or.jp/english/index.html |
What is it? Tokyo's electronic wonderland has become
world-renowned. In a small area near Chuo-dori Avenue, west of
Akihabara Station, are clustered more than 250 electrical appliance
and electronics shops, many of them now dealing in computer
hardware and software, where expert staff can answer queries and
visitors can browse through the showrooms of major manufacturers.
There are duty-free shops and various events to draw the attention.
The suburb has been specialising in electrical equipment since the
1940s and is now regarded as the world's biggest and best
electrical equipment enclave.
Hours of Operation: Stores are open from 10am to 7pm daily
Phone: |
5. Sensoji Temple
2-3-1 Asakusa Taito-ku, Shitamachi (downtown)
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What is it? The Asakusa neighbourhood of Tokyo draws
visitors to admire the city's oldest temple, Senso-ji, founded in
AD628 with a quaint legend attached to it. The story goes that two
young brothers fishing in the nearby river netted a golden image of
Kan'non, the Buddhist goddess of mercy, and were inspired to
enshrine it in the temple. The statuette is still inside, but never
shown to the public, though pilgrims flock here every day seeking
the favour of the goddess. There are also numerous festivals
associated with the shrine, and a hugely popular firework display
is held on the Sumida River every summer. Tourists enjoy the visit
to the temple mainly because the approach is a colourful pedestrian
lane, Nakamise Dori, lined with shops and souvenir stalls. Nearby,
the Demboin Garden is a good spot to grab a break from the city
crowds.
Hours of Operation: Daily 6am to 5pm
Phone:(0)3 3842 0181 |
6. Tokyo Disneyland
www.tokyodisneyresort.co.jp |
What is it? Plenty of fun is to be had for the young and
young at heart at Tokyo's Disneyland, virtually a carbon copy of
the theme park in California in the United States. The expected
attractions like a Jungle Cruise, Space Mountain and Toontown are
all included on the huge site, along with a sea park and five
hotels.
Hours of Operation: Daily 8am to 10pm (summer), 9am to 9pm
(winter)
Phone:(045) 683 3333 |
7. Tokyo National Museum
13-9 Ueno Park,Taito-ku
www.tnm.go.jp |
What is it? Close to Ueno Station, enclosed in the Tokyo
Metropolitan Imperial Gift Park, the National Museum boasts the
largest collection of Japanese art in the world. Exhibits range
from antique kimonos and delicate pottery to woodblock prints and
archaeological finds. The vast collection is displayed on a
rotating basis with at least 4,000 artefacts visible at any time,
so the museum always has something new to offer. The museum
consists of five different buildings containing numerous galleries,
so one needs sufficient time to do it justice. The Imperial Gift
Park also contains some other cultural institutions, including a
zoo, the Metropolitan Art Museum, Bunka Kaikan Cultural Hall, the
Western Art Museum and the National Science
Museum.
Hours of Operation: Daily 9.30am to 5pm, depending on season; closed
Mondays. On Fridays from April to December open until 8pm;
Saturdays and Sundays from April to September until
6pm
Phone:(03) 3822 1111 |
8. Mount Fuji
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What is it? The dormant volcano of Mount Fuji, 62 miles
(100km) southwest of Tokyo, has been revered since ancient times
and no exploration of Japan is complete without visiting the
mountain that is known fondly as 'Fuji-san' by the locals. It's
symmetrical cone towers 12,388ft (3,776m) and Mt Fuji, with its
snow-crowned summit, has become as symbolic of Japan as the
country's flag. Closest town to the volcano is Fuji Yoshida, from
where buses leave frequently for Fuji's 'fifth stage' (the usual
jumping-off point for hikes up the mountain) from outside the train
station. There are six trails to the summit, of which the
Kawaguchiko Trail is the easiest, quite manageable even by children
and the elderly as long as they have stamina and good shoes.
Overnight huts are available. Official climbing season is from 1
July to end of August - in winter snow makes the ascent too
dangerous.
Hours of Operation:
Phone:555 72 0259 (Fuji Visitor Centre) |
9. Kamakura
www.kamakuratoday.com/e |
What is it? The city of Kamakura, about 30 miles (50km)
southwest of Tokyo at the base of the Miura Peninsula, was the
political powerhouse of Japan in the middle ages and the seat of
government for most of the 13th century. Because of its historic
importance Kamakura boasts numerous monuments, temples and shrines
of interest to tourists. As an added bonus the city sports some
sandy beaches and good hiking trails in the nearby wooded hills.
Kamakura's many sights are too numerous to detail individually, but
most important of them all is the Great Buddha. This bronze statue
of the seated Amida Buddha is located in the grounds of the
Kotokuin Temple, and standing at almost 44ft (13,35m) high, it is
the second largest Buddha statue in Japan after that found in the
Todaiji Temple in Nara. The Kamakura Great Buddha was cast in 1252
and was originally contained in the temple hall. A tidal wave
(tsunami) washed away the temple in the late 15th century, but the
Buddha prevailed and since then has stood in the
open.
Hours of Operation:
Phone: |
10. Yokohama
www.city.yokohama.jp/en |
What is it? While visiting Japan's largest city, Tokyo,
it is quick and easy to pay a visit to the country's second largest
metropolis as well: Yokohama can be reached in less than 30 minutes
by train from Tokyo, lying south of the capital. The main reason
for visiting Yokohama is to marvel at its futuristic new city
centre, and perhaps take a stroll through Japan's largest
Chinatown. Yokohama's Chinatown, entered through four colourful
gates and teeming with restaurants and shops, developed after the
city became one of the first Japanese ports to be opened to foreign
trade after generations of isolation ended in 1859. Chinese traders
flocked to the city, establishing a cultural neighbourhood. Minato
Mirai is the new central city area around the harbour,
characterised by the Landmark Tower, rising to 971ft (296m).
Visitors can ride to the tower's observation deck in the world's
fastest elevator, travelling at 2,461ft (750m) a minute, for a view
that on a clear day stretches as far as Mount
Fuji.
Hours of Operation:
Phone:(0)45 441 7300 (Tourist Information Center, Yokohama
Station) |
Tokyo Holidays guide
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Transport -Tokyo's public transport system is one of
the most efficient in the world and is clean and safe, combining an
extensive train network, 13 underground subway lines and a bus
system.
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