What to visit in Tokyo in 5 days. Gardens and parks

Tokyo is a young city by world standards. He is only 400 years old. Over its history, Tokyo has experienced many fires, devastating earthquakes and war, gave its name to an entire historical era, changed its name and its face.

Now modern Tokyo is a huge metropolis, merged with the neighboring cities of Kawasaki and Yokohama. At the same time, we can rightfully say that Tokyo is a city of contrasts, where antiquity coexists with modernity, European culture coexists with eastern culture, and the concrete jungle coexists with ancient temples.

What to see in Tokyo? It all depends on how much time you have to explore this huge metropolis. Below I list the most important attractions of Tokyo, which are the hallmark of the city.

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The Palace of the Emperor of Japan is located in the heart of Tokyo. The first castle buildings appeared here in the 16th century.

Today the castle territory is divided into two parts. The Imperial Palace itself is located in the western part. Here, in the Fukiage Garden, are the personal chambers of the current Emperor of Japan Akihito, his relatives and numerous courtiers. This part of the castle is closed to visitors.

In the eastern part of the castle, on the territory of the old fortress, the Eastern Garden of the Imperial Palace is now laid out.

The few buildings remaining from Edo Castle, as well as the stone walls of the castle, were declared a national treasure in 1963 and are protected by the state.

One of the symbols of the city is the Tokyo Tower. The Japanese are as proud of it as the French are of the Eiffel Tower. In the year of construction (1958), it was the tallest tower in the world. The tower has two observation decks offering stunning views of the city and Tokyo Bay.

Since 2003, Tokyo Tower has been competing with the Roppongi Hills building complex, which houses 6 floors of shops, offices of large companies, a cinema, a Hyatt hotel, a television studio, a concert venue and many restaurants.

On the 52nd floor there is a wonderful observation deck, from where you can see the city from a bird's eye view, as well as get acquainted with plans for the further architectural development of Tokyo.

Tea entered Japan in the 8th century. But only in the XV-XVI centuries. The tea ceremony turned into a kind of ritual and philosophical mini-performance, in which every detail, object, order of things had its own special, unique meaning.

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You can include a visit to a tea ceremony in your city tour. The tea ceremony lasts 20 minutes and is held either at a table or on the tatami.

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The Japanese call Omote-sando Street Tokyo's Champs Elysees. Recently, leading high fashion companies have opened their branches here. Prices in Omote-sando are comparatively lower, and fashion is more democratic than in Ginza, which is why this area is a favorite place to hang out among young people.

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Emperor Meiji played the same role in the fate of Japan as Peter I did in the history of Russia. At the end of the 19th century - the beginning of the 20th, he brought the country out of the dense Middle Ages into a number of world powers. The Japanese appreciated the emperor's deeds and after his death they built the Meiji Shrine, where the spirit of the deceased emperor and his wife is venerated.

The Shinjuku area is one of the most important administrative and commercial subcenters of the capital. The first Japanese skyscrapers were built here. The new Tokyo City Hall building was also built here. There is an observation deck on the 45th floor.

Asakusa Temple is one of the main and oldest Buddhist temples in Tokyo.

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The always festively decorated Nakamise street leads to the main building of the temple complex, which is essentially an endless series of shops (hence its name - “among the shops”). Since ancient times, near the temples there has been a brisk trade not only in religious objects, amulets and souvenirs, but also in all sorts of things, including food. This tradition has not been broken here either, and most of the shops sell things that are not “divine”: shoes, clothes, bags. The expectation is that a visitor to Asakusa who is in a good, festive mood will definitely buy something.

Pleasure steamers regularly cruise from Asakusa down the Sumidagawa River. There are 13 bridges across the river, each of which has its own history.

The river journey ends at the man-made island of Odaiba. Showrooms of Panasonic (Panasonic Show Room) and Toyota (Toyota Show Room) are located here. The island offers stunning views of Tokyo at night, illuminated by lights, and the magnificent Rainbow Bridge. The lights reflect on the calm waters of Tokyo Bay, where restaurant boats float, illuminated by red lanterns.

A tour of Tokyo ends with a walk around, where the most fashionable shops and the best restaurants of authentic Japanese cuisine are located.

Tsukiji is the largest fish and vegetable market in the Japanese capital. The tuna carcass auctions, which take place at 5 a.m., are a special attraction that hardy tourists will definitely want to see. The first sushi bars open here at 6 o’clock in the morning, preparing sushi from fish freshly purchased at the market.

• Map of the Tsukiji market indicating the location of the tuna auction (PDF, 660Kb)
• . Be sure to read before heading to the market in the morning on your own!

Other attractions can be seen on the second day of your stay in Tokyo. These are the so-called "attractions of the second day"

• Samurai Sword Museum
• Wonderful Japanese-style gardens in Tokyo: Korakuen, Hamarikyu, Rikugien
• Tokyo Stock Exchange
• Sumo wrestling competitions (depending on the season), judo training at the Kodokan Hall

In Tokyo you can find a lot of entertainment, interesting places and have a great time. We'll tell you about the most popular attractions in Tokyo and where travelers can spend time and save money.

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The Japanese automobile industry is known far beyond the borders of the state. One of the most popular brands coming out of the production lines of the Land of the Rising Sun is Toyota. An entire museum and exhibition complex is dedicated to it - Toyota Mega Web, which is one of the ten best automobile museums in the world, and according to some ratings even tops it. The exhibition consists of six halls, in each of which guests can not only look at cars and their parts, but also touch, experience, and even feel. For example, switch gears on different gearboxes or hear the noise of the engine.

The museum's largest exhibition is the Toyota City Showcase, where all existing and still under development models of this brand are presented. Here guests have a unique chance to travel back in time through different auto eras, taking pictures first with a rarity from the 1960s, and then with an ultra-modern, not yet released model, more reminiscent of a lunar rover. However, the most popular among visitors is the Ride One hall. After all, here all adult drivers with a license can choose the model they like and take a test drive through the museum’s pavilions.

The duration of the route, however, is not too long - only 1.3 kilometers. Toyota Mega Web also took care of those who do not yet have a license. In the Kids Hybrid Ride One pavilion there is a small 150-meter go-kart, during which little guests can get their dose of adrenaline.

Getting to the Toyota Mega Web Museum is not difficult; it is located near the Aomi metro station on line U10. The doors of the exhibition and entertainment center are open daily from 11-00 to 21-00, admission is free. You will only have to pay extra for a test drive or karting, 300 yen respectively. There are traditionally many people who want to visit the world of Toyota, so you should prepare for the fact that there is always a queue of potential visitors at the entrance. However, the short wait is worth it!

Traditionally, Disneyland is associated with Paris. Few people know that this is an American project and the first amusement park under this logo outside the United States appeared in Japan. Today it is a huge complex occupying 47 hectares, where guests of all ages will surely be able to find entertainment to their liking. Conventionally, it is divided into 7 thematic zones. The first one visitors find themselves in is Fantasyland, where you can visit Cinderella’s castle, take Peter Pan’s flight, or just chat with funny cartoons. For example, Dumbo the elephant.

Older guests are attracted to Adventureland, which is conventionally divided into two parts - the tropical jungle and the world of pirates of the Caribbean. Here the attractions and entertainment are not so harmless, and some of them can even be called extreme. In Toon City, you can take pictures with the legendary life-size puppets. Mickey Mouse is the most popular among guests, but others also do not go unnoticed.

You can travel back in time by looking into Tomorrowland. This zone perfectly reflects the essence of Japan - to catch up and surpass the whole world. All the attractions in this area are futuristic and even fantastic. But in the Wild West, guests will find cowboys and, of course, the legendary roller coaster - the most popular of all attractions in the world. You can complete your trip to the world of Disney in the Land of Animals, an area aimed at little guests, or at the World Bazaar - where would you be without themed souvenirs?

Tokyo Disneyland is not located in the city itself, but in its closest suburb - Urayasu. But despite this, getting to it is not so difficult - first by subway to Tokio station and then by Tokyo Disney Resort bus. The amusement park is open from 9-00 to 22-00, but in the summer months and weekends it opens its doors earlier. Exact information can be found on the official website. As for the cost of tickets, it cannot be called low at all. An adult ticket for the day will cost 7,400 yen, a child (guests 4-11 years old) 4,800, a teenager (guests 12-17 years old) 6,400. There are discounts during the winter months.

The Imperial Palace is a sacred place for all Japanese. Indeed, despite the fact that the ruler has only nominal power, he is revered and even idolized. The history of the palace began back in the 15th century. Today, many old buildings have been preserved on its territory, but there are also modern ones, made in the classical Japanese style.

Unfortunately, tourists and even local residents do not have the opportunity to see them all. Only the East Park is open to visitors. By appointment, by registering on the website of the Imperial Palace Administration, you can also take a tour to the courtyard of the complex. Naturally, without visiting the palace. The imperial chambers are a sacred place into which public access is prohibited. However, the park also has plenty of attractions and places that deserve attention.

The first thing that catches the guests' eyes is the authentic landscape design, in the traditional Japanese style. Flowerbeds and paths perfectly complement the bridges, the most noticeable of which are Nijubashi and Meganebashi. It is impossible to pass by the Fushimi-yagura tower, which once served as a guard tower. It has been here since the distant times of the shogunate.

Art fans should definitely check out the Peach Hall, where classical music concerts regularly take place. Stars whose names are known throughout the world are not uncommon on this stage. The park at the Imperial Palace is beautiful at any time of the year, but it is best to visit it in April and March, when the cherry blossoms bloom. In addition, on December 23 and January 2, you can witness a unique spectacle - the imperial couple goes out onto a balcony covered with bulletproof glass to greet their people.

Getting to the palace is not difficult; it is located near the Tokyo metro station. You can walk through the park from 10-00 to 15-00 on any day except Monday and Friday. There is no entrance fee - just get a token and return it at the end of the walk.

Some people associate Japan with the high-quality automobile industry, others with the wonders of the scientific and technological process, and some immediately remember funny anime cartoons. Many of them were filmed at Studio Ghibli, and tourists visiting Tokyo can immerse themselves in a magical world by visiting the themed museum.

The museum's exhibition is not too large, but the size is compensated by what is called quality. Every detail in the halls and even service areas has been thought out. Guests either unexpectedly come across traces of unprecedented animals in the corner, or funny and very cute cats on the taps in the toilets. The museum’s “tricks” will be a pleasant surprise - secret passages, intricate labyrinths and magic lanterns. The latter illustrate very literally what animation is.

Guests are also attracted by a stand with sketches of various cartoons. Here you can get acquainted with the work of famous and not so famous authors and get to know anime from the inside. Of course, the Ghibli anime studio museum primarily attracts young guests. Moreover, not only among tourists - local schoolchildren, who cannot imagine their lives without anime, also often drop by the studio. But adults, especially fans of Japanese cartoons, will certainly find something interesting here. After all, this is a special, unique culture of Japan, undoubtedly worthy of attention.

Anime World is located at 1-4-25, Kajino-cho Koganei-shi, 184. You can get there by subway, the nearest station is Mitaka. Then you can walk around the rather colorful quarter, it will take about 20 minutes, or take a traditional Japanese shuttle bus. A noticeable sign and bright doors, which can rightly be called fabulous, are noticeable from afar.

Entrance tickets are not too expensive, 1000 yen. However, you should take care of purchasing them in advance - the number of museum visitors is strictly limited, no more than 2,400 people per day. During school holidays in Japan, the queue for the museum can even last 1-2 weeks.

Japan has everything. And even a small corner of French Provence, carefully recreated in the Little Prince Museum. While planning it, in the land of the rising sun they noted their respect for one of the most famous European writers - Antoine de Saint-Exupery. It is surprising that a thematic museum appeared so far from his homeland.

Entering the gates of the museum, guests immediately find themselves in a completely different reality. Colorful streets, bakeries, from which, as is customary in France, the smell of croissants, small shops and shops. The Japanese even made signs and markers not in their own language, but in Exupery’s native language. This was the final touch to create an authentic atmosphere.

After walking along the colorful streets, guests sooner or later come across a two-story house - a copy of the one in which the author of the Little Prince lived. The writer's personal belongings are collected on the ground floor of a small exhibition, and on the second floor there is a library. The only work presented in it is The Little Prince. But it was published at different times and in different languages.

You can take a break after a walk in a French restaurant. The dishes on the menu are exclusively European, devoid of Japanese flair.
Exupery's world is located in the small town of Hakone. You can get to it from Tokyo by intercity shuttle bus, and it’s simply impossible to get lost - all roads and signs lead to the museum.

The entrance ticket costs 1600 yen, a discount is provided for schoolchildren and students, they can visit the world of Exupery for 700 yen. Along with the ticket, guests receive a waybill, which you must pay attention to. Those who have made all the check marks at the exit are given a small souvenir. More colorful gifts can be purchased at your local store.

The Miraikan Museum, or as it is often called the Museum of the Future, is an exhibition that presents the latest achievements of scientific and technological progress. And the Japanese, as you know, know a lot about this matter.

The first thing that attracts attention is the building itself in which the museum is located. Modern, futuristic, reminiscent of either a ship or a flying saucer. It can rightfully be considered an architectural landmark.

Inside, six floors of real wonders await guests. True, permanent exhibitions are located only in two of them, 5 and 6. The remaining halls host no less interesting temporary exhibitions on technical topics.

All exhibits in the permanent exhibition deserve special attention. The main one is the Geo-cosmos globe - a huge ball consisting of numerous OLED monitors. Each of them allows you to obtain information about a particular process occurring inside or outside the globe. As a result, a holistic dynamic picture emerges.

There are halls in the museum in which guests can learn a lot about themselves. For example, take fingerprints with a special scanner and analyze them with a computer program, or find out how the brain works.

And finally, the highlight of the museum is the ASIMO robot, named after science fiction writer Isaac Asimov. He can talk, answer questions and, of course, move around in space. His actions are a real technical show that everyone can watch.

The Miraikan Museum is located on the artificial island of Odaiba and can be reached by subway. The doors are open to visitors from 10-00 to 17-00. The price of a ticket, which includes visiting the permanent exhibitions, is 620 yen, for children - 210. On Saturdays, young guests can visit the museum for free.

The metro is one of the integral components of Tokyo; it is the most popular form of transport among local residents. Guests often find it difficult to understand the intricate layout, intersection of lines and other subtleties of movement. In order not to get lost in the underground world, it is best to begin your acquaintance with it at the Tokyo Subway Museum.

The museum building can be seen from afar - a huge wind generator is installed next to it, providing electricity to the entire complex. This is the first thing that attracts attention. The second is a real turnstile, into which you need to throw a coin and get the coveted ticket. Just like in a real subway.

And finally, after the formalities are settled, guests find themselves in the real world of the metro! Here you can get acquainted with historical documents, diagrams of different periods, and technical tools. And, of course, go into the carriage and sit on a soft chair.

Young guests are invariably attracted by the huge model illustrating the operation of the metro. Unfortunately, the figures cannot be touched - they are hidden under glass. But, nevertheless, this does not make the number of visitors crowding here less.

Older guests can try their hand at one of the stimulators - you can be a driver or a dispatcher. During the excursion, museum workers do not forget to acquaint visitors with the rules in force there, and also help them understand the intricacies of lines and transitions.

In order to get to the Tokyo Subway Museum, you will still have to take the subway, which you are yet to get acquainted with. It is located near Kasai station. Doors are open any day except Monday, from 10-00 to 17-00. The entrance ticket costs the same as real metro travel. A very symbolic moment.

The park is located near Harajuku Station. On Sunday, here you can meet musicians who perform in public for the first time in search of their audience and loyal fans, photographers selecting the right angle for shooting models, admirers of Elvis Presley skillfully copying their idol, rockabilly dancers and other creative personalities.

In summer, it’s a good place to hide from the sweltering heat in the shade of trees, watch locals walk with children and dogs, and play sports. If you are lucky and find yourself in the park during the cherry blossom season, be sure to have a picnic and enjoy the indescribable beauty of this place. Entrance to the park is free.

This place will be appreciated by travelers with children, because here you can play with animals and even ride a pony for a nominal fee. For couples who want to enjoy romance in the park, you can rent a boat for a few tens of rubles, which is practically nothing. Keep in mind that the park is only open at certain times: from 10 am to 11.30 am, and after a short break, you can safely stroll from 1.30 pm to 3 pm.

You can soar to the skies and capture the city from a bird's eye view by climbing to the observation deck of the capital's government building. A high-speed elevator will take tourists to the 45th floor. At an altitude of 202 meters, you can enjoy the panorama of the city, take beautiful photographs and feel the atmosphere of this place. Entrance for visitors is open from 9:30 to 23:00. Registration ends 30 minutes before closing. Free admission.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building was designed by the Japanese architect Kenzo Tange, and the cost of its construction was about $1 million. Overall, it's definitely worth a visit.

You can also find interesting entertainment at Tokyo's Tsukiji fish and seafood market. From specialized viewing platforms, curious travelers will be able to see a fish auction and watch how local traders deftly cut up huge fish.

Also, just for fun, you can stroll through the market, get acquainted with the goods and be surprised at how diverse the underwater world is, the representatives of which are now waiting for their buyer. If you decide to visit the Tsukiji market, you will have to get up early, since it opens at three in the morning, and by lunchtime you will not find anyone here.

If you are interested in various high-tech gadgets and don’t mind testing them absolutely free, then you should definitely visit the Sony Building, where the company’s five-story showroom is located. Here are all the latest Sony products that you can not only try, but also purchase. The Sony Building is open to visitors daily from 10.00 to 20.00. Also here you can visit the Toyota, Nissan or Honda showroom.

Tokyo nightlife lovers also have something to offer. Without compromising your budget, you can have fun and dance at the Ruby Room nightclub, which is located at: Kasumi Bldg 4F, 2-25-17 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku. The main audience is foreigners, which means you can feel quite comfortable here. If this club is not to your taste, then next to it, within a few minutes' walk, there is another club attractive to budget tourists - Oath. Here you can also dance absolutely free until 5 am on weekdays and until 8 am on weekends to the music of popular Japanese DJs.

You can rent a bike completely free of charge and ride along a specially equipped path in the Palace Cycling Course park. This can only be done on Sunday from 10 am, but keep in mind that the number of bicycles is limited and the rule applies: those who are not on time are late. You can get to the park from the Nijubashi-Mae metro station.

Visiting Japan and not visiting the Sumo Wrestling Museum is an unforgivable mistake. This sport is treated with great respect here, and in the museum you can see photographs of famous sumo wrestlers, engravings, costumes and other interesting exhibits. You can visit the museum on weekdays from 10.00 to 16.30. Museum address: 1-3-28 Yokoami, Sumida-ku.

This museum was founded in memory of the tragic event of 1923, which claimed the lives of many people and destroyed most of the city in 1923. It was then that an earthquake was recorded, which was given the name Kanto. The memorial museum is located in Yokoami Park, where you can see other buildings dedicated to this tragic incident.

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When I first came to Tokyo in 2009, I was blown away. In general, I consider myself a city person - I was born in Moscow, I live in New York, that is, I am no stranger to big noisy cities. But when I got to Tokyo, feeling its scope and energy, I was stunned.

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It seemed to me that I would never learn to navigate here. But after several trips, I succeeded...

I'm used to the fact that cities must have some kind of center. It's noticeable and not too big. Such that you can look at a metro map and immediately at least roughly understand where it is. In Tokyo, the “subway map” looks like this:

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In general, in the Japanese capital, “subway” is a very relative concept. The city has two separate full-fledged metro systems, as well as several branches of metro-like electric trains, something similar to a tram, a monorail, and so on. If in New York the conventional center of the city can be considered Times Square, then in Tokyo there are about five or six such time squares! Where you can’t get out of the metro, there’s a time square! It seemed to me that there was no way to figure it all out.

In the early 1970s, Tarkovsky used Tokyo as a “city of the future” when filming his Solaris. I just put the camera on the car and filmed the entrance to the city center. Even then, the metropolis seemed something fantastically confusing, as befits the capital of the future. But 45 years have passed since then!

Fortunately, having visited Japan six times, I was able to roughly understand what was what, and now I offer you my version of a tourist guide to the main areas of Tokyo. Let's discard the complex map above and use the much simpler layout of the Tokyo Circle Line, the Yamanote Line. All areas of interest to us are depicted here:

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This line connects the city perfectly; until you get the hang of it, you can travel between most areas on it. Sometimes it will take longer than other options, but not by much. A full circle takes an hour, meaning you're never more than half an hour from any other station.

If you try, you can see the whole city in two days! (Of course, this will not be a very deep acquaintance, but you will see all the main districts.) As in Moscow, we will denote them by the names of metro stations. So, let's go.

Ueno

Ueno is not the most beautiful of Tokyo districts, but I still like to start my acquaintance with the city there. A relatively inexpensive and fast Aeroexpress, Keisei Skyliner, runs here from Narita Airport. The trip takes about an hour and costs ¥2460.

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In addition to its convenient location, there is a beautiful park here. It is beautiful in both spring and autumn.

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If you move a little away from the station, you somehow even forget that you are in a huge metropolis.

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Ueno is a great place to explore the eastern half of Tokyo.

Asakusa and Tokyo Skytree

To do this you will have to leave the Yamanote line. But it's worth it. Asakusa is home to the Senso-Ji Buddhist Temple, one of the most striking temples in Tokyo.

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And if you walk a little east of it, you will find yourself on the embankment of the Semida River, from where it is just a stone's throw from Tokyo Skytree - the tallest television tower in the world. (It also happens to be the tallest man-made building in Japan).

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I took my parents for a walk along these edges on the first evening of our Japanese trip. And I described my visit to Skytree in a post about my long day on the way to work.

Akihabara

Akihabara is also known as Akiba and Electric Town. Located just south of Ueno (two stops on Yamanote). In the post-war period, trade in electrical devices, wires, adapters, and other rubbish for craftsmen flourished here. But in recent decades, the area has transformed into a mecca for otaku. They sell not only electronics, but also video games, pornography and toys (including pornographic ones).

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Girl barkers dressed as video heroines walk along the streets of the area; shop owners hire them to attract more business.

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There are also completely “cartoon” characters.

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You should be very careful when entering shops in Akihabara; you can easily kill several hours here.

Tokyo/Ginza

We continue moving south. Tokyo Station is a five-minute subway ride (or half an hour's walk) from Akihabara. In combination, this is a huge station, in the bowels of which two main lines of the Japanese Shinkansen super-fast train connect. And you can’t even tell from above.

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Next to the station lies the imperial palace. Yes, Japan still has an emperor. I have never visited the palace grounds; it seems that this is only possible with a pre-booked excursion. But you can also look outside. Everything is done in the best traditions of feudal castles in Japan>. Wide moat, high walls, white towers...

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From the palace it's a stone's throw to the famous Ginza area (it has its own metro stop, but not to Yamanote, so it's better to walk). To be honest, I don’t really like Ginza - there are a lot of expensive Western stores there. Various Cartiers and Louis Vuittons.

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But since the area is famous, it is worth walking past it, so that later you can say with authority that there is nothing to do there.

Tsukiji Market

This is not for everyone. The famous market lies even further south of Ginza, and it’s worth going there only in the morning (they start opening at 9:00), or even at night if you want to watch the famous tuna auction (I myself have never been to the auction). But if you still have jetlag and woke up at the crack of dawn, you can rush out and look at sea reptiles of absolutely any type.

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You can eat sushi right next to the market if you want to try it for breakfast. There are a mix of good restaurants, where there are long lines, and so-so places, where they are empty and barkers. I just found out that in a year (November 2016) the market will move out of here, so hurry up.

And after the fish, since you are already here, I advise you to go a little south to the embankment of the same Sumida River. It's very nice to take a walk here in the morning.

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By the way, if you find yourself in this area in the morning, I advise you to walk through the above places in reverse order, from south to north (Ginza, Tokyo, Akihabara, Ueno, then Asakusa).

Odaiba

To finish off eastern Tokyo, we went to Odaiba, an artificial island in Tokyo Bay. You can't get to Odaiba on the Yamanote Line. But you can take a pleasure boat from Asakusa.

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However, I myself have never done this, but traveled on the Yurikamome automatic train line - the most expensive almost-metro line in Tokyo. It passes over the most beautiful Rainbow Bridge (no propaganda here).

Odaiba was a garbage dump for a long time, but in the 1980s and 1990s they decided to build an ultra-modern new district. It didn’t all work out right away; today there are buildings here of somewhat dubious beauty, but you can’t deny them futurism.

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All this glows quite well at night. There is also a small New York branch here.

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This is a model of the Statue of Liberty and the Rainbow Bridge. By the way, this is the bridge you can see on my avatar, and not one of the New York ones, as you probably thought.

If you are not yet completely tired, then on the way back from the island you should get off at Shiodome station, that’s where Miyazaki’s magic clock is located. In summer the last bell rings at 22:00, in winter - at 20:00. Don't miss it.

Roppongi

If Tokyo has a geographic center, it is Roppongi. The last of our areas that cannot be reached on the Yamanote Line, because it is in the very center of its ring. The offices of many Western corporations are located here (including the Google office).

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Roppongi is also an area of ​​nightclubs and bars, and many rich foreigners live here. They say that Japanese girls of a certain type love to pick up Europeans here.

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Roppongi also offers a beautiful view of Tokyo Tower (not to be confused with Skytree). The TV tower is shaped like the Eiffel, but its coloring is more cheerful.

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From Roppongi we will begin our walk through the western districts of Tokyo. From here you can walk to Shibuya in about forty minutes.

Shibuya

It's worth writing a separate post about Shibuya. If I were to choose one area that best represents Tokyo for me, it would be Shibuya. When I had a 24-hour layover in Tokyo, I decided to spend the time here. And of course, Shibuya is depicted in the title photo of this post.

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Shibuya is crowded, noisy, full of small and large shops, but most of them are Japanese. Here is perhaps the most famous intersection in the world - Shibuya Crossing.

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Don't ask me what to do in Shibuya. Here you just have to be, absorbing the energy of a large living city that constantly pulsates around you. (Remind me to tell you the secret of how to look at Shibuya from above someday.)

Then, when you have already enjoyed it, you can start moving north.

Harajuku/Yyogi

Here it is, the famous district of Tokyo fashionistas and especially fashionistas. The central boulevard of Harajuku with its super-expensive boutiques will remind you of Ginza, but here it’s somehow greener and more pleasant. // levik.livejournal.com

Yoyogi Park is also located here, perhaps the main park in Tokyo - the equivalent of our Central Park. Like Ueno, it is beautiful in all seasons.

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And if you are lucky enough to get here on a Sunday afternoon, then at the entrance to the park you can watch the unique dances of Japanese rockers.

Shinjuku

Continuing north and ending our Tokyo tour in Shinjuku. The local metro station is also the largest train station in the world. Once we spent forty minutes looking for the right platform here.

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If you walked correctly, you will find yourself here in the evening, when the entire area is lit up with multi-colored advertising.

Shinjuku is louder, brighter and bigger than Shibuya, and because of this I don't like it as much. But it’s definitely worth a visit here. The part of the area called Kabuki-cho is the closest thing Tokyo has to a red light district. Here all the streets are covered with advertisements of girls in promising poses, but access for gaijin to local hot spots is often closed.

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But we are welcome in another part of Shinjuku - Golden Gai. Several blocks of unique microscopic little bars, each with four or five seats. You come in with friends and take over the entire place at once. The owner stands behind the bar, prepares a snack, pours a drink and entertains you as best he can with conversations, riddles or anything else.

// levik.livejournal.com

Each bar, like each owner, has its own unique character. You can go from one to another until you run out of money (or sobriety).

This concludes our two-day tour of Tokyo. Of course, the city has a lot of interesting things besides the listed areas. And in each of them there is enough interesting stuff to write an entire post.

But we’ll leave such details for another day; the main thing for us was to get our bearings in this crazy metropolis...

PS Friends from Tokyo, I hope you will not be ashamed to write if I have openly misrepresented something. I'm still not local...

levik
28/12/2015

Pages: 1

Tokyo is a modern center of beauty, tranquility and tranquility

You've probably heard many stereotypes about this city more than once. Oddly enough, most of them are absolutely true. This is truly a modern metropolis, literally drowning in neon lights. Here they not only honor the traditions and heritage of the past, but also rapidly develop various modern trends. Without a doubt, we can say that everything in this city is aimed at the future.

These words are confirmed by Tokyo neighborhoods, where you can see giant LCD screens, bright advertising banners and colorful signs, as well as many theaters and Buddhist temples, surrounded by peace and quiet.

There are a huge number of attractions in Tokyo. We recommend exploring these architectural wonders on foot, because this is how you will truly enjoy the incredible beauty of the city.

Asakusa Kannon is the oldest Buddhist temple in Japan. There is always an incredible amount of people here as it is one of the most visited temples in Tokyo.

The history of the temple is approximately 1400 years. There is a legend that back in 628, two fisherman brothers (Hamanari and Takenari Hikonuma) were fishing in a river called Sumida, but all they caught was a gold-plated figurine of the goddess of mercy, Kannon.

Saddened by the catch, the brothers immediately threw the figurine back into the river, but mysteriously it returned to them again and again. The brothers could not free themselves from it and decided to bring their strange catch to the village chief named Hajino Nakamoto.

The elder understood everything and explained to the brothers that the figurine was sent to the villagers for a reason. After this, he turned his own house into a small temple so that the villagers could pray to the goddess of mercy Kannon, after whom the temple was named.

Asakusa Kannon is famous for its huge red lantern, against which tourists can often be seen taking pictures. It has already become a kind of symbol not only of the temple itself, but of the entire Asakusa region.

In a rather interesting way, the lantern got here. The president of Matsushita Electronics Company donated it to the temple after the gods of Senso-ji cured his knee pain, the cause of which no Japanese doctor could determine. The lantern weighs 670 kilograms and is 4 meters high.

The entrance to the temple is also equipped with a giant gate, which is guarded by two deities who command wind and thunder. For the last thousand years, the gate has served as a place for people to pray for a bountiful harvest and good weather.

Near the temple there is also a souvenir street called Nakamise-dori. About 100 shops will provide you with the opportunity to purchase souvenirs at a low price.

The three huge lanterns that illuminate the temple were donated by geisha from completely different areas of Tokyo in memory of the important role played by Senso-ji during the Edo period.

The Buddhist temple is located in one of the most ancient districts of Tokyo - Asakusa, and you can get to it in the following ways:

• The temple is open from Monday to Sunday from 6.00 to 17.00.
• Admission is free.

The need for the creation of Tokyo Tower arose in the Kanto region in 1953 after the start of television broadcasts of the public broadcasting station NHK. A few months later, private companies advised NKH to build its own signal transmission tower.

After the communications boom began, the Japanese government was concerned that the city would be completely filled with television towers. Therefore, one powerful tower was erected, which transmitted the signal throughout the entire region at once.

The founder and president of Nippon Denpato, Hisakichi Maeda, planned to build a tower at or even higher than the Empire State Building (381 meters). However, the lack of funds made itself felt, and as a result, the tower was built in a way that would meet the needs of all stations in the Kanto region within a radius of 150 kilometers.

Tokyo Tower is famous for its incredible similarity to the Paris Eiffel Tower, which, by the way, is 13 meters higher in height. Today it is a kind of symbol of Japan. About 2.5 million tourists visit the tower annually, and since its opening, about 150 million people have visited the tower. Impressive, isn't it?

Below the tower there is a four-story building where you can buy souvenirs, dine in restaurants or buy clothes. At the 145 meter mark there is the main observatory, which visitors can easily access. By the way, Tokyo Tower is quite often the setting for anime films, indicating that the action takes place in the capital of Japan.

• The most convenient way to approach the tower is from Akebanebashi Station (Oedo Line). To get there, you need to get off at Kasumigaseki Station (there are many entrances to it in the ministry area) and take the Hibiya Line two stops to Roppongi Station. Transfer to the Oedo Line and go two more stations to Akebanebashi. When you exit, you will immediately see Tokyo Tower.
• Admission costs 800 yen for adults (400 for children).
• The tower is open from Monday to Sunday from 10.00 to 21.00.

The history of the imperial palace can be traced back to the end of the 16th century, from the reign of commander Tokugawa Ieyasu. It was he who chose this place to build the palace. At that time, Tokyo (which was then called Edo) was a small town, built up mainly of simple barracks.

However, the city had a fairly advantageous location, so soon large-scale work on the construction of a castle began here. It was surrounded by walls with 20 gates and 11 security towers with 15 barracks. The five-story structure was at that time the tallest in the country - its height was 51 meters.

Edo, then the administrative center (1868), became the capital of Japan after Emperor Mitsuhito moved here from Kyoto, who settled in this palace. During his reign and subsequently, especially during the Second World War, most of the wooden buildings on the castle grounds burned down, so complete restoration was completed only in 1968.

Currently, not far from the castle (in a building for official ceremonies and receptions, consisting of 62 rooms), the emperor, empress and their daughter live.

The Imperial Palace is famous for being recognized as a symbol of calm and tranquility. You can come here to enjoy the gifts of nature and hide behind high walls from the noisy metropolis. It is located in the very center of the capital.

You can get into the palace itself only twice a year: January 2 and December 23 (the emperor’s birthday). These days, the entire imperial family comes out to greet the crowd of thousands.

The rest of the time, you can simply stroll around the outskirts of the castle or in the beautiful garden located not far from the buildings.

Visitors to the garden can also walk across two bridges, which are the entrance composition to the territory of the imperial palace. One of the bridges has a rather unusual shape, which is why it is called the “Glasses Bridge” (Maganebashi). The second bridge, the “Double Bridge” (Nijubashi), previously had a two-level structure thanks to a special wooden fastening.

• Getting to the palace will not be a problem since it is located a 10-minute walk from Tokyo Station.
• Opening hours: from 9.00 to 16.00 from Tuesday to Thursday. On Mondays and Fridays the palace is open only on special occasions, such as a national holiday. In this case, the gardens close the next day. Do not forget that the palace itself is accessible to visitors only 2 times a year.
• Admission is free.

This shrine was built after the death of Emperor Meiji (July 30, 1912) and the Empress (April 11, 1914). Construction was completed in 1920, but the buildings were destroyed by fire during World War II. The reconstruction of the building was supported not only by residents of the capital, but also by many Japanese abroad and ended in October 1958.

The territory of the sanctuary is located in the center of Tokyo and has an area of ​​708,200 square meters.

The peculiarity of the building is that it was built in the characteristic style of Japanese temple architecture. This style is called Nagarezukuri.

Cypress from Kiso is used in its construction. The garden features many varieties of trees and shrubs native to Japan. During the reconstruction of the building and renovation of the territory, the residents of Japan donated about 100 thousand trees and shrubs.

The Meiji Jingu Outer Garden, which is located one kilometer from the Inner Garden, is better known throughout the world as a center for Japanese sports. It was founded back in 1926.

In the corner of the Outer Garden you can see the Meiji Memorial Hall, where Shinto wedding ceremonies continue to be held today. Previously, it was used mainly for meetings and conferences. It was there that the draft Meiji Constitution was discussed.

• You can get to the garden using the metro, going to Harajuku station. The building is located near the shopping center of the same name.
• Meiji Shrine is open from Monday to Friday from 4.00 to 17.00.
• Admission is free.

Construction of the amusement park began in the winter of 1979. It opened a few years later - on April 15, 1983, becoming the first park in the world outside the United States based on cartoons. Despite the fact that Tokyo Disneyland has not concluded any contracts with Walt Disney companies, it is the third most visited, second only to Florida and California.

A unique feature of this park is that it has seven thematic complexes and another water complex called Disney Sea.

Each of them amazes with its incredible scale and completely different attractions. The park's territory covers 47 hectares, so it is best to travel by special train, after taking a map with you.

Many concerts and shows take place here all year round, featuring all the characters from Disney cartoons. During Christmas and New Year, there are usually processions around the capital, where you can also see your favorite childhood heroes. At night you will have the opportunity to enjoy a spectacular fireworks show. Live music sounds alongside the fireworks, which gives the whole event a real festive atmosphere.

• The park is located at Tokyo Disney Resort Station. You can get there by bus (35 minutes from Tokyo Station), subway, or JREast trains on the Keiyo or Musashino lines.
• The opening hours of the amusement park vary depending on the month. In August it is open from 8.30 to 22.00 on weekdays or from 8.00 to 22.00 on weekends. In March-April, you can visit the park from 9.00 to 22.00 on weekdays and from 8.00 to 20.00 on weekends.
• A one-day ticket costs 6,200 yen for an adult, 5,300 for a teenager (12-17 years old), and 4,100 for a child aged 4 to 11.

Sights of Tokyo. The most important and interesting sights of Tokyo - photos and videos, descriptions and reviews, location, websites.

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The very best

Imperial Palace in Tokyo

In the center of Tokyo, in the dense greenery of trees, the palace of the Emperor of Japan is hidden, surrounded by canals, moats and ancient walls. The entire palace complex spreads over an area of ​​almost 7.5 square meters. km. Access is limited, but since 1968 its East Park has been open to the public on certain days.

The very best

Shinjuku

One of the most popular and lively areas of Tokyo is Shinjuku. Once a small town near the postal station, today in the daytime Shinjuku is teeming with the black suits of disciplined office workers, and in the evening it burns with billions of lights, which literally dazzle the eyes of vacationers.

The very best

Kabuki-za Theater

Kabuki-za, located in the very heart of Ginza, is the main theater in Tokyo. This is not just one of the most unusual temples of Melpomene in the world, for the Japanese it is a source of national pride and reckless adoration. It’s hard to say what captivates this extremely smart nation: rich costumes or crazy makeup.

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On the first day, a sightseeing bus tour (in English) can be a good help in getting to know the city. Having a quick glance at the main tourist sites will make it easier in the following days to choose what you want to see in detail. All interesting areas of Tokyo can be reached by the circular and radial lines of the JR (electric train). It is noteworthy that there is no city center in the usual sense in Tokyo - the city consists of 23 self-governing districts.

The unique heritage of Japanese culture is its stunning gardens and parks, many of which were part of temple complexes. It is impossible to imagine modern Tokyo without them. The most popular are Ueno-koen, Kitanomaru-koen (North Gate Park of the Imperial Palace), Yoyogi-koen (free admission). One of the best Tokyo parks is Shinjuku-gyoen, once intended for the emperor (entrance 200 JPY). April is the traditional month for the Sakura Festival in city parks. Tokyo gardens are most often hand-crafted spaces with carefully selected vegetation and thoughtful landscaping.

Tokyo has a huge number of Shinto (pagan) and Buddhist temples. The former are indicated on maps by an arch, and the latter by a stele on a pedestal or a swastika. Not far from the Imperial Palace is the Yasukuni-jinja Shinto Shrine, built in 1869 (Ichigaya Station on the JR Chuo Line). After World War II, the temple was dedicated to compatriots who died in hostilities. The Yushukan Museum, opened at the temple, tells in detail about the events of those years. One of the most monumental temples in the city is the Buddhist Zojo-ji, built at the end of the 14th century (Toei Oedo Line, Akabanebashi Station). And the Senso-ji Temple is notable for its 53-meter pagoda with five floors, this is the second tallest pagoda in all of Japan.

An excellent interactive map of Tokyo with hotels, metro stations, shops, restaurants, parks, museums and other objects of interest to tourists marked on it is available in Russian on the page Living Map of Tokyo.

The attractions of Tokyo are not limited to architectural wonders and historical sites. While traveling around the capital, you can enjoy immersion in traditional Japanese culture: attend a tea ceremony or sumo training, dine while geishas play music, take a couple of samurai sword lessons, relax with a shiatsu massage, or stroll around the city in a rented kimono. One of these gastronomic pleasures is the Kaiseki dinner. The ceremony consists of tasting several dishes in small portions from unique ceramic dishes, the feeling of focusing on the taste sensations is enhanced by being in a separate room, the windows of which ideally look out onto a secluded garden.

In addition to traditional Japanese sushi, in Tokyo it is worth trying expensive delicacies - whale sushi and “o-toro” - sushi made from the fattest parts of tuna, which literally melts in your mouth. A tiny piece will cost you 600-700 JPY, and the whole fish is sold at the famous tuna auction for no less than 20,000 USD. Bidding takes place from 5 to 6 a.m. at Tsukiji Market and attracts hundreds of tourists. This world's largest fish market is closed on Sundays, national holidays and the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month.

You can join the hedonistic side of the life of the average Japanese if you go to enjoy being in an onsen. These are a kind of public baths, where the main procedure is immersion in a very hot bath with mineral (or regular tap) water. Many onsens offer a wide range of spa treatments in addition to indoor or outdoor baths: massages, sand baths, exfoliation, foot treatments with Garra Rufa fish that feed on dead skin cells, beauty treatments and, of course, food and drink.

Perhaps the most unusual entertainment in Tokyo is a visit to Ikebukuro Bosai-Kan - a center for informing about the rules of conduct during an earthquake. In addition to lectures and videos, the short course includes a simulation of a magnitude 7 earthquake, leaving an unforgettable experience. Classes are free, the center address is 2-37-8 Nishi-Ikebukuro, Ikebukuro Station on the JR Yamanote Line.