Destinations And Sightseeing

A. Sensoji

Sensoji is considered by many to be the most interesting Buddhist temple in Tokyo. The temple is located in Asakusa, the old Shitamachi or downtown and has a vibrant mix of color and charm if you are interested in Japanese culture.

B. Meiji Shrine

The biggest Shinto Shrine in town, the Meiji shrine is located at a large and attractive park with gardens, very close to Harajuku, the swinging neighborhood for the younger generation. The shrine was constructed to honor the great Emperor Meiji who died in 1912. The area around the shrine becomes particularly attractive during the Shichi-go-san Festival in November when children of ages three, five and seven dress up in Kimonos and visit the shrine.

C. Tokyo Tower

The nation's most renowned observation town, the Tokyo Tower is the local version of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Constructed in 1958, the tower stands 330 meters or 1,099 feet tall and is currently used as a relay center for TV and radio stations. The tower has numerous souvenir shops and other attractions that keep visitors occupied. The towers observatories are located at 149 meters and 248 meters. During the Golden Week at the beginning of May when the air is clean and clear, the tower offers a fascinating view of the entire city. The base building at the tower houses a wax museum, an aquarium, a museum of holography and a trick art gallery.

D. Edo-Tokyo Museum (Edo-Tokyo Hakubutsukan)

The Edo-Tokyo Museum presents the history, art, disaster, science, culture and architecture of Tokyo from the sixteenth century when the first shogun Tokugawa Leyasu named Edo his capital. The museums exhibits and artifacts reflect the vivid history of Tokyo through the centuries.

The sixth floor of the building leads to a replica of the Nihombashi Bridge, the starting point for all roads leading out of old Edo. Exhibits covering the Edo Period reflect the lifestyle of shoguns, merchants, craftsmen, and townspeople. The illustrations, symbols, headings and explanations are mostly in Japanese only, but there's plenty to look at, including a replica of an old Kabuki theater, a model of a daimyo's mansion, portable floats used during festivals, maps and photographs of old Edo and perhaps most interesting a row house tenement where Edo commoners lived in cramped quarters measuring only 10 square miles. Other displays portray the Meiji Restoration, the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 and the bombing raids of World War II. A free museum tour is offered by volunteers every day and last for about one to two hours depending on the level of visitor interest.

E. Tokyo Sea Life Park

The Tokyo Sea Life Park is situated on the shore of the Tokyo Bay in Kasai Rinkai Park and is the largest yet cheapest public aquarium in the city. The aquarium has numerous tanks displaying marine life of Tokyo Bay and beyond, including the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic oceans. The sea life park features Hammerhead sharks, blue fin tuna, the giant sunfish, penguins, a touch tide pool, and a 3-D movie. The park also houses Japans largest Ferris wheel along with a bird sanctuary, small beach and a Japanese Garden.

F. Tokyo National Museum (Tokyo Kokuritsu Hakubutsukan)

Tokyo National Museum is the largest and the oldest museum in Japan, boasting of the largest collection of Japanese artifacts in the world. Kimonos, samurai armor and swords, metalwork, pottery, scrolls, screens, ukiyo-e (woodblock prints), calligraphy, ceramics and archaeological finds are showcased at the museum. Items are shown on rotation with about 4,000 items on display at any one time.

The museum comprises of five buildings, the Main Gallery or Honkan, the Gallery of Eastern Antiquities or Toyokan, the Heiseikan Gallerym, Gallery of Horyuji Treasures and the Hyokeikan.

G. Tsukiji Fish Market

The largest wholesale fish market in Japan and one of the largest in the world, this unique market is a must see for tourists interested in exploring the core of the city's life. Business commences at 3 a.m. in the morning when boats arrive from the waters around Japan, bringing a variety of fish. The market is enormous and handles all the seafood consumed in Tokyo. Tuna is the primary commodity for trade at the market with auctions starting as early as 5:30 a.m. The market is bustling with activity, men in black rubber boots rushing wheelbarrows and carts through the aisles, hawkers shouting, and knives chopping and slicing. Seafood never even dreamed to be edible is available at the market. The market has quite a few sushi restaurants offering authentic Japanese sushi for breakfast.

H. Roppongi

Roppongi is a vast area full of restaurants, eating and drinking joints. You can eat three meals a day here and barely scratch the surface of the city's gourmet delights. Some of the joints are extremely expensive, although many are amongst the city's cheapest.

Roppongi is extremely attractive at night and is well lit with neon signs, fluorescent boards and hangings. It also houses some of the best shops for traditional handmade paper (Washikobo). Wave is Tokyo's largest shop for CD's, tapes and records and offering a wide selection.

I. East Garden (Higashi Gyoen)

The East Garden (Higashi Gyoen) extends 21 hectares (53 acres) and was once the main grounds of Edo Castle. Located next to the Imperial Palace the garden is a fantastic respite in the middle of the city. Japanese style ponds, stepping-stones and winding paths with colorful flowers attract tourists throughout the year. On the highest spot of Higashi Gyoen is the Honmaru meaning inner citadel, where Tokugawa's main castle once stood.