World City Guide

Key Attractions

Sensoji Temple, Asakusa
Tokyo’s most revered Buddhist temple and a site of pilgrimage and tourism for many centuries, Sensoji Temple, was founded in AD628, to enshrine a gold statuette of the Kannon Bodhisattva (the Goddess of Mercy). The temple and its five-storey pagoda are concrete reconstructions but the temple precincts are nevertheless always bustling with worshippers. Smoke from the huge incense burner in front of the temple is said to have healing powers. The impressive Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate) is famous for its enormous red paper lantern and fearsome guardian statues, while the temple approach is lined with shops selling traditional sweets and souvenirs. This area was the centre of Shitamachi (downtown) during the Edo period and the streets, shops and restaurants surrounding the temple still preserve something of the flavour of old Edo. The great Sanja festival takes place annually in Asakusa on the third weekend in May. Over one hundred mikoshi (portable shrines) are paraded through the streets, accompanied by great celebration and huge crowds.

2–3–1 Asakusa, Taito-ku
Tel: (03) 3842 5566 (Asakusa Cultural and Sightseeing Centre).
Transport: Asakusa Station, eastern terminus of Ginza underground line.
Opening hours: Daily 0600–1700.
Admission: Free.

Tokyo Tocho (Tokyo Metropolitan Government Offices)
Located in bustling Shinjuku, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Offices are notable both for their extraordinary architecture and the splendid free observation decks on the 45th floor. Designed by Kenzo Tange, one of Japan’s top architects, the monumental twin towers are said to be inspired by Notre Dame, although the imposing granite faade rather brings to mind scenes of Batman’s Gotham City. The observation decks – one in each tower and both providing a caf – are reached by high-speed elevator and give spectacular views over the city. On particularly fine days, visitors can see Mount Fuji.

2–8–1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku
Tel: (03) 5320 7890.
Website: www.chijihonbu.metro.tokyo.jp/english/tmg/tmg.htm
Transport: Shinjuku Station, then a ten-minute walk following the underground passage leading west; Tochomae Station on Toei Oedo underground line.
Opening hours: Tues–Sun 0930–2200.
Admission: Free.

Meiji-jingu (Meiji Shrine)
One of Japan’s finest examples of Shinto architecture, the atmospheric Meiji Shrine is tucked away in the centre of a dark, cool forest – an unexpected oasis in the centre of the city. Passing through a vast wooden torii gate, the visitor follows the wide gravel path through the forest and into the shrine precincts. Completed in 1920, the shrine honours the memory of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, under whose reign Japan rapidly modernised and was opened to the outside world. On weekends, it is often possible for visitors to see a traditional wedding procession and the precincts are one of the best places to witness the finery and festivities of New Year, Coming of Age Day (15 January) and the children’s festival of Shichi-Go-San (weekends around 15 November). The Gyoen Inner Garden, situated in the shrine grounds, is well worth visiting during June, for the spectacular displays of irises.

1–1 Kamizono-cho, Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku
Tel: (03) 3320 5700.
Website: www.meijijingu.or.jp/english
Transport: Harajuku Station on the JR Yamanote loop line or Meiji-jingumae Station on the Chiyoda underground line.
Opening hours: Daily dawn to dusk (shrine); daily 0900–1630 (Jingu Naien Garden).
Admission: Free (shrine); 500 (Gyoen Inner Garden).

Kyoko Higashi Gyoen (Imperial Palace East Garden)
The Imperial Palace East Garden, on the site of the old Edo Castle of the shoguns, is the only part of the Imperial Palace that is regularly open to the public. Entered through the Otemon Gate – once the main entrance to the castle – it is a pleasant formal garden, surrounded by a section of the original moat and incorporating walls and foundations of the inner castle. Special features include a teahouse, pond and waterfall.

Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku
Tel: (03) 3213 1111.
Transport: Nijubashimae Station on the Chiyoda underground line.
Opening hours: Tues–Thurs, Sat and Sun 0900–1530 (Nov–Feb); Tues–Thurs, Sat and Sun 0900–1600 (Mar–Oct).
Admission: Free.

Edo-Tokyo Hakubutsukan (Edo-Tokyo Museum)
Housed in what looks like a colossal white spaceship, the Edo-Tokyo Museum is a wonderful place for visitors to get a feel for Tokyo’s history and culture, from the Edo of the shoguns up to the post-war reconstruction. There are full-size models of period buildings and the Nihombashi ‘Bridge of Japan’, as well as engaging displays presenting the daily life and customs of the city’s past.

1–4–1 Yokoami, Sumida-ku
Tel: (03) 3272 8600.
Website: www.edo-tokyo-museum.or.jp/museum-e/guide.htm
Transport: Ryogoku Station on JR Sobu line.
Opening hours: Tues, Wed, Sat and Sun 0930–1730, Thurs and Fri 0930–2000.
Admission: 600.

Ueno Koen (Ueno Park)
Once the site of temples and nobles’ mansions, Ueno Park is now Tokyo’s premier cherry blossom viewing spot and home to several important museums, as well as Tokyo Zoo. The park is dotted with historically interesting temples and shrines, including the Tokyo ‘branch’ of the Nikko Toshogu Shrine. The Tokyo National Museum houses treasures of Japanese art through the ages, while the National Museum of Western Art and the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum host important visiting exhibitions.

Taito-ku, Tokyo
Tel: (03) 3828 5644.
Transport: Ueno Station on the JR Yamanote loop line.
Opening hours: Daily 0500–2300.
Admission: Free (park and shrines).

National Museum of Western Art
Tel: (03) 3828 5131.
Website: www.nmwa.go.jp
Opening hours: Tues–Thurs, Sat and Sun 0930–1700, Fri 0930–2000.
Admission: 420.

Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum
Tel: (03) 3823 6921.
Website: www.tobikan.jp/eng
Opening hours: Tues–Sun 0900–1700.
Admission: Varies according to exhibition, with minor exhibitions from 500 to 1000 and high-profile exhibitions generally 1300.

Tokyo National Museum
Tel: (03) 3822 1111.
Website: www.tnm.jp
Opening hours: Tues–Sun 0930–1700.
Admission: 420.

Tokyo Zoo
Tel: (03) 3828 5171.
Website: www.tokyo-zoo.net (Japanese only)
Opening hours: Tues–Sun 0930–1630.
Admission: 600.

Tokyo Rainbow Town (Odaiba)
Rainbow Town, also known as Odaiba, on the group of artificial islands in Tokyo Bay, is billed as Tokyo’s ‘Waterfront Town for the 21st Century’. The focus of much futuristic development, the area incorporates prestigious business premises, parks, tourist attractions and spectacular modern architecture. The Fuji Television Center (designed by Kenzo Tange), the Decks Tokyo Beach shopping and restaurant complex and the Tokyo International Exhibition Center (Tokyo Big Sight) are fast becoming Tokyo’s new landmarks, while the ship-shaped Museum of Maritime Science has excellent displays and hands-on exhibits. The driverless monorail ride to and from the island, which gives superb views of the area, is an attraction in itself.

Odaiba, Tokyo Bay
Transport: Yurikamome Monorail line from Shimbashi Station.

Museum of Maritime Science
3–1 Higashi-yashio, Shinagawa-ku
Tel: (03) 5500 1111.
Website: www.funenokagakukan.or.jp (Japanese only)
Opening hours: Mon–Fri 1000–1700, Sat and Sun 1000–1800.
Admission: 1000.