Tokyo
Facts (Tokyo)
MY Favourite Places to Visit
The Imperial Palace
December 2016
The imperial residence is a complex of buildings spread out across 3.41km² of lush landscaped gardens and grounds, it includes the palace itself, a museum, archive, administrative offices and the private residence of the present imperial family.
The former Edo Castle was located on the present Imperial Palace grounds. Tokugawa Shogun ruled Japan from Edo Castle (1603-1867) until he was overthrown and had to vacate the castle, the castle was then renamed "Tokei-jo Castle and later in 1869 renamed again, this time as the Imperial Castle or Kojo. Edo Castle became the Imperial Palace but was destroyed by fire in 1873. The palace was rebuilt and visitors to the palace's East Garden can see what remains of Edo Castle. The new palace constructed in 1888 stood until it was damaged in WWII and the palace's reconstruction was only completed in 1968.
You cannot leave Tokyo without visiting the Imperial Palace!!!
December 2016
This is Tokyo's oldest temple. The history of the temple begins in 628 when a statue of the Bodhisattva Kannon Buddha was drawn up in fishermen's nets in the then capital of Asuka. Kannondo Hall was built to accommodate the statue in 645 and soon after the temple priest had a revelation that the statue should be hidden from view. The temple is located in Asakusa and is sometimes called the Asakusa Temple.
Alongside the Temple are streets full of Japanese souveniors and local snacks. A place to spend an enjoyable half day but needs to be sure that enough shopping bags are brought because it is hard to resist all the Japanese snacks.
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Rikugien Garden (六義園)
December 2016
Rikugien (六義園) is often considered Tokyo's most beautiful Japanese landscape garden alongside Koishikawa Korakuen. Built around 1700 for the 5th Tokugawa Shogun, Rikugien literally means "six poems garden" and reproduces in miniature 88 scenes from famous poems.
I was lucky enough to catch the last tide of the maple season and saw all the beautiful scenry. Definitely a relaxing walk and an attraction that I personally enjoyed a lot. It portrays a different Tokyo other than just shopping and eating.
Tokyo SkyTree (東京晴空塔)
December 2016
The Tokyo Skytree is a television broadcasting tower and landmark of Tokyo. It is not far away from Asakusa, about 20-30 min walk from the Asakusa Temple, depending on your walking speed. The SkyTree is a tower with a height of 634 meters and it is the tallest structure in Japan and the second tallest in the world at the time of its completion. There is a large shopping complex with aquarium is located at its base.
The highlight of the Tokyo Skytree is its two observation decks which offer spectacular views out over Tokyo. The best view of the SkyTree is not at its base, but on the way from Asakusa to SkyTree. The view is especially magificient during evening time.
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December 2016
Odiaiba is a popular shopping and entertainment district on a man made island in Tokyo Bay. It originated as a set of small man made fort islands (daiba literally means "fort"), which were built towards the end of the Edo Period (1603-1868) to protect Tokyo against possible attacks from the sea and specifically in response to the gunboat diplomacy of Commodore Perry.
A couple of attractions in the Odiaiba - The seaside park for a relaxing and beautiful scened park for some morning exercise, a line of nice restaurants alongside the Deck with the beautiful view of the Seaside and the park, a couple of outlets for shopping (AcquaCity and DiverCity), as well as the Rainbow Bridge which you would be able to catch a glimpse of while you are standing at the seaside of Odiaiba and on the way back from Monorail.