Imperial Palace
Parts of the Imperial Palace grounds are free and available to the public.
MAP
The East Gardens
Once the central part of Edo Castle, the grounds are filled with seasonal blooms, sprawling lawns, meticulous gardens and historic remnants like moat walls and the tenshudai of a long-lost tower, preserve a piece of old Japan. Open 9am to 4pm (closed Mon, Fri, and end-Dec to start-Jan)
Kitanomaru Koen
North of the Imperial Palace, the park offers a bit of nature where you can walk along a marked trail, rent a paddle boat or have a picnic. A shaded pond at its heart draws birds to its sanctuary. Nearby, one finds the Science Museum, the Museum of Modern Art Tokyo, and the Nippon Budokan.
Kokyo Gaien National Garden
Sprawling over a square kilometer, the park wraps around the Imperial Palace. It houses three museums and remnants of Edo Castle—moats, gates, and stone walls, all significant cultural landmarks. Built in 1457, the castle saw expansion under the Tokugawa era and was Japan’s largest fortress before fires largely destroyed it.
Guided tour of the inner palace
It is little known the inner Imperial Palace in Tokyo is open for public tours each weekday. The tours must be approved in advance and an approval number obtained. Arrangements can be made by telephone or through the Imperial Household Agency. The tour itself is a one-hour, 2-km walk through around the buildings and gardens of the inner palace.
Jogging around the palace
The route encircling the palace is great for running. It’s about a 5K loop with its scenic vistas and meticulously maintained paths. Most runners prefer to follow the route in a clockwise direction.
Temples and Shrines
Religion in Japan is more cultural than deeply doctrinal. Shinto and Buddhist practices are observed mainly during life events and festivals. Practically every neighborhood has shrines (Shinto) and temples (Buddhist), serving as community centers. For visitors, they’re mostly sightseeing destinations to take in architecture, art, and gardens. If it pleases you and aligns with your beliefs, you can make an offering and purchase omamori (お守りtalisman or collect go-shuin (御朱印) seal stamps.
Other reasons to visit certain shrines and temples are matsuri (祭り) festivals, flower viewing, sales, and other events. Expect crowds during events.
(from https://www.gotokyo.org/en/story/guide/the-best-festivals-in-tokyo-and-japan/index.html
| WHEN | WHAT | WHERE |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | Daikoku Festival | Kanda Myojin |
| Feb | Setsubun | Okunitama Shrine, Sensoji Temple, Zojoji Temple. |
| Mar | Fire-Walking Festival | Mt Takao |
| Apr | Spring Grand Festival | Meiji Jingu |
| May | Kanda-Matsuri (Honmatsuri takes place every 2 years) | Kanda Myojin |
| June | Sanno Matsuri | Asakusa |
| June | Fussa Firefly Festival | Kita-Asakawa River |
| July | Fireworks | Sumida River, Arakawa River, more locations |
| Aug | Bon-odori festivals | Throughout the city |
| Aug | Fukagawa Hachiman Festival | Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine |
| Sep | Reitaisai festival | Nezu-jinja |
| Sep | Fukuro Matsuri | Ikebukuro |
| Sep | Shukuba Matsuri | Shinagawa |
| Oct | Mori no Takigi Noh | Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden |
| Oct | Oeshiki Ceremony | Ikegami Honmonji Temple |
| Oct | Nihonbashi Ebisu-ko Bettara-ichi Pickle Fair | Showa Memorial Park |
| Nov-Dec | Maple Festival | Mt Takao |
| Nov | Icho Festival | Hachioji |
| Nov | Tori no Ichi | Chokokuji Temple and Ohtori Jinja |
| Dec | Ako Gishisai | Sengakuji Temple |
Highlights
Sensoji Temple (Asakusa).
Tokyo's oldest and most visited temple founded in 628. Known for its massive Thunder Gate and divine sandals.
Matsuchiyama Shoden. Nearby a hilltop temple dedicated to Kangiten temple known for its daikon radish offerings. Lanterns, carvings, etc revolve around the daikon, giving the place a strange charm. Short monorail to top offers accessibility.
Nezu Shrine (Nezu).
Dating from 1706, Nezu Shrine is an example of a large-scale Edo-era shrine. The vermilion and gold lacquered buildings, lush greenery and the famous azalea garden provide a tranquil backdrop for the long torii gate pathway that leads you around the grounds.
Meiji Shrine (Harajuku).
Dedicated to the late 19th-century emperor who opened Japan to the West, Tokyo's most famous Shinto shrine is serene and austere. The spacious shrine grounds offer walking paths that are great for a stroll.
Yasakuni Shrine (Kudankita).
Besides being an important shrine, this site is controversial because it enshrines the souls of those who died in battle (including WWII war criminals). Yasakuni is reportedly quite beautiful and has an excellent war museum, which is a must-see for history buffs.
Tsukiji Honganji Temple (Tsukiji)
Located near the famous fish market. The original temple was actually located in Asakusa, but burned down in the 17th century. It was rebuilt in its current location and has an interesting architecture that incorporates South Asian influences.
Zojoji Temple (nr. Tokyo Tower)
Where six of the 15 Tokugawa shoguns were buried. It’s famous for its large amount of Jizo statues, which people go to to pray for the souls of dead children.
Sengakuji Temple (Shinagawa)
Small temple where the 47 Ronin were buried.
Gotokuji Temple (Setagaya)
Filled with maneki neko cat statues because this temple is the origin of the real-life lucky beckoning cat.
Shrine sales
Every month there are between 25 -35 Tokyo Antique markets. Many markets are at temples or shrines which is why many expats call them “shrine sales,” others are at convention halls. You can find beautiful pottery, kimono fabrics, kokeshi dolls, furniture and every knick-knack imaginable. Listing of recurring fairs include:
O-Edo Antique Market (Yurakucho) – Held twice a month; 1st and 3rd Sundays. The largest outdoor antique market.
Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine Fair (Fukagawa) – This shrine is the largest Hachiman shrine in Tokyo and was founded in 1627. The Antique Fair is held most Sundays. Good selection of Japanese antiques from plates to kimono.
Hanazono ShrineFair (Shinjuku) – Hanazono Shrine is the largest shrine in Shinjuku district. Interesting selection of antiques from coins to some small furniture. The Antique Fair is held 2 to 3 times each month on Sundays.
Boroichi Market (Setagaya) – The 436 year old Boroichi (rag market) takes place in January and at end of year in December. Boroichi is an enormous flea market at which more than 700 vendors sell a variety of used goods, antiques, handicrafts, religious artefacts and food to approximately 200,000 visitors.
Museums
The number of museums in Tokyo can be overwhelming in Tokyo. Here are some major ones, many of which are clustered around Ueno Park.
Tokyo National Museum: If you have just one day to devote and are interested in Japanese art, this is the place to visit. Japan’s oldest and largest museum houses over 110,000 items.
National Science Museum: At this museum inside Ueno Park, the exhibits of fossils, specimens and asteroids are now supplemented with touch screens providing videos and multilingual explanations.
National Museum of Western Art: The core collection housed in this 1959 Le Corbusier-designed building, Japan’s only national museum devoted to Western art, was assembled by Kawasaki shipping magnate Matsukata Kojiro in the early 1900s. Considering that the collection was begun so recently, it is surprisingly good, ranging from 15th-century icons to Monet to Pollock.
Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum: Designed by Maekawa Kunio, this brick-faced art museum was largely constructed underground to remain unobtrusive, with limited success.
Shitamachi Museum: This museum presents the living environment of ordinary Tokyoites between the pivotal Meiji restoration of 1868 and the Great Earthquake of 1923.
Other major museums
Nezu Museum (Aoyama): Tobu Railway founder Kaichiro Nezu had a penchant for Chinese art and collected Shang and Zhou bronzes. Over the years, the museum’s collection of over 7,000 objects has grown through donations of Korean ceramics and Japanese ink paintings from private collectors
Watari-Um Museum (Harajuku): Mario Botta designed this small art museum for the Watari family in 1990. It holds four exhibitions a year
Mori Art Museum (Roppongi): The exhibitions focus mainly on contemporary culture, but the secrets of the Mori Art Museum’s success are location offering spectacular views.
Yayoi Kusama Museum (Waseda): The world's first museum dedicated entirely to bewigged contemporary artist Yayoi Kusama hosts two exhibitions annually, focusing on Kusama's entire repertoire, including her ‘Infinity Net’ paintings, phallic sculptures and, yes, those legendary red polka dots. The space is quite small, entry is by time slot and buying tickets in advance is required if you want to go. Kusama Museum
Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum (Meguro): This 1933 art deco mansion was once the home of Prince Asaka Yasuhiko. The prince returned from a three-year stint in 1920s Paris enamoured of art deco and decided to build a modern residence.
Edo-Tokyo Museum (Ryogoku): This museum houses the city’s best collection of displays dealing with the history of Tokyo. Highlights include large-scale reconstructions of Nihonbashi bridge and a kabuki theatre, as well as detailed models of quarters of the city at different eras. Exhibits outline lifestyles and show how disasters, natural and man-made, altered the city’s landscape. The English labelling is good.
Non-traditional museums
Ghibli Museum: The Ghibli Museum is the animation and art museum of Miyazaki Hayao's Studio Ghibli. NOTE: Tickets must be purchased in advance.
Samurai Museum (Shinjuku)
Parasite Museum (Meguro)
Medical Pathology Museum at Tokyo University
Shin-Yokohama Raumen / Cupnoodles Museum (Yokohama)
Tobacco and Salt Museum (Asakusa)
Tokyo Sewerage Museum “Rainbow” (Odaiba)
The Criminal Materials Department at Meiji University
Paper Museum
The Cat Museum
Panoramic Views
Tokyo Tower
One of the best-known in the world, Tokyo Tower stands 333 meters tall—13 meters taller than the Eiffel Tower it was modeled after. It was built in 1958 to broadcast TV signals and is still used for that today. The tower is painted white and international orange to comply with air safety regulations. On clear days, you can see Mount Fuji from the top. Go to Tokyo Tower for the view and the photo. It’s easy to find, easy to recognize, and still one of the best spots to see the big city. There’s a certain charm to its retro design, but mostly, it’s about getting a clear look from up high.
Tokyo Skytree
Skytree is the newer, flashier sibling—634 meters tall, nearly twice the height of Tokyo Tower. It opened in 2012, with a massive shopping complex and an aquarium at its base. Skytree’s observation decks are sleeker, higher, and packed with tourists. Not having ever been to this tower, can’t say what the experience is like. It seems fun for kids, as the shopping complex has lots of activities and themed cafes.
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
The building’s North Observation Deck offers a panoramic view of the city from 202 meters above ground. The deck offers clear sights of landmarks like Tokyo Skytree, Tokyo Tower, and, on clear days, Mount Fuji. Admission is free, making it an accessible option for tourists. The deck also features a café and a souvenir shop, quite nice if you’re in the area.
Other Observation Decks
Can also go to some tall buildings that offer views, with romantical dining options.
Roppongi Hills. Tokyo City View on the 52nd floor
Shibuya Scramble. Shibuya Sky Observation deck.Caretta Shiodome (Shiodome) Sky View on the 46th and 47th floors