I previous posts I have mentioned already that Tokyo is a humongous bustling city with so many activities.
I have already written about the vistas from which you can check out the Tokyo from above. As well as, all the cool restaurants and cafes I have been to 🙂 So in this post, I will go over all other cool places that you have to check out while visiting Tokyo!
The Imperial Palace
The Imperial Palace is the current residence of the Japanese Imperial Family. The inner grounds are not open for the public except January 2nd -New Year’s Greeting; and December 23 -Emperor’s Birthday. There is a possibility to join a guided tour of palace grounds. However, it has to be booked in advance. As it is hard to visit the palace, it also did not leave a very lasting impression. I much more preferred Himeji or Imperial Palace in Kyoto. Netherless, check it out 🙂
The Senso-Ji Temple
Senso-Ji Temple is the most famous shrine in Tokyo. It is dedicated to Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of compassion. Leading to one the gates, there is a long shopping street. You can buy there many different snacks, yukatas, and other souvenirs.
After going for a temple spree in Kyoto, I was fed up with temples. So overdosed 🙂 So for me, it was not anything extraordinary. However, if you like night illuminations, you should check out the temple in the evening.
Meiji Shrine
The shrine is dedicated to Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shoken. It is located next to Harajuku and Yoyogi park. The shrine is surrounded by the forest that is home to 100,000 trees that were donated from regions across the entire country. On the temple grounds, there is a charming inner garden (extra fee) that is popular for its irises that bloom in June. I enjoyed strolling around, especially after escaping craziness in Harajuku:)
Yoyogi Park
It is one of the largest city parks in Tokyo. It does not have that many cherries. However, it looks terrific in autumn when gingko trees turn gold. If you visit it in the morning, you will see many people exercising in the park. Overall it is a charming place to take a stroll.
Harajuku
Harajuku is the area around Tokyo’s Harajuku Station, which is between Shinjuku and Shibuya on the Yamanote Line. It is the place where young people from different subcultures meet, buy stuff. The central area is Takeshita Street with all the small streets around. If you are lucky, you can see some of the teenagers wearing different costumes.
That was the best place I have been to during my stay! It was so hard for me not to buy too much and one of the reasons why I had overweighted luggage. The whole street was full of kawaii – cute dresses, outfits, shoes and underwear. How cute? Well, that depends on the person how cute they think those outfits are:D When I send the picture of the underwear to my friend, she replied that I should go ahead with buying it if I want to end up as a single weird old lady 😀
I admit I love the lolita fashion. All the ribbons just make me go crazy. And that was also one of the reasons why I have decided to go forth with a Lolita photo session 😀 There are many places along the Takeshita street that offer that. It was so great!! At least it reduced a tiny little bit the impulse of buying some of the outfits 😀 But just small 😛
Apart from all the clothes, there are many snacks everywhere like crepes, candies and the best one: cotton candy. I ate the biggest cotton candy ever!!! And every single bite was heavenly. I could see unicorns running around:D So if you have a sweet tooth like me, go for it!
Tsukiji Outer Market
Tsukiji Market was the largest wholesale fish market in the world!! It was super famous for the tuna auction in the morning. To be able to see it, you had to book the entrance to the sale beforehand, so, unfortunately, I missed it. The sad part is that the inner part of the market, the one with tuna auction, moved now to Toyosu. From what I have read, the auction still should take place there. The outer market, however, is still standing in the same place.
Even though the inner part was moved, that did not stop the tourist from visiting Tsukiji. The outer market offers fresh food for breakfast or lunch. From seafood to sushi and ramen. If you enjoy the markets as much as I do it is still an excellent place for taking pictures and buying great food. I have eaten there the best ramen ever. I was led by the hand by one of the sellers after I showed him a map and looked like a clueless tourist 😀 It was hidden deep inside of one of the small alleys.
Anyway, it is a great place to take a stroll in.
Akihabara
Akihabara is yet another district in Tokyo. If there is an electronic device that you need or don’t even know you need it, this is the place to go. It is also the place to go to if you are an otaku. There are many shops devoted to manga and anime all around. I had a tough time resisting urges to buy things:)
One of the weirdest and coolest place in Akihabara was a seven stories high sex shop. I have never seen so many weird toys! I took pictures of some of them and then spend some time with my friends trying to google what the hell that thing is supposed to do 😀 It was one of the places I wished I had a friend with me so I could comment live. I looked weird giggling like crazy 😀
If you want to know more, head to this link.
Shinjuku
Shinjuku is a large entertainment, business and shopping area around Shinjuku Station, which is the world’s busiest train station! There are several places that might be interesting to visit:
Kabukicho
Kabukicho is Japan’s largest red light district. There are many restaurants, bars, nightclubs, pachinko parlors, love hotels. From what I have read, the caution is advised as the foreigners might be a target for thefts.
Golden Gai
Golden Gai is a tiny district that has around 200 small bars and eateries. It is a perfect place if you are hungry during the night. The bars are usually quite small, fitting only a couple of people at the same time. I went to one place and waited in line for a while. Afterward, the waiter/ owner pointed at the machine on which I pressed some random buttons and paid. After a while, I got a bowl of excellent ramen 😀
Shinjuku Gyoen
Shinjuku Gyoen is one of the largest and most popular parks in Tokyo. It is an excellent place for admiring sakura trees. I have spent there a couple of hour taking pictures of many different cherries. The mixture of peaceful park and skyscrapers in a background gave me this amazing and hard to describe feeling.
The old part of a park is a traditional Japanese landscape garden, while the newer is French and English landscape garden. I am pretty sure then when you enter the park, you will not want to leave!
Odaiba
Odaiba is a popular shopping and entertainment district on a human-made island in Tokyo Bay. To get there, hop onto self-driving train that offers breathtaking views of the city! Apart from many shops and restaurants in the neighborhood, visit also Fuji TV building that offers a panoramic view of the waterfront. And if you want to make a joke out of your friends and confuse them entirely, go and take a selfie with Odaiba Statue of Liberty and claim you are in New York 🙂
Are those all the sights? Nope… But with only three days in the capital that was what I managed to see. Maybe, if I have had cut short my shopping spree in Harajuku, I could fit more, but then again I had so much fun there! One thing for sure, I am coming back to Japan, so I will extend this list at some point 🙂
