Best temples, parks, and museums in Tokyo
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,945
Best temples, parks, and museums in Tokyo
I have been to Japan many, many times, but have never been sightseeing in the traditional sense.
I am looking for recommendations re the best temples, parks, and museums in Tokyo. I have a healthy list of places to try (food-wise) and intend to visit Akihabara for anime-related needs. Completely open to other recommendations.
I will be going next month (mid-August) and will be staying in Shinjuku (Park Hyatt). I am currently batting around the idea of taking a day or two to go to Hakone.
Thanks!
I am looking for recommendations re the best temples, parks, and museums in Tokyo. I have a healthy list of places to try (food-wise) and intend to visit Akihabara for anime-related needs. Completely open to other recommendations.
I will be going next month (mid-August) and will be staying in Shinjuku (Park Hyatt). I am currently batting around the idea of taking a day or two to go to Hakone.
Thanks!
#2
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Central California
Programs: Former UA Premex, now dirt
Posts: 6,531
Really? Right in the middle of the worst of the summer heat/humidity AND during the height of Obon? Sounds like a potential horror show, especially for travel in and around the country.
Can you change your dates?
As for favorites, I'd say Hibiya Park near Ginza for a nice place to sit and enjoy for a bit, as well as Ueno Park for site-seeing. The multi-building National Museum complex is in Ueno Park too, right across from Ueno Station. I'd also be sure not to miss Hama-rikyu Imperial Garden, near Tsukiji.
My favorite museum is the Edo-Tokyo Museum in Ryogoku (Sumo Town), which is one stop past Akihabara on the train. While there, you could stop in at the tiny sumo museum right next-door at the Kokugikan Arena if you wish.
There are temples all over Tokyo. One of the classics is Senso-ji (Asakusa Canon) in Asakusa. There is a nice water-taxi that travels between Asakusa and Hama-rikyu if you decide to see both.
Can you change your dates?
As for favorites, I'd say Hibiya Park near Ginza for a nice place to sit and enjoy for a bit, as well as Ueno Park for site-seeing. The multi-building National Museum complex is in Ueno Park too, right across from Ueno Station. I'd also be sure not to miss Hama-rikyu Imperial Garden, near Tsukiji.
My favorite museum is the Edo-Tokyo Museum in Ryogoku (Sumo Town), which is one stop past Akihabara on the train. While there, you could stop in at the tiny sumo museum right next-door at the Kokugikan Arena if you wish.
There are temples all over Tokyo. One of the classics is Senso-ji (Asakusa Canon) in Asakusa. There is a nice water-taxi that travels between Asakusa and Hama-rikyu if you decide to see both.
#3
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,303
Comiket is also in mid-August. Depending on your needs, I'd probably avoid Akihabara a day or so before/after in case out-of-towners will be hitting up both. More people + heat + humidity + tiny stores + insufficient air conditioning = more scents ...
#5
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota,USA
Programs: UA, NW
Posts: 3,752
At least he's not going to Kyoto in August. I have never suffered from the heat as much as when I spent two weeks in Kyoto in August for a "dry run" of a student trip, after spending the earlier part of the summer in China. When I went back to Tokyo for a day before flying home, it actually felt comparatively cool, because the air moved occasionally.
#6
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SIN and wandering.
Posts: 1,549
1. Meji Jingu shrine - Not the prettiest, but i always enjoy walking through the woods towards the shrine. It's a respite from the noisy loud Harajuku.
2. Yasukuni war museum (Yasukuni shrine) - Just to read/listen to the alternative views of the history of WWII from the Japanese perspective.
#7
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota,USA
Programs: UA, NW
Posts: 3,752
You can't tour the imperial palace, but you can walk through the grounds via Hibiya Park and visit the little museum that contains a rotating collection of the imperial art collection.
In Ueno, the Shitamachi Museum offers glimpses of life in prewar Tokyo, complete with rooms and "shops" furnished with authentic period artifacts.
The town of Kawagoe offers a neighborhood of Edo-period buildings that survived somehow.
But why not buy a guidebook such as the Insight Guide to Tokyo and discover things that we have never even heard of?
In Ueno, the Shitamachi Museum offers glimpses of life in prewar Tokyo, complete with rooms and "shops" furnished with authentic period artifacts.
The town of Kawagoe offers a neighborhood of Edo-period buildings that survived somehow.
But why not buy a guidebook such as the Insight Guide to Tokyo and discover things that we have never even heard of?
#8
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Singapore
Programs: SIA Solitaire PPS, IHG Royal Amb, Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Hhonor Gold
Posts: 2,207
https://sankan.kunaicho.go.jp/english/about/koukyo.html
#9
Join Date: Jul 2015
Programs: UA Plat
Posts: 154
Depending on how broadly your anime interests range, I'd recommend the Sudio Ghibli Museum: http://www.ghibli-museum.jp/en
"Spirited Away", "My Neighbor Totoro", etc. were all Ghibli productions.
Tickets available at any Lawson convenience store. It is a museum aimed at children but I really enjoyed it anyways. Great gift shop too.
"Spirited Away", "My Neighbor Totoro", etc. were all Ghibli productions.
Tickets available at any Lawson convenience store. It is a museum aimed at children but I really enjoyed it anyways. Great gift shop too.
#10
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: TYO
Programs: Tokyo Monorail Diamond-Encrusted-Platinum
Posts: 9,623
Nice collection of temples and little parks in Yanasen:
http://www.gotokyo.org/en/tourists/g...ourse/004.html
And it's within striking distance of the big national museums in Ueno.
http://www.gotokyo.org/en/tourists/g...ourse/004.html
And it's within striking distance of the big national museums in Ueno.
#11
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota,USA
Programs: UA, NW
Posts: 3,752
You can join a free guided tour of parts of the Imperial Palace. However, prior registration is required. You can refer to this website for details to register. If time permits, it is a nice experience to visit the Palace:
https://sankan.kunaicho.go.jp/english/about/koukyo.html
https://sankan.kunaicho.go.jp/english/about/koukyo.html
#12
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SIN and wandering.
Posts: 1,549
Depending on how broadly your anime interests range, I'd recommend the Sudio Ghibli Museum: http://www.ghibli-museum.jp/en
"Spirited Away", "My Neighbor Totoro", etc. were all Ghibli productions.
Tickets available at any Lawson convenience store. It is a museum aimed at children but I really enjoyed it anyways. Great gift shop too.
"Spirited Away", "My Neighbor Totoro", etc. were all Ghibli productions.
Tickets available at any Lawson convenience store. It is a museum aimed at children but I really enjoyed it anyways. Great gift shop too.
I went a few years back and loved it! Recommend that you book online (or call them to book your dates first), then collect your tickets at Lawson.
You can also ask your concierge to assist you with the booking. I had issues with collecting my tickets from the machine and got the concierge to assist.
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: London
Posts: 18,394
You did know about it, but must have forgotten:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/japan...ace-tokyo.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/japan...ace-tokyo.html