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Kyoto may seem near (for the full return journey: 5 and a half hours with a JR pass, 4 hour 40 minutes without) but the cost can be quite prohibitive.Originally Posted by poppajon
the gardens in tokyo are sparse and boring with little hardscaping. i'm a landscape designer who went there soley to educate myself on japanese garden design. if you really want to just stay in tokyo, by all means, visit the gardens listed... I did. but if you truly want to see japanese design, head to kyoto for 2-3 days atleast. its only a few hours by high speed train. kyoto rikyu is vastly more impressive than hama rikyu.
I'm not disputing for a moment that there are particularly splendid gardens in Kyoto, it's hardly as if this information isn't already common knowledge particularly amongst those who are going to Japan to indulge their passion for garden design, but rubbishing the gardens in Tokyo that the OP could easily and economically get to with such a short itinerary is not exactly helpful.
I went to Ritsurin Koen in Shikoku recently, that hardly makes a visit to Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens any less delightful or my feeling compelled to announce here that other gardens are no "good".
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Laugh all you want but that is exactly what you posted in your first comment in this thread - "no good gardens in Tokyo." One of the most, in MHO, singularly unhelpful and narrow-minded posts to this group in recent memory. Right up there with a late, unlamented previous poster who insisted a couple of years ago that everything there is to see and do in Tokyo can be seen and done in a day-and-a-half. Originally Posted by poppajon
"my feeling compelled to announce here that other gardens are no "good"." - hahaha whatever...
Whether there are gardens to excite a "professional garden designer" or not, Tokyo has some very nice, quite beautiful gardens for casual tourists.
Last time I went to Tokyo, it was November, and Shinjuku Gyoen was pleasant for walking around in.
Hama Rikyu is good as an afterthought to the fish market or as the first or last stop in the Sumida River boat ride (not so much a scenic trip as a chance to relax and watch modern Tokyo go by).
Hama Rikyu is good as an afterthought to the fish market or as the first or last stop in the Sumida River boat ride (not so much a scenic trip as a chance to relax and watch modern Tokyo go by).
hi again. as much as I appreciate your enthusiasm for debating over how 'good' the gardens are in Tokyo - it's really not why I'm visiting, actually far from it. I'm more of a traveller who likes to soak in everything, and because of my tight schedule I'll be more inclined to see a little of this and a little of that... ;o)
keep the ideas coming though!
keep the ideas coming though!
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Don't worry, you made this perfectly clear in your initial post where the remit is "we are into art, culture, nature, fashion and electronics". I supposed that you wouldn't be averse to stepping through any gardens that were conveniently located in relation to other attractions on your schedule, they make a charming counterpoint to the shops and provide a sense of relief amidst the urban sprawl.Originally Posted by kiwi-in-Tokyo
hi again. as much as I appreciate your enthusiasm for debating over how 'good' the gardens are in Tokyo - it's really not why I'm visiting, actually far from it. I'm more of a traveller who likes to soak in everything, and because of my tight schedule I'll be more inclined to see a little of this and a little of that... ;o)
All the aforementioned museums are all fantastic, and if your 12 month old gets a kick out of percussion, the drum museum is pretty fun- you can interact with most of the drums there, and they are from all over the world.
If you are there to soak in the culture, you must visit Shibuya (trendy with lots of entertainment), Shinjuku (the nexus of Salaryman culture) and Harajuku/Omotesando (the most fashion-forward place in Japan, if not Asia).
The imperial palace is also a must-see, and go on a day where you can enter the gardens as well.
If you are there to soak in the culture, you must visit Shibuya (trendy with lots of entertainment), Shinjuku (the nexus of Salaryman culture) and Harajuku/Omotesando (the most fashion-forward place in Japan, if not Asia).
The imperial palace is also a must-see, and go on a day where you can enter the gardens as well.