Tag: Tokyo Shibuya Harajuku

Extensive, made of glass, crowded, loud, colourful, and overpopulated—the largest metropolis in the world can be described in many similar words. Everything has already been written about Tokyo. Its identity and character change with each visit to the following districts.

Tokyo is currently one of the most important financial centres in the world. It is also an important centre in culture, academia, and economy. 1964, it hosted the Summer Olympic Games, and is preparing for the Games in 2020.

Tokyo is often referred to as a city, but is officially known and governed as a “metropolitan prefecture”. Its official name is Tokyo Metropolis. It administers the 23 Special Wards of Tokyo (which cover the City of Tokyo area before it merged in 1943), 26 cities, five towns, eight villages and two islands. Only in those 23 special wards of Tokyo is the population over 9 million people, and in the prefecture, it is over 13 million inhabitants. However, this number increases by another 3 million people daily when people come here to work or school. Tokyo is the centre of the Greater Tokyo Area, the largest agglomeration in the world, with a population of over 37 million people.

Below is a short table of contents. If you are interested only in one subject, please click the link and go there directly.

Tokyo – a historical outline

The origins of Tokyo are to be found in a small fishing village located on the banks of the Sumida River. It was away from the country’s political events for centuries because the main centre was Kyoto. At the end of the sixteenth century, when Tokugawa Ieyasu became the most powerful man in the country, Edo Castle (today’s Tokyo) was chosen as his headquarters. After taking office in 1603, he made Tokyo the centre of political and cultural life. Edo became the real capital of united Japan, but the official granting of these powers was signed only in 1868.

During the reign of the first shoguns (17th century), Tokyo became the most powerful city of the then world, inhabited by more than 2 million people. After years of great urban sprawl, the Shogunate’s power ended, and the emperor took over the dominant role in the country. Edo became the official capital. Emperor Meiji chose the Tokugawa castle as his main seat and changed Edo to Tokyo, which meant “western capital“.

Meiji’s restaurant is a time of further modernization in Tokyo, mainly based on models taken from the West. Unfortunately, two more events made Tokyo known at the beginning of the 20th century, and have not survived today. The first significant event was an earthquake in the year 1923 that devastated most of the city, and as a result, more than 140,000 people lost their lives. The second event was the Japanese military actions during WWII, which led to the bombing of Tokyo in 1945. It is estimated that more than 200 thousand people have lost their lives for this reason.

The city was carefully rebuilt to become a mighty economic power a few decades later.

Tokyo – how to visit it?

You cannot see all the major historical sites, religious sites, and monuments in only a few days of your stay. Tokyo occupies an area of over 550 square kilometres, so before your arrival, it is good to consider what you are most interested in seeing and what you want to focus on.

I suggest visiting the city on the JR Yamanote railway line, which is the city’s bypass and connects the majority of its districts. Only two of 29 stations cannot switch to the subway or other railway lines. This is the most convenient and reliable means of transport in the city. The East Japan Railway Company operates the Yamanote Line, and trains run daily between 4.30 a.m. and 1.20 a.m. every 2.5 minutes. The whole loop ride takes about 60 minutes.

Shinjuku

From Tokyo station – JR Yamanote line, about 15 min.

I recommend visiting this place mainly because of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building. This is a government building, where on the 45th floor, there is a magnificent observatory deck. Entrance to the building, lift access to the observatory deck, and admiration of the beautiful panorama of the city are free. This place offers free entertainment for those who do not want to spend money to watch the city views from the “Tokyo Tower”. On the first floor of the building, there is the “Tokyo Tourist Information Center”, where you can get a lot of free maps or guides. The information is also provided in English.

There are two observatory towers – North and South. Depending on the day of the week and the hour, the observation deck is always open at one of them, between 9.30 a.m. and 11.00 p.m.

Here, you can buy the entrance ticket to the Tokyo Tower Observatory*.

More information can be found directly on the website: www.metro.tokyo.jp

Tokyo Olympics 2020

There is also an exhibition in the Government Building devoted to the history of the Olympic Games, which pays particular attention to how Tokyo is preparing for the 2020 Olympics.

More to read about preparations, location, games, torch relay, medals, mascots, schedule and everything else, you can find on the dedicated website: Tokyo2020

Shibuya, Harajuku

Take the JR Yamanote line from Tokyo station to Shibuya station, which is about 24 minutes. From Shibuya station to Harajuku station, it takes 2 minutes.

Meiji Temple

Meiji Jingu is the largest Shinto shrine in Tokyo and the most popular temple in the city. Built just 100 years ago (in 1920) to commemorate the deceased emperor Meiji Tenno and his wife, Empress Shoken. It is believed that their souls are enshrined here. Emperor Meiji sat on the throne when the Meiji Restoration came, leading to the shogunate’s fall and the significant reforms. Meiji was only 16 years old when he was called “the first modern emperor of Japan”. The temple was erected on the grounds where the ruler had designed a garden of irises for the empress. The solemn forest was created by planting about 100,000 trees donated from all over Japan.

Over one million people come here during the New Year’s celebration. It is also a popular place to conclude traditional Japanese weddings.

The temple is open daily from dusk to dawn. More details at www.meijijingu.or.jp

Shibuya

Shibuya Crossing is one of the largest and busiest intersections in the world. During one change of the lights at the intersection, about 2.5 thousand people can enter at once during rush hour. The intersection is always crowded, day and night. The phenomenon, however, is that the green light comes on simultaneously on all sides of the junction, so people appear on it simultaneously, coming from different directions. Watching this place from the side, it seems impossible that people in the middle of the crossing do not bump into each other. All you have to do is try to get through this crossing. You will understand that crossing the street is possible even in the biggest crowd, and pedestrians naturally walk through the crossing.

It is worth coming here regardless of the time of day. Still, in the evening, you can see illuminated and loud multimedia large-format advertisements distributed on the facades of all surrounding skyscrapers. Shibuya’s intersection is often used as a movie plan, also for Western productions, such as The Fast and the Furious – Tokyo Drift.

Shibuya and Hachiko’s dog story

There is always a crowd around the junction. It is also a popular meeting point for young people. It is worth looking for a monument displaying Japan’s most popular dog. Its history happened at the beginning of the twentieth century. Hachiko (Hachi in Japanese means number eight), a golden-brown Akita dog, has been a faithful friend to his owner, Professor Ueno, of Tokyo University. Every morning, the dog walked his owner to the Shibuya subway station, and daily at 6.00 p.m., he waited in front of the station doors. He knew that his owner always returned from work at the same time. Unfortunately, one day, the professor said goodbye to his dog in the morning and went to work, but he did not return because he died of a stroke.

On that day, the dog also faithfully waited for his master’s return from work every day for the following 10 years. The dog gained popularity in the local community, and the subway passengers brought him food. They tried to find a new home and take care of him, but Hachiko was constantly escaping and returning to the subway station, waiting for his first owner to return from work.

Faithfulness and unusual attachment of the dog to his owner were much appreciated, so his monument was built after his death. The memorial stands near the subway station exit, where the dog awaited the owner. The subway exit was called “Hachiko-guchi“, meaning “exit of the Hachiko“. After the dog’s death, he was stuffed and placed in the Museum of Science in Ueno. Every year, on the 8^th of April, there is a ceremony in front of Hachiko’s statue to honour him. There were crowds of Japanese who came that day to celebrate it.

The heart-touching story of the dog became an inspiration for several films. In Japan, a movie called “Hachiko Monogatari” was a Japanese movie hit in 1987. In 2009, the Hollywood film “Hachiko: A Dog’s Story” (“My Friend Hachiko”) was made, starring Richard Gere.

Asakusa district and Sensoji Temple

From Tokyo station to Akihabara station, with Yamanote line (4 min.). Change to Tsukuba Express to Asakusa station (5 min.).

On the way from Asakusa Station, on the other side of the Sumida River, there is a characteristic building belonging to Asahi Breweries. The building, the brewery’s headquarters, was designed by the French architect Philippe Starck and completed in 1989. It is considered one of the most recognizable modern buildings in Tokyo. The main building resembles a glass of foamed beer. The golden flame, the crown of the neighbouring building, is called “the burning heart of the Asakusa brewery“. The construction of this flame was made by submarine manufacturers, using the same techniques as in the construction of ships. The whole flame weighs 360 tons, and the inside is empty.

The Tokyo Sky Tree, measuring 635 meters, is in the background. It is a television and viewing tower with a 350-meter-high viewing terrace. It is the tallest tower in the world and the second-largest building (after the tower in Dubai, Burj Khalifa, 829 m).

Sensoji Temple

Asakusa district is famous for its Sensoji temple, which was built in 628. It is Tokyo’s largest and most popular temple and the city’s biggest attraction. According to legend, the temple was built where two fishermen were found in the river statue of the Kannon goddess. Therefore, the temple was erected there, and it is visited today by about 30 million people a year.

The most characteristic building of the temple is the Kaminari-mon gate, or “Gate of Thunder.” In the middle of the gate is a large red lantern, and its entrance is defended by two mighty statues of the deities chasing demons: Fu-jin and Rai-jin, the gods of wind, thunder, lightning, and storm.

It is also worth noting that the five-story pagoda reaching 53 meters is the second-highest in Japan.

The temple’s main building (Hondo), where the Kannon goddess is worshipped, leads to the Hozo-mon gate. The oldest building in the temple area is the Yakushi Buddha’s pavilion, Yakushi-do, dating back to the 16th century. Unfortunately, the remaining buildings were seriously damaged or destroyed during the Second World War. Most of the buildings were carefully rebuilt just after the war was over.

The way to the temple leads through an over 200-meter-long street, Nakamise-dori, full of numerous stalls and souvenir shops. The stalls appeared here with the priests’ permission, who needed money to rebuild the temple destroyed during the war. You can buy popular tourist souvenirs and handicraft products: paper fans, brushes, umbrellas, paper products, and traditional clothing. There are also numerous food stalls.

The temple can be visited daily from 9.00 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., with free admission.

Asakusa district is also famous because, in the nineteenth century, shoguns recognized that the city centre was unsuitable for the popular kabuki theatre of the time. They ordered the theatre to move to the Asakusa district, which made it a district associated with entertainment and a lovely time.

Near the temple, there is a bronze monument depicting Ichikawa Danjūrō IX. He was a famous Japanese kabuki actor, the first to play before the Emperor (1887). He also played in the oldest surviving Japanese feature film (“Falling Maple Leaves”).

Ueno district

From Tokyo Station, take the Yamanote line to Ueno Station (8 min.).

Ueno District is a part of Tokyo located in an area known historically as Shitamachi. This area served as a place of relaxation and fun for warriors. Today, it is mainly known as Ueno Park, where the Tokyo Zoo is located.

Ueno Park

Ueno Park is the largest park in Tokyo (85ha) and the oldest urban park in Japan. Today, it is famous for its many museums, including the National Museum of Tokyo, the National Museum of Western Art, the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Art and the National Museum of Science.

Ueno Park is also one of the most popular places in Tokyo to see cherry blossoms. Over 1,000 grow around Central Park Alley; the cherry blossom season is in late March and early April.

There is a bronze statue of Takamori Saigo in the park. It represents one of the most influential samurai in Japanese history, who lived at the turn of the Edo and Meiji periods. Based on the events of his life, “The Last Samurai” was made, with Tom Cruise starring.

Ueno Zoological Gardens

Ueno Zoo is the first and oldest zoo in Japan. The garden was opened in 1882.  One of the most popular inhabitants is the Great Panda, which first moved here in 1972 to mark the normalization of relations between Japan and China. The zoo provides recreation and plays a vital role in protecting wildlife and public education. To protect endangered species from extinction, the zoo has piloted the “Gorilla Woods” and the “Tiger Forest” projects, focusing on protecting these two species. They have organized nationwide and worldwide zoo networks and shared experience and knowledge of animal husbandry and management.

Now, it’s home to over 3,000 animals from 400 different species and provides visitors with a learning experience about animal diversity, fun, and enjoyment.

The garden includes a Five-Story Pagoda and a tea ceremony house, which give the zoo an authentic Japanese touch. The pagoda was built in 1631, rebuilt after destruction by fire, and given to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government in 1958, which assigned its management to Ueno Zoo. The tea ceremony house was built to entertain shoguns in the 17th century.

Ueno Zoo is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (tickets are sold until 16:00). It is closed on Mondays. The admission fee is 600 yen ($5.5).

For more information, please check the Tokyo zoo website.

Ueno Toshogu shrine

Toshogu Shrine in Ueno was built in 1627 and is one of many temples throughout the country dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate. In 1651, the central part of the church was rebuilt and served as an example of the architectural style characterizing the Edo period. Despite several earthquakes and hostilities, the temple’s structure remained intact and was recognized as an important cultural property of Japan due to the representativeness of the Edo period. Today, it is enchanting with its golden colour, rich decorations, and colourful ornaments. The whole is decorated with golden leaves and numerous sculptures.

The temple is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; admission is 500 yen ($4,5). You can’t enter the main building, but you should see its main gate, Karamon (built in the Chinese style in 1651), and visit the surrounding gardens.

You can find more information on the Toshogu shrine website.

Ueno Botanical Garden

A Botanical Garden is next to the Toshogu temple, open only for a few weeks yearly. Between April and May, people can admire the beautiful Peony Garden. The garden was founded in 1980 as a sign of friendship with China. Peony comes from China. It is called the “noble and rich” flower and attracts attention as a blessed flower that brings people wealth, prosperity, fame and fortune. The popularity of peonies is evident in many references in the Japanese haiku and is widely used in motifs of art, design and family emblems.

The botanical garden is open from January to mid-February and from mid-April to mid-May. Admission is 700 yen (about 6,2 $).

Akihabara – a district of electronics, games and entertainment

From Tokyo Station, Yamanote Line, to Akihabara station (4 min.).

Akihabara is the “Electronics District” or “Geek District”. In a nutshell, it can be said that it is a significant centre for the trade of small household appliances and broadly understood electronic equipment, computer games, manga and anime. It is also a centre of entertainment: loud game salons, such as the famous Pachinko, claw machines (known in Japan as “UFO catcher”), and karaoke clubs. In Akihabara, we can find several-storey electronics stores or small shops with cables, computer subassemblies or screws. Tourists can find tax-free shops in this district, thanks to which shopping is a few per cent cheaper (an average of 8%).

Akihabara – Maid cafes

On the streets, you can meet young hostesses dressed as waitresses, maids or schoolgirls distributing leaflets or encouraging them to enter restaurants, clubs or “maid cafes“. Maid cafes are a chain of cafes specific to Japan, where young girls work as waitresses dressed in scant maid outfits. It is not allowed to take pictures inside, as girls standing by the street do not allow it either. They have “no photo” sticky notes on their skirts. If you want to have a photo with a such dressed-up girl, you need to enter the restaurant she advertised. There, you pay to get in (about 500-600 yen / 5-6$), but being a customer, you can invite a girl to take a picture together.

The streets of Akihabara sparkle with colourful banners and neon lights. Posters with cartoon characters or movies for young people hang on the buildings. Advertisements placed on buildings are loud, with flashing lights, and very colourful.

Most stores are located along Chuo Dori’s main street. In many places (including the metro station), you can find maps of this area indicating all the stores and those that offer a Tax-Free service.

Akihabara UDX

Within a few minutes of walking distance from the metro station, there is a building called “Akihabara UDX” – a 15-storey skyscraper. It is a multi-functional complex with several facilities such as restaurants and grocery stores, souvenir shops, tourist information, a gallery, a theatre hall and meeting places. There are also small cafes and bars. You can also find a post office, an ATM, car rental, or bicycle parking there. Tourists like to come here due to the large selection of restaurants and the “Anime Center” on the 4th floor. There are also two outdoor terraces with numerous benches, so it is a perfect relaxing place.

TAX-FREE

The tax system in Japan has been changed, and new regulations have been in force since October 2014. Consumer products, such as food, cosmetics and medicines, have been added to the items eligible for tax exemption. The procedure for applying for tax exemption is simplified, and the number of stores operating the tax system has increased. Small shops, pharmacies, and drugstores have joined the program, and the provisions have also been simplified for sellers.

Depending on the store, there are two ways to apply for a tax exemption. In the first method, we can get an 8% discount immediately when paying for shopping. In the second method, you pay the regular price for shopping, but during this operation, you will get a unique form to fill out. Typically, the passport data are entered there. On this basis, one should go to the window where such tax is returned.

In our case, everything was done at one box office – payment for the goods, filling in the application, packing the goods in a specially marked bag and a tax refund. A paper card was attached to the passport confirming that, being in Japan, we purchased products with a discount as part of the Tax-Free offer. Such a paper card means you can’t use the products purchased in Japan before leaving the country. Goods packed initially, in this form must be transported across the border. We approached the customs officer at the airport, who took our passport, tore the attached note, and let us go on. The discounted shopping procedure is not so complex, and the store retailers will try to help you to complete all the formalities.

You can find out more about tax-free below:

• Tax-Free Shop
• Japan – Official Guide

GINZA – an elegant district of the city

Take the Marunouchi metro line from Tokyo station to Ginza station (3 min.). At the Ginza station, take the Hibiya metro line to Tsukuji station (3 min.) to go directly to the Fish Market.

Ginza is an elegant district of Tokyo. It has always been associated with modernity and luxury. Strolling along the main street of Chuo Dori, you can find shops with the most popular brands in the world: Chanel, Cartier, Dior, Bulgari, Tiffany, Hermes, and Armani. There are popular tourist buildings at the famous intersection of Chuo Dori and Harumi Dori: the Mitsukoshi Department Store, the Wako Building with a Clock Tower, and the semicircular San’ai building.

Ginza is also a well-known theatre centre. There are several theatres here, including the “kabuki theatre” or “Ginza nogakudo biru,” which features traditional performances of “no” and “kyogen” theatre. You can also visit the Art Museum, the National Museum of Modern Art, the Mitsuo Aida Museum, and the National Center for Film.

In Ginza, the Buddhist temple of Tsukiji Hongwanji, built in the Hindu style in 1931, is also worth visiting. 2011, the temple was registered as Japan’s essential material and cultural asset. The Tsukiji Hingwanji temple website has more information.

We visited Ginza to see the famous fish market located in Tsukiji Market.

Ginza – Tsukiji Fish Market

Tsukiji Fish Market is the “Central Tokyo Wholesale Town Market,” the largest fish market in the world and one of the largest wholesale food markets. Here, you can buy all kinds of fish and seafood—from sardines, mussels, and octopus to more than 300 kilos of tuna.

The Tsukiji market was founded in 1923, and everything indicates it will soon disappear. When we visited it in April 2017, official communications said the market would only function for a few months. The original date for closing and moving the market to the island of Toyosu was November 2016. However, this date was postponed until autumn 2018 due to the high opposition of sellers and the government.

At the Tsukiji market, there is a large wholesale tuna auction every day, visited by the chefs of the best and most well-known restaurants. About 2,000 tons of fish and seafood are sold here daily, and the number of officially registered employees is about 65 thousand. Morning bustle, scooters and truck journeys with goods, numerous sellers and buyers, small stalls and numerous shops have made this place a significant district tourist attraction in recent years. The constantly growing number of visitors surprised the city authorities and the sellers because no one expected the old market infrastructure could attract tourists’ interest.

Tsukiji market is divided into an internal part (where, among other things, morning tuna auctions are held) and an outside part, where retail sales take place and several small bars are located.

Tuna auctions

Wholesale tuna auctions are open to visitors, but admission is minimal, making it difficult to get there. Every day, only 120 people can enter the auction. Those willing to take part in the auction as observers must complete the application form available at the office of the “Osakana Fukyu Center” (Fish Information Center) located at the Kachidoki market gate. Applications are accepted starting at 5:00 in the morning, and entries are granted on a first-come, first-served basis. The first group (maximum 60 people) enters the auction between 5.25 a.m. and 5.50 a.m. and the second group between 5.50 a.m. and 6.15 a.m.

A crowd of volunteers stands in the queue in the early morning hours. As a rule, the number of people willing to enter exceeds the number of places allocated. Tourists visiting the auction must strictly follow the rules. The auction can be viewed only from a designated place, you can’t use the flash when taking pictures, you can’t bring backpacks or large bags, and you must not touch anything or behave loudly.

After viewing the tuna auction, visitors must leave the wholesale section of the market. For tourists, it is open again only after 10:00 a.m. because the morning traffic, sales, trade negotiations, and the delivery of goods can’t be disturbed by crowds of onlookers roaming the hall.

The outdoor market is open from early morning (5:00 a.m.) to early afternoon. This market is worth visiting! The busy morning atmosphere, crowd of sellers and buyers, morning scents of seafood and fish, and fried and baked dishes are unforgettable memories and the real “taste” and pulse of city life.

For more information, please visit the Tsukiji External Market page.

Tokyo Toyosu Fishmarket

Edit 08.2019. Please note that the Tsukiji Fish Market was closed in 2018, and a new fish market has been opened at Toyosu Fishmarket. For more information about opening hours, wholesale trades, and how to get there, you can find the Toyosu fish market website.

Odaiba

Take the Yamanote subway line from Tokyo Station to Shimbashi Station, then the Yurikamome train to Daiba Station. The whole journey takes about 25 minutes.

The Yurikamome train is a modern, automatic train that connects the Shimbashi station with all the attractions on the island of Odaiba and the Toyosu station of the Yurakucho line. Trains depart every few minutes; a one-way trip costs 320 yen (about 2,8$). If you take a round trip or use it more than once in one day, it is worth buying a 1-day ticket for 820 yen (about 7,3 $). On the Yurikamome train, you can’t use JR Japan Railway Passcards. The train goes through the “Rainbow Bridge“, and the views of the modern district are breathtaking.

Odaiba is a large artificial island built in the Gulf of Tokyo in 1853. Its original assumption was to execute defensive functions, but in the last years of the twentieth century, it was strongly developed, mainly as a seaport. Since the early 90s of the previous century, it has primarily been a residential, entertainment and commercial function.

It is worth planning the whole day there and thinking about what you want to see and where you want to get off the train, as the number of attractions and places worth visiting is impressive. We spent the whole day here but could see only a tiny part of what Odaiba has to offer.

What to see, where to get off the train?

Odaiba – a rainbow bridge and a view of the bay

Daiba Station: Get off here for a spectacular view of Tokyo Bay, the Tokyo Waterfront, Tokyo City, the Statue of Liberty, and the hanging Rainbow Bridge. There are several viewpoints and a walking path (1.5 km—25 min).

The Rainbow Bridge can be crossed by Yurikamome train, car, or on foot. Its construction began in 1987 and lasted for 6 years. The bridge is almost 800 meters long and 49 meters wide, and it has two levels and three transport lines. Two pylons that support the bridge are painted white to harmonize with views of Tokyo Bay and the island of Odaiba.

During the night, lighting is fully powered by the energy collected by solar panels during the day. Its official name is “Shuto Expressway No. 11 Daiba Route – Port of Tokyo Connector Bridge”, but city residents chose “Rainbow Bridge“- and this name functions in colloquial language. There are two separate pedestrian routes: on the north and the south side. The north side offers views of the harbour area and the Tokyo Tower, and from the south, you can admire Tokyo Bay and Mount Fuji if there is good weather.

You can use pedestrian paths only at certain times: in summer between 9.00 a.m. and 9.00 p.m., in winter between 10.00 a.m. and 6.00 p.m. Pedestrians are not allowed to cycle on footpaths. You can find more on the Rainbow Bridge website.

Observatory in the Fuji TV building

At about 5-10 minutes’ walking distance from the Daiba station, you can get to the headquarters of the private TV station, Fuji Television, which is open to visitors. The Fuji television network is the leading station in Japan. It is the flagship TV station of Fuji News Network (FNN) and Fuji Network System (FNS). Fuji TV sponsors the Formula One Japanese Grand Prix and is the only media patron of the Formula 1 Grand Prix in the world.

The Fuji TV building offers a spectacular view from the observation deck on the 25th floor. An observatory in the shape of a ball provides views of the island and Tokyo Bay in the 270-degree range.

The building also has stores with souvenirs of characters created by the station and film studios. You can also meet TV stars and get their autographs.

The observatory is open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (on weekends until 10 p.m.) and is closed on Mondays. An admission ticket of 550 yen (about 5 $) can be bought at the ticket office in front of the entrance to the interior of the building. More information can be found on the Fuji TV website.

Ferris Wheel

The Devil’s Mill, or “Giant Sky Wheel”, is a place you must visit on the island. To get here, get off the train at the Aomi stop. The full carousel round trip takes 16 minutes. You can ride a trolley with a glassy floor (there are only four such trolleys). The circle of the Ferris wheel is 115 meters high and 100 meters wide, and the trolleys are shaped like small cups. You can see the Tokyo Tower and Mount Fuji when the weather is nice. During your ride, you can take beautiful photos because the glass of each car is carefully wiped before each subsequent lap. Employees operating the queue take great care not only about visual values but also about the safety of travellers because getting in and out of the trolley is done without stopping the wheel.

The wheel is open daily from 10.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m. (on weekends until 10.40 p.m.). The entrance ticket costs 1000 yen (about 9,5$), and entrance is for people over the age of 4 years.

Edit 2022

After over twenty years, the iconic Ferris wheel in Odaiba, Tokyo Bay’s popular commercial district, ceased operations on August 31, 2022.

Mega Web – a theme park of Toyota (closed for good)

Mega Web is a Toyota theme park. An ideal place for car enthusiasts and technical innovations. There are three main exhibitions in the park:

• Toyota City Showcase

An exhibition of the company’s latest technical achievements, including cars designed to transport disabled people. The main attraction of this place is the MEGA Theater, a 4D cinema room. The film screening takes about 20 minutes, and access to the room is every half hour. To enter the cinema, you have to be a min. 120 cm tall because, after entering the room, you sit on specially profiled seats attached to mobile platforms. You must fasten your seatbelts and hold tight because we turn into rally drivers during the movie.

The platforms we sit on begin to move, hang in the air, and experience the same overloads and shocks as a rally driver. We feel a breeze on our faces as we rush through the desert or drops of water as we cross the riverbed. Fun, excitement, and impressions—first class! Free entrance.

• History Garage

The garage presents Toyota’s historical car models from 1950 to 1970 worldwide.

• Ride Studio

Both children and adults can rent a car here and ride it with observance of the rules of the road. It is a form of entertainment and education. Cars are available for children from the age of three. You can also arrange car tests and drive on a specially prepared track, but this option is only available to holders of a Japanese driving license. The cost of travelling is 300 yen (about 2,6$).

The Mega Web facilities also have a bar, cafeteria and souvenir shops.

Edit 2022

In September 2021, it was announced that Odaiba Oedo Onsen Monogatari would close. The Odaiba district’s Palette Town entertainment complex (which opened in 1999) has begun a sequential shutdown before the redevelopment of the land it sits on. Among the buildings on the closure list was the Mega Web, a Toyota theme park.

December 31, 2021, was the last day for the History Garage. They have all been closed for good regarding car-focused book and memorabilia shops, cafes, test-drive courses, go-kart tracks, and working restoration mechanic shops.

Venus Fort

It’s a big shopping centre with over 100 stores, boutiques, cafes, and restaurants, including an Outlet on the top floor. The shopping centre was built in the style of an eighteenth-century town in Western Europe. It is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (restaurants until 11 p.m.).

Edit 2022

March 27,  2022, was the last day, now shut forever.

Odaiba – Other Attractions

On the island of Odaiba, there are several large shopping centres, the Nautical Maritime Museum in Tokyo, the Musashino University campus and one of the world’s largest hospitals specializing in cancer treatment, “The Cancer Institute Hospital”. The island also has numerous halls, sports facilities, and the largest exhibition centre in Japan – “Tokyo Big Sight“. All buildings on the island are surrounded by a large park, connected by numerous walking and cycling paths. When there is nice weather, it is a perfect place for a walk, and during the spring and summer months, countless festivals, concerts and outdoor events occur. On the day we visited the island (end of April), we saw three significant mass events, including the Octoberfest summer festival!

Shinagawa

Shinagawa is one of the 23 districts of Tokyo. The railway station with the same name is one of the busiest stations in the city. JR Higashi Nihon trains, JR Tokai trains, high-speed Shinkansen trains, city lines and private railway – Keihin Kyuko stops here. You can get to two international airports in Tokyo from Shinagawa station: Narita and Haneda.

A convenient and extensive communication node has made this district popular for embassies and large international corporations to establish seats. There are offices of such companies as Sony, Microsoft, and Siemens AG, as well as Japanese offices: Isuzu (one of the oldest Japanese car manufacturers) and JTB Corporation (the largest travel agency in Japan and one of the largest in the world). It is a dynamically developing office and residential district, part of the Tokyo Bay development.

During the Edo period, Shinagawa was the first tourist stop from Tokyo (Edo) to Kyoto. They could rent a room for a night, wash their bodies, and eat. There are several large hotels, many restaurants, and an Aquapark.

Sengakuji Temple

Sengakuji is a Buddhist temple far from the city centre but permanently inscribed in its history. The temple was founded in 1612 by Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun from Edo. Its first location was the area around Edo Castle. Unfortunately, 30 years after its creation, it was destroyed in a fire. During reconstruction, its location was changed to where it is today.

Sengakuji has consistently been recognized as a prestigious institution that educates Buddhist monks. Since its foundation, monks from Japan have come here to deepen their practice and learning, a custom that has survived to this day. Young monks will still visit this temple during their internships and university studies.

In front of the main temple building is the Sawaki Kōdō Roshi statue, honouring one of the most important teachers of Japanese Zen Buddhism of the twentieth century. In the 1930s, he began working as a professor at Komazawa University while travelling around the country with Zen teachings. He devoted himself so much to his work that he was called “Homeless Kodo” because he rarely stayed in his home.

Sengakuiji –Ako story

This is probably the most famous story in Japanese history. It touches on tradition, honour, and revenge. The “incident from Ako” took place between 1701 and 1703.

Asano Takuminokami was a feudal lord of Ako, appointed by the shogunate to receive imperial envoys travelling from Kyoto to Edo at Edo Castle. Asano was supposed to get tips and advice on the label from Edo’s official clerk, Kira Kozukenosuke. Unfortunately, Kira does not like Asano and treats him with no respect, which a samurai deserves. Provoked by Kira’s naughty behaviour, Asano drew his sword and wounded Kira, but he did not kill him.

Asano’s attack was immediately noticed. According to the prevailing code, using a sword in Edo Castle was strictly forbidden, so Asano was placed in custody. At that time, another law was in force, stating that all persons participating in the fight/skirmish/quarrel should be punished similarly. It turned out, however, that Kira was not even arrested, while Asano was sentenced to death by seppuku (hara-kiri). The sentence was ordered to be executed immediately.

Asano was forced to seppuku on the same day that the sentence was ordered, without being able to defend himself. Additionally, seppuku was to be done in the gardens of the residence of one of the lords, while death in the garden was a disgrace for the samurai. So, Asano was humiliated once again. Also, he was ordered to confiscate his entire estate, and his family, servants and samurai working for him were expelled from Ako.

Sengakuji – 47 Ronin

The faithful samurai of Asano could not come to terms with their master’s shameful death for a long time. Being a Ronin (samurai without a master), they planned revenge for almost two years. Under the command of Oishi Kuranosuke, the 47 Ronin organized an ambush to kill Kira. At the time, revenge was in line with the bushido principles (the old samurai code), but the law required the intention to be reported to the victim. Unfortunately, this did not happen because, in this case, revenge was officially banned by the ruling shogun. The 47 Ronin, therefore, knew that their actions were illegal and could be punished by the death penalty.

On December 14^th, 1702, they attacked and killed Kira in his residence. Then, they marched to Sengakuji to lay Kira’s head on Asano’s grave and submit to the appropriate punishment.

Judging 47 Ronin, Shogun had a massive problem making a final decision. On one side, he knew they had executed private justice and taken revenge, which the ruling shogun forbade. On the other side, they followed the “old samurai code”, which greatly impressed the shogun. He was impressed by Ronin’s fidelity and loyalty to the dead lord, so it was not easy to decide on the proper punishment.

The verdict was passed in February 1703. All of the Ronin involved in the attack on Kira were sentenced to death. However, the Shogun let the ex-samurai die with honour worthy of their position, so the sentence was to be carried out through ritual seppuku. The ceremony took place on February 4th, and they were all buried in a small cemetery next to the Asano grave in the Sengakuji temple.

47 Ronin in the hearts of the Japanese

Those events, which occurred over 300 years ago, still inflame the hearts of the Japanese. Every year, on December 14^th (the anniversary of the attack on Kira), crowds of faithful come to the temple to pray on the Ronin’s tombs. Every day, incense sticks burn there.

The history of “47 Ronin” is now part of the Japanese cultural identity. This story was exhibited on the stage of the Kabuki theatre, in the puppet theatre—bunraku—played at the opera, and finally, several times, filmed. In Japan, this story has had six film productions.

The Sengakuji Temple is open every day from April to September from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and from October to March from 7 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. Entrance is free.

A small museum on the temple grounds is also devoted to “events from Ako.” In the museum, you can see an animated movie (about 10 minutes long) telling the whole story. There are also documents, swords, armour, and other souvenirs related to the Ronin. On the way to the cemetery, walking along the stone steps, you will pass a small building with colourful statues of all 47 Ronin on the right. It is worth seeing.

The entrance fee is 500 yen (4,5$).

The temple can be reached from the Sengakuji station, by the Toei Asakusa subway line (about 5 minutes on foot). You can also walk from the Shinagawa or Tamachi station, where the JR Yamanote railway arrives. Walk for about 15-20 minutes.

More information about the temple can be found on the Sengakuji website.

Yokohama – a port city and a modern metropolis

Yokohama is the second largest city in Japan after Tokyo. There are more than 3 million inhabitants. You can get to Yokohama from Tokyo by train, travel max. 30 minutes (from Yokohama station, Minato Mirai line). It’s a perfect place for a day trip to explore the city thoroughly. We came here only for about 3 hours, returning from a 1-day trip to Kamakura. As our visit was short, we focused only on two places: the Chinese Quarter, the largest in Japan and one of the largest in the world, and the harbour port “Minato Minari“, also called “the harbour of the future”.

During the reign of the Tokugawa shogunate, Yokohama was a small fishing village. The city’s rapid development occurred only in 1859 when the first port was built and opened for trade with foreign countries. Yokohama quickly became a thriving and dynamically developing city. Today, it is famous among ex-pats due to its leisurely atmosphere. The former port area has been modernized, opening its space for residents and tourists. There are many parks in the city today, with many concerts and festivals in the open air.

Yokohama – Chinese Quarter

The history of this place dates back to 1859, exactly when the port was opened in the city.

In the Chinese Quarter, several intersecting streets are filled with numerous stalls, shops, restaurants, bars, and trinkets that are more or less Chinese. The charm of this place is provided by multiple red lanterns hanging over the heads of passers-by, large, richly decorated gates, paper dragons, decorations sprinkled with gold coins, and a few Chinese temples.

At almost every step, you can see gold ornaments or figurines of cocks, carp or pigs. In this district, it is easy to get lost. For people visiting this place for the first time, all places seem to look the same, so it is difficult to find a way out, i.e. towards the port. The Chinese New Year celebrations are held here, and they attract crowds.

While in Yokohama, it is worth visiting the Chinese Quarter to experience its atmosphere, the heartbeat of life, and the smells.

Minato Mirai 21

The Minato Mirai district is the area of old docks on the bay. This area has undergone a thorough modernization in recent years, attracting many people who want to spend time outdoors. This district has modern buildings, entertainment parks, restaurants, and shopping centres.

Characteristic of this place is:

• Landmark Tower (296 m), which was the tallest building in Japan in 2014
• International Passenger Terminal with over 400-meter passage for walkers
• Sail Training Ship “NIPPON MARU” was used for many years as a training ship for cadets. Built-in 1930. In 1985, it was opened to the public
• Museum of Instant Pasta “Ramen” – with an interactive exhibition presenting the history of pasta
• “Cosmo World” the amusement park – with the grand Ferris wheel “Cosmo Clock 21“
• The port has a luxury ocean liner, Hikawa Maru, open to visitors today. Launched in the 1930s, the Hikawa Maru had a reputation for service that combined splendid food and beautiful art deco interiors. In 1932, Charlie Chaplin travelled on the liner for part of his round-the-world tour.

Garden Necklace, YOKOHAMA 2017

When we visited Yokohama, the 33rd National Green Space Fair was held. The fair started on March 25th and ended on June 4th, 2017. The city was filled with a million flowers, turning its space into one big green garden. The Yokohama Fair was held under the slogan “Yokohama—the city of history and the future.” More information about this project can be read directly on the City of Yokohama website.

How do I summarize my visit to Tokyo?

How do I summarize my visit to Tokyo? Is it possible? I believe visiting Tokyo is a must for anyone who wants to find the answer to the following question: “What is real Japan like? “

I can say that you have to get to know Tokyo to understand Japanese. How do you do it?

• You should see modern Tokyo first, to be able to admire the beautiful and traditional Kyoto, Nikko or Kamakura
• You have to travel by train during rush hours to understand what it means to “travel in a crowd”
• For breakfast, eat soup with chopsticks, buy a “bento” box for lunch and eat it while sitting on a bench in the park
• You have to try green tea from a coin machine and love the taste of non-sugared drinks
• Spend the night in a hotel room the size of a traffic kiosk and use the toilet connected to electricity, with an electronic panel in Japanese and music imitating the sound of water
• In the evening, you have to visit colourful and illuminated Akihabara and try to go several times through the intersection of Shibuya
• Try to get lost in the undergrounds of Tokyo station and find out where there is a way out to your hotel (good luck!)
• Learn how to sleep on the train, preferably standing
• Try to communicate in English, which most people do not understand
• Spend one afternoon in the park and admire a view of blooming cherry trees
• Contemplate peace and harmony in a typical Japanese garden
• Visit a few temples and try to get to know their history
• Watch the kabuki theatre spectacle to get to know the cultural heritage of the Japanese
• You also must ride the high-speed Shinkansen train to love modernity and the high comfort of travel.

Tokyo will stay forever in my heart

How many historical relics we can see is not essential, and we do not have to visit all objects described on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. We must get to know the different faces of this city, its dynamic pace of life, and changing landscapes. Let us pay attention to the combination and constant merging of tradition with modernity expressed not only in architecture, culture or technology but also in Japanese clothing and the manner of their preservation.

Tokyo is highly diverse. At the beginning of this post, I wrote that Tokyo is extensive, made of glass, crowded, loud, colourful, and overpopulated. Now I need to add more words: Tokyo is a wonderful, surprising, dynamic and thriving city with many faces. This is an extraordinary place; there is no such place in Japan. This city is different from the rest of the country, and it makes that its energy delights you, absorbs, pulls you in and does not let you forget about yourself.

The experiences brought from Tokyo will remain in my heart and memory. I hope I will come back here again soon!

So far, my other posts about Japan

• Japan – how to organise the trip on your own
• Japan – tailor-made travel plan
• my own gallery of Japan photos

TRIPS:

• Himeji – White Egret Castle
• Kamakura – the seat of the first Shogun
• Kanazawa – Kenrokuen Garden and Castle
• Kyoto and Kansai region
• Matsumoto city overshadowed by the Castle
• Mount Fuji – the most popular icon in Japan
• Nagano Prefecture – The Roof of Japan
• Nara -Japan’s first permanent capital
• Nikko – the light of the sun

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