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SHRINES & TEMPLES
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DAIBUTSU in Kamakura Day Trip
The giant Buddha in Kamakura not only makes for spectacular pix, you can go inside!
• Classic Japan photo op • Biggest bronze Buddha figure in the country • You can go inside the hollow statue and see how it was made
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FUKUGAWA FUDO TEMPLE
The place to see red-hot fire ceremonies, with taiko drumming
Fire ceremonies with drums, five times a day • Hall of 10,000 crystal figures of Fudo-san • Room with 108 glow-in-the-dark paintings of gods • Dragon fountain that grants wishes written on dissolving amulets • Giant wooden Fudo figure
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GOTOKUJI TEMPLE
Home of the lucky cat temple
Hundreds of figures at the lucky cat shrine on the temple grounds • Beautiful wooden pagoda • Excellent plum blossoms (Feb) and autumn leaves (mid-late Nov)
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HASEDERA TEMPLE in Kamakura Day Trip
Famous golden statue, thousands of Jizo figures, and an underground grotto…all set amid an amazing hydrangea garden
Spectacular thirty-foot-tall Kannon figure • Candle-lit underground grotto filled with tiny shrines • Giant prayer wheel • Buddha’s footprints • Incredible hydrangea garden (June)
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HOKOKU-JI BAMBOO TEMPLE in Kamakura Day Trip
This temple has a magnificent forest of giant bamboo and extensive walking paths through the cool & shady grounds
Paths take you through bamboo forest and area of lush greenery, studded with caves • Nice teahouse where you can have a bowl of mattcha (tea ceremony-style green tea) and traditional sweets
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IKEGAMI HONMONJI TEMPLE
Gorgeous red pagoda, and home of the festival of 10,000 lanterns
Famous monk Nichiren’s final home before he died • Spectacular Oeshiki parade (Festival of 10,000 Lanterns) in October • Splendid five story pagoda
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IMADO SHRINE
A lucky cat temple devoted to matchmaking
Come here to wish for the ideal mate • Shrine shop sells adorable cat merchandise
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KAMAKURA-GU (dish-breaking shrine) in Kamakura
Break a dish to wish evil people out of your life
Dish-breaking shrine • Buy a dragon clapper to expel bad luck and invite good luck • Healing Jizo figure banishes aches & pains
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KANDA MYŌJIN SHRINE
Where anime and manga artists come to pray for success
Amazing art drawn on prayer plaques by visitors • Beautiful red and gold shrine buildings • You can buy a charm to protect your electronics • Weddings and ceremonies galore
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MEIJI SHRINE
This is my favorite place to see weddings, people in gorgeous kimonos and period costume.
Most reliable place to see weddings • Festivals • People wearing kimonos • Cedar buildings built without nails • If we’re lucky, a real live tanuki sighting!
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NANZO-IN TEMPLE
The Temple of the Tied-up Saint has a great story behind it
Tie your own rope around the Shibarare Jizo figure • This figure is famous for helping people get out of tight situations • Great story behind the statue • Lovely grounds with appealing animal sculptures
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NEZU SHRINE
Beautiful red & gold shrine with a tunnel of orange torii gates you can walk through
Torii gate tunnel • Beautiful red & gold buildings • Must-see azalea festival (Apr) • Fine fall leaves (Nov) • Excellent surrounding neighborhood with traditional shops
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NISHIARAI-DAISHI TEMPLE
One stop shop for garden strolling and wart curing
Famous peony gardens bloom in April • Wart-curing Jizo figure
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RAKUGO SHRINE
The place where 53 comic stories were buried
Memorial marking where 53 stories that were too irreverent to be performed during wartime were buried • Cute red shrine • Near the always-entertaining Kappabashi Street
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SASUKE INARI SHRINE in Kamakura
The fox shrine to end all fox shrines
Enter through a gorgeous tunnel of orange torii gates • Mysterious little moss-covered fox “villages” line a footpath that wends its way up a shady mountainside
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SENGAKU-JI TEMPLE
Truth is stranger than fiction – the actual burial place of the 47 ronin!
Graves of the 47 ronin • Their signed confession • The well where they washed Lord Kira’s severed head • Statue portaits of the 47 ronin
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SENSO-JI TEMPLE
The biggest, most famous, Buddhist temple in Tokyo
Giant Buddhist temple (Senso-ji) • Famous gate with huge lantern • Popular shopping street lined with shops selling traditional goods • Five-story pagoda • Great place to see festivals & weddings • Theatrically lit up at night
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TSURUGAOKA HACHIMAN-GU SHRINE in Kamakura
A magnificent red & gold shrine, built by the shogun when Kamakura was the capitol of Japan
Red & white lotus ponds represent the two warring families who were united under the shogun • Excellent traditional events & festivals
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YASUKUNI SHRINE
Famous Imperial shrine does everything in grand style
Impressive Imperial shrine that hosts many lively festivals throughout the year • Extensive WWII museum • Japanese garden with koi pond • Sumo amphitheatre where amateur events take place • Controversial because the souls of all Japanese war dead are enshrined here
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YUSHIMA SHRINE
A gorgeous shrine, seldom visited by tourists
Jewel-like example of a cedar wood and gold shrine • Plum blossom festival in February • Musical water garden
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ZENI-ARAI BENTEN SHRINE in Kamakura
Wash your money in this grotto-like shrine to double it within the year
Enter through a tunnel cut through the surrounding cliffs • Shrine is set in a grotto with beautiful waterfalls • Wash your money in the stream running through the shrine’s cave, and pray for it to double within the year
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ZOJO-JI TEMPLE
Stately temple favored by the shoguns
Thousands of Jizo figures with colorful pinwheels • Seven Tokugawa shōguns are buried here • Holiday ceremonies with Japanese celebrities
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GARDENS
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ARISUGAWA PARK
A delightful undiscovered park in a part of town more known for its nightlife and swanky living
A wonderful place to stroll before eating, drinking & clubbing in Roppongi, Nakameguro or Ebisu • Lovely and uncrowded in every season • Especially good in mid-late Feb (plum blossoms) & mid-late Nov (autumn leaves)
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DENPO-IN SECRET GARDEN at Senso-ji Temple
Open only a few times a year, this secret garden in the middle of Senso-ji temple in Asakusa is usually reserved for priestly meditation
Amazing view of the Senso-ji pagoda, reflected in two different pools • Open during cherry blossom season for viewing the two famous weeping cherry trees • Entry is through a museum featuring rare giant prayer plaques • Especially good in late-Mar to early Apr (cherry blossoms), late-Apr to early-May (wisteria) & mid-late Nov (autumn leaves)
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HAMA-RIKYU TEIEN GARDEN
A grand garden with something for everyone
Sweeping vistas and a large pond with several bridges make for dramatic landscapes • A favorite spot for wedding photos • Especially good in mid-late Feb (plum blossoms), late-Mar to early Apr (cherry blossoms), late-Apr to early-May (wisteria & peonies), mid-late Sep (cosmos) & mid-late Nov (autumn leaves)
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JINDAI BOTANICAL GARDENS
Amazing flower displays in every season
A must-see in azalea season • Spacious and not crowded • Beautiful forest stream walk with steppingstone bridges • Famous for plum blossoms (Feb), cherry blossoms (Mar-Apr), azaleas (Apr), wisteria (May), chrysanthemums (Nov)
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KIYOSUMI TEIEN GARDEN
My go-to garden for soul-restoring serenity
Cool, green and uncrowded in every season • Beautiful Japanese garden-style views around every turn • Stroll around gorgeous lake with awesome steppingstones • Especially good in iris season
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KORAKU-EN GARDEN
In this beautiful garden, you’ll forget you’re in the middle of the world’s largest city
Lots of bridges and ponds • Walk through many styles of gardens, each more beautiful than the last • Especially good in mid-late Feb (plum blossoms), late-Mar to early Apr (cherry blossoms), late-Apr to early-May (wisteria & peonies), late Sep (native red amaryllis), mid-late Nov (autumn leaves) & if it snows
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KYU-SHIBA-RIKYU GARDEN
This formal stroll garden is a secret surprise amid the skyscrapers of Shimbashi
Large pond reflects meticulously pruned pine trees • Late-blooming double cherries reach their peak along with the azaleas, giving late-April visitors an extra treat • This garden is so undiscovered, you will probably have the place to yourself • Especially good in early-mid Apr (cherry blossoms), mid-late Apr (azaleas), late-Apr to early-May (wisteria & peonies), late Sep (native red amaryllis), mid-late Nov (autumn leaves) & if it snows
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MUKOJIMA HYAKKA-EN BOTANICAL GARDEN
This is not an especially scenic garden but it’s full of fascinating Japanese specimens you won’t see anywhere else.
Bush clover tunnel is well worth seeing in late September – early October • Plants mentioned in haiku and literature are well represented • Has some really strange plants you won’t see anywhere else
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NAI-EN GARDEN at the Meiji shrine
The Emperor and Empress Meiji’s garden, beautiful any time of year
Famous iris gardens • I saw a live tanuki (raccoon dog) here in May!
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NI-NO-MARU IMPERIAL GARDEN
This tiny gem is inside the Imperial Palace moat, and most people don’t realize it’s one of the most incredible places to see azaleas in all of Japan
Features blooming cherries, wisteria, and iris, but it’s the azaleas that will take your breath away • This small garden is more beautiful than the Imperial Palace East Garden, and a shorter walk from the entrance • Especially good in late-Mar to early-Apr (cherry blossoms), mid-late Apr (azaleas), late-Apr to early-May (wisteria & peonies), & mid-late Nov (autumn leaves)
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NISHIARAI-DAISHI TEMPLE GARDENS
Two famous peony gardens: the tree peonies bloom from mid-late April, and the fragrant herbacious peonies bloom from late-April to mid-May • There are also several small strolling gardens with nice bridges & waterfalls
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OKURAYAMA PARK
Famous for plum blossoms in mid-late February • Well worth the trip!
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RIKUGI-EN GARDEN
17th century garden designed around 88 views from famous poems.
Large pond • Teahouse • Open at night and lit up during cherry blossom and autumn leaf seasons • Stand selling miso dango in autumn and winter • Especially good in late-Mar to early Apr (cherry blossoms), mid-late Apr (azaleas), late-Apr to early-May (wisteria & peonies), late Sep (native red amaryllis), mid-late Nov (autumn leaves) & if it snows
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SANKEI-EN GARDEN in Yokohama
Magnificent stroll garden with a mix of natural areas and interesting historical buildings
Meandering paths with lots of bridges • Thatch-roofed farmhouse you can go inside • Pagoda and teahouses galore • Lots of great birds, including kingfishers and herons • Special early opening hours for lotus season • In Yokohama, an hour outside Tokyo
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SHINJUKU GYŌ-EN NATIONAL GARDEN
A stunning garden, right in the heart of Tokyo
The best, most, and longest-blooming cherry trees in town • Killer chrysanthemum exhibits in November • Flowers blooming year-round • Beautiful in any season
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SHOWA-KINEN PARK
Less than forty minutes by train from Shinjuku Station, this huge park has it all, and is amazing in every season
Promenade of gingko trees with a beautiful fountain • Lovely Japanese garden • Excellent playgrounds for kids • Giant lawns for picknicking & large dedicated BBQ area • Miles of bike trails • Boats • Especially good mid-late Feb (plum blossoms), late-Mar to early Apr (cherry blossoms), mid-late Apr (azaleas), mid-Sep to mid-Oct (cosmos) & mid-late Nov (autumn leaves)
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SEASONAL FLOWER EXTRAVAGANZAS
Cherry blossom time isn’t the only great time to see flowers in Tokyo. To find out what’s blooming every month of the year and where, check out the seasonal wow page
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MUSEUMS
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EBISU BEER MUSEUM
Satisfy your thirst for beer knowledge, then learn how to pour a perfect beer and sample Ebisu’s wares.
Open: Six days a week, closed on Mondays, on the day after national holidays, and from December 29 – January 3. Open on other holidays.
Hours: 11:00 – 19:00 (Last entry 18:30)
Admission: Free
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EDO-TOKYO MUSEUM
My favorite museum in Tokyo
Totally interesting exhibits about everyday life in Japan • Half is samurai era, half is after Japan opened to the West • Insanely detailed models you could look at for hours • Life-sized rooms so you can imagine living in bygone eras
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EXPLORASCIENCE MUSEUM
Home of the infamous and endlessly entertaining Smile Fight, the Sony Explorascience Museum is small, but has really fun stuff to play with. Highlights include a “city” of sounds you can walk through, a 3D theatre (beautiful, although the productions are in Japanese only) and fun, interactive, light illusions.
Open: Every day except closed on 2nd and 4th Tuesday, on the day after national holidays, and from December 29 – January 3. Open on other holidays.
Hours: 11:00 – 19:00 (Last entrance 18:30)
Admission: Adult: ¥500, Children (3-15): ¥300
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FUKAGAWA-EDO MUSEUM
Walk around inside a beautifully recreated samurai-era village
Life-sized furnished rooms you can go inside • English-speaking volunteers can answer questions about daily life in Edo-era Japan
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HISTORY GARAGE at Toyota Megaweb
Crazy vintage car collection displayed in a historical town setting
Wander among this extensive collection of fast, old, rare & famous cars (both international and Japanese) • Race cars • Famous vintage cars • Movie cars (like the Back to the Future DeLorean)
Open: Every day, 11:00 – 21:00
Admission: Free
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KUSAMA MUSEUM
Ogle the famous pumpkins
Rotating display of Yayoi Kusama’s works • Light-up display of the famous pumpkins • Choice selection of paintings & sculpture • Selfie opportunity with iridescent pumpkin
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MIRAIKAN (National Museum of Emerging Science & Innovation)
Excellent interactive special exhibitions for kids & adults
Special exhibits are always worth seeing • Interactive robots • Permanent hands-on exhibits demonstrate how the internet works, crime lab science, nanotechnology, space science and more
Check their current and future offerings here.
Open: 6 days a week, closed on Tuesdays, on the day after national holidays, and from December 29 – January 3. Open on other holidays.
Hours: 10:00 – 17:00 (Last entry 16:30)
Admission: Adults: ¥620, Children: (18 & younger): ¥210, (plus there may be extra charges for special exhibits)
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MORI ART MUSEUM
Showcasing modern artists and designers who have interesting (and sometimes controversial) messages
Exhibits often explore the blurred lines between art and design and fashion • Exhibition schedule here
Open: Seven days a week, (closes early on Tuesdays), on the day after national holidays, during exhibition installation, and from December 29 – January 3. Open on other holidays.
Hours: 10:00 – 22:00 (Last entry 21:30), Tuesdays: 10:00 – 17:00 (Last entry 16:30)
Admission: Adults: ¥1500, High school & college students: ¥1000, Children (4 – Middle school): ¥500
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NEZU MUSEUM
Choice exhibits of traditional Japanese art surrounded by a nice garden
Nicely curated special exhibitions of traditional Japanese art & craft • Famous painted iris screen and iris garden exhibition (May) • Garden is lovely all year round
Check their website for current and upcoming exhibit information.
Open: Six days a week, closed on Mondays, on the day after national holidays, during exhibition installation, and from December 29 – January 3. Open on other holidays.
Hours: 10:00 – 17:00 (Last entry 16:30)
Admission: Adults: ¥1000, Students: ¥800 (plus extra fee for some special exhibitions)
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NIHON MINKA-EN THATCH-ROOFED HOUSES
This park of restored thatch-roofed houses is an outdoor historical museum, just a short train ride from central Tokyo
23 thatch-roofed houses • You can go inside • Visitor center showing how they are made • In a beautiful park
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SENGAKUJI TEMPLE MUSEUM
The museum at Sengakuji Temple – where the real 47 ronin are buried – not only has carved portraits of each warrior, it also has the actual signed confession and the receipt for Lord Kira’s head! Right outside the museum, you can light incense for the 47 ronin in the graveyard where they are buried, and see the well where they washed Lord Kira’s severed head.
Open: Every day
Hours: 9:00 – 16:30 (From Oct-Mar it’s open until 16:00)
Admission: ¥500
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SHITAMACHI MUSEUM (UENO)
Walk through a life-sized model of a Meiji-era Town
Shops and houses perfectly propped with vintage objects • Upstairs exhibits showcase memorabilia from bygone Japan and wartime life
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TOBACCO & SALT MUSEUM
Surprisingly entertaining museum devoted to tobacco and salt
Life-sized salt statues & chandeliers made of salt crystals • Hilarious pipe collection • Excellent models depicting manufacturing of salt throughout Japanese history • Cigarette packages through the ages
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ONLY-IN-JAPAN EXPERIENCES
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BORDERLESS (TeamLab Digital Museum)
An astounding, immersive experience that you can’t experience anywhere else in the world
Animated, constantly-morphing, 360° projection-mapping world • Interactivertworks that wander from room to room • Room filled with resonating lanterns • Crystal Universe LED environment • En Tea Room
Address: Odaiba Palette Town, 1-3-8 Aomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Open: Every day, including holidays, closed on 2nd and 4th Tuesdays
Hours: 10:00 – 19:00; Weekends and holidays 10:00 – 21:00; Last admission is one hour before closing
Admission: Adults ¥3,200; Children (4-14) ¥1000 (under 4 are free); Disabled (with one accompanying person, must show certificate) ¥1600
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CALICO CAT CAFE
Excellent cat café
Do the famous coffee & kitty thing • Lots of different kinds
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HARRY HEDGEHOG CAFÉ
Like a cat café, only prickly
Play with the adorable hedgehog of your choice
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ICE CREAM STRANGE FLAVORS
Dare each other to eat something that will amaze/disgust your companions
Wasabi, curry, hot pepper, and more • They have delicious flavors as well as disgusting ones
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WATCH KABUKI
Experience Japan’s most iconic traditional entertainment
How to get tickets and enjoy the performance in English
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OEDO ONSEN HOT SPRINGS
An indoor hot spring theme park that’s built like a samurai-era village
Everyone wears yukata (cotton kimono) • Many different hot spring baths to try • Outdoor foot bath & hot sand bath • Game booths • Fish pedicure • Restaurants • Massage chairs
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NINJA RESTAURANT
Get served by iconic assassins in your own private dungeon
Surprisingly entertaining ninja-themed dining • High quality dungeon decor & staff costumes • Entertaining food presentation
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ROBOT RESTAURANT
Everyone should do this just once
Fembots • Laser battles • Mecha-monsters • Drum & dance performances
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TRICK ART MUSEUM
45 life-sized optical illusions you can take your picture inside
Take pictures of yourself in strange situations • Only-in-Japan scenes • Animal encounter scenes • Dangerous situation scenes • Supernatural scenes
Open: Every day
Hours: 11:00 – 21:00 (Last entry 20:30)
Admission: Adults: ¥900, Children: (4-14): ¥600, Younger children: Free
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YOYOGI PARK
The best free entertainment in Tokyo, every Sunday afternoon
Free entertainment of all kinds every Sunday afternoon • Rockabillies • Slackline • Costumed dogs • Famous for cherry blossom parties
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CULTURAL SHOPPING
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AKI-OKA ARTISAN CO-OP
Artist workshops & stores where you can buy unusual stuff made with traditional craftsmanship
Unusual handmade artist goods • Many have workshops in back where goods are made • High quality, reasonable prices
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JAPAN TRADITIONAL CRAFT CENTER
The best place to buy handmade traditional goods from all over Japan
High quality, same price as if you went to the artist • Famous crafts from every prefecture
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ORIGAMI CENTER
Origami art gallery & shop where you can buy all kinds of Japanese paper
Origami exhibits • Origami demonstrations • Paper art kits • Watch it being made on the top floor • Huge selection of origami & washi paper
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NEIGHBORHOODS
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AKIHABARA
The famous electronics district
Maid cafés • Electronics superstores • Comic book & anime stores (including fan fiction) • Handcrafted wooden keyboards • Robot & character model shops • Gundam & AKB48 Cafés • Cosplay costumes, wigs & makeup
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AOYAMA-ITCHOME
Unexpected pleasures
Ninja restaurant • Best place to see & buy traditional goods from all over Japan • Amazing promenade of gingko trees in the fall
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ASAKUSA
If you only have one day in Tokyo, this is where I’m going to take you.
Giant Buddhist temple (Senso-ji) • Asakusa Shrine (Shinto) • Rice crackers and taiyaki made while you wait • My favorite conveyor belt sushi restaurant in Tokyo
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ASAKUSABASHI
Beautiful sacred dolls
Handmade Girls’ Day doll sets • Carp banners & armor sets for Boys’ Day • Deluxe beading stores
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EBISU AREA
Lively, fun part of town, with good streets for strolling and checking out the wide selection of eateries and drinkeries
Yebisu Beer Museum • The jellyfish & shark bar • Xmas Illuminations are excellent
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GINZA AREA
The famous department store shopping district
My favorite department store food hall • 9-story stationery store • Mikimoto Pearl Museum • The best cup of coffee in the world
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HARAJUKU AREA
Where all things young, fun & fashionable meet
Best free entertainment in Tokyo every Sunday afternoon in Yoyogi Park • The most important and elegant shrine in Tokyo • Best place to see weddings and festivals • Takeshita Street has brand boutiques for Lolita, Gothic Lolita and all kinds of cosplay • Harajuku-style crepes
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IKEBUKURO AREA
Crazy experiences galore
Dare your compadres to try some really crazy ice cream flavors: wasabi, curry and eel & more • The most famous dumplings from all over Japan • Toys from another planet at the LABI electronics superstore & the Loft store • J-World comic book & anime theme park
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INARICHO AREA
A funeral goods district that’s anything but dreary.
Shinto household shrines • Buddhist altars • Heavenly incense • Buddhist rosaries • Hearses with elaborate shrines on the back
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KAMAKURA DAY TRIP
Want to get out of Tokyo for the day and see the most entertaining shrines and temples in Japan?
Great photo ops • Biggest bronze Buddha in Japan • Money Washing Shrine • The Divorce Temple • Tea at the Bamboo Temple • Ten foot tall gold-leafed figure of Kannon • Catch your own noodles
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KAMIYACHO AREA
Bring your camera or you’ll be sorry.
Tokyo Tower • Hundreds of stone Jizo figures at Zojo-ji Temple • Amazing tofu restaurant • My favorite Chinese restaurant in the world
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KAPPABASHI STREET
Don’t miss the street where they sell plastic food!
Plastic food model stores • Make your own plastic food • The flavoring store • Ultra-sharp knives • Lacquerware • Japanese cooking equipment • Random dinosaur heads
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KIYOSUMI-SHIRAKAWA AREA
An undiscovered gem of a neighborhood, where you can feel what it was like to live in a slower and gentler age
Shitamachi museum with a life-sized samurai-era town you can walk around in • Serene Japanese garden with a large lake, gorgeous steppingstones, trickling water basins & exquisite views
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KOMAGOME AREA
A 17th century garden and a neighborhood filled with shops that have been in business for generations.
Rikugi-en garden is beautiful in every season • It’s open at night and lit up during cherry blossom and fall leaf seasons • There’s a stand selling miso dango in autumn and winter • There’s a shop where you can dye your own indigo handkerchief • Old-fashioned shopping street gives you a glimpse of real Japanese life
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KORAKUEN AREA
Stroll in a 17th century Japanese garden, cheer with the world’s craziest baseball fans, or ride a roller coaster that goes straight through a Tokyo skyscraper
Koraku-en garden is my favorite garden in Tokyo, in every season • Lots of photo-worthy bridges, flowers & gorgeous views • The Yomiuri Giants play at the Tokyo Dome, but the fans are almost as fun to watch as the game • Tokyo Dome City amusement park has roller coasters, dancing fountains and excellent holiday illuminations (Nov-Jan)
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KOSHINZUKA STREET MARKET
Let’s go to a market where they still sell goods from a bygone era!
Handmade bamboo ear cleaners • Crispy cricket drinking snacks • Poisonous dried snake tea • Togenuki Jizo healing temple • The Honorable Duck Butt of Sugamo • Big Red Underwear Store
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KUDANSHITA AREA
The most controversial Imperial shrine in Japan and a killer place to see cherry blossoms
Yasukuni Shrine has seasonal festivals with free demonstrations of traditional music and dance, an annual free amateur sumo tournament, a traditional Japanese garden & a fascinating WWII museum • Imperial Palace moat is amazing during cherry blossom season
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MONZEN-NAKACHO AREA
Red-hot fire ceremonies, with awesome taiko drums!
Fire ceremonies with drums, five times a day • Hall of 10,000 crystal figures of Fudo-san • Room with 108 glow-in-the-dark paintings of gods • Dragon fountain that grants wishes written on dissolving amulets • Giant wooden Fudo figure
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MT. TAKAO
Tokyo has its very own mountain, still within the city limits!
Less than an hour from Shinjuku station • Beautiful hiking • Monkey park and shrine at the top • Annual firewalking festival in march • Seasonal beer garden with views from the top from July-October
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NAKANO AREA
A geek heaven to rival Akihabara
Figure & model stores • Comic book shops • Rare and antique J-pop goods • Cosplay supplies • Grill-at-your-own-table restaurant
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NEZU AREA Change to NEZU SHRINE move other stuff to YANAKA
Let’s go to my favorite Tokyo shrine, then walk around the old-fashioned neighborhood.
Incredible azalea festival during the month of April at the Nezu Shrine • Tunnel of orange torii gates you can walk through • Festivals have lots of free traditional entertainment • Chiyogami paper store • Handmade wooden buckets • Calligraphy brushes • Air-conditioned pillows • Cat map store
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NIHONBASHI AREA
Famous shopping district & home to the best summertime event ever
The mother of all department stores • Best place to see kimonos and all the trimmings • Food hall can’t be beat • In cherry blossom season the buildings are lit up in pink • In the summertime you can go to Art Aquarium
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ODAIBA AREA
I can’t let you leave before you do some of the most wacky things in Tokyo.
Trick Art Museum • Oedo Onsen Hot Springs • Miraikan • Sony Explorascience Museum • Smile Fight • Toyota megaweb
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ROPPONGI AREA
If you’re in Tokyo in November-December and don’t go see the holiday lights in Roppongi, you will regret it
Holiday light displays in November-December • Roppongi Hills & Tokyo Midtown shopping malls • Mori Art Museum and the Tokyo National Art Center put on provocative exhibitions year-round
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RYOGOKU AREA
Sumo wrestlers & the Edo-Tokyo Museum – two must-see Tokyo experiences!
You can get tickets to a sumo tournament in Ryogoku every January, May & September • The Edo-Tokyo Museum is all about everyday life in samurai times vs. how it changed after Japan opened to the West • Incredible detailed models of cities and towns • Full-scale rooms showing how people lived
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SHIBUYA AREA
Weird, wild, unforgettable
Famous 5-way intersection: 1,000 people cross every minute • Love Hotel Hill • Extreme pancake café • Butler café • Trendy fashion for men and women at 109, Men’s 109, Parco & Marui • Everything-under-the-sun at Tokyu Hands, Loft and Don Kihote
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SHIMO-KITAZAWA AREA
This is my favorite neighborhood for barhopping, trying out eateries that don’t break the bank, and playing with the bunnies at the rabbit café
Quirky, inexpensive bars & restaurants, many with live music • Vinegar bar & café • Village Vanguard store for wacky only-in-Japan gifts • Ohisama Rabbit Café
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SHINJUKU AREA
The biggest and wildest entertainment district in Tokyo
Cat cafés • Golden Gai theme bars • Princess Style kimonos • Host clubs, hostess bars and adult entertainment
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UENO AREA NEW 4.PHOTO
A grand public park, art and history museums, and my favorite Tokyo toy store
Large public park, famous for cherry blossoms and museums • Five-story toy store with many toys you’ll never see outside Japan
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YANAKA AREA
Discover entertaining shops & sights in an Old Tokyo neighborhood still undiscovered by tourists
Beautiful red & gold shrine with a tunnel of orange torii gates • Must-see azalea festival (Apr) • Edo-era chiyogami paper store • Caricature puppet shop & theater • Shopping street with traditional shops and cat-themed merchandise • Fine selection of street food • Cafe where you can paint your own lucky cat
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YOKOHAMA AREA
A venerable garden that’s lovely in every season and filled with interesting historical buildings
Okurayama Park is famous for plum blossoms (Feb) • Excellent Pokemon Center • Art lights up the night at the Yokohama Smart Illuminations every year
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While you’re in Japan, read a novel set in Tokyo!
“A genuinely gripping crime thriller which wrong-foots and perplexes the reader throughout, drawing us in emotionally . . . Highly recommended.”
Tokyo beyond the guidebooks 