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    Tourist Attractions in Tokyo

    The most interesting and beautiful tourist attractions in Tokyo. Photos and a brief description.

    About Tokyo

    Tokyo is one of the busiest megacities in the world. And here, local authorities and residents treat every square meter with typical Japanese diligence. The districts of the city are densely built up. Skyscrapers are adjacent to the low buildings of the past centuries. This shows the continuity of traditions, but allows you to modernize the streets.

    Lovers of anything unusual should pay attention to the museums of Tokyo. For example, you can try on armor at the Samurai Museum, and take a ride in a retro car at the Mega Web exhibition center. Viewing platforms allow viewing the beauty of the Japanese capital from a height. One of the best is located in the Tokyo TV Tower.

    Top Tourist Attractions in Tokyo

    Ginza, Harajuku, Akihabara and Odaiba Island

    The main and most interesting areas of the city. They differ in architecture, they have different functions and "specialization". Akihabara is famous for its retail outlets, it is the center of the anime and IT industry. Ginza has the most expensive hotels, first-class restaurants and excellent shopping. You can also make purchases while walking around the Harajuku quarter, but here the prices are more democratic, and cosplay fans gather. The artificial island of Odaiba is an attraction in itself.

    Ginza, Harajuku, Akihabara and Odaiba Island
    Tokyo Imperial Palace

    Tokyo Imperial Palace

    It is located on the territory of the former Edo Castle. The area, including gardens, is slightly less than 7.5 km2. It has been used as a residence since the middle of the XIX century. The architecture has features of both the traditional Japanese style and elements characteristic of Europe. The complex includes a number of buildings, including the Imperial Concert Hall and the buildings of the Ministry of the Yard. Tourists can only visit the Oriental Garden.

    Meiji Temple

    Built in 1920 in Yoyogi Park and dedicated to Emperor Mutsuhito. Inside there is a collection of things of the ruling dynasty at that time. Guests, if desired, receive an omikuji prediction on a piece of paper for a nominal fee. The perimeter of the temple is surrounded by a fence with figured carvings. The entrance to the territory is through a large wooden gate. Immediately behind them is a garden where you can find 80 varieties of irises.

    Meiji Temple
    Sensoji Temple

    Sensoji Temple

    Its history dates back to 628. It is considered the oldest Buddhist temple in the Japanese capital. Its foundation is connected with the discovery of the Kannon Bodhisattva statue. For several centuries, trade was allowed near the temple. This tradition has been preserved even now: a street with souvenir shops and stalls with sweets starts right from the gate. A large fair is held on the territory of Senso-ji once a year.

    Tokyo TV Tower

    The construction lasted a year and a half and ended in 1958. The design easily withstands wind gusts up to 90 m/s. In addition, it has been repeatedly tested for its ability to cope with the seismic activity of the region. The height is 333 meters, which is 13 more than the Eiffel Tower. There are viewing platforms on two levels – 150 and 250 meters.

    Tokyo
    Tokyo Skytree Tower

    Tokyo Skytree Tower

    The translation of the name is "Tokyo sky tree". It was opened in 2012. With a height of 634 meters, it is the tallest TV tower and the second tallest structure in the world. It is highlighted either in sky blue or purple. It is stable in case of earthquakes. It is used not only for its intended purpose: there are viewing platforms, boutiques, restaurants. A complex with a planetarium, an aquarium and shopping areas has been built nearby.

    Kabukidze Theater

    The year of foundation is 1889. Location – Ginza. It is the main Kabuki theater in the city. The building has been reconstructed several times, retaining the features of the initial appearance, but changing greatly. It suffered both from time and from cataclysms, such as fires and earthquakes. Accommodates 1964 spectators. For the convenience of visitors, an underground passage has been opened, laid from the theater to the Higashi-Ginza station

    Kabukidze Theater
    Tokyo National Museum

    Tokyo National Museum

    Located on the territory of Ueno Park. Its history dates back to 1872. One of the oldest and largest museums in Japan. The area is more than 100 thousand m2. The museum is a complex of 5 buildings. Each is characterized by a certain theme. The established exhibition area has been available to visitors since 1938. Examples of applied and fine arts, as well as artifacts related to history and ethnography are presented here.

    Edo Museum-Tokyo

    It is dedicated to the history of Edo, as Tokyo used to be called. It was opened in 1993. The building has a height of 62.2 meters, which is equal to the height of the ancient Edo Castle. The exposition is divided into two segments. The first – from 1590 – the year of the foundation of the city to 1868, the second – from the moment of renaming to the present day. Among the exhibits there are models of ancient buildings, scrolls, kimonos. Interactive programs have been developed that immerse guests in the past.

    Edo Museum-Tokyo

    Mega Web

    The main auto museum of Japan. Thanks to the founders, the Toyota concern, this place has turned into a real amusement park. The exposition includes 6 exhibitions. Cars of the present and future are located on several floors. In one of the halls, everyone who knows how to drive a car is allowed to ride the samples presented here. There is also a children's go-karting, the length of the route of which is 150 meters.

    Samurai Museum

    It is located in the Shinjuku area. Samurai armor and weapons are displayed in spacious halls. Most of the items are originals. Standard armor was only used in combat. The guide will tell you how to put them on correctly. For an additional fee, some samples can be tried on. Photography is allowed in the museum, an exception is made for several particularly sensitive to flashes of paintings.

    Nezu Museum

    It is located in a picturesque garden among streams, tea houses and paths. Based on a private collection. The building was reconstructed in 2006, it is from this moment that the modern history of the museum is conducted. The collection is the national treasures of Japan. Calligraphic scrolls, gold–painted caskets, bronze tableware, folding screens - these and other exhibits introduce Japanese traditions.

    National Center for the Arts

    It opened its doors to connoisseurs of beauty in 2007. The area of the exhibition halls is 14 thousand m2. One of the most visited art museums in the world. Its peculiarity is the lack of permanent exposure. The art center hosts temporary exhibitions within its walls. The museum cooperates with other cities, including foreign ones, and also acts as a platform for demonstrations of private collections.

    National Center for the Arts
    National Museum of Western Art

    National Museum of Western Art

    Belongs to Taito County. Based on the collection of Matsukata Kojiro. An exhibition building was built for his collection of more than 350 art objects by 1959. It was subsequently completed to increase the number of halls. Now about 2 thousand exhibits are collected under one roof. The exhibition includes paintings, sculptures, graphics and drawings of Europe and North America from the Middle Ages to the XX century.

    National Museum of Nature and Science

    It belongs to the territory of Ueno Park. It has been operating since 1871. The names were repeatedly changed, although the profile remained the same. At the turn of the 90s and the noughties, the museum went through modernization. It is divided into two galleries: the Global one tells about the planet as a whole, and the Japanese one tells about the peculiarities of the country. The purpose of the museum is to provide accessible information about the stages of evolution to visitors of all ages. Since 2006, the Theater-360 has been opened.

    National Museum of Nature and Science
    Mori Art Museum

    Mori Art Museum

    It is located on the two upper floors of the "Mori Tower" – at an altitude of 238 meters. Because of this, it is considered the highest museum in Tokyo. An observation deck area is arranged around the perimeter. The first exhibition opened in 2003. The exhibition includes works by contemporary Japanese and foreign artists. Paintings from private collections are also shown here. For example, paintings by Monet, Kandinsky and Matisse.

    Hachiko Monument

    It was installed in 1934. Dedicated to a dog named Hachiko, who, thanks to literature and cinema, became famous even outside Japan. He had been coming to Shibuya Station for many years to meet his master. He was killed, but Hachiko did not stop coming to the train as scheduled. The symbol of loyalty was melted down for the needs of the army during World War II. The monument was restored in 1948.

    Hachiko Monument

    Shibuya Crossroads

    It is considered the busiest intersection on the planet. During peak hours, 2.5 thousand people cross it in just a minute. That's how much the green light of the traffic light is lit for pedestrians. More than 2 million people can pass here a day. Intersections with such a complex device are also found in other countries. All of them are called the "Barnes Dance" in honor of the transport engineer who introduced the fashion for them.

    Akasaka Palace

    It was built at the turn of the XIX and XX centuries. This is the only building in Japan in the neo-Baroque style. It resembles Buckingham Palace. It is a guest house of the government – high-ranking representatives of other countries live here. Since 2009, it has the status of a National Treasure of Japan. The complex covers an area of 117 thousand m2. The palace is surrounded by a road without intersections with a length of about three and a quarter kilometers.

    Akasaka Palace
    Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

    Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

    Also called Tokyo Municipality. The metropolitan government has been sitting in this complex of buildings since 1991. The structure is one of the tallest in Tokyo – almost 243 meters. It has 45 floors and 3 more underground levels. 3 buildings are connected by bridges and a courtyard in the form of a fan was formed between them with a square broken next to it. The structures are seismically stable and must withstand an earthquake of 8 points.

    Ryogoku Kokugikan

    The indoor sports arena opened its doors to visitors in 1985. It is located in the Yokoami quarter. Sumo competitions attract the most viewers. The main tournaments are held in January, May and September. In addition, Ryogoku Kokugikan is suitable for boxing matches and performances of artists. There is a shop on the underground level where they sell fried chicken. Part of the roof opens if necessary.

    Ryogoku Kokugikan
    Tokyo

    Tokyo

    The station building was built in 1914. The architect is Tatsuno Kingo. The red brick and some design features refer to the Dutch style. Inside there is a real maze of platforms, stairs, lifts and passages. About 4 thousand trains pass through the station every day. Most of them are high–speed. From here, for the convenience of passengers, there are exits to the nearest metro stations.

    Rainbow Bridge Station

    It was transferred across the North Tokyo Bay in 1993. The total length of the suspended structure is 798 meters with a width of 49 meters. The name is derived from the backlight. Moreover, the lamps work on solar batteries, which is economical and good for the environment. Two crossings have been made for pedestrians on the lower tier. The walk will not only help to get to Odaiba Island and back, but also to see the sights of the surrounding area.

    Rainbow Bridge Station

    Tsukiji Market

    Among the locals, it is also called "fish", although other products are sold here. About 2 thousand tons of seafood and fish are sold on the market per day. It consists of two parts. There are wholesale sales, auctions and processing of products on the domestic market. On the outside, you can buy both wholesale and retail. There are cafes and restaurants here. Most outlets open very early and close in the morning.

    Shinjuku-geen

    The park belongs to the territory of two districts at once: Shibuya and Shinjuku. The first park was closed and appeared in 1906. During the Second World War it was destroyed. The reopening took place in 1949. Access was granted to all citizens and guests of Tokyo. In early spring, cherry blossoms especially attract locals and tourists. The total number of trees is about one and a half thousand. They represent 75 species.

    Shinjuku-geen
    Ueno Park

    Ueno Park

    Broken up in 1873. There are several museums on its territory, including the Tokyo National Museum. Tourists are also attracted to the temple of the goddess Kannon, where infertile women pray. When they get pregnant, they bring a doll as a gift. Toys are traditionally burned once a year. The local zoo is home to more than 2,500 animals. Especially famous are the two pandas that replaced the deceased universal favorite Lin-Lin.

    Hamarikyu Gardens

    They are located in the Chuo district. Broken up in 1946. The area exceeds 25 hectares. The park is surrounded by a moat, which is filled with the waters of Tokyo Bay. Traditional events are falconry for the New Year, a tea ceremony in a tea house in the center of the gardens, demonstration performances of Aikido fighters. You can get to the park via one of the two bridges or by river tram. Attendance is paid for everyone except local schoolchildren.

    Hamarikyu Gardens
    Yeogi Park

    Yeogi Park

    It is located near Harajuku station. It is famous for conducting the first airplane flight in the country, which took place in 1910. Since then, the park has hosted military parades. The rest of the time is used for recreation. There are sports grounds, a bike path, bicycle rental, and martial arts practice areas. In part of the territory of the Eegi, dogs can walk without a leash, which is a unique phenomenon for Japan.

    Chidorigafuchi

    The place is considered one of the most romantic in Tokyo. More than 300 trees have been planted along a deep moat filled with water. They hang over the banks and look like soaring clouds during the cherry blossom season. A popular pastime is a boat trip. A pier and a rental point are very conveniently equipped. However, you need to be ready to stand in line, as it is traditionally crowded here.

    Chidorigafuchi
    Disneyland

    Disneyland

    It has been open since 1983. It occupies an area of 465 thousand m2. It became the first Disney amusement park founded outside the United States. The attractions are located in 7 thematic zones: the Country of the Wild West, the Country of Animals, the Country of Fantasy, the Country of Adventure, the Country of the Future, as well as in the City of Toons and at the Universal Bazaar. There is a single ticket for visiting, it is bought at the entrance, and admission to the attractions is on a first–come, first-served basis.