My first attempt to plan our trip to Japan started with maps. I should have known that one week would not be enough when I realized that I could not find Kyoto on the map because the map was not Japan, but simply Tokyo. I consider myself fairly adept at reading maps and being able to “get a lay of the land” before I ever visit a place. That was until I battled the map of Tokyo and Tokyo came out the victor. I folded the map, waived the white flag and proclaimed, “Forget it! We will figure out when we get there.”
We spent 7 incredible days in Tokyo. Despite the hustle & bustle of a crowded, vertical city, Tokyo is extremely manageable and easy to navigate. Street signs and public transportation are easily identifiable and restaurants always have pictures/plastic models of the food they serve. Ultimately, Tokyo set a new standard upon which I judge all other cities. This is what Tokyo offers that I want: clean, well-maintained public spaces, easy-to-use public transportation, great street food, extremely helpful people and public baths. Tokyo has all of this, plus magnificent ancient structures that co-exist with uber-modern architecture.
Tokyo is a city of neighborhoods, each with its unique character and personality. If you are the meandering type, visit the Yanaka district where you can wind through the streets, enjoy lovely little gardens, explore the shops and stumble onto amazing temples and/or shrines every few blocks. On the other hand, if neon, technology and cute girls in maid costumes are your thing, Akihabara is the place for you. Like shopping???? Try Ginza for the high end and Harajuku for the funky – do one in the morning and one in the afternoon to experience the contrast of cultures and generations in modern day Tokyo.
The Yanaka area is not as well known as some of the other neighborhoods but definitely worth a visit as it has retained its historical ambiance and character. Yanaka was developed as a temple town in the Edo period (1603-1867) and prominent temples like the Tenouji and the Kaneiji still exist in the area. Yanaka is next to two neighborhoods, Sendagi and Nezu are collectively they are called Yanesen: Ya (Yanaka) Ne (Nezu) Sen (Sendagi). In addition to the temples, there are beautiful cemeteries, little stores with exquisite crafts, and amazing shrines.
Taito Culture is a wonderful website that contains all kinds of information on this area. Don’t miss the walking tour page! Here is a Yanaka Map.
Here are a few places that I missed but want to see next time:
Asakura Choso Museum was the Fumio (1883-1964), famous for his statues of statesmen, women, and cats, many of which are on display here. I have read that the house combines modern and traditional architecture and, wraps around an inner courtyard pond fed by a natural spring, and contains some furniture and antiques in its many tatami rooms, including a beautiful library, a tearoom, a room for enjoying the morning sun and a rooftop garden. The museum was closed when I was there due to renovations and is scheduled to re-open in 2013.
Meguro Parasite Museum. Really, the name says it all. In addition, I read that the Parasite Museum is a popular spot for lunch dates! I don’t know about you, but parasites always put me in the mood for love.
The Ghibli Museum was designed by Hayao Miyazaki, the incredibly creative, Oscar award-winning director of My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, and Ponyo. The Ghibli Museum, which opened in 2001, was designed to present the studio’s works and is built as both a fantasyland and an art museum.
The following links are to sites that I found really helpful in understanding and navigating Tokyo and Japan, as a whole.
- Tokyo Tourism Info is a great source of information and very easy to navigate. You can sort by neighborhood, interest, videos, etc. This site has great Self-Guided Walking Tours and suggested tours.
- Tokyo Essentials is GREAT. It has everything from how to get from Narita airport into the city to “Quirky Tokyo.”
- Tokyo Metro also offers a GREAT feature that provides 6 Sightseeing plans, each with several attractions, mapped out station to station.
- Wikitravels is also a terrific resource.
- Narita Express: Gets you from the Narita airport into Tokyo city. It is included with the JR Rail Pass.
- Tokyo Metro map can seem daunting. But, most of the neighborhoods and “major” sites are on the circular JR Yamamote line.
Popularity: 31% [?]
