Imperial Palace
Home to Emperor Heisei and other members of the Japanese Royal Family, the Imperial Palace sits on land that was once occupied by Edo Castle. It became the official imperial residence in 1868, when Emperor Meiji transferred the seat of power from Kyoto to Edo and changed the name of the city to Tokyo.
Throughout history the palace has been rebuilt many times - most recently in 1968. In the raids of 1945 it was almost completely destroyed, and that was in spite of the popular belief that a pond full of goldfish would scare the bombs away.
To get the best view of the palace you need to stand close to Nijubashi Bridge. (The palace itself is only open two days a year - January 1st and the Emperor's birthday, December 23rd,) To find the bridge leave Tokyo station via the Maranouchi Exit, follow the broad avenue up to the Imperial Palace Plaza and cross over the moat. Next take the gravel roadway round to the left; Niju Bashi Bridge is then close to the police box.
The Imperial Palace East Gardens are nearby. The entrance is just through Otemon Gate.
Transport: Subway to Tokyo station; Opening time: East Garden is open daily except Monday and Friday from 9am to 4pm (until 3.30pm between November and February). Closed from 28 December to 3 January and when Imperial Court functions take place; Admission: East Garden has no admission
Yasukuni Shrine
Yasukuni Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan. It is dedicated to the kami (spirits) of soldiers and others who died fighting on behalf of the Emperor of Japan. Currently, its Symbolic Registry of Divinities lists the names of over 2,466,000 enshrined men and women whose lives were dedicated to the service of Imperial Japan, particularly to those killed in wartime. It also houses one of the few Japanese War Museums dedicated to World War II. There are also commemorative statues to mothers and animals who sacrificed in the war.
Yasukuni is a shrine to house the actual souls of the dead as kami, or "spirits/souls" as loosely defined in English. It is believed that all negative or evil acts committed are absolved when enshrinement occurs. This activity is strictly a religious matter since the separation of State Shinto and the Japanese Government in 1945. The priesthood at the shrine has complete religious autonomy to decide to whom and how enshrinement may occur. They believe that enshrinement is permanent and irreversible. According to Shinto beliefs, by enshrining kami, Yasukuni Shrine provides a permanent residence for the spirits of those who have fought on behalf of the emperor. Yasukuni has all enshrined kami occupying the same single seat. The shrine is dedicated to give peace and rest to all those enshrined there. It was the only place to which the Emperor of Japan bowed.
Website:
www.yasukuni.or.jp; Transport: Subway to Kudanshita Station; Opening time: Shrine open 24 hours daily. Museum open daily 9am to 5pm (November to February); 9am to 5.30pm (March to October); Admission: Museum: ¥800, concessions available
Edo-Tokyo Museum
Established in 1993, the Edo-Tokyo Museum is a museum of the history of Tokyo. The main features of the permanent exhibitions are the life-size replica of the Nihonbashi, which was the bridge leading into Edo; the Nakamuraza theater; scale models of town; and buildings from the Edo, Meiji and Shōwa periods.
The museum is located in Ryōgoku adjacent to the Ryōgoku Kokugikan, Japan's most famous sumo wrestling arena. The distinctive elevated shape of museum's building is modelled after an old storehouse in the kurazukuri style.
Address: 1–4–1 Yokoami, Sumida-ku; Telephone: (03) 3626 9974; Website:
www.edo-tokyo-museum.or.jp; Transport: Train to Ryogoku Station on JR Sobu line (West Exit) or subway to Ryogoku on the Oedo line (A3/A4 exit); Opening time: Daily 9.30am to 5.30pm; Saturdays closing at 7.30pm. Free tours given daily between 10am and 3pm; Admission: ¥600, concessions available
Akihabara
Akihabara is a major shopping area for electronic, computer, anime, and otaku goods, including new and used items. New items are mostly to be found on the main street, Chūōdōri, with many kinds of used items found in the back streets of Soto Kanda 3-chōme. First-hand parts for PC-building are readily available from a variety of stores. Tools, electrical parts, wires, microsized cameras and similar items are found in the cramped passageways of Soto Kanda 1-chōme (near the station). Foreign tourists tend to visit the big name shops like Laox or other speciality shops near the station, though there is more variety and lower prices at locales a little further away. Akihabara gained some fame through being home to one of the first stores devoted to personal robots and robotics.
Website:
www.akiba.or.jp/english/index.html; Transport: Subway to Akihabara Station; Opening time: Stores are open from 10am
to 7pm daily
Sensoji Temple
Sensoji is a Buddhist temple located in Asakusa, the center of the shitamachi.
The legend says that in the year 628, two brothers fished a statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, out of the Sumida River, and even though they put the statue back into the river, it always returned to them. Consequently, Sensoji was built there for the goddess of Kannon. The temple was completed in 645, making it Tokyo's oldest temple.
Address: 2-3-1 Asakusa Taito-ku, Shitamachi (downtown); Telephone: (0)3 3842 0181; Transport: Subway to Asakusa station;
Opening time: Daily 6am to 5pm; Admission: Free
Tokyo Disneyland
Plenty of fun is to be had for the young and young at heart at Tokyo’s Disneyland, virtually a carbon copy of the theme park
in California in the United States. The expected attractions like a Jungle Cruise, Space Mountain and Toontown are all
included on the huge site, along with a sea park and five hotels.
Telephone: (045) 683 3333; Website:
www.tokyodisneyresort.co.jp; Transport: The park is reached via the JR Keiyo Line or JR
Musashino Line from Tokyo Station; disembark at Maihama Station (South Exit) where there is a Disneyland Welcome Centre;
Opening time: Daily 8am to 10pm (summer), 9am to 9pm (winter); Admission: One-day passport: ¥5,500 (adults), ¥4,800 (children
ages12-17), ¥3,700 (children ages 4-11). Several other ticket options are also available
Tokyo National Museum
Established 1872, the Tokyo National Museum, or TNM, is the oldest and largest museum in Japan. The museum collects, houses, and preserves a comprehensive collection of art works and archaeological objects of Asia, focusing on Japan. The museum holds over 110,000 objects, which includes 87 Japanese National Treasure holdings and 610 Important Cultural Property holdings. The museum also conducts research and organizes educational events related to its collection.
The museum is located inside Ueno Park in Taito, Tokyo. The facilities consist of the Honkan, Tōyōkan, Hyōkeikan, Heiseikan, Hōryū-ji Hōmotsukan, as well as Shiryōkan and other facilities. There are restaurants and shops within the museum's premises, as well as outdoor exhibitions and a garden where visitors can enjoy seasonal views.
Address: 13-9 Ueno Park,Taito-ku; Telephone: (03) 3822 1111; Website:
www.tnm.go.jp; Transport: JR Line to Ueno or Uguisudani
Station; Opening time: Daily 9.30am to 5pm, depending on season; closed Mondays. On Fridays from April to December open until
8pm; Saturdays and Sundays from April to September until 6pm; Admission: ¥420 (adults), ¥130 (students), free for scholars