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Tokyo Sightseeing
Tokyo Imperial Palace
Known as the kōkyo, the "imperial residence." The Tokyo Imperial Palace is the main residence of the emperor of Japan, currently a little old man named Akihito, and the Imperial family. It is a large picturesque park like area. Some of the original gates, moats and walls from the Edo Castle still remain in this location from the 16th century. The inside of the palace is only open to the public twice a year. On January first, and on the Emperors birthday, December 23.
Location: Leave through the Maranouchi Exit at Tokyo Station and follow the road up to the Imperial Palace Plaza. If you then cross the moat and take the gravel road to the left you'll have one of the best views of the palace from Niju Bashi (Niju Bridge).
Yomiuri Land (Yomiuri Lando)
This amusement park is reasonably priced and offers numerous roller coasters, bumper cars, go karts, a bungee jump, a pool and water rides, and other attractions. Near Yomiuri Lando is a golf driving range, parks, and a public sauna.
Hours: 10 am - 5 pm, Hours vary check out their website for details: www.yomiuriland.co.jp
Tokyo Tower
333 meters and 4,000 tons of famous. Tokyo Tower is a well known location with a great view from its observatory on top. The first floor contains an enormous aquarium with more than 50,000 fish. The second floor has souvenir shops and restaurants. A wax museum, Guinness World Records museum, and a 3-D hologram museum on the third floor. A game center, and trick art gallery on the fourth floor. The roof has a small children's amusement park, and on Sunday's perfomances by jugglers, street magicians, and other simple acts mostly for kids.
Hours: 9 am - 10 pm
Website: www.tokyotower.co.jp/english
Zojoji Temple (San'en-zan Zōjō-ji)
This temple is located right next the Tokyo Tower, so it should be easy to find. It is the main temple for the Japanese buddhist sect known as Shingon (meaning "true words"). The graves of 6 out of the 15 Tokugawa Shoguns are buried here as it became the Tokugawa family temple after Tokugawa Ieyasu moved the capital to Edo.
Tsukiji Fish Market (Tsukiji shijō)
This is the biggest seafood market in the world. In the inner market, jonai shijo, is where auctions take place for the fish. In the outer market, jogai shijo, are many seafood / sushi restaurants, and other retailers. Not long after opening in the mornings, frozen tuna and other seafoods from all over the world are unloaded. Their value is estimated, and buyers who are liscensced to bid may inspect the catch. At 5 am auctions start and finish about 7 am. The fish are then cut up and loaded onto trucks to their destinations. Most activitiy around the market begins to close around 11 am.
Location: near the Tsukiji Shijou Station on the Oedo subway line and Tsukiji Station on the Hibiya subway line.
Hours: every morning from 3 am except sundays and holidays to 1 pm.
Yoyogi Park
Leaving the Omotesando Exit in JR's Harajuku station, take a right and then a left, after a short walk you'll find Yoyogi park. On weekends especially it's an extremely lively place. My last walk through there I saw people practicing Kendo, playing drums, guitar, frisbee, drinking with friends, dancing, blowing bubbles, playing soccer, an American DJ and a japanese girl dirty dancing to the girl's ipod, a bike race, and a lot of people relaxing and enjoying life. On Sundays, there is a group of Japanese who think they are Americans from the 1950's with their (Japanese) motorcycles parked nearby, their 50's costumes, white T's and leather jackets, mechanical imitation of American 50's dances, and enough greasy oil in each one's hair to save any country's economy. But hey if you are into that, enjoy the show.
Hakone Hot Spring Amusement Park and Spa Resort
(Hakone Kowakien Yunessun)
This resort is located in Hakone, Japan. About 1 to 2 hours outside of Tokyo. It is a combo relaxing hot spring spa and amusement park just like the name says. Attractions include private indoor and outdoor saunas and hot spring baths, waterslides, waterfalls, an ancient roman bath, a Japanese Sake spa, a Green Tea Spa, (yes, you can bathe in sake or green tea), a coffee spa, and even a red wine spa. Also, beauty and massage salons and other attractions for the kids. check out their website for directions.
Website: www.yunessun.com/english
Prices: ¥ 4,000 for adults ¥ 2000 for children. Other price packages are available depending on what you would like to do at the resort.
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