Pop Japan

The land of the rising sun’s capital - Tokyo is famous for its unique blend of modern high rise buildings, castles, gardens and busy alleys. Getting around the city is seamless because of the highly developed, modern and energy efficient transport system. If you’re in Tokyo for work, travel or study, you may find these places as interesting checkmarks for your bucket list.   

• * Sakura or cherry blossom spots

• * Tokyo Hanami Spots

Cherry blossoms bring a surreal feeling when you see that snow-fall of pinkish flowers. Lasting for two weeks, Sakura makes people go nuts because of the breathtaking view of falling petals and the whitish landscape akin to the winter season. During April, people gather for hanami (the practice of viewing cherry blossoms) or blossom parties where they bring snacks, sweets and cooked meals. The following are the sakura spots

• Meguro River - Flows throughout Tokyo

• Shinjuku gyoen - A large garden surrounded by the Tokyo urban area

• Yoyogi park - A park in Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya near Meiji shrine and Harajuku station

• Koganei Park - Located near Musashi-koganei stations.

• Koishikawa korakuen - A ten-minute walk from korakuen, Suidobashi and lidabashi stations.

• Ueno onshi park - A large public park located in Ueno, Taito district

• Asukayama park - Comprises 600 cherry trees in Kita near Oji station

• Yaesu sakura street - Offers a view of over 100 cherry trees. It lies in front of Tokyo station.

• Inokashira park - Situated near Kichijoji area, Gotenyama, Musashino.

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• * Tokyo tower

• * 4-2-8 Shiba-koen, Minato, Tokyo

Reminiscent of Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, Tokyo Tower is an observation and communication structure. An observatory and foot town awaits your curious adventure. The foot town lies in the base of the tower and it comprises a four-story building. The first floor comprises cafes, aquarium gallery, and the Tokyo One Piece Tower - a themed restaurant named after the Japanese manga (cartoon) anime. The second floor contains shopping and restaurant areas, and the third and fourth-floor shelters tourists’ amusements such as the Tokyo tower wax museum.

The observation decks comprise the top and the main located in the middle and the upper portion of the tower. A 250-meter main deck lets you view the Tokyo cityscape within a three dimensions view. Above the main lies the 150m top deck that gives you the city’s bird's eye view.

• * Akasaka palace

• * Moto Akasaka, Minato, Tokyo

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If you’re familiar with European and the neo-baroque styled buildings such as the Versailles palace, the Akasaka palace is one of the best buildings to visit.  The palace is a state guest house south of Yotsuya station and the south-east corner of Shinjuku ward. Built in 1909, Akasaka palace is intended as a residence for the Imperial family but they decided to forego its use because they deem it as too extravagant. The Japanese government designated the structure as a national treasure and opened it for tourists. You may find in the area a fountain and the front-lawn gardens. So, if you want a quick trip to European cities while you’re in Tokyo, this one should be in your bucket list.

* Yebisu beer factory

* Ebisu Garden terrace, Ebisu 4-20-1, Shibuya City, Ebisu

Yebisu beer factory is a museum that is a five-minute walk near the Ebisu Station east exit. If you’re a beer lover and curious about its history in Japan, you’ll want to visit this place. The museum houses a paid tasting salon where you can enjoy some Yebisu beer varieties. You can also take free guided tours that last for 20 minutes and exhibits the beer history via videos and reading materials. If you love souvenirs, you can shop for original and rare goods.

• Hours: opens from 11 am to 7 pm

• Prohibitions: People below 20 years of age can’t take alcohol.

• Offered brands and prices: 400 yen for Yebisu beer, Yebisu premium mix, Yebisu Stout Creamy Top, Kohaku Yebisu and beer cocktails.

• * Tokyo National Museum

• * Uenokouen, Taitou-ku, near Ueno station

The Tokyo national museum (TNM)  houses over 110, 000 collections such as the Japanese art masterpieces, archaeology, Horyuji treasures gallery, Asian gallery. The first-floor houses exhibit of fine arts comprising pottery, sculptures, swords, lacquerware and metalwork.

The second floor houses the earthenware dating from medieval and pre-medieval periods, tea ceremony utensils, Zen Buddhism and its literature; and the imperial court culture during the Heian period. The Asian gallery features artifacts and art from central Asia, China, Korea, Egypt and India. Visiting the Horyuji treasures gallery greets you with displayed valuable artworks from the 7th and 8th century. TNM makes outdoor and overseas exhibits.

 * Meiji Shrine

 * Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya city

Meiji Shrine is a famous landmark dedicated to the Japanese emperor who opened the country to the West. You can reach the place by a ten-minute walk from Yoyogi station north entrance and Harajuku station southern entrance. Upon your arrival, you’ll enter a massive torii gate where you’ll notice that the city traffic noises were gradually replaced by the lush vegetation’s serenity.

Going further, you’ll reach the northern end where you’ll find the Meiji Jingu treasure house that shelters the personal belongings of the imperial family. In the southern area, you’ll reach the inner garden that includes an iris garden, an arbour, tea house and a fishing stand.
 

      Meiji Shrine

• Admission: Free

• Operating hours: Wholeday

• Closing days: none

       Inner garden

• Admission: 500 yen

• Operating hours: 9:00 to 4:30 pm

• Closing days: none

Treasure house - Closed until its reopening in autumn 2019

• * Tokyo Disneyland

• * Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture near Tokyo Disneyland and Maihama stations

Tokyo Disneyland is a theme park that features a huge palace similar to those shown in Disney movies such as sleeping beauty and Rapunzel. There, you’ll meet mascots of some Disney cartoon characters. There’s plenty of activities you can make there as you can find rides, attractions, souvenirs and food stations.

• Operating hours: 8:00 am to 10:00 PM

• Admission: From 4,200 yen to 22,400 yen depending on ages and categories.

• * Institute for Nature Studies

• * Near Yamanote line

The Institute of nature studies operates a large vegetation area that is an oasis in the heart of the city. The institute operates a botanical garden (a research facility for botany), hidden forest, marsh boardwalk and ponds.

• * Admission: 310 yen, free for high school students and below

• * Operating hours: Open daily except Mondays

This bucket list is not meant to be exhaustive but a guide for the places most frequented by both locals and tourist. Refresh with the city’s nature parks and learn more about the Japanese culture through museums and themed places.