Many people dream of
a vacation in Japan and to travel in Tokyo.
The city is densely populated but it is definitely beautiful. In spite of the
throngs of tourists that come there all year round, there are still many quiet
places to visit even.
Cultural
enthusiasts will find numerous places to explore such theaters, museums,
professional sports clubs and restaurants that serve internationally acclaimed
cuisine. Tokyo is also known for its many festivities, which gives you a chance
to mingle with the locals.
Here are some places
worth adding to your bucket list:
1. The Imperial
Palace
The Imperial Palace
is located in Marunouchi District. Within the great walls lie the 17th
century parks that speak volumes of history and culture. Feudal Lord Ota Dokan
built the Palace’s first fortress in 1457 and it gradually spread since then.
One of the Palace’s
notable features is the Nijubashi Bridge, also called “double bridge” due to
its reflection in the water, which leads to its interior. It is open to the
public only twice a year. When the palace is open, a crowd gathers in the place
to catch a glimpse of the emperor.
2. Ginza District
Ginza District is
the busiest shopping spot of the city. It’s as well-known as New York’s Times
Square but much older. The commercial center has been the top shopping area of
the country for centuries.
The district is
lined by prestigious shops and palatial stores where anyone can freely wander. There
are also various tea and coffee shops where anyone can sit and relax while
watching the hustle and bustle of the shoppers around.
3. Kokuritsu Kagaku
Hakubutsukan
Those who love to travel in Tokyo should make it a
point to visit Kokuritsu Kagaku Hakubutsukan (National Museum of Nature and Science)
which is one of Japan’s oldest museums. It opened in 1871 but was modernized in
later years.
It now houses a
large collection of things related to history, nature and science. The place
doesn’t fail to fascinate its visitors with interactive displays on nuclear
energy, space development, and transportation.
4. The Meiji Shrine
The Meiji Shrine
was initially built in 1915 and was finished in 1926. The shrine was destroyed
during WWII and was reconstructed in 1958. It is surrounded by evergreen forest
with more than 100,000 trees from a variety of species.
The place
highlights the Inner Precinct with a collection of royal treasures in its
museum. The Outer Precinct displays a gallery of murals as a chronicle of the
lives of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress ShÅken to whom the shrine was
dedicated.
5. Tokyo Skytree
The Tokyo Skytree
is conspicuous in its height and shape. It stands tall within Sumida District
and looks like a gigantic rocket ship. It was opened to the public in 2012 and
has since been one of the most visited sites in the city.
It has impressive
panoramic views from its observation decks and restaurant. You can enjoy the
view of the city from above while eating in one of the finest restaurants in
the city.
Tokyo Station
provides public transit that can easily take people to different parts of the
city. Those who travel in Tokyo can
stay within the city center which is only a walking distance to the top tourist
attractions in the country.