As the capital of Japan, the city of Tokyo has an important role to play. The city is located in the middle east of the island of Honshu, where it is divided into twenty-three districts. Almost every neighborhood has developed its own charm, sights and commercial centers. Besides holding the title of one of the most expensive cities in the world, Tokyo is also cited as one of the most livable. What once started as a small fishing village has now grown into a metropolis. The history of the city takes you back more than thirty thousand years. The Edo period, from the seventeenth century, was perhaps the most important. It was the city of Edo that received a new name in 1868, Tokyo. Tourists can go in all directions in the city of Tokyo. diverse museums,
Top 10 sights of Tokyo
#1. Senso-ji Temple
According to BRIDGAT, the oldest and most famous temple in Tokyo is the Senso-ji Temple. This is located in the Taitō district. The Senso-ji Temple was built around the seventh century and is still in excellent condition. Through the gate ‘Kaminari-mon’ you enter the shrine which is grand in every way. The gate was rebuilt in the twentieth century, as the predecessor was destroyed by fire. The Senso-ji Temple is frequently visited by both pilgrims and tourists. The street ‘Nakamise-Dōri’ leading to this temple is also often crowded. You can also enjoy excellent traditional dishes and buy souvenirs here. It is busiest here during the annual three-day Sanja Matsui festival.
#2. Meiji Jingū
One of the most beautiful shrines ‘Shint shrines’ of Tokyo is the Meiji Jingū. In this park-like area, the one hundred and twenty-second Emperor Meiji and his wife Empress Shōken are impressively honored. Many sacrifices are made here every day and thousands of visitors come here to enjoy the wooded area, the historic buildings, barrels filled with sake, many written prayers that are left and the museum where all kinds of objects of this imperial couple are kept.
#3. Tokyo National Museum
In the Ueno Park in the Taito district you have the opportunity to visit the National Museum of Tokyo. The history of the country and the city are expressed here through various works of art. ‘Tokyo Kokuritsu Hakubutsukan’, as it is officially called, is therefore the largest art museum in Japan. The collection, which includes samurai swords, porcelain, traditional clothing, paintings, furniture and woodcarving, is spread over various buildings. And the gardens of the Tokyo National Museum are also definitely worth a visit.
#4. Imperial Palace
The Japanese Imperial Palace, which is located near Tokyo Central Station, is also known as ‘Kokyo’. Until 1868, Tokugawa Yoshinobu, the last military dictator of the Tokugawa shogunate, ruled from here. Many of the buildings from that time have been lost. The current palace ‘Kyūden’ is the residence of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko. From 2019 this task will be handed over to their son Naruhito. The Tokyo Imperial Palace is open to the public only two days a year: January 2 and the Emperor’s birthday. The accompanying gardens are partly accessible to the public throughout the year. Free guided tours are organized daily and last about an hour.
#5. Ueno Park
Tokyo’s cultural center is centered in and around Ueno Park. This is where most of the museums are located, including the beautiful National Museum. The Ueno Park also has a few temples, such as the Kaneiji Temple, many pink colored blossom trees and the lively ‘Ameya-yokochō’ market. Lake Shinobazu and the Ueno Zoo are also part of this spacious Tokyo urban park.
#6. Ghibli Museum
The Ghibli Museum is located in Mitaka Inokashira Park. This museum even seems to be part of this park, due to the vegetation on the facades. The museum was designed by Miyazaki Hayao, a Japanese filmmaker, writer and animator. His fame mainly stems from animated films such as ‘Spirited Away’. His creativity seems limitless and therefore also possible in architecture. In this Ghibli Museum you imagine yourself in fairyland. Rooms are set up to show you how creative processes come about and a final product is shown in the theater of the museum. In addition, there is a library, play areas and a garden on the top floor. Because one works with a time slot.
#7. Tokyo Skytree
With its 634 meters height, the Tokyo Skytree is a true appearance. The stand-alone structure was declared completed in 2012. The design was created by the Nikken Sekkei firm, a Japanese design firm. The Tokyo Skytree is a television tower in the Sumida district, which replaces the smaller Tokyo tower. The four-hundred-fifty floors include an information center, gift shop, Skytree Café, Sky Restaurant, Tokyo Skytree Tembo Deck, Tokyo Skytree Tembo Galleria and at the highest point the Sorakara Point where you have a 360º view of the city. You reach that highest point in a very special way!
#8. Mount Fuji
It is hard to imagine, but from Tokyo you can have a view of the impressive Mount Fuji. However, this more than three-thousand-seven-hundred-and-seventy-seven meters high mountain is more than a hundred kilometers southwest of this capital. Mount Fuji, which forms a volcano, is located on Honshu Island. Many mountaineers have the mountain on their wish list. But many Japanese also see such a climb as a pilgrimage. Mount Fuji is seen as a sacred volcano in Japanese culture. At the foot of Mount Fuji you will find several rice fields, a number of lakes, caves and the slightly lurid Aokigahara forest. This forest is also called the suicide forest, since a lot of people have already taken their own lives. In addition, there are also two popular caves to visit, namely the ice cave ‘Narusawa’ and the wind cave ‘Fugaku’.
#9. Tsukiji Fish Market
One of the biggest markets in Tokyo is the Tsukiji Fish Market. It is located in Chuo district, which is also called Chuo City. It is known as the main commercial center of Tokyo. The Tsukiji fish market has a core ‘jonai shijo’ where mainly the processing and auctioning of fish takes place. In addition, there is also an outdoor area ‘jogai shijo’ in which mainly the local population, restaurants and tourists do their shopping. The doors often open in the middle of the night because the fresh fish is then brought in. Processing and auctions begin shortly afterwards, so that the trucks can start their deliveries loaded. With the rising of the sun, most of it is already behind us. The shops in the outdoor area are often open until late morning. There are many good dining options in the immediate vicinity of Tsukiji Fish Market.
#10. Shibuya
The liveliest part of the city of Tokyo takes place around the Shibuya district. It is therefore seen as the most popular place for nightlife, for shopping or for young people to meet. Everywhere you see neon lights, billboards, video screens and a lot of people. If you like people watching, this is the place to be. Other attractions within this area include Meiji Shrine, Yoyogi Park, Shinjuku Gyoen park, National Noh Theater and Bunkamura Cultural Center.
