Tokyo Travel Guide

Considering that Tokyo covers some 700 square miles and is home to over 12 million people (the daytime population greatly exceeds that), it is all the more remarkable that the city's public transportation system is second to none. This can be put down to planning (construction was concomitant with the post-war rebuilding of the city), timing (there was a certain urgency in showcasing the capital at the 1964 Olympics), and the fact that the Japanese are sticklers for order and discipline.

The centerpiece of Tokyo's train system is the overland Yamanote Line, begun in 1885 and completed in 1925. The Yamanote (sometimes shortened to Yamate) comprises some 30 stops in a loop linking most of the city's major centers: Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, Ueno, Tokyo, Shinagawa and Shibuya. It is fast, clean, efficient, safe, and invariably runs on time. The Yamanote is part of Japan Railways (JR) East, a vast network of tracks spread out over eastern Japan. Because the transit system is so easy for outsiders to navigate, we will organize our tours around the major lines.

Tour One: Shinjuku

Shinjuku is a district with a flavor all its own. The most remarkable of its landmarks are Buddhist temples and shrines that can be found in a fair concentration throughout the area. One example of the plentiful shrines in the are is the Hanazono Jinja Shrine. This Inari shrine is located in a bustling commercial district and is distinctive as the site of the annual Festival of the Fowls. Two of the temples of note in Shinjuku are the Taisoji Temple and the Tenryuji Temple. The former is known for having two statues of Buddha: one to protect good children and one to scare away naughty children. The latter is known for being almost 400 years old. Another spot worth a stop in this district is the Shinjuku Gyoen, a former Imperial garden, now famous for its 1500 cherry blossoms trees, which paint quite the pretty picture each spring.

Tour Two: Ueno

Another district that is both easy to get to on Tokyo's metro system and a great pleasure to visit is the Ueno district. There are so many things to see here that it's hard to choose just a handful. The Ikeda Mansion Main Gate is a wonderful place to begin a journey through this area. The gate was constructed by a wealthy Tokyo family before 1868 and has been at its current location since 1954. A district within a district, Ameyoko is a great place to walk through because many people believe it's one way to get a real taste of Tokyo. Being at the terminus of the Ueno metro line, it's the jumping off point for those that come in from outlying areas. Another world-class sight to see is Sogakudo, where you can see Japan's only, and one of the world's only, concert hall pipe organs, which operates by a special compressed air mechanism. One place in Ueno you won't want to miss is the Ueno Zoo, which houses three famous pandas, a handful of Siberian Tiger kittens, and many other animals, as well as a children's petting zoo.

Tour Three: Shinagawa

Every district in Tokyo has its fair share of temples, some new and some old. If you want to immerse yourself in Japanese culture, paying a visit to each neighborhood's favorite shrines and temples is a good way to start. Shinagawa has three such locations, as well as two other popular places of interest. The Ebara Jinja Shrine is noteworthy as being the possible cause of the Meiji Emperor taking up residence in Tokyo, as he visited the shrine just before doing so. Another Meiji period shrine in this district is the Shinagawa Jinja Shrine. It sits atop ancient lava flows from Mount Fuji and is more heavily adorned than most other Jinja shrines. For history and culture visit the Tokaiji Temple (Shinagawa). It was built by a Tokugawa shogun in the 16th or 17th century and was a major Buddhist complex until the mid-19th century. There are still at least two places left to see in Shinagawa, and both are water-focused. First is the Shinagawa Aquarium, which features an underwater glass tunnel that gives you a true marine experience. It has over 300 species of marine life and has deep sea and shallow sea aquariums. After all that, you'll need to relax, and the perfect place to do that in Shinagawa is at Kaisuiyu, a Roman-style bath house. Kaisuiyu offers three different bathing options and provides everything you'll need for your visit there.

Tour Four: Shibuya

The ideal place to start a tour of Shibuya is at a statue that is considered the meeting place for the neighborhood. The Hachiko Statue depicts the loyal Akita that belonged to Professor Ueno of the University of Tokyo. The story is that Hachiko walked to work with his master every day, and when his master died, he continued to wait for him. If you would like to see Shibuya's shrines, there are two to visit and both are especially of interest to fans of history and lore. The Yoyogi Hachimangu Shrine is the site of an unearthed hut believed to be build around 8000 BCE. A model of the hut and pieces of the actual hut are still on view there. Another shrine in Shibuya, also associated with the Minamoto family, is the Konno Hachimangu Shrine. It is notable for its cherry tree, which is reputed to be at least 900 years old and sprouts different numbers of petals on its blossoms. The Shibuya district has two museums, one devoted to the arts and one devoted to riches. The Koga Memorial Museum is devoted to Masao Koga, who was a composer known for blending Western and Japanese melodies. The gardens alone at the Koga Museum are worth a visit. The other museum in Shibuya is devoted to treasures of the past. The Meiji Jingu Treasure Museum is a great place to learn about Japanese Imperial history. The museum contains many artifacts from Japan's richest period, such as the Imperial Carriage and several items of clothing worn by the Emperor and Empress on special occasions.2008-08-02T07:29:22.000 80