Tokyo Things to Do Tips by Adeline_Foo

This is Tokyo's most venerable Shinto shrine, opened in 1920 in honor of Emperor and Empress Meiji, who were instrumental in opening Japan to the outside world a hundred years ago. Two torii (the traditional entry gate of a shrine), Japan's largest, built of cypress more than 1,700 years old, give dramatic entrance to the grounds, once the estate of a daimyo lord. The shaded pathway is lined with trees, shrubs, and a dense wood. The shrine itself, about a 10-minute walk from the first torii, is a fine example of dignified and refined Shinto architecture. It's made of plain Japanese cypress and topped with green-copper roofs. Meiji Jingu Shrine is the place to be on New Year's Eve, when more than two million people crowd onto the grounds to usher in the New Year

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Directions: The Meiji Jingu Shrine is located near to HARAJUKU STATION
Other Contact: It is open daily from sunrise to

Metropolitan Government Office Building: TOKYO METROPOLITAN

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Written by Adeline_Foo

on Feb 25, 2003

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office Building

Visit the TOKYO METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OFFICE. Relocated to Shinjuku from Yurakucho in 1991, these offices occupy a giant, cathedral-like structure designed by Kenzo Tange, Japan's leading postwar architect. The building rises 48 floors, dividing at the 33rd story into symmetrical towers that rise to 243 meters. The public observation decks on the 45th floor, reached by elevator in 55 seconds, have now superseded Tokyo Tower as the premier vantage point to survey the entire city. On clear days, especially in winter, the TMGO offers brilliant views of Yokohama to the southwest and Mt. Fuji to the west. There are two towers, the NORTH Tower and the SOUTH Tower. Make sure you go to both towers to see the different views from above!

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Address: 10 mins walk from JR/subway Shinjuku Station.
Other Contact: Admission is free.

Metropolitan Government Office Building: TOKYO METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OFFICE

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Written by Adeline_Foo

on Feb 25, 2003

This is another photo of the TOKYO METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OFFICE. Nice building! Each of the twin towers of Building No 1 has an observatory on the 45th floor. It makes no difference which you choose; the lifts whisk you to the top in less than a minute, On a clear day, the view is the most spectacular in Tokyo, with futuristic skyscrapers in the foreground, the green Shinjuku Garden, the Imperial Palace, Ginza and Tokyo Bay to the east and if you are lucky, Mt Fuji's perfect cone far away on the southwestern horizon

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Metropolitan Government Office Building: TOKYO METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OFFICE

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Written by Adeline_Foo

on Feb 25, 2003

This is the view from the TMGO. The green patch is the Tokyo Imperial Palace

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Shinjuku: SHINJUKU STATION

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Written by Adeline_Foo

on Feb 25, 2003

In the days of the shogunate, Shinjuku was still a day's march from the capital, Edo (now Tokyo). Weary travellers coming from the west would stop at its inns to bath and rest, dine and visit one of the many houses of pleasure. With the coming of the railways, Shinjuku became a major junction. As late as 1970, Shinjuku was known mainly for its station, red-light district and sewage farm. When investors looked for alternatives to central Tokyo, Shinjuku had an important advantage: it seemed to survive earthquakes better than other areas. The first highrise was the KEIO PLAZA HOTEL.
Subway lines and JR railway lines meet at Shinjuku, plus the private lines feeding customers to their own department stores right above the station. The famous people-pushers operate as many bodies as they can into each carriage, giving them a final shove to let the doors close and then bowing as the train pulls out. It's worth experiencing - ONCE!! You will never wants to do it again! You can walk more than a kilometre underground (much more if you are lost like me!!!)

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Tokyo Tower: TOKYO TOWER

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Written by Adeline_Foo

on Feb 25, 2003

Visit Tokyo's version of the Eiffel Tower, the TOKYO TOWER. Built in 1958 to carry television transmissions, it now broadcasts all eight of Tokyo's channels as well as FM radio stations. Cameras at the 250m level keep an eye on the city's notorious traffic and send pictures to a central control room, the source of the information flashed up along the expressway. The tower is the world's tallest freestanding iron structure. The view from the 150m level is not remarkable; you need to pay the extra charge to go to 250m if the day is clear enough to make it worthwhile

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Directions: At Kamiyacho subway, emerge fro mExit 1 and head uphill. It takes about 7 minutes to walk to the foot of the tower.

Imperial Palace Outer Gardens: IMPERIAL PALACE

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Written by Adeline_Foo

on Feb 25, 2003

Visit the IMPERIAL PALACE EAST GARDEN. The Imperial Palace East Garden (Kokyo Higashi Gyoen) is a vast green space in the heart of the city. It was once the biggest fortress in the world, the shogun's castle of Edo, which after 1868 became the site of the Imperial Palace. The East Garden is only a fraction of the whole, but still big enough for a long walk. The usual entrance is through the OTEMON GATE, near the Palace Hotel. It was the main castle gate, one of 36 in the outer walls, and elaborately designed for defence.
This place is BIG!!! I walked until I was sooooo tired! But it's worth it!

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Odaiba: ODAIBA

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Written by Adeline_Foo

on Feb 25, 2003

This is the hottest spot in Tokyo now! Odaiba is build on reclaimed land in the Port of Tokyo. It is united with downtown Tokyo via a new 'Yurikamome' transit systems which originates at JR Shimbashi Station and runs along Rainbow Bridge.
This place is very beautiful at night especially the Rainbow Bridge. Japan's top TV station, Fuji TV Station, has a very high-tech building there. Also, the World's highest Ferris Wheel is in Odaiba

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Mt. Fuji - Day Trip: MOUNT FUJI

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Written by Adeline_Foo

on Feb 25, 2003

Mount Fuji, affectionately called 'Fuji-san' by the Japanese, has been revered since ancient times. Throughout the centuries Japanese poets have written about it, painters have painted it, pilgrims have flocked to it, and more than a few people have died on it. Without a doubt, this mountain has been photographed more than anything else in Japan.
Mount Fuji is stunningly impressive. At 12,388 feet, it towers far above anything else around it, a cone of almost perfectly symmetrical proportions. Mt. Fuji is majestic, grand, and awe-inspiring. To the Japanese it symbolizes the very spirit of their country. Though it's visible on clear days from as far as 100 miles away, Fuji-san is, unfortunately, almost always cloaked in clouds. If you catch a glimpse of this mighty mountain (which you can sometimes do from the bullet train between Tokyo and Nagoya), consider yourself extremely lucky. One of the best spots for views of Mount Fuji is Hakone.
I was lucky that on the day we went to Mount Fuji, the weather was very nice, the sky was clear so we can see Mount Fuji very clearly. Our tour guide said we were very lucky because normally we can't see Mount Fuji in the early April as it was hidden behind the clouds!

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Disney Resort: DISNEYLAND

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Written by Adeline_Foo

on Feb 25, 2003