Historic places in Tokyo

Historic places in Tokyo

1. SeeSumida

   Edo-Tokyo Museum

   江戸東京博物館 Edo-Tōkyō-hakubutsukan

   This bizarre multi-story edifice suspended in midair and bearing not a small resemblance to a Star Wars Imperial Walker (meant to be a replica of an old raised warehouse) covers the history of the metropolis, starting from 1590 when it was selected as Japan's new capital Edo, all the way through the Kanto earthquake and firebombings of World War II. The museum is built with the latest technology including life-size replicas of entire buildings and the Nihombashi Bridge. Free informative tours are available in several languages, depending on which volunteers are around; audio guides in several languages always available. Pair it up with a visit to the more intimately sized Fukagawa Edo Museum in nearby Kōtō ward, just a couple of stops away on the Toei Ōedo subway line.

   Tue-Sun 09:30 - 17:30, Sat 09:30 - 19:30; last admission 30 minutes before closing time·Adult ¥1,300, age 65 and over ¥650, university student with ID ¥1,040, younger students with ID free; ¥100 discount for advance purchase

2. SeeBunkyo

   Hijiri-bashi Bridge

   聖橋

   On the Kanda river (神田川), on the border between Bunkyō and Chiyoda wards. It offers one of the best spots in Tokyo to see trains, three lines crossing each other (on the west, so better seen in the afternoon). Akihabara district in 500 m/10 min away to the east. Its name means Saints bridge. One side at Temple of Confucius Yushima Seido (湯島聖堂), the other side at cathedral of the Japanese Orthodox Church St. Nicholas Church (ニコライ堂, Nikorai do).

3. SeeChiyoda

   Holy Resurrection Cathedral

   ニコライ堂 Nikorai-do

   A beautifully-restored 1800s-vintage Russian Orthodox cathedral located near Ochanomizu Station on the Chuo Line. Use the Hijiribashi exit. The Hijiribashi bridge by the exit is one of the better looking bridges in Tokyo and looks moderately attractive when lit-up at night.

4. SeeChiyoda

   Imperial Palace

   皇居 Kōkyo

   Surrounded by a series of moats and high walls, the site of the former Edo Castle has been the official residence of the Japanese imperial family since 1868. Reputedly the most expensive square kilometre in the world, which during the height of Japan's bubble was estimated to be worth slightly more than California. The inner palace gardens and buildings are closed to the general public except on the second day of the New Year (January 2) and the Emperor's birthday (February 23), when the imperial family makes a public appearance, and the emperor gives a speech to his assembled subjects. However, foreigners can also apply online to join a free guided tour (M-F at 10:00 and 13:30). If you're feeling lucky, you can also try just showing up at the Imperial Household Agency office located in the northwest corner of the Imperial Palace Park, which is open 09:00-12:00, 13:00-14:00; if there's space, you can join a tour on the same day. Tours are conducted only in Japanese, but electronic audio guides (in English) will be lent to foreign visitors free of charge. At the end of the tour, visitors wishing to enter the East Gardens (see next entry) will be given entrance cards and allowed through to the gardens via a private gate, allowing them to bypass the lines at the main Ōte-mon entrance; pay attention to the announcement in Japanese and queue up as directed.

5. SeeChiyoda

   Imperial Palace East Garden

   Kept in impeccable shape, the gardens of the Imperial Palace are particularly beautiful during the March and April plum and cherry blossom seasons. During the Edo period, this was the heart of the Shogun's castle, and you can see the tenshudai, the raised platform where the tenshukaku (main keep) was once located, and an open field that was once the site of the honmaru goten, the Shogun's main residential palace. Entrance is free through a number of gates; you will be given a plastic entrance card at the gate, which you are obliged to return upon leaving; most visitors use the Ōte-mon (大手門) gate near the Ōtemachi subway station (exit C10). Also an easy walking distance from Tokyo station.

   Open daily except Mondays and Fridays

6. SeeChiyoda

   Kanda Shrine

   神田明神 Kanda-myojin

   This shrine has a history dating back to the 8th century and had been highly regarded under the Edo shogunate. The current red-pillared structure has been rebuilt after being completely destroyed in the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake. The Kanda Matsuri festival, which takes place in mid-May every other year is one of the largest in Tokyo and is a sight to behold. Arrive before noon or the shrine gets packed with spectators.

7. SeeChuo

   Mitsui Memorial Museum

   三井記念美術館, Mitsui Kinen Bijutsukan

   Art museum, the collection includes items used in the Japanese tea ceremony as well as Eastern antiques. Housed in an historic building dating back to 1926.

8. SeeChiyoda

   National Diet Building

   国会議事堂

   Housing Japan's bicameral legislature, it was built in the 1920s. The most recognizable symbol of the Japanese government, it was built from Japanese building materials, features a pyramidal roof and is surrounded with green areas. The nearby free Kensei Kinenkan (between the Diet and the water) has a nice view on it, and tons of political artefacts to satisfy those interested in Japanese politics. English tours are available on weekdays by reservation only, but the tour focuses almost exclusively on the architecture of the Diet Building such as the origin of building materials or the dimensions of rooms, with little consideration for political procedure or historicity.

9. SeeChuo

   Nihonbashi Bridge

   日本橋

   Nihonbashi means Japan bridge. It is the most famous bridge in Japan and one of the very few historic bridges remaining in Tokyo. The current stone and steel bridge was built in 1911. It is the point from which all distances are measured to the capital. Since 1964 it is unfortunately overshadowed by a massive expressway, blocking much of the view.

10. EatChiyoda

    Peter

    Restaurant with amazing views of Imperial Palace and excellent service. Lunch seems the best value. Kobe beef from ¥23,500. Dress code: casual.

    Lunch from ¥4900

11. SeeMinato

    Sengaku-ji

    泉岳寺

    A temple most famous as the resting place of the 47 Rōnin, a famous group of samurai who banded together to avenge their unfairly slain master. Having obtained the head of the offender, they brought it to this very temple and then were condemned to commit ritual suicide, like their master. The story is told in Chūshingura, the best-known of all Kabuki plays. History aside, the temple isn't much to look at, but the small museum has artifacts from the event and after, including wooden statues of all the ronin, the banner that the ronin posted during their raid, original letters, and the receipt that the priests wrote out for the head. The graves are a popular site of pilgrimage to this day.

12. SeeBunkyo

    St. Mary's Cathedral

    東京カテドラル聖マリア大聖堂 Tokyo Cathedral

    Seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Tokyo. Designed by the famous architect Tange Kenzō, this ultramodern church was built in the 1960s to replace an older structure that was destroyed during the war.

13. SeeSumida

    Sumo Museum

    相撲博物館, sumō hakubutsukan

    A small, quirky museum tucked inside the arena's first floor, dedicated to the history of sumo, particularly artifacts and ceremonial clothing, almost entirely in Japanese only. The collection rotates several times a year. During sumo tournaments, it is open daily, but only to tournament ticket holders.

    Mon-Fri 10:00-16:30; closed Sat Sun & holidays·Free

14. EatGinza

    Sushi Kanesaka

    鮨かねさか

    The main branch of one of Japan's premier sushi restaurants with two Michelin stars, with another branch at the Palace Hotel, as well as two outposts in Singapore. Sushi is prepared fresh for you at the counter while you watch. Ordering dishes individually is not allowed, and the chef would select what he thinks are the best seasonal ingredients for customers. The restaurant is very small with limited seating, so reservations are essential well in advance. Limited English is spoken by the head chef.

    Closed · opens 11:30 am·¥5,000 (lunch), ¥20,000 (dinner)

15. SeeBunkyo

    The Tōyō Bunko

    東洋文庫

    The Toyo Bunko is a special library and a research institute of Oriental studies. The research focuses on Asian history and cultures. The Toyo Bunko collects and saves historical records of Asia. The collection of books exceeds 950,000 items. People can read the books free of charge. Library materials cannot leave the building. Photocopiers are available for use at a minimal charge.

16. SeeChiyoda

    Tokyo National Museum of Modern Art

    東京国立近代美術館, Tōkyō Kokuritsu Kindai Bijutsukan

    With a modest permanent collection on display and regularly changing exhibitions, MOMAT is a nice place to kill a couple of hours after you've seen the Imperial Palace across the road. Entry to the nearby Crafts Gallery is included in the price.

    Tue-Thu Sat-Sun 10:30-17:00, Fri 10:30-20:00, closed Mon·¥420 for adults, ¥130 for students and children under 15 free. Admission is also free on May 18, November 3 and the first Sunday of every month. Special exhibits extra

17. SeeChiyoda

    Yūshūkan War Memorial Museum

    遊就館

    An odd collection of military paraphernalia (including human torpedoes and letters from kamikaze pilots) and one-sided (allegedly revisionist according to the Chinese, Koreans and other Asian countries except Taiwan) descriptions of Imperial Japan and World War II, but it can be pretty confronting at times. The museum includes a small military history book and model shop.

    Daily 09:00-16:30·Adult ¥1000, post-secondary student ¥500, high school student ¥300, child free

18. SeeChiyoda

    mAAch ecute Kanda Manseibashi

    マーチエキュート神田万世橋

    A historic train station that's been converted into a shopping mall. Besides interesting shops and cafes, there's also a library and history exhibits about the station, including a large diorama showing the area around the station as it was in 1912 when it opened.

19. DoShinagawa Not mapped

    Takanawa Catholic Church

    This modern church rebuilt on a historic site is handicapped-accessible and has Sunday Mass in English on the fourth Sunday of each month at 13:00.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Tokyo (CC BY-SA 4.0).