Fuji TV Headquarters Building
With the futuristic impression of its silver sphere, the Fuji Television Headquarters, designed by architect Kenzo Tange, is a landmark of Odaiba. There is also a floor offering tours of the TV station.
The building’s design is really unique. You can spot that big sphere from far away, and it’s hard not to notice.
Odaiba Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty in Odaiba, standing against the backdrop of the Rainbow Bridge, symbolizes the friendship between Japan and France. Initially brought to Odaiba from Paris in 1998 as a temporary exhibit, the site continues to draw immense fandom to this day. With official permission from the city of Paris, it was permanently installed in 2000.
When the weather’s nice with the Rainbow Bridge in the background, the whole scene looks awesome. No matter how you shoot it, it comes out great.
Yokohama Chinatown
Yokohama Chinatown, one of Japan’s three major Chinatowns, is a district lined with countless Chinese restaurants. From affordable dishes you can enjoy as takeout or all-you-can-eat meals to authentic Chinese cuisine, there are options to suit your budget.
It's really heartwarming to see a traditional Chinese Taoist temple in Japan.
Yoyogi Park
The large 544,711.27㎡ site of this park is filled with water and greenery, something that you don’t often find in the heart of Tokyo. During springtime around 800 cherry trees blossom beautifully, and the area around the south side’s fountain is particularly popular as a cherry blossom viewing location.
This is a huge park right in the city center. On weekends and holidays, it's packed with people. Lots of folks bring their dogs to play here.
Sugamo Jizo-dori Shopping Street
While Sugamo Jizo-dori Shopping Street is affectionately known as "Grandma's Harajuku", in recent years it has been drawing attention as a spot enjoyable for people of all ages and genders. Spanning approximately 780m, the shopping street is home to about 200 stores covering a diverse range of genres, including Japanese sweets, Western sweets, bakeries, tea shops, rice cracker shops, and Buddhist altar accessory shops.
They call this place the 'Harajuku for seniors.' Most of the shops sell things for older folks, and you can find all sorts of daily necessities here.
Meiji Jingu Gaien (Outer Garden)
Meiji Jingu Gaien, the outer park of Meiji Shrine, was established in 1926. It features the Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery and various sports facilities, such as the Meiji Jingu Stadium, where you can enjoy nature throughout the four seasons.
I've been here many times, and every visit feels a little different.
Ueno Zoo
This is Japan’s first ever zoo, founded in 1882. Despite its urban setting in the heart of Tokyo, it still keeps a lush, natural environment as well as about 3,000 different animal friends of some 300 different species.
There are so many kinds of birds here! It's a great place to walk around. I recommend bringing something to help you stay cool, since there aren't many shady spots.
Hida Takayama Old Townscape
Hida Takayama Old Townscape is said to be a town where the original landscape of Japan remains, as the streets from the Edo period still remain, and the charming town houses and noren (curtains) of old stores continue to be seen.
The townscape is beautiful, especially when it snows!
Japan Mint Bureau Ministry of Finance (Mint Museum)
The Mint Museum converted a building originally built as a thermal power plant in 1911 (Meiji 44). The brick exterior was maintained throughout the transformation to this date. In 1969, the museum opened to the public to display valuable coins and other items stored by the Mint. Later, with the motto of "a people-friendly, environmentally friendly, and attractive museum," the museum introduced the latest techniques to its exhibits and facilities to make it more accessible. As a result, the museum underwent a major renovation and reopened in April 2009.
This is a gorgeous spot for cherry blossom viewing. The famous cherry blossom tunnel is really something!
Genkyuen Garden
Hikone Castle, a national treasure, took about 20 years from 1606 for the completion. In 1677, which is approximately 50 years after the castle was completed, Ii Naooki, the fourth feudal lord of Hikone Domain, started building a garden along the moat, and completed the Genkyuen, a Daimyo garden (created by a daimyo / feudal lord at his estate or in the castle town of his domain in the Edo period) in 1679.
The Japanese garden is really pretty. It's a shame there weren't many autumn leaves when I visited.