王小鈞's Reviews Page 5/38

When visiting Tokyo, besides the bustling streets and shopping areas, I also highly recommend setting aside some time to walk around the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace. Historic remains of Edo Castle have been preserved here, with old castle ruins, stone walls, and garden scenery all woven together. As you stroll through the grounds, you can experience a sense of tranquility that is rare in Tokyo.

The area around the Imperial Palace is also great for walking and jogging. Taking your time to make a full loop around the grounds, without rushing, feeling the gentle breeze, and enjoying the natural scenery of each season is really relaxing. I’m sure the scenery would be different and beautiful during cherry blossom or ginkgo season. The weather was excellent when I visited, and the sunlight filtering over the lush green gardens made the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace look especially peaceful and beautiful.

When visiting Ueno Park in Tokyo, of course you can’t miss Japan’s first zoo—Ueno Zoo! Although the zoo isn’t very large, admission is affordable, and the grounds are well maintained and pleasant. It’s a great place to bring children for a walk and see all kinds of cute animals. The zoo is divided into the East Garden and West Garden, with a bridge connecting them, and walking along the way is enjoyable too.

If you have enough time, you can spend half a day or even a full day exploring at a leisurely pace, taking breaks along the way without feeling rushed at all. For a family trip, it’s a great place to take the kids! The main reason for visiting Ueno Zoo this time was to see the adorable pandas. Just thinking about them felt so soothing!

Overall, the surroundings are beautiful, it’s easy to get to, and you can see many animals all in one place. It’s well worth adding to your Tokyo itinerary.

While in Tokyo, I made a special trip to Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. It skillfully blends the natural scenery of the four seasons with historic architecture, making it a beautiful garden that’s perfect for a leisurely walk and relaxing.

The weather was wonderful on the day I visited. Sunlight fell across the lush green garden, making the scenery look especially fresh and beautiful. Although my visit didn’t coincide with cherry blossom season, so I missed the romance of a garden full of blossoms, I could still feel the garden’s peaceful and elegant atmosphere.

This time, I only visited the Japanese garden area. Walking among the ponds, stone lanterns, neatly trimmed trees, and small bridges was really pleasant, and every corner had the charm of a Japanese garden.

Adult admission is JPY 500. Coming from the Isetan side, it’s only a few minutes away on foot, so it’s very convenient to get to. If you happen to be shopping in Shinjuku, consider stopping by. Walking from the bustling streets into this greenery feels like instantly entering another world.

Rikugien Gardens is one of the few places in central Tokyo where you can quiet your mind and fully appreciate the beauty of a traditional Japanese garden. Winding paths weave through small bridges, streams, teahouses, and pavilions, and every step feels like walking through a Japanese landscape painting.

It is also a well-known spot in Tokyo for viewing cherry blossoms and fall foliage. Unfortunately, I visited in the summer and missed the seasons when the cherry blossoms and fall colors are at their best. Still, the lush greenery, sunlight filtering through the treetops, and good weather that day made for some beautiful summer scenery.

The garden isn't very large, and you can leisurely walk through it in about an hour. Rather than rushing from one sightseeing spot to another, I prefer the atmosphere here, which lets you slow down and enjoy a moment of peace.

Arisugawa-no-miya Memorial Park is a hidden green oasis tucked away in a residential area in central Tokyo. It's within walking distance of Hiro-o Station, and I never expected to find such a spacious and relaxing park in the heart of bustling Tokyo.

The park has a pond, small bridges, streams, and dense woods. Walking through it really makes you feel far removed from the noise of the city. The scenery is especially beautiful during cherry blossom season and fall foliage season, so it's no wonder the park is so popular with Tokyo residents. I visited in the summer, so there were no cherry blossoms or fall colors, but the lush greenery and sunlight filtering through the trees still made it very pleasant.

I specifically made time in my itinerary to walk around the University of Tokyo and visit Akamon, the most iconic landmark on the Hongo Campus. Even though it is currently closed to visitors due to restoration and seismic retrofitting work, it is still worth making a special trip to see it.

The vermilion Akamon was built in 1827. It was originally constructed by the Kaga Domain as the gate to the residence built for Princess Yasu, daughter of Shogun Tokugawa Ienari, when she married into the domain. It has a history of nearly 200 years and has been designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan. The historic architecture and vermilion gate evoke a strong sense of the Edo period.

Although Akamon is not the main gate of the University of Tokyo, it has long been a symbol of the university. Standing in front of the gate and taking in the history and campus atmosphere makes this a very special stop on a trip to Tokyo.

Senso-ji is one of the oldest temples in Tokyo. Its most iconic features are the striking Kaminarimon Gate and its enormous red lantern. Once you enter the temple grounds, you are immediately surrounded by a strong sense of traditional Japanese culture and faith.

This is more than just a tourist attraction; it feels like a part of Tokyo's history. From Kaminarimon all the way down Nakamise-dori, the shops, traditional snacks, and visitors from around the world make the entire street very lively. Although it is crowded, that liveliness is exactly what makes Senso-ji's unique charm even more apparent.

When visiting Tokyo, besides shopping and sightseeing, I also highly recommend taking a walk along the Sumida River. The Sumida River Terrace is a relaxing waterfront promenade where you can walk or jog while enjoying views of the riverbanks and the Tokyo cityscape.

The weather was beautiful that day, with sunlight shining on the river and a gentle breeze that felt especially pleasant. The scenery along the way was also great for photos. As the afternoon went on, more people gradually arrived, and the entire Sumida River Terrace became livelier. Enjoying the river breeze, looking at Tokyo Skytree, and spending some rare relaxing time in Tokyo felt really nice.

I visited Taito Ward Sumida Park along the Sumida River. It’s a well-known cherry blossom viewing spot in Tokyo and also a popular place to admire and photograph Tokyo Skytree.

Although this visit wasn’t during cherry blossom season, so it lacked the romance of the trees in full bloom, there was plenty of greenery and a refreshing summer atmosphere instead. The weather was wonderful that day, and the blue sky, Sumida River, and Tokyo Skytree in the distance looked beautiful no matter how I photographed them.

Strolling slowly along the river, feeling the breeze, and taking in Tokyo’s cityscape was very relaxing, even without the cherry blossoms.

In addition to its lively, bustling streets, Tokyo also has quite a few small gardens full of Japanese charm. This time I visited Mukojima-Hyakkaen Gardens, where different flowers bloom in every season. Walking through the grounds, you can enjoy the leisurely and elegant atmosphere of a Japanese garden.

The garden isn’t very large, but it has a rich variety of flowers and trees, creating different scenery as the seasons change. It’s a great place to slow down, take a walk, and snap some photos. It’s also not far from Tokyo Skytree, Sensoji Temple, and the Sumida River, so it’s easy to visit them all on the same day.

The biggest surprise was that admission was only JPY 150! In a city as expensive as Tokyo, being able to enjoy seasonal flowers at such an affordable price makes it truly worth a visit.