Palace Square in Tokyo is the historical center of the city. It is located in front of the Kokyo Imperial Palace, the current residence of the emperor.

The square overlooks two bridges that connect the two parts of the palace - the outer and the inner. The first bridge is called "glass bridge" in Japanese because of its shape. The second one is called "double bridge" because it has two levels.

The square in front of the palace is considered one of the most popular places rest of the townspeople. Tourists are attracted by a small well in the center of the square, where, according to legend, you need to throw a coin for good luck.

Tokyo Disneyland

The Tokyo amusement park has an impressive, almost 30-year history, as well as a DisneySea satellite park, a shopping complex and several hotels located directly on the territory of Disneyland.

Once upon a time, the park became the very first foreign copy of Disneyland in the United States, founded by Walt himself, and already in 1983 the first visitors poured here, attracted by the fame of the famous animator, combined with the exotic of the Country rising sun.

Japanese Disneyland is so big and full of entertainment that you need to go here for at least a couple of days, or better, for a week at once, in order to slowly try out all the attractions of each thematic part (for example, the Land of Animals or the Land of Fantasy), drive around the entire territory on a monorail train and be sure (according to the old Disney tradition) to take a picture with Mickey Mouse.

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rainbow bridge

The 798-meter-long Rainbow Suspension Bridge in the northern part of Tokyo Bay connects the island of Odaiba with the shipyards of Shibauri.

The two central towers of the bridge hold the central span 580 meters long. The white color of the towers is in harmony with the panorama of Tokyo, which opens from the island of Odaiba.

The Rainbow Bridge got its name due to the night illumination of white, green and red colors. Lamps placed on the frame of the building accumulate solar energy during the day in order to paint one of the most famous buildings of the Japanese capital in bright colors at night.

Pedestrians can cross the bridge via two different walkways on the lower tier. One of them faces north and allows you to enjoy the scenery of the inner harbor of Tokyo, and on the south side you can see Mount Fuji on clear days.

Fuji used to be an active volcano, but after 1708 the eruptions stopped. In the past, it was believed that spirits lived on the mountain, and it was possible to climb it only by performing religious rites. And women are not allowed at all - at least until 1872. Now all these prohibitions and dangers are gone, therefore everyone is obliged to see Japan at least once in their life from the edge of the crater.

The graceful symmetrical appearance of Mount Fuji served as a source of inspiration for many poets and artists. Who knows, suddenly, having climbed to the top, you too will be able to draw an engraving or write a poem, in no way inferior to the recognized Japanese geniuses. You can go upstairs only in July and August. This is not such a simple matter, because the slopes of the mountain are dotted with volcanic ash, which strives to be dragged down. The journey will take 5 - 7 hours. You can start it during the day and spend the night halfway, but it's better to hit the road late in the evening and meet the sunrise at the top. Then in the mirrors mountain lakes real beauty will be revealed to you, and the iridescent morning haze will be the best reward.

Avenue of Stars

Like Hollywood, Tokyo has its own Avenue of Stars. It is located next to the local national museum. There are many casts of human hands on the paving slabs. These are the prints of famous and prominent people Japan.

Koishikawa Korakuen Garden

Koishikawa Korakuen Garden is the oldest Japanese landscape garden in Tokyo.

Its construction began in 1629 under the shogun Tokugawa Erifusa and was completed under his successor.

The garden reproduces Japanese and Chinese landscapes in miniature, using ponds, rocks, plants and creating artificial hills. Thus, while walking through the park, you can visit the sacred Mount Fuji, the Kiyomizu-dera temple, as well as the famous West Lake in China.

The garden is especially attractive in the second half of November during the leaf fall, in February, when the Plum Festival is held, and in April, during the cherry blossoms.

Ueno park

Ueno is the most famous and most visited park in the Japanese capital, was established in 1873. It is the center of cultural and scientific life of the city.

This is a great place to relax among traditional Japanese plants, as well as flora from other countries. On the territory of Ueno Park is the oldest zoo, in which there are more than a thousand animals.

Today, Ueno Park is a museum reserve. The Tokyo National Museum located here keeps amazing examples of Japanese art, a rich collection of works by European artists and sculptors is presented by the National Museum of Western Art, various exhibitions are held within the walls of the Tokyo City Art Museum. The National Museum of Nature and Science is also located here. concert hall Metropolitan Festival Hall.

Among the famous buildings of the park is also the temple of the goddess Kannon, to whom barren women pray. According to tradition, married couples who have a child bring a doll as a gift to the goddess. These dolls are burned once a year - on September 25, as a sacrifice to the goddess.

Are you curious to know how well you know the sights of Tokyo? .

tokyo subway

The Tokyo subway is the largest subway in terms of passenger traffic per year.

The construction of the subway began in 1920, and in 1925 the first branch was already in operation, which connected Asakusa and Ueno stations.

Currently, the largest subway station is Shinjuku. It passes through itself more than two million people a day.

The Tokyo subway has two hundred and ninety stations, which are operated by two major operators.

Subway cars have heated seats. Stops are announced in both Japanese and English.

An interesting fact is that due to the huge passenger traffic in the Japanese subway there is an oshiya position. This is a special person who is trained to push passengers into overcrowded cars.

The most popular attractions in Tokyo with descriptions and photos for every taste. Choose the best places to visit famous places Tokyo on our site.

Individual and group

More sights in Tokyo

There is no azure sea and hot beaches. Here you can not climb the mountain and see the world spread at your feet. I'll tell you more, this huge city is stuck in traffic jams for half a day, compared to which at rush hour is a deserted desert. Many residents here wear gauze bandages from time to time to escape the smog. Here they speak the most incomprehensible language on earth, and when they want to write something, they draw pictures. Cars here drive in reverse, and the light of a free taxi is red. There are earthquakes about once a week...

Why do people come here?! After all, there are so many beautiful places on earth. Why here..?

Because there is something here that is not found anywhere else. Amazing architecture, unique history and traditions, breathtaking cuisine, smiling and hospitable people, mysterious culture. This city beckons like a magnet, sparkling with evening lights, telling its countless stories. A city ready to give the best memories to anyone who comes here.

His name is Tokyo.

I have been here many times, and Tokyo, although it may sound trivial, each time turned out to be somehow new for me. Better to say, it turned into some new fantastic facets.

For the first time, it started from the yellow water of Tokyo Bay, the city was covered with haze, it seemed that it didn’t exist at all, only lights in the fog...

When you arrive by plane, the mood is completely different. A huge modern airport, where everything is moving, everything is in a hurry somewhere. You imperceptibly merge into the general stream, from which it is then not so easy to get out.

Once I arrived by train, but I didn’t see the city right away: first I went underground to the area where my hotel was, then underground I got from the metro to the lobby of this hotel, then I drove into the room on escalators and elevators. For all this time, I did not have to go out into the street.

At different times of the year, Tokyo is different, everyone takes away their own, personal memories from here. I propose to find out what are my impressions of this city.

How to get there

There are several ways to get to Tokyo. The fastest and most popular is the plane. You can come here by ship: Tokyo is a big port, it receives a lot of passenger ships from all over the world, however, this is not always convenient. Finally, if you are already in Japan, you can get to Tokyo by car or train. As for tourists and in general everyone who comes from Russia, we mostly get here, of course, by plane.

By plane

Regular flights have been established between Tokyo and Moscow. Direct flights are operated twice a day by Aeroflot and Japan Airlines.

The Aeroflot plane takes off from Sheremetyevo at 19:00. Travel time to Tokyo is 9 hours 35 minutes, arriving at Tokyo Narita Airport at 10:35 the next day.

Japan Airlines departs Domodedovo at 17:15, the flight lasts 9 hours and 20 minutes, arriving in Narita at 8:35.

Now the cost of tickets for direct flights starts from 17.5 thousand rubles, but prices are highly dependent on factors such as the season, the choice of airline. For example, flying with Aeroflot is cheaper than Japan Airlines.

There are at least a dozen more options to get from Moscow to Tokyo using transfer routes. Almost all of these options are available. major airlines from Lufthanza to Korean Air. Aggregator sites, for example, the Trevelask section, will help you choose the best option for air travel.

The Narita airport mentioned above receives the vast majority of international flights, these are real air gate Japanese capital.

From Narita to the center of Tokyo - 75 kilometers, there are several ways to get from here to the city.

I prefer the N "EX train. These trains depart directly from the main airport terminal with an interval of 20 minutes, in one hour they deliver passengers to the center, for example, to areas such as Shinjuku, Ikebukuro. Such a trip costs 28 USD / 3,000 JPY ( Japanese yen).

In addition to N "EX, Skyliner trains run to Tokyo, there is also a high-speed JR Sobu Line route. They are not so convenient, these trains can only reach peripheral metro stations. However, both cost significantly less, 15–20 USD / 1,500–2,000 JPY.

From Narita, you can also get to the city by bus or taxi. There are several bus routes, as for taxis, there are always enough of them here. Buses depart from the main terminal and tickets will cost 3.5–5 USD / 350–500 JPY. But when choosing this method, remember about traffic jams, they can seriously ruin your mood.

By train

If you are already in Japan and going to Tokyo, then there is no better way than the train. From any part of Japan, trains will take you to the capital in the shortest possible time with maximum convenience. Trains arrive at Tokyo Station, however, if it is more convenient, you can use other major Tokyo transportation hubs.

Tokyo stations are conveniently connected to the subway, in fact, when you arrive in Tokyo, you will not even notice how you got to the address you need.

Approximate prices for trains to Tokyo from other cities are as follows.

• Tokyo - Osaka (Shinkansen Super Express) - 135 USD / 14,000 JPY.
• Tokyo - Sapporo (Shinkansen Super Express) - 205 USD / 21,000 JPY.
• Tokyo - Yokohama ( suburban train) - 5 USD / 500 JPY.

By bus

Another way to get to Tokyo is by bus. Bus service is developed in Japan no worse than the railway, in fact, the bus will take you to the capital from anywhere in Japan. The main disadvantage compared to the train is the travel time. But he is probably the only one. Everything else is a plus. Starting from the fare, ending with the opportunity to enjoy Japanese landscapes. The largest Japanese bus operator is Willer Express, which also offers the most budget ticket options.

To make it easier for you to understand the difference between a train and a bus, I will give an example of the most popular route connecting Tokyo with Osaka. Travel time by train - 3 hours, by bus - 8 hours, cost respectively 135 USD / 14,000 JPY and 48 USD / 5,000 JPY.

Bus terminals are located in Tokyo next to the largest stations, which makes them an integral part of the capital. transport system.

You can find more information about Japanese buses.

By car

Traveling by car can also be a good option. As with the bus, you can get to Tokyo from literally anywhere in Japan. All large and most small islands are interconnected by tunnels and bridges, this allows you to move without stopping.

However, it seems to me that a memorable and exciting journey through Japan by car has a number of serious drawbacks. First, it's quite expensive. There are many toll roads in Japan, and traveling long distances will inevitably take a toll on your budget. Second, it's pretty tedious. Especially for tourists from Russia: after all, in Japan there is left-hand traffic, which means that on any trip you will need increased concentration.

By ferry

Clue:

Tokyo - the time is now

Hour difference:

Moscow - 6

Kazan - 6

Samara - 5

Yekaterinburg − 4

Novosibirsk − 2

Vladivostok 1

When is the season. When is the best time to go

I really like to visit Tokyo at the end of March, when the sakura blossoms, and in autumn, in the second half of October, when you can see the brightest autumn colors.

Many people like to come here on Christmas Eve. Despite the fact that Japan is not a Christian country, the holiday here feels very good, especially in the center and areas chosen by foreign guests.

Most tourists here, perhaps, in late March and early April: after all, the cherry blossom festival in all its splendor can only be seen in Japan. Travelers come from all over the world, hotel rooms for this season are booked long before it starts.

The most budget travel season is perhaps the end of summer, as well as the end of October - November. At this time, you can find tours with discounts up to 30-40%.

Tokyo in summer

Summer is the holiday season and probably the best time to travel. But I think it's still not the best best time to visit Tokyo. At this time of the year it is hot here (on average + 25-30 ° C), in July and August it is even too hot. Add to that high humidity and you get the full picture.

If, nevertheless, your visit falls during the summer months, try to find a hotel closer to the water and away from the central areas loaded with transport. May be the best way out in this sense would be to book a hotel in the Disney Sea amusement park area.

Tokyo in autumn

Autumn is one of best seasons to see Tokyo in all its glory. In September and October it is still warm here (+18–22 °C), and November with its average temperature+12–15 °C is also not a very cold month. When you walk through the streets and parks of the Japanese capital at this time of the year, it seems that you saw the “luxurious withering of nature” in Tokyo.

At this time, it is best to go on excursions to temples and parks. Be sure to visit Hama Rikyu Park, an amazing piece of untouched nature surrounded by skyscrapers in the heart of Tokyo. Or one of the oldest Tokyo parks - Koishikawa Korakuen. I will tell you more about all this below.

Tokyo in spring

In my experience, there is no better time to travel to Tokyo than during the spring months. In the spring, more precisely, during the period of late March and early April, there is a peak tourist season: cherry blossoms. This is a special period for the Japanese. For them, the tradition of celebrating the arrival of spring still has a very deep meaning, often incomprehensible to foreigners.

However, even those who are not very familiar with Japanese culture will be able to fully enjoy what they see here: numerous companies of Japanese people of all ages, settled on the grass right under the trees, and the trees themselves, covering at this time with their white and pink color. the whole city.

Since mid-March, it has already been quite warm in Tokyo, the temperature even at night rarely drops below +10 ° C, the spring weather will not spoil your mood. But there are a lot of tourists, hotels will be overcrowded, and this must be remembered.

Tokyo in winter

It so happened that I never had to visit Tokyo in winter. Once I was in Yokohama, which is very close to the capital. I remember that it was cold and windy outside.

Temperatures in Tokyo rarely drop below freezing during the winter months. However, winter is winter, and the snowless but cold streets of Tokyo are hardly the kind of landscape that a tourist might be interested in.

Unless, of course, it's some special occasion, like Christmas Eve. According to many of my friends, these days Tokyo is as interesting as any other world capital. A lot of lights, music, revival in the streets - all this creates a real holiday in the soul.

Tokyo monthly weather

Clue:

Tokyo monthly weather

Districts. Where is the best place to live

Tokyo is a huge city.

Despite the fact that there is a clear geographical center here, it can be said that the Japanese capital consists of several administrative regions approximately equal in status.

Each of these areas has its own characteristics, its history, its objects of tourist interest, its prices. This is Ginza and Marunouchi in geographic center, as well as the areas around Shinjuku, Shibuya, Asakusa, Roppongi, Ikebukuro. I must say right away that Tokyo is absolutely safe, in it, unlike most major cities Europe, there are no areas that should be avoided.

Marunouchi and Ginza- the most convenient in terms of location. Here within walking distance are attractions such as the Imperial Palace, the Tokyo International Forum, the best metropolitan department stores and boutiques. From here it is equally convenient to get to any of the Tokyo areas. However, for an ordinary tourist, the center has a serious drawback - accommodation here will be quite expensive, on average for 4 and 5 star hotels it is 400–800 USD / 40,000–80,000 JPY per night.

One of the most popular areas in Tokyo - Shinjuku. It is not only conveniently located in relation to the main attractions, but is literally overflowing with everything that attracts tourists so much: there is excellent shopping, a lot of sightseeing routes.

There are many hotels in Shinjuku, but unlike the center, there is a much wider choice: along with expensive hotels in this area, you can also find more budget options. The average price for rooms in hotels of 3, 4 and 5 stars is 200–700 USD / 20,000–70,000 JPY per night.

Area Asakusa with its huge number of cheap hostels, small hotels, traditional Japanese ryokans, it is best suited for those who are looking for a medium budget, so, on average for 2, 3 and 4 star hotels, the cost of a room will be from 80 to 300 USD / 8,000–30 000 JPY per night.

Along with this, many believe (and I completely agree with them) that there are few places like Asakusa left in Tokyo where you can still feel the spirit of the old city.

Nightlife and shopping for every taste and budget - this is what attracts tourists to the area Shibuya. In addition, Shibuya is also a major transport hub; several lines of the Tokyo subway converge here at once.

Shibuya has a lot to offer the tourist, but has the same drawback as the central areas: hotels here are mostly 4- and 5-star with prices of 300-600 USD / 30,000-60,000 JPY per night.

Area Ikebukuro among the Tokyo districts, as it were, on the second line. It is believed that he does not have such a brilliant reputation as Shinjuku or Shibuya.

However, this is more of a matter of personal preference. It seems to me that Ikebukuro is a great quiet area, there are many opportunities for those who would like to optimize their living budget. There are many decent 3-star hotels and small clean hostels with average prices of 80-250 USD / 8,000-25,000 JPY per night.

Roppongi- the most international area of ​​the capital of Japan. There are many embassies and other foreign representations here and in its vicinity.

For tourists, Roppongi offers a service that can be called foreigners friendly. Here you can find English pubs, elegant French wine bars, Italian trattorias. There are many hotels in Roppongi for every taste and budget, from 80 USD / 8,000 JPY for a hostel to 700 USD / 70,000 JPY for a room in a luxury hotel.

One of the coziest and most convenient places in central Tokyo - the area Shiodome. This ultra-modern piece of the Japanese capital differs from others in the convenience of its interior design.

In addition, it, like the Tokyo Station area, is perhaps the most convenient in terms of accessibility to the main tourist attractions. Hotels in Shiodome are more expensive than in Asakusa, but even here, among the many elegant hotels, you can find quite an affordable option, on average for hotels of 3, 4 and 5 stars it is 150–500 USD / 15,000–50,000 JPY per night.

From other areas of Tokyo, I will note very briefly:

You can book a hotel in the area you like on all familiar bookings (), and you can compare prices from different services in the travelask section.

Also in Tokyo there is a choice of private apartments - options and prices.

What are the prices for holidays

From what I have told you about the districts of Tokyo, it is obvious that the prices for accommodation in the city fluctuate in a very wide range: you can find a hotel for 70 USD / 7,000 JPY in Asakusa, or you can (if you wish and have the appropriate opportunities) rent a room for 1,000 USD / 100,000 JPY to Marunouchi.

The same applies to prices for food and excursions, however, the range is smaller. You can find a restaurant with dishes for 200 USD / 20,000 JPY and more, and at the same time, it's great to have a meal for two for 25 USD / 2,500 JPY.

As in any tourist city, The best way save money in Tokyo - move a little away from the main tourist routes. There prices will be lower and there will be fewer people.

Clue:

The cost of food, lodging, transportation, etc.

Currency: Euro, € US dollar, $ Russian ruble, rub Japanese yen, ¥

Main attractions. What to see

If I were asked to tell you very briefly what is interesting about tourist Tokyo, I would be a little confused. Too many things that come to mind. This is history - famous temples and museums; and architecture - from the ancient to the most modern; and culture - Tokyo galleries and theaters. And the pulse nightlife and great shopping. A short story will not do here. Yes, and in the long term, much will remain outside the brackets.

Top 5

Ginza

Tokyo area, where I would advise you to go first. Here, as it were, "all in one": old traditions, trendy boutiques, the best restaurants, traditional art. Ginza is a few blocks in the heart of Tokyo, not far from Tokyo Station and the Imperial Palace.

The best time to walk around Ginza is the weekend. For several hours the central street of the quarter turns into a pedestrian zone. Just walking around there, slowly entering department stores and small cafes, will already be a pleasure.

How to get there:

1. Ginza Station on the Hibiya, Marunouchi or Ginza subway lines.
2. Yurakucho Station on the Yurakucho Subway Line.
3. Yurakucho station on the Yamanote, Keihin-Tohoku railway lines.

Tsukiji Fish Market

Another metropolitan attraction. In fact, this is an ordinary wholesale market, but those who have been here unanimously say that they have never seen anything like it.

The fish market makes a huge impression, it is perceived as a single mechanism that clearly does its job. Tsukiji attracts a lot of tourists, for whom a certain infrastructure has been created there. And this despite the fact that the most interesting time of its work is completely non-tourist: for example, the tuna auction, where you will have a unique opportunity to see how the best Tokyo restaurants acquire elite varieties of tuna and other fresh fish, opens early in the morning at 5:30.

How to get there:

1. Tsukiji Shijo Station on the Oedo Subway Line.
2. Tsukiji Station on the Hibiya Subway Line.

Working hours:

• The main market is open from 5:00 to 14:00.
• The wholesale market is open to visitors after 9:00.
• Tuna auction runs from 5:25 to 6:15 (accepts no more than 120 tourists per day)

Entrance:

Free.

Skytree Tower

The new 634-meter Tokyo TV tower has become a symbol modern city. Exactly this high building in Japan.

Of course, the most interesting thing is to get to one of the viewing platforms of the tower, they are located at an altitude of 350 and 450 meters. To say that the whole city is visible from there is to say nothing. It's just like in the palm of your hand. Beautiful place to take photos as a keepsake.

How to get there:

1. Tokyo Sky tree station on the Tobu Isesaki subway line.
2. Oshiage Station on the Asakusa, Hanzomon or Keisei Oshiage subway lines.

Opening hours:

From 8:00 to 22:00 (entry until 21:00).

Entrance:

• Viewpoint on the first level - 20 USD / 2,060 JPY.
• Observation deck on the second level - additional 10 USD / 1,030 JPY.

Shinjuku Skyscraper District

The famous Tokyo area is another point of the mandatory program. Many, talking about the sights of Tokyo, put it in first place. Skyscrapers are Shinjuku's calling card, his memorable image. The main center of tourist interest is rather a large shopping and entertainment area around Shinjuku Station.

I think the best way to get a taste of this unique place is to wander through the narrow streets like Omoide Yokocho or Golden Gai in the evening, or go to the Kabukicho area with its old winding streets.

How to get there:

Shinjuku Station on the Yamanote, Chuo, Keihin-Tohoku lines.

Shibuya District

It is believed that Shibuya is a kind of trendsetter of the modern city. Everything here is a little different, not like in other places. People in cafes and restaurants are more elegant, women's hairstyles are more interesting; for some reason, Parisian boulevards come to mind ...

Here you can easily spend the whole day, and after it the evening, because Shibuya is a huge shopping center "Shibuya-109" (Shibuya 109), this is the famous monument to the faithful friend of the dog Hachiko (yes, the same one!), This is the Meiji Shrine with a huge park.

How to get there:

1. Shibuya Station of the Yamanote, Saikyo, Shona Shinjuku lines.
2. Shibuya Station of Hanzomon, Ginza, Fukutoshin, Tokyu Toyoko, Tokyu Den-Entoshi, Keio Inokashira subway lines.

Churches and temples. Which are worth a visit

Sensoji

Buddhist temple Sensoji is one of Tokyo's most popular temples with tourists. Legend tells that in 628 AD, two brothers fished out a statue of the goddess Kannon from the Sumida River. No matter how hard they tried to return the statue to the river, it kept coming back. So a temple arose on this site, the construction of which was completed in 645.

Now it is the oldest temple in the Japanese capital. This alone puts Sensoji among the first historical landmarks in Tokyo. However, many come here also to see a magnificent example of temple architecture - the Kaminarimon Gate, which translates as "Thunder Gate". Along with the Imperial Palace and sky tower tree, Kaminarimon has become a symbol of Tokyo.

How to get there:

Asakusa Station on the Ginza Subway Line.

Opening hours:

• The main hall is open from 6:00 to 17:00.
• The territory of the temple - around the clock.

Entrance:

Free.

Meiji

Meiji Jingu, a Shinto shrine built in 1920 in memory of Emperor Meiji, the first emperor of a renewed Japan. It was during the Meiji period that reforms began that turned the feudal country into a powerful industrial power.

Together with the nearby Yoyogi Park, the temple forms a vast architectural and park area. Visitors to Meiji Jingu have the opportunity to get acquainted with Shinto rituals, see the Museum of the Emperor and Empress Shoken, and visit the "Closed Garden".

Meiji is the most visited temple in the country. In the first days of the new year, more than 3 million people come to it. No other temple can compare with Meiji in this respect.

How to get there:

1. Harajuku Station on the Yamanote Line.
2. Meiji-jingu-mae Station on the Chiyoda and Fukutoshin subway lines.

Opening hours:

• The territory of the temple - from dusk to dawn, admission is free.
• Museum - from 9:00 to 16:30 (entry until 16:00); ticket price - 5 USD / 500 JPY.
• Inner garden - from 9:00 to 16:30 (entrance until 16:00); ticket price - 5 USD / 500 JPY.

Museums. Which are worth a visit

There are hundreds of museums in Tokyo, the expositions of which can tell visitors about literally everything: from the latest technology to anime.

A feature of the museum space of the Japanese capital is that it consciously simplifies life a little for those tourists who like to visit museums, but have limited time. Tokyo's Ueno Park, where several truly first-class museums are located in one place, offers such tourists a unique opportunity to see a lot of interesting things in a short time.

Museums in Tokyo have a few general rules:

1. General holiday. In almost all museums it is Monday.
2. Museums are closed during new year holidays(from December 29 to January 4).
3. On Fridays, most museums have extended opening hours.

If you are interested in something specific, I recommend that you read the list of Tokyo museums and plan the exact route in advance. If your interests are broad, then I advise you to visit one or more museums in Ueno Park, as well as get acquainted with the Museum Triangle in the Roppongi area.

Museums "Ueno"

How to get there: Ueno subway station.

Tokyo National Museum (Tokyo National Museum)

exposition: numerous exhibits of the museum tell about the history of the Japanese capital.

Working hours: daily from 9:30 to 17:00, closed on Mondays.

Ticket price: 6 USD / 620 JPY.

Museum of Western Art (Museum of Western Art)

exposition: the museum exhibits works of art from European countries and North America created in the period from the Middle Ages to the twentieth century.

Working hours

Ticket price: 4 USD / 430 JPY.

Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Art

exposition: The main direction of the museum is the placement of temporary exhibitions that tell about the latest trends in the development of art in Japan and abroad.

Working hours: daily from 9:30 to 17:00, day off Monday.

Ticket price: some expositions are paid, there is no fixed price.

National Museum of Science (National Museum of Science)

exposition: the museum perfectly shows the stages of development of Japanese and world science. Attention is focused on such areas as biotechnology, genetic engineering, and neuroscience.

Working hours: daily from 9:30 to 17:00, day off Monday.

Ticket price: 6 USD / 620 JPY.

Roppongi Art Triangle

Mori Museum

exposition: temporary exhibitions of cutting-edge Japanese artists.

How to get there: Roppongi subway station.

Working hours: daily from 10:00 to 22:00.

Ticket price: 17 USD / 1800 JPY.

National Art Center

exposition: a lot of interesting exhibits telling about the history of Japanese art from ancient times to the present day.

How to get there Directions: Nogizaka Subway Station (Exit 6).

Working hours

Ticket price: 9.5 USD / 1000 JPY .

Suntori Art Museum

exposition: temporary exhibitions of contemporary Western and Japanese artists.

How to get there: Roppongi Subway Station (Exit 8).

Working hours: daily from 10:00 to 18:00, closed on Tuesday.

Ticket price: 12.5 USD / 1,300 JPY.

parks

There are more than enough parks in Tokyo, perhaps, each of the districts can boast something of this kind. I would divide Tokyo parks into three main categories:

• Parks in general, that is, places for walking, communicating with nature, in order to take a break from the bustle of the city.
• Parks that attract special attention in autumn.
• Parks that become places of pilgrimage during cherry blossom season.

I can’t say that I visited many parks in Tokyo, but I managed to see something at different times.

Parks in the classical sense

Of those parks that fall into the first category, I remember two.

These are Hama Rikyu and Yoyogi Park. They are public, open around the clock.

"Hama Rikyu" (Hama Rykyu)

A large landscape park in the heart of Tokyo. It is located along the coast of Tokyo Bay, and on the other side it overlooks the skyscrapers of the Shiodome district, which looks paradoxically harmonious.

The park is a 10-minute walk from Shimbashi Station or a 15-minute walk from Shiodome Subway Station on the Oedo Subway Line.

"Yoyogi" (Yoyogi)

This is a place arranged according to the canons of Western park design: large spaces, lawns, well-groomed paths, a lot of water. An ideal place for jogging and picnics.

The park is located next to Meiji Shrine, a 5-minute walk from Harajuku Station on the Yamanote Line.

Autumn colors in Tokyo

"Rikugien" (Rikugien)

In late September - early October, the park becomes a real place of pilgrimage. It seems that the beauty of autumn nature attracts literally the whole city here.

Rikugien is located a 10-minute walk from Komagome Station on the Namboku Subway Line. Open until 21:00 in autumn and spring. Entrance fee: 3 USD / 300 JPY.

"Koishikawa korakuen" (Koishikawa korakuen)

Compared to other parks, Koishikawa Korakuen is relatively small, but this is precisely its charm: it literally looks like a corner of a protected forest.

You need to get to Iidabashi Station (Tozai, Yurakucho, Namboku and Oedo subway lines). The park is open from 10:00 to 17:00. Entrance will cost 3 USD / 300 JPY.

Shinjuku Gyoen

The park is located in the heart of the Shinjuku area, it can be clearly seen from the nearby skyscrapers. In autumn, it looks like a fabulous spot of bright colors against the background of the gray landscape of an industrial metropolis.

The park can be entered from three different sides. It is more convenient to get to Shinjukugyoenmae Station by the Marunouchi subway line and then walk 5 minutes. The park is open from 9:30 to 16:30. Entrance - 2 USD / 200 JPY.

sakura season

The time when Tokyo parks are most popular. Perhaps, all residents of the capital visit the park at least once during this season in order to admire the colors of the new spring or simply pay tribute to an ancient tradition.

Of the parks listed above, all are good during the cherry blossom season. I will add two more to them, which at this time become simply centers of pilgrimage.

"Ueno" (Ueno)

I have already spoken about this park above in the "Museums" section. Ueno is Tokyo's largest and most popular park during the cherry blossom season. Naturally, it is also the most “overpopulated”: literally under every tree a company rests here, the mood is very lively. The park is a stone's throw from the Ueno metro station, admission is free.

"Sumida" (Sumida)

But here everything is a little different. This park is located on both banks of the Sumida River near the Tokyo Skytree. Here you can admire the sakura from the deck of a pleasure steamer or sit in a quiet cafe on the shore.

Sumida Park is located near Asakusa Subway Station and admission is also free.

tourist streets

We often talk about the famous European streets that attract the attention of tourists. Often their very names sound like chapters from guidebooks: the Champs Elysees, the Rambla, Nevsky Prospekt...

In Tokyo, such centers of gravity are districts, sometimes informal, not corresponding to a strict administrative division. I have already mentioned some of these areas when talking about Tokyo attractions. Here I want to focus on just one of them. But he will stop in detail, because he deserves it.

Everyone who comes to the capital of Japan strives to visit this area at least once. It is famous for its art galleries, boutiques with the world's best brands, expensive department stores and trendy restaurants. Old city, cutting-edge trends, traditional art and the best food - everything is presented here; it seems that both history and modernity can be literally touched by hands.

This area is called Ginza

Perhaps the most famous and most striking fact about Ginza is that the cost of one square meter here exceeds 10 million yen (that's about 100 dollars) - the most expensive land in Japan.

Ginza translates as "Silver Court". The area got its name from the mint, which was located here from 1612 to 1800. And the modern look of Ginza began to take shape after the devastating Tokyo earthquake of 1923, which wiped out everything that was in this area of ​​​​the capital. The best time to visit Ginza is during the weekend, between noon and 6 pm.

At this time, the central street of the Chuo Dori district becomes a pedestrian area and turns into a huge walking area. What is the first thing to see while walking around Ginza? It depends on personal preferences, on how much time you have, and finally, on your mood.

You can start with lunch at one of the restaurants in the old Yurakucho area. Go further to the Police Museum. Or in the Sony building, where in one place you will see all the novelties of one of the most famous electronic companies in the world. You can buy a ticket to the world-famous kabuki theater and see this amazing example of Japanese culture with your own eyes. Finally, you can go to one of the huge department stores located here or walk through the boutiques.

To make it easier to make the right choice, I will briefly talk about the main attractions of Ginza:

You can get to Ginza by subway or train. The first option is to get to the Ginza subway station, use one of the following lines for this: Hibiya, Marunouchi or Ginza. The second is to get to Yurakucho Station using the Yurakucho Subway Line or the Yamanote or Keihin-Tohoku Line trains.

For those who still doubt whether to include Ginza in the program, I can add that you will definitely remember it. And photographs against the backdrop of its sights will definitely become part of your personal history.

What to see in 1 day

If you build the program correctly, then during the day you can see a lot of interesting things. As one of the options for such a program, I would suggest a tour "The History of Tokyo and Its Future", which would begin in the Asakusa district with the oldest Sensoji temple in Tokyo and end in the futuristic Odaiba district.

So, at 10:00 we arrive at the Asakusa subway station.

We pass the gate Kaminarimon Sensoji Temple (10 minutes).

We move to the temple, pay attention to the street Nakamise dori(30 minutes).

We examine temple surroundings, old streets nearby (30 minutes).

We head to the Sumida River (10 minutes), board a cruise ship.

River cruise(1 hour) - this is the whole center of Tokyo at a glance. During the cruise you will not see the beauties of nature, but you will be able to get to know modern architecture largest metropolis in the world.

We get off at the final stop of the cruise - the pier in the park "Hama Rikyu".

Walking in Hama Rikyu Park(1 hour).

We head to the Shiodome station (10 minutes).

We take the Yurikamome monorail, we move to the Odaiba station (20 minutes). In order to understand which train you need, there will be no problems: it is the only one there, departing every 15 minutes.

Odaiba- a bulk island in Tokyo Bay, where large shopping centers, amusement parks, museums, showrooms of large Japanese companies are concentrated. For convenience, we will break the tour of Odaiba into several stages:

We finish the program at 18:30.

I guarantee that there will be more than enough impressions from such a day. And I warn you in advance that for some time my legs will be very buzzing :).

What to see in the surroundings

Of the most interesting places in the vicinity of Tokyo, I would single out Kamakura, one of the ancient capitals of Japan with its famous stone Buddha statue.

And, of course, Nikko - a small town and the same name national park, the burial place of one of the most significant Japanese shoguns Tokugawa Ieyasu, as well as the focus of unique temples.

Kamakura

The city is an hour from Tokyo. Back in the 12th century, after the first military ruler of Japan (shogun) Minamoto Yoritomo came to power, Kamakura became the center of the country's political life.

Subsequently, after the capital moved to Kamakura, it continued to serve as the capital city in eastern Japan.

Now it is a small town, literally riddled with history. Temples and monuments will accompany you every step of the way.

From Tokyo to Kamakura, a little over 50 kilometers, it is best to take the Yokosuka line train from Tokyo Station.

Nikko

The city and the national park of the same name are located two hours drive from the capital.

The city's most famous landmark is Toshogu Shrine, considered one of the most beautiful temples in Japan.

It was built in 1600, but long before that, Nikko became a center of pilgrimage for representatives of both religions common in Japan: Shinto and Buddhism.

And now every year Nikko attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists during the autumn months. In this regard, Nikko's paints can hardly be compared with anything ...

From Tokyo to Nikko 120 kilometers, the most convenient way to get there - Railway. The Tobu Line train from Asakusa Station will take you to Nikko in about two hours.

Food. What to try

Books have been written about Japanese cuisine. The names of some Japanese dishes are hardly known to every inhabitant of the planet, and the word sushi has long gone beyond gastronomy.

The alphabets of the Japanese language, of which there are two, consist of syllables. None of them contain the syllable "shi" that we hear and say so often. There is something close to the syllable "si", which is pronounced with a slight hiss. In the Russian language tradition, since the emergence of Japanese studies, the syllable “si” has always been used. Therefore, for us, sushi (English spelling) is always "sushi", and sashimi is "sashimi".

Globalization has changed the world and us, and I generally don't mind Mitsubishi turning into Mitsubishi and Toshiba turning into Toshiba. But sushi, at least according to the purposes of the further narration, let it be "sushi".

Knowing this nuance, by the way, will help you quickly find a common language: the word "sashimi" will be heard and understood by an ordinary Japanese, the word "sashimi" - never.

The cuisine of the Japanese capital is, of course, first of all, Japanese cuisine. However, it was Tokyo that contributed to the development national cuisine Very big influence, adding metropolitan charm and brilliance to many now widely known Japanese dishes.

These dishes include nigiri zushi, the most common type of sushi. A piece of fish placed on top of rice takes much less time to cook than classic sushi, which is what has made nigiri zushi so popular.

Tempura is another dish that has been transformed by Tokyo chefs.

Before the Edo era (the old name of Tokyo), only vegetables were used as ingredients for tempura, but the capital added the whole range of seafood to them, which, in fact, determined the recipe of the dish in its current form.

Given the abundance of opportunities that are literally scattered throughout the city, I would rather focus on the “zones” that offer the whole gamut of Japanese (and not only) gastronomy.

Very interesting place Yurakucho: dozens, if not hundreds of establishments of various sizes, where you can find literally everything - from simple Japanese soba to fine French wines.

The area is located around Yurakucho Station on the Yamanote and Keihin-Tohoku railway lines, as well as on the Yurakucho subway line. You can also get there from the Ginza side (Ginza station on the Marunouchi and Hibiya subway lines).

There is also a market in Tokyo for those who might be interested in a unique gastronomic experience. Tsukiji.

Firstly, in the restaurants around the market you can try literally all the variety of seafood. Secondly, the dishes prepared here will allow you to get acquainted with what the “first”, real (and it is the only) freshness is.

How to get there: Tsukiji Station on the Hibiya Subway Line.

In the Shinjuku area, it makes sense to walk down the street Omoide Yokocho. The same flavor as in Yurakucho, only on a slightly smaller scale.

How to get there: Shinjuku Subway Station on the Shinjuku Line.

Finally, if you want to take a break and try something non-Japanese, China town in Ikebukuro (Ikebukuro subway station on the Shinjuku line) is at your service, Korea town in the same Shinjuku (Shinjuku subway station on the Shinjuku line), there is even France town (station area Iidabashi subway and Kagurazaka Hanzomon line).

Budget

Intermediate level

The average bill for a dinner for two without drinks for restaurants and cafes of this category is 50–70 USD / 5,000–7,000 JPY.

Expensive

For restaurants in this category, there is usually no such thing as an average check, and I will not give it here either. But the status of an institution of this kind should not scare away in fact. Here you can eat together and drink a glass of wine, paying 120–150 USD / 12,000–15,000 JPY.

Holidays

Japanese holidays (matsuri) are a special, unlike any other tradition. They are diverse: matsuri include admiring sakura, and a pilgrimage to a Shinto shrine. Very bright, sometimes too noisy, always involved a large number of of people.

Tourists are very fond of watching festive processions, in fact, such observation itself is participation in the holiday. If it's a normal procession, you can join it. If the pilgrimage to the temple, one can go there. It is not forbidden to participate in thematic parades, but for this you will need to prepare, for example, to find the appropriate costume.

The main Tokyo holidays tend to be rooted deep in history. Perhaps one of the most interesting Tokyo Jidai Matsuri, or "Tokyo through the prism of eras".

This large parade, which takes place on November 3rd, has a relatively recent history. People who come to the Asakusa area on this day literally see the history of Tokyo pass before their eyes. Everyone unanimously says that the brightness and detail of some of the costumes is simply amazing.

Tokyo New Year It's a big party in a big city.

However, if you are in Tokyo at this time, try to be closer to the city center or the centers of the main districts: the main celebrations take place here. It is very beautiful and crowded in Shibuya, Shinjuku, it can be even more interesting in Roppongi, where there is a little more European culture than in the rest of Tokyo.

In general, many interesting festivals are held in Tokyo every year, it would be difficult to even list them, let alone talk about them. I will name just a few:

Safety. What to watch out for

Tokyo is absolutely safe. When people ask me how it can be in a huge city, I don't know what to answer. When asked to give an example of some minimally dangerous situation, I do not know what to answer. During my entire stay in Tokyo and in Japan, I have never encountered such a situation. Even late at night, in the Hollywood scenery of some narrow street in Shinjuku, dimly lit by Tokyo standards, when three large Japanese men are walking towards you and shouting loudly, you should expect that, as they approach, they will give way to you and say "sumimasen" (Sorry).

I think that all the problems that exist in large tourist centers, in Tokyo somehow exist. And petty thieves in cafes, and pickpockets. But their scale is incomparable with Europe, so they are almost invisible.

To sum it up: in Tokyo, you can relax and live in peace at any time of the day or night. Of course, it’s not worth provoking the environment by leaving an open bag full of bundles of dollars on the table, but if you don’t do this, then most likely you won’t have any problems.

Things to do

In addition to museums and shopping, Tokyo provides many other non-standard opportunities to spend time. For example, you can go to the area Yanaka(Ginza subway station), perhaps the only area of ​​​​Tokyo that survived during the war, just to look into ordinary Japanese houses and eat real rice cakes there.

On Sunday evening you can go to a small Jingubashi Bridge(Subway station Harajuku). Do not forget to take a camera or a camera: you will not see such a number of young people representing any, the most inconceivable subcultures, such an abundance of outfits, a variety of hairstyles and makeup anywhere else.

After sunset, the city will look great from one of the many viewing platforms located on the roofs of skyscrapers.

However, those who gather there, remember: in terms of the amount of adrenaline, staying at such sites is equivalent to extreme sports sports. And also be prepared for the fact that the skyscrapers are slightly shaking ...

Shopping and shops

For lovers, Tokyo shopping is a symphony. High pleasure. As in any world capital, literally everything is presented here: from the latest cutting-edge trends to the best examples of mass fashion. I will add, for any wallet. Even on Ginza in boutiques inaccessible in other cities, you can get on a good day and meet your budget.

More affordable prices can be found in the vicinity of the centers of Shinjuku, Shibuya, there are quite a few interesting European stores in the Roppongi area.

Among all the variety, it is quite difficult to navigate, but in general terms, I would break shopping in Tokyo into several directions or ideas and would act on the basis of specific priorities.

If we need something clear, simple and reliable, we go to department stores. These are, for example, Printemps, Mitsukoshi on Ginza, Sibur 109 in the area of ​​the same name, Isetan in Shinjuku. Or the one that is closer to you geographically.

If you are talking about something new and unusual, then you need boutiques in Yoyogi, Shibuya, Shinjuku.

If we are looking for something specific, we turn to the "thematic" areas:

Bars. Where to go

Connoisseurs say that Tokyo bars are the best in the world in many ways. Sometimes they go even further, believing that thanks to new technologies, as well as the courage of the creators, some bars in Tokyo are already a completely different level, which so far exists only here. Along with such "breakthrough" establishments, the city has a huge variety of traditional ones in the best sense, offering drinks and snacks for every taste.

In my opinion, if any of you want to make a tour of Tokyo bars, then these two criteria should be used to separate the initial search.

Futuristic bars

I would refer to super places, firstly, Mixology Laboratory. Bartender Shuzo Nagumo's card says "Grand Mixologist" and some of the seats behind the counter really do look like a science lab. Maybe you'll get lucky and try his famous martini, made with foie gras vodka, chocolate pomace, nutmeg and aged in a smoke-filled bag.

A cocktail costs an average of 20 USD / 2,000 JPY here. Dinner with cocktails and courses - 120 USD / 12,000 JPY.

Opening hours: from 18:00 to 01:00 (Sunday closed).

Address: 3F, 1-6-1 Yaesu, Chuo-ku.

How to get there: Tokyo Station on the Yamanote, Chuo, Marunouchi, Sobu lines.

Other interesting bars from the same category:

All three super-bars are in about the same price category.

Classic bars

There are many establishments from this segment in Tokyo, I repeat, there is a place for every taste. To experience this diversity, just spend an evening on Ginza and look into some of the bars located here:

• Bar Evans- jazz and cocktail classics:
  • Opening hours: from 18:00 to 02:00 (Sunday closed).
  • Address: APA Ginza Chuo Bldg B1F, 3-8-15 Ginza, Chuo-ku.
  • How to get there: Ginza station on the Hibiya, Ginza, Marunouchi lines.

Clubs and nightlife

It is impossible to try to describe the Tokyo nightlife in detail and not be branded as a person who took on the immensity. At night, Tokyo literally lives, the pace of its nightlife is no lower than daytime life. As is its variety. Deep after midnight, you can go to a theater performance or visit a super trendy multimedia space that turns fantasies into reality. Get to the presentation of the author's cinema of some Danish director or go on a tour of the backyards of Shinjuku.

But perhaps the easiest and most understandable way to spend the evening and night is to go to night club. Just choose which atmosphere suits you best. Of the interesting nightclubs, I want to mention a few here.

First of all, it's famous Womb, a place where clubbers from all over the world aspire to go. An inconspicuous building in the Shibuya area with a discreet sign turns inside into a real kingdom of light and music. There are performances on all four floors of the club; in total, the club can accommodate up to 1,000 guests at a time. Regular music: house and techno.

Entrance is paid, the price depends on the program. Cocktails from 7 USD / 700 JPY, beer and snacks from 5 USD / 500 JPY.

Opening hours: on Fridays and Saturdays - until the morning.

How to get there: Shibuya Subway Station.

About the club oath they say like this:

The main thing is to have enough strength until the morning.

The club is inexpensive, with very impressive equipment. The music is the same as in Womb. Drinks and snacks from 5 USD / 500 JPY.

Opening hours: on weekends open until 8 am.

How to get there: Located near Shibuya Subway Station.

Solfa is a completely different format. The dance floor is designed for 60-70 people, the atmosphere is more like a home party.

Opening hours: Friday to Sunday open until 6 am.

How to get there: Located near Nakameguro Subway Station (Hibiya Line and Tokyu Toyoko Line).

Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift

What gift to bring from Tokyo? What is the best thing to buy as a souvenir of a trip? Perhaps these are the most difficult questions. There are too many possibilities: from ordinary souvenirs and postcards to traditional Japanese dolls and chic kimonos. Here everyone chooses to their taste.

Think, best advice here I will name a couple of proven places where gifts and souvenirs are presented in all their diversity.

Souvenirs from Tokyo

The gift shop at the National Arts Center offers a full range of traditional souvenirs from clothing to accessories.

Opening hours: from 10:00 to 18:00.

Address: B1F National Arts Center Tokyo, 7-22-2 Roppongi, Minato-ku.

How to get there: Nogizaka Station on the Chiyoda line (Exit 6).

Bingoya

Essentially, this the best place in Tokyo: 6 floors of fine souvenirs, all traditional crafts are presented.

Opening hours: from 10:00 to 19:00.

Address: 10–6 Wakamatsucho, Shinjuku-ku.

How to get there: Wakamatsu-Kawada station on the Oedo line (Kawada exit).

How to move around the city

I communicate a lot with those who visit Tokyo regularly or from time to time. I can say that when it comes to how to get around the city, the general opinion is that the metro is the most convenient option of all possible. Taxis are used quite often, but in a specific way. That is, not “drive”, but rather “drive” a short distance: from the station to the hotel, from the restaurant to the metro, etc.

In some cases, it is convenient to use the bus. For example, if you live a couple of stops from the metro station. If this is your case, you can purchase a single pass for the bus and metro, and avoid many problems. Detailed information about travel and reduced tickets can be found in.

Taxi. What features exist

Taxi is a convenient and popular mode of transport, however, like many things in Tokyo, it has its own characteristics.

Taxis in Japan are expensive. This high cost consists of two things: the actual cost of use (gasoline, car depreciation) and related costs - additional costs for toll roads and, what happens very often, wasted time due to traffic jams. So the general advice is:

1. Use the car for short distances. For example, to get to the subway.
2. Take a taxi on weekends when you're least likely to get stuck in Tokyo traffic.

Using a taxi to get from or to the airport is extremely unprofitable. For this there is beautiful trains and comfortable buses. But to get from the metro to a theater or a club - these are just the routes on which you need to get acquainted with a taxi. And there is something to see here: drivers dressed in uniform, in caps and shiny shoes, cleanliness and lace capes in the salons, automatic doors for passengers.

Taxis in Tokyo work only on the meter, tipping is not customary - they are not taken. Card payments are working fine.

You can take a taxi on the street by raising your hand, or you need to walk to the nearest parking lot. They are located near railway stations, metro stations. At the hotel, the porter will order the car.

The approximate cost is:

• landing and first 2 kilometers - 6 USD / 600 JPY;
• every next 0.5 kilometers - 1 USD / 100 JPY;
• traffic jam and parking 2 minutes - 1 USD / 100 JPY;
• taxi waiting 2 minutes - 1 USD / 100 JPY;
• after 22:00 surcharge on the tariff - 20%, after 23:00 - 30% and more.

But most importantly, remember: if the light on the roof lights up red, then the car ... is free!

Trams

Tokyo trams are rather exotic. Now there is only one Arakawa tram line left in Tokyo. If you are lucky to be in the area and will free time, I recommend just driving a couple of stops.

The ticket is inexpensive, it costs 1.6 USD / 160 JPY, and you will get positive impressions.

Metro

Without a doubt, you will most often use the subway when exploring Tokyo. If only because no other urban transport can be compared with the metro in terms of price - speed of movement. I'm not talking about quality, it's always on top.

The Tokyo subway is an extensive network of lines, very competently connected with the main directions of city electric trains. A well-oiled mechanism, you can check the clock by the movement of metro trains. All information about trains, intervals of their movement, stops, transfer stations is available on the network, in particular, it also happens in the form of mobile applications (for example, hyperdia.com). This allows you to accurately calculate the route and be in time wherever you need to.

In total, there are 9 lines in the Tokyo subway, and, as I said, they cover the entire huge city. Usually, tourists on the Tokyo subway use single tickets, their cost varies between 1.8–3.2 USD / 170–310 JPY per trip. But you can also buy convenient rechargeable PASMO travel cards. All types of tickets are purchased at the box office and vending machines, the latter is more convenient. The machines have an option to switch to English, which makes it quite easy to understand the menu and other issues.

The metro is safe, however, when planning trips, you need to remember such a factor as rush hours. Usually this time is between 8:00 and 9:00 am, sometimes between 17:00 and 18:00. In the Tokyo subway, this is especially felt; trains leave critically crowded from some stations. Situations during rush hours are so extreme that the metro administration is fighting them with no less emergency measures. On some lines at this time, special teams of "rammers" are working, which, so to speak, optimize the number of people in the cars. The busiest routes during peak times can be from Nakano to Shinjuku, from Kinshicho to Ryogoku, and also from Kiba to Monsen Nakacho.

Buses

Tokyo buses are good for everyone: they are convenient, comfortable, and relatively inexpensive. However, traveling by bus in Tokyo has one very significant drawback: the car goes on the roads common use. And this means that it is easy to get stuck in a traffic jam.

This is probably why the bus routes in the metropolis are organized in such a way that they fit into the overall system of urban transport as much as possible. The main purpose of Tokyo buses, especially in the city center, is to provide convenient transportation of passengers to the subway station areas and train stations. If your place of residence is some distance from the subway, it makes sense to look for a bus route.

Buses run along the lines from 7:00 to 22:00, boarding and disembarking is carried out at stops. The schedule of their movement is also posted there. Bus tickets cost from 1.5 USD / 150 JPY. Prices within transport zones are fixed.

Transport rental

general information

Japan and Russia are members of different international conventions governing the rules of the road. Therefore, if we proceed from the letter of the law, in order to drive in Japan, a Russian must obtain a Japanese license.

However, in practice, due to the fact that Japanese agencies do not require the presentation of special documents, many of our compatriots take the opportunity to rent a car.

You can rent a car from the age of 18, in addition, you must have driving experience for more than one year. For registration you will need a passport and international rights.

There are many rental agencies in Japan. Some of them have an independent status, some are branches of global holdings. You can choose a car for yourself in advance, for example.

Renting a compact class car (for example, Toyota Corolla), including insurance, will cost around 80 USD / 8,000 JPY per day.

When signing a lease, be prepared to pay a deposit equal to the total rental price. As a rule, this amount is blocked on your card, and within two weeks after the end of the rental period, it is unfrozen. Some agencies allow you to pay a deposit in cash.

Under the terms of the lease, the car is issued with a full tank, in the same form it must be returned.

Experienced users of rental agencies, in order to avoid misunderstandings, recommend not being too lazy and inspecting the car well for the absence of external defects before taking it.

Expenses

Petrol

• The cost of Regular gasoline (corresponding to AI-92) is 1.4–1.8 USD / 140–180 JPY per liter.
• The cost of diesel fuel is 1.3 USD / 130 JPY per liter.

Toll roads

It is believed that Japanese toll roads are among the most expensive in the world. Specific prices depend on the direction and distance, guidebooks recommend focusing on the amount of 22–25 USD / 2,200–2,500 JPY for every 100 kilometers of roads.

parking

Traffic on the roads of Japan (both on expressways and in cities) is quite calm. Drivers are usually polite and helpful. However, there are a number of factors that I would strongly recommend considering for those who are going to use the car:

• driving on the left is the first and most serious of these factors;
• traffic jams, as a huge problem of megacities;
• toll roads, there are many of them; with frequent trips or long distances, this can become very noticeable for your budget;
• many road signs, especially on peripheral roads, are not duplicated on English language which creates serious problems from time to time.

The main advice that I give to all motorists, without exception, is to remember that all your decisions on the road will be made in an unusual situation for you to drive on the left. Take your time, do not exceed the speed limit, do not be distracted while driving.

Practice shows that if you follow these simple recommendations, you can avoid many problems.

And good luck on the road!

Tokyo - holidays with children

Tokyo is the energy of business life, night lights, expressways, chic shopping. When you read or hear stories about the capital of Japan, the question involuntarily arises: is it worth going there with children? My answer is worth it. There are so many things to do in Tokyo with kids that loving parents may not have time for themselves...

In all the variety of Tokyo water parks, children's attractions and museums, Disneyland certainly reigns, a place where you can spend more than one day and give more than one happy hour to your children.

On the one hand, Disneyland in Tokyo is similar to its counterparts in other parts of the world: these are the World of Adventures, Wild West, and City of the Future parks. On the other hand, it also has something that makes it stand out - it's Disney Sea and its corners "Medieval Mediterranean", "Mermaid Lagoon", " Mysterious Island". The parks are open from 9:00 to 22:00.

Ticket price

For the convenience of those who want to please their children (and at the same time themselves) there are several types of tickets: from a one-day ticket to a ticket that requires entry after 18:00. A one-day ticket costs 75 USD / 7,400 JPY for adults, 65 USD / 6,400 JPY - for teenagers 12-17 years old, 49 USD / 4,800 JPY - for children from 4 to 11 years old.

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The Japanese auto industry is known far beyond the borders of the state. One of the most popular brands coming off the assembly lines of the land of the rising sun is Toyota. It is to her that a whole museum and exhibition complex is dedicated - Toyota Mega Web, which is one of the ten best car museums in the world, and according to some ratings it even leads it. The exposition consists of six halls, in each of which guests can not only look at cars and their parts, but also touch, experience, and even feel. For example, switch gears on different boxes or hear the noise of the motor.

The museum's largest exhibition is the Toyota City Showcase, which presents all existing and still under development models of this brand. Here, guests have a unique chance to travel back in time, through different auto eras, taking pictures first with a rarity of the 1960s, and then with an ultra-modern, not yet released model, more reminiscent of a lunar rover. However, the Ride One hall is the most popular among visitors. After all, here all adult drivers who have a license can choose the model they like and make a test drive through the pavilions of the museum.

The duration of the route, however, is not too long - only 1.3 kilometers. Toyota Mega Web also took care of those who have not yet been entitled to rights. In the Kids Hybrid Ride Oneо pavilion there is a small 150-meter kart, during the race, on which little guests can get their portion of adrenaline.

Getting to the Toyota Mega Web Museum is not difficult, it is located near the Aomi metro station on the U10 line. The doors of the exhibition and entertainment center are open daily from 11-00 to 21-00, admission is free. You will have to pay extra except for a test drive or go-kart, 300 yen, respectively. There are traditionally many people who want to visit the world of Toyota, so you should prepare for the fact that there is always a queue of potential visitors at the entrance. However, the little wait is worth it!

Disneyland is traditionally associated with Paris. Few people know that this is an American project and the first amusement park under this logo outside the United States appeared in Japan. Today it is - huge complex, occupying 47 hectares, where guests of all ages will surely find entertainment to their liking. Conventionally, it is divided into 7 thematic zones. The first one that visitors get to is Fantasyland, where you can visit Cinderella's castle, fly Peter Pan or just chat with funny cartoons. For example, Dumbo the elephant.

Older guests are attracted by the Land of Adventures, conditionally divided into two parts - the tropical jungle and the world of pirates caribbean. Here, attractions and entertainment are not so harmless, and some of them can even be called extreme. In Toon City, you can take pictures with the legendary life-size puppets. The most popular among the guests is Mickey Mouse, but others are also not left without attention.

You can travel back in time by looking into the Land of the Future. This zone perfectly reflects the essence of Japan - to catch up and overtake the whole world. All attractions in this area are futuristic and even fantastic. But in the Country of the Wild West, cowboys are waiting for guests and, of course, the legendary roller coaster is the most popular of all the rides in the world. You can complete your trip to Disney World in the Land of Animals, a zone focused on young guests or at the World Bazaar - where without themed souvenirs?

Tokyo Disneyland is not located in the city itself, but in its nearest suburb - Urayasu. But despite this, getting to it is not so difficult - first by subway to Tokio station and then by Tokyo Disney Resort bus. The amusement park is open from 9-00 to 22-00, however, during the summer months and weekends, it opens its doors earlier. Detailed information can be found on the official website. As for the cost of tickets, you can’t call it low. An adult ticket for a day will cost 7,400 yen, a child (for guests 4-11 years old) 4,800, a teenager (guests 12-17 years old) - 6,400. Discounts are available during the winter months.

The Imperial Palace is a sacred place for all Japanese. After all, despite the fact that the ruler has only nominal power, he is honored and even idolized. The history of the palace began in the distant 15th century. Today, many old buildings have been preserved on its territory, but there are also modern ones made in the classical Japanese style.

Unfortunately, tourists and local residents do not have the opportunity to see them all. Only East Park is open to visitors. By appointment, by registering on the website of the Imperial Palace Administration, you can also get on a tour in courtyard complex. Naturally, without visiting the palace. The imperial chambers are a sacred place to which public access is prohibited. However, the park has enough sights and places that deserve attention.

The first thing that catches the eye of the guests is the authentic landscape design, in the traditional Japanese style. The flowerbeds and paths perfectly complement the bridges, the most notable of which are Nijubashi and Meganebashi. It is impossible to pass by the Fushimi-yagura tower, which once served as a watchdog. It has been here since the distant days of the shogunate.

Art lovers should definitely look into the Peach Hall, where classical music concerts are regularly held. Stars whose names are known to the whole world are not uncommon on this stage. The park at the Imperial Palace is beautiful at any time of the year, but it is best to visit it in April and March, when the cherry blossoms. In addition, on December 23 and January 2, you can witness a unique spectacle - the imperial couple goes out onto a balcony covered with bulletproof glass in order to greet their people.

Getting to the palace is not difficult, it is located near the Tokyo subway station. You can walk in the park from 10-00 to 15-00 on any day except Monday and Friday. There is no entrance fee - just get a token and return it at the end of the walk.

For some, Japan is associated with a high-quality car industry, for some it is with the wonders of the scientific and technical process, and some immediately think of funny anime cartoons. Many of them were filmed at Studio Ghibli, and tourists who come to Tokyo can immerse themselves in Magic world by visiting the thematic museum.

The exposition of the museum is not too big, but the size is compensated by what is called quality. In the halls and even office spaces, every detail is thought out. Guests suddenly come across traces of unseen animals in the corner, or funny and very cute cats on the taps in the toilets. A pleasant surprise will be the "chips" of the museum - secret passages, intricate labyrinths and magic lanterns. The latter very literally illustrate what animation is.

Guests are also attracted by a stand with sketches for various cartoons. Here you can get acquainted with the work of well-known and not so famous authors and learn anime "from the inside". Of course, the Studio Ghibli Anime Museum primarily attracts young guests. Moreover, not only from the number of tourists - local schoolchildren, who cannot imagine their life without anime, also often look into the studio. But adults, especially fans of Japanese cartoons, will surely find something interesting here. After all, this is a special, unlike anything culture of Japan, which undoubtedly deserves attention.

Anime World is located at 1-4-25, Kajino-cho Koganei-shi, 184. You can get to it by subway, the nearest station is Mitaka. Then you can walk on foot through a rather colorful quarter, it will take about 20 minutes, or take a traditional Japanese shuttle bus. A conspicuous sign and bright doors, which can rightly be called fabulous, are visible from afar.

Entrance tickets are not too expensive, 1000 yen. However, you should take care of buying them in advance - the number of visitors to the museum is strictly limited, no more than 2,400 people a day. In the days school holidays in Japan, the “queue” to the museum can even stretch for 1-2 weeks.

Japan has everything. And even a small corner of French Provence, carefully recreated in the Museum of the Little Prince. While planning it, in the Land of the Rising Sun they celebrated their respect for one of the most famous European writers - Antoine de Saint-Exupery. It is surprising that a thematic museum appeared so far from his homeland.

Entering the gates of the museum, guests immediately find themselves in a completely different reality. Colorful streets, bakeries, which, as is customary in France, smell of croissants, small shops and shops. Even the signboards and signs were made by the Japanese not in their own, but in Exupery's native language. This was the final touch to create an authentic atmosphere.

Walking along the picturesque streets, sooner or later guests come across a two-story house - a copy of the one in which the author of The Little Prince lived. On the first floor of a small exposition, the personal belongings of the writer are collected, and on the second floor there is a library. The only work presented in it is The Little Prince. But it was published at different times and in different languages.

You can rest after a walk in a French restaurant. Dishes on the menu are exclusively European, devoid of Japanese flair.
The world of Exupery is located in the small town of Hakone. You can get to it from Tokyo by intercity shuttle bus, and it’s simply impossible to get lost any further — all roads and signs lead to the museum.

Admission ticket costs 1600 yen, for schoolchildren and students there is a discount, they can visit the world of Exupery for 700 yen. Together with the ticket, guests receive a waybill, which you must definitely pay attention to. Those who have made all the marks at the exit are given a small souvenir. More colorful gifts can be purchased at the local shop.

The Miraikan Museum, or as it is often called the Museum of the Future, is an exhibition that presents the latest achievements of scientific and technological progress. And the Japanese, as you know, know a lot about this.

The first thing that attracts attention is the building itself, which houses the museum. Modern, futuristic, reminiscent of either a ship or a flying saucer. It can rightfully be considered an architectural landmark.

Inside, guests are waiting for six floors of real wonders. True, permanent exhibitions are located only in two of them, 5 and 6. In the other halls, no less interesting temporary exhibitions of technical topics are held.

All exhibits of the permanent exhibition deserve special attention. The main one is Geo-cosmos globe - a huge ball consisting of numerous OLED monitors. Each of them allows you to get information about a particular process occurring inside or outside. the globe. As a result, a holistic dynamic picture is formed.

There are rooms in the museum where guests can learn a lot about themselves. For example, take fingerprints with a special scanner and analyze them with a computer program or find out how the brain works.

And finally, the highlight of the museum is the ASIMO robot, named after science fiction writer Isaac Asimov. He can talk, answer questions and, of course, move around in space. His actions are a real technical show that everyone can watch.

The Miraikan Museum is located on artificial island Odaiba, you can get to it by metro. Doors are open for visitors from 10:00 to 17:00. Ticket price including entry permanent exhibitions, 620 yen, for children - 210. On Saturdays, little guests can visit the museum for free.

The subway is one of the integral parts of Tokyo, it is the most popular form of transport among local residents. It is often difficult for guests to understand the intricate scheme, the intersection of lines and other intricacies of movement. In order not to get lost in underworld, acquaintance with it is best to start at the Tokyo Subway Museum.

The museum building can be seen from afar - a huge wind generator is installed near it, providing electricity to the entire complex. This is the first thing that attracts attention. The second is a real turnstile in which you need to throw a coin and get the coveted ticket. Just like in a real subway.

And finally, after the formalities are settled, the guests get into the real world of the metro! Here you can get acquainted with historical documents, diagrams of different periods, technical tools. And, of course, go into the car and sit on an easy chair.

Young guests are invariably attracted by a huge model illustrating the operation of the subway. Unfortunately, the figurines cannot be touched - they are hidden under glass. But, nevertheless, from this the number of visitors crowding here is no less.

Older guests can try their hand at one of the stimulators - you can be a driver or a dispatcher. During the tour, museum workers do not forget to acquaint visitors with the rules in force in it, and also help to understand the intricacies of lines and transitions.

In order to get to the Tokyo Subway Museum, you still have to use the subway, which is yet to be explored. It is located near Kasai station. Doors are open on any day except Monday, from 10-00 to 17-00. The entrance ticket costs the same as the actual subway fare. A very symbolic moment.

The park is located near Harajuku station. On Sunday you can meet musicians who perform in public for the first time in search of their audience and loyal fans, photographers choosing the right angle for shooting models, admirers of Elvis Presley skillfully copying an idol, rockabilly dancers and other creative personalities.

In summer it is good to hide from the sweltering heat in the shade of trees, to watch how locals walking with children and dogs, playing sports. If you are lucky enough to be in the park during the cherry blossom season, be sure to have a picnic and enjoy the indescribable beauty of this place. Entrance to the park is free.

Travelers with children will appreciate this place, because here you can play with animals and even ride a pony for a nominal fee. For couples who want to enjoy the romance in the park, you can rent a boat for a few tens of rubles, which is practically nothing. Keep in mind that the park is open only at certain times: from 10 am to 11.30 am, and after a short break, you can safely walk from 1.30 pm to 3 pm.

You can fly up to the skies and capture the city from a bird's eye view by climbing to the observation deck of the capital's government building. A high-speed elevator will take tourists to the 45th floor. At an altitude of 202 meters, you can enjoy the panorama of the city, take beautiful photos and feel the atmosphere of this place. The entrance for visitors is open from 9:30 to 23:00. Registration closes 30 minutes before closing. Free admission.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building was designed by Japanese architect Kenzo Tange at a cost of around $1 million. All in all, it's definitely worth a visit.

You can also find Tsukiji at the Tokyo Fish and Seafood Market interesting entertainment. From specialized viewing platforms, curious travelers will be able to see the fish auction and watch how local traders deftly butcher huge fish.

Also, for the sake of interest, you can walk around the market, get acquainted with the goods and be surprised at how diverse the underwater world, whose representatives are now waiting for their buyer. If you decide to visit the Tsukiji market, then you will have to get up early, as it opens at three in the morning, and by lunchtime you will not find anyone here.

Sony Building and technical innovations

If you are interested in various high-tech gadgets and would not mind testing them for free, then you should definitely visit the Sony Building, which houses the company's five-story showroom. Here are all the latest Sony innovations that you can not only try out, but also purchase. Sony Building is open to visitors daily from 10.00 to 20.00. Also here you can visit the showroom of Toyota, Nissan or Honda.

Nightclub Ruby Room and Oath

Tokyo nightlife lovers also have something to offer. Without breaking the budget, you can have fun and dance at the Ruby Room nightclub, which is located at: Kasumi Bldg 4F, 2-25-17 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku. The main audience is foreigners, which means that you can feel quite comfortable here. If this club is not to your liking, then next to it, within walking distance, there is another attractive club for budget tourists - Oath. Here you can also dance absolutely free until 5 am on weekdays and until 8 am on weekends to the music of popular Japanese DJs.

Free bike rental

You can rent a bike for free and ride along a specially equipped path in the Palace Cycling Course park. You can do this only on Sunday from 10 am, but keep in mind that the number of bicycles is limited and the rule applies, whoever did not have time is late. You can get to the park from the Nijubashi-Mae subway.

To visit Japan and not visit the Sumo Wrestling Museum is an unforgivable mistake. Here, this sport is treated with great respect, and in the museum you can see photographs of famous sumo wrestlers, engravings, costumes and other interesting exhibits. You can visit the museum on weekdays from 10.00 to 16.30. Museum address: 1-3-28 Yokoami, Sumida-ku.

This museum was founded in memory of the tragic event of 1923, which claimed the lives of many people and destroyed most of the city in 1923. It was then that an earthquake was recorded, which was given the name Kanto. The memorial museum is located in Yokoami Park, where you can see other buildings dedicated to this tragic incident.

The sights of Tokyo, according to the prevailing opinion, are connected with modern Japan, but there is something to see and where to go not only for lovers of megacities, but also for those who are interested in original Japan, and those who would like to learn about its history and get acquainted with the culture of this amazing country.

Google Maps / google.ru

What can be seen?

Every guest of the Japanese capital, regardless of age and preferences, will find something to see in Tokyo.

The city can offer to visit:

1. Gardens, parks and temple complexes.
2. Historical sights and monuments.
3. Parks for recreation and entertainment.
4. Museums and theaters.
5. Unique architectural structures, bridges, towers and observation decks.

The choice of places where you can go without leaving the Japanese capital is very extensive, here you can find something interesting for everyone - single and family, elderly travelers and students who came "on exchange". Like any other capital, Tokyo is able to give an idea of ​​the whole country as a whole and the opportunity to learn something specific in more detail.

Websites and will help you order a sightseeing or thematic tour in the city.

observation decks

Every traveler wants to see the city from above and take some beautiful panoramic shots. As a rule, tourists stay at Haneda International Airport. The terminal building itself is simply beautiful - huge, with modern equipment and interior and, paradoxically, devoid of impersonality and the effect of "the presence of the crowd."

MIKI Yoshihito / flickr.com

Illumination of the floor, imitating paving stones, creates the impression of walking through the starry night sky. But it’s worth rushing to leave the Haneda halls not because of walks on artificial stars, but because of the Observation Deck.

There are observation decks in two terminals. Of course, they will not offer views of the city, but here you can take the most beautiful pictures of aircraft. For example, the well-known picture of an airplane looking straight into the waiting room was taken at this airport and published in one of the catalogs of a Japanese airline before it went viral on the Internet.

Access to the Observation Deck is round-the-clock and does not require any payment; there are also no restrictions on photo and video shooting.

IQRemix / flickr.com

In Tokyo itself, the sights include three more observation platforms, the most interesting of which is the Skytree television center. The site is located on the 450th floor, the viewing height is 600 meters. In terms of rubles, the cost of visiting is about 3,000 rubles.

Other sites:

• Roppongihills (City View Observation Deck) - the main advantage is that the area on the 52nd floor is open in the evening and early night hours and from it there is an exit to the roof, which, however, is often locked. The cost of visiting is 1800 yen, the same amount includes the right to visit the small Mori Art Museum, located in the same building. There is a Mori tower, as the locals call it, in the Roppongi area, that is, after the inspection, you can go to a small local restaurant, of which there are quite a lot, or to the market. Prices are noticeably lower than next to the fashionable Skytree.
• Metropolitan Government Buildings - located in a building very similar to Moscow buildings such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, located in the Shinjuku area, it has only one plus that significantly outweighs the advantages of all other sites - admission is free. From the point of view of the review, not much Tokyo is visible here, but Mount Fuji (Fujiyama) is very clearly visible. On the site itself there is a sale of souvenirs and a small fast food cafe, and various fairs, holidays and exhibitions often take place nearby. For example, a craft fair is held annually on the streets of this particular area.

Museums

Any map of Tokyo for tourism will show a fairly large number of museums, all of them are interesting, but be sure to go to the following:

1. Samurai Museum - you can’t find out everything about the samurai here, but their life, clothes, armor, and so on are presented very well, the museum is open from 10:30 to 21:00, the entrance costs 1800 yen, it is located in the Shinjuku area.
2. Nezu Museum is an art museum with a classic Japanese garden. It should be visited by everyone who seeks to understand the worldview, the perception of the environment and its interpretation by the Japanese, as well as those who want to take photos with traditional statues that do not exceed human height. It is located in the very historical center, in the Minato area, near the intersection of Shibuya and Harajuku. Opening and closing hours may vary, but the halls and garden are always open during the daytime, starting at 2,000 yen.
3. The National Museum is, in principle, an ordinary large museum, in the expositions of which a little bit of everything is presented - from archaeological finds to modern achievements. Opening hours - from 10:30 to 17:00, there is a museum in Ueno Park in the Taito area, entrance from 1600 yen, for children and people over 60 years old - free of charge. In addition, this is one of the few places in Tokyo where there are tours in Russian.

paranoidnotandroid / flickr.com

Temple complexes

Acquaintance with the sights of any country or a particular city is impossible without a tour historical monuments, and they, as a rule, are directly related not only to secular life, but also to religion.

Any map of Tokyo will indicate a lot of such places, it will take at least 2-3 days to see only half. The most interesting attractions in Tokyo of this kind can be considered:

• Hozomon ( temple complex Asakusa) - practically a museum under open sky. Tourists are especially delighted with the gate with huge lanterns and bast shoes, together each bast shoe and lantern weighs over 3 tons, and is associated with them interesting legend. The complex is located in the Taito area, it works from morning to evening, there are always a lot of visitors, and admission is free.
• Sengaku-ji Tower is an old active temple at the intersection of Shinagawa and Gotanda in the Minato area. Interesting for those who love the filmed story of the 47 ronin - here are their graves. Also on the territory there is a museum Ako Gishi's Memorial Hall and a garden of wooden sculptures, the entrance is paid only to the museum and this is a small amount - 1400 yen.

In Tokyo, attractions relating to religion and history are concentrated in the old center, with development dating back to the 17th century. The streets here are relatively quiet, and you can often see the shooting of some historical series or film. Often come across small bazaars with different goods - from food to souvenirs.

Ivan Mlinaric / flickr.com

All the temples you meet along the way will not require an entrance fee, and local tea houses, small traditional eateries (you can’t call them restaurants) differ significantly from those located in the modern center, both in prices and in quality.

The time here seems to be different, people live the way they lived a hundred or two hundred years ago, you can see kimonos and wooden sandals everywhere, and on a sunny day you can often meet Japanese women with paper umbrellas. By the way, such umbrellas can be bought at local markets, as well as many other things that will remind you of the trip and which cannot be found in modern Tokyo stores.

Bridges

Bridges are included in all guidebooks, and all people who go on a sightseeing tour must be taken to them. In any excursion there are four bridges, three - modern and one ancient.

Modern is:

1. Rainbow Bridge - very similar to the Sun Gate Bridge in the USA.
2. Tokyo Gate Bridge - a bizarre architectural solution, the interweaving of sparkling steel beams resembles either a collar or a meeting of two sharks, the bridge is the pride of the Japanese and an object for "boasting", next to it sightseeing tours stop for a long time and the point is not in the design, but in the unique technical and engineering solutions used in the construction.
3. Kachidoki Bridge is an ordinary bridge made of steel and concrete, except that it is wider and lower than bridges familiar to Russians.

The ancient bridge is Ni-ju Bashi or, as indicated in the guidebooks and on the tourism map, the Two-tiered Bridge. This is the only way to the emperor's palace. The territory of the palace is surrounded by a moat and a high wall, there is always a guard at the gate. You can get into the palace twice a year - on the new year and on the emperor's birthday.

The bridge itself is quite remarkable in that it is the only bridge in Tokyo Prefecture that survived in its original form, that is, it was not damaged in the war, like many other historical monuments. This is an example of a classic original national architecture, rightfully included in the sights of Tokyo and all of Japan.

It is located in the Chieda area, near the Cherry Garden, the imperial palace agency and the complex of three imperial shrines.

David Baron/flickr.com

In general, the whole area is similar to big park, wandering here is very interesting, and during the cherry blossoms you can take amazingly beautiful photos.

You can see almost all of Tokyo in a week. But if you travel with children, you should also expect to spend time on other attractions in Tokyo, such as a water park, amusement parks and, of course, the local Disneyland, only it will take at least a day.

In addition, one should not neglect the local theaters, it will be impossible to return home and pass for a “Japanese expert” without seeing a single performance in national theaters. The spectacle is completely different from everything that Europeans are used to, however, like Japan itself from Europe.

Video: sights of Tokyo.

What else do you need to know?

The conviction that life in Tokyo is expensive is very stable, it is difficult to say where it came from, but one cannot disagree with it.

For example, for convenience, in terms of rubles at a yen exchange rate of 0.54 rubles, surprisingly, the ruble is more expensive, the main prices look like this:

• single ticket for public transport(including) - 108.
• Monthly pass - 5408.
• A liter of gasoline - 72.
• A bottle of water with a volume of 0.33 liters - 60.
• A pack of the cheapest cigarettes in Tokyo is Camel and Marlboro - 248.
• A bottle (0.33 l) of local beer - from 220.
• Dinner for two with a bottle of wine and salad/hot dishes - 2986.
• A simple "complex" lunch - 438.
• A visit to the Japanese dry land in the old city - from 200 rubles, depending on how much will be eaten or drunk.
• Coffee in the machine is 200, coffee in a fast food establishment is already more expensive - 240, but coffee in local small eateries is 160 and it is brewed quite tolerably.
• Renting a studio apartment in the historical center for a month - 56,000, in the modern center the same studio - 78,000.
• Rooms in 3 * hotels - from 1200 per day, in season - more expensive.

Living in Tokyo is not expensive for the Japanese themselves or for those who come to the capital of Japan to work. The lowest salary, for example, for a cleaner or a loader, is from 162,000 in terms of rubles. But for a tourist with an average Russian income of around 20,000 rubles, a voyage to Tokyo and life in it, of course, are expensive.

Are there many cities in the world that have survived many devastating earthquakes, fires, wars in a short history, changed their name and face, but continued to be one of the largest in the world? Perhaps, except for the capital of Japan, Tokyo, you will not remember such people. Today, in this city, antiquity is combined with modernity, oriental traditions - with European ones, glass skyscrapers - with ancient stone buildings, because of the sights of Tokyo, they are of genuine interest to tourists from all over the world. And there is something to see here!

Imperial legacy

Tokyo, in comparison with many other capitals of the countries of the world, is a rather young city - it is a little over four centuries old, but there are also interesting historical sites in it.

So it is located in the heart of the city. The first buildings of this castle complex appeared back in the distant 16th century, and then gradually completed and expanded, eventually turning into the largest palace complex in the world. Nowadays, the territory of the castle is divided into two parts. In the western wing is the Imperial Palace itself, which houses the chambers of the current Japanese Emperor Akihito, as well as his relatives and courtiers.

During the war, the palace was destroyed by American aircraft, and then rebuilt. It is noteworthy that the imperial chambers are not hidden behind seven castles, but are available to visitors and tourists two days a year - on New Year's Day and on the emperor's birthday. The stone walls of the castle and some of its internal buildings are the national treasure of Japan and are protected by law.

And the eastern part of the castle was taken under the Eastern Garden, the decoration of which is the ancient Otemon Gate, which once served as the entrance to the imperial castle. In the garden itself, surrounded by walls and gatehouses of the inner castle, traditional Japanese and rare plants. Also in the park there is a pond, a waterfall and a tea house.

Buddhist and Shinto shrines

Listing the ancient sights of Tokyo, it is impossible not to recall two famous temples in this city - Meiji Shrine and Asakusa Shrine. Emperor Meiji played exactly the same role in the fate of Japan as Tsar Peter I did for Russia. At the turn of the 19th-20th centuries, he led his country from the most dense Middle Ages to the leaders of world powers. The heirs appreciated the merits of the emperor and after his death erected the Meiji Shrine, one of the most perfect examples of Shinto architecture, an object where the spirit of the deceased emperor and his wife has been revered for many decades. This temple is located in the middle of a living forest, like an oasis spread out in the very center of the city. Near the temple there is a beautiful iris garden, which is especially beautiful in June, when the irises bloom. On weekends, magnificent wedding processions can be found in the temple and near it.

Asakusa Temple is one of the oldest and main Buddhist temples in Tokyo. True, today, on the site of the structure erected back in the 6th century, there is only a concrete copy, but this in no way detracts from the significance of the shrine. Nakamise Street, festively decorated at any time of the year, leads to the temple, where brisk trade has been going on for many centuries. And if once it sold exclusively cult items, amulets and souvenirs, now “divine” goods have given way to clothes, shoes, bags and other ladies' accessories. Shopkeepers rely on the fact that a tourist who has visited the Asakusa Shrine and is in high spirits will definitely buy something.

In addition to these two temples, many others can be found in the Japanese capital. In Tokyo, both Shintoists (pagans) and Buddhists coexist peacefully. Among these temples, a special place is occupied by the Shinto shrine of Peace in the country, located near the Imperial Palace. After the end of World War II, this temple was dedicated to all compatriots who fell on the battlefields. And the museum opened at the temple tells in detail about those distant events.

Amazing objects of our time

The main sights of Tokyo, created after the end of World War II, belong to. The Japanese are proud of her with the same reverence as the French of their Eiffel Tower. In the middle of the last century, this tower was the tallest in the world (its height is more than 330 meters), but later lost the palm, although it is still included in the list of 29 tallest buildings in the world. The tower is painted in traditional Japanese colors - white and red. At its top there are two viewing platforms (at a height of 150 and 250 meters), which offer picturesque and amazing views of Tokyo Bay and the city itself. At the foot of the tower are small shops, restaurants and museums (Wax Museum and Tokyo Guinness World Records Museum).

True, since the beginning of the new century, Tokyo Tower has been successfully competing with Observation deck located on the 52nd floor of the Roppongi Hills building complex. Here, from a bird's eye view, you can also get acquainted with the architectural development of the Japanese capital.

Another observation deck is located on the 45th floor of the new building of the Japanese city hall, which was built in the Shinjuku district - one of the main administrative, financial and commercial centers of Tokyo.

In the winter months, you can even see the national symbol of Japan - Mount Fuji from here.

Also located in the Shinjuku area are Tokyo Opera City (this complex also has space for the New National Theater) and Takashimaya Times Square (a huge shopping and entertainment complex).

Since there is not so much free land on the Japanese islands, the Japanese with stubborn constancy try to "grab" at least a crumb of space from the sea, pouring man-made islands. Tokyo attractions include man-made island of Odaiba, located in the middle of Tokyo Bay on the site of a former garbage dump. The island is connected to the city by the amazing Rainbow Bridge.

Today, on the island, striking with its appearance to all visitors to the Japanese capital, there are office buildings, entertainment complexes, parks and attractions. The architecture of Odaiba has long been the face of modern Tokyo, and it’s worth visiting this place if only for the amazing view that opens up while walking to the island from the window of an electric train moving along an automated monorail road.

It is here that exhibition halls leading Japanese companies Toyota and Panasonic. But tourists come here not only to get acquainted with the latest innovations in the field of automotive and high technology, but also to admire the gorgeous views of Tokyo at night, illuminated by electric lights. When these lights are reflected in the waters of the bay, it seems that the Japanese capital is illuminated even from below. The man-made island is also home to the National Museum of Science and Technological Innovation, the Museum of Maritime Art and one of the tallest observation wheels in the world. Diameter Giant Sky Wheel is 115 meters, and it looks especially impressive in the evening, when it is illuminated by many multi-colored lights. The Ferris wheel makes a full circle in 16 minutes - this time is enough to enjoy the contemplation of the views of Tokyo Bay, the man-made island and the Japanese capital itself.

If you wish, in Tokyo you can also get in touch with non-standard entertainment - visit the center for informing about the rules of safety and behavior during an earthquake. In addition to lectures and video demonstrations, the short course also includes a simulation of a magnitude 7 earthquake, which leaves tourists with an unforgettable experience.

Fashion Centers and Japanese Cuisine Restaurants

The residents of the Japanese capital are proud of their omote sando street, which is called the Tokyo Champs Elysees. Not so long ago, the world's leading high fashion companies opened their branches here, so you can often meet tourists from all over the world here. Prices in stores on Omote-sando are much lower than in other world capitals. And on this street are located cozy cafes and restaurants where Tokyo youth likes to gather in the evening.

But if we consider the sights of Tokyo in terms of fashionable shops, then how can we not mention Ginzu- a shopping showcase of Tokyo, where almost any walk along the streets of the Japanese capital ends. It is in this area that the best shopping shops and restaurants with real Japanese cuisine are concentrated. True, the prices in the local establishments are simply sky-high. Also in this area are the Kabuki Theater - one of the symbols of Japan and the office of Sony Corporation, which is equipped with a special hall demonstrating the latest developments of the well-known manufacturer.

And the whole flavor of Japanese trade and culinary traditions can be traced to the Tsukiji market - the largest vegetable and fish market in the country.

Every day at 5 o'clock in the morning, auctions for the sale of batches and individual carcasses of tuna, which are one of the hallmarks of Tokyo, begin here. True, only the most hardy tourists can withstand this spectacle. And at 6 o'clock in the morning, the doors of sushi bars open here, where visitors are already waiting for dishes from freshly purchased fish from the market.

Places of pleasant rest

To fully immerse yourself in the lifestyle of the people of Tokyo, you need to set aside time to visit the Museum of Samurai Swords, the Tokyo Stock Exchange and at least once visit sumo wrestling competitions.

Tired of walking around the old city and modern quarters, you can relax in Tokyo gardens and parks - unique objects of Japanese culture. Most of them are handmade, the landscape and vegetation in all parks are carefully thought out. Modern Tokyo is unimaginable without parks like Shinjuku.(here all the plants are kept in the Japanese, English and French garden traditions); Yoyogi (people of all ages gather here for picnics and outdoor activities); Rikugien (especially tourists are attracted by an artificial reservoir with islands and houses for the tea ceremony).

If there is free time, tourists are advised to visit japanese onsen baths- a kind of analogue of public baths, where the main procedure is immersion in a bath with heated mineral (or ordinary) water. In addition to bathing, many onsens also offer a wide range of spa services: sand baths, massages, exfoliation, beauty treatments and foot care with Garra Rufa fish (they feed on dead skin cells).