Japan: Tokyo Gardens and Parks. Tokyo Gardens East Garden of the Imperial Palace
Okuma Garden is located on the territory of one of the buildings of Waseda University, in the Shinjuku area, Tokyo. This is a mixed garden, partly Western style and partly Japanese. The garden area is approximately 3000 square meters.
The garden was originally the seat of the Matsudaira clan and the Ii clan. In 1884, the founder of Waseda University, Okuma Shigenobu, rebuilt the garden in the then fashionable Western style. In the very heart of the garden there was a wide lawn, and along its perimeter there were landscaped artificial hills and ponds. Greenhouses were also built here, in which melons were grown for the first time in Japan. After Shigenobu's death, the garden was given over to Waseda University.
The park has streams with swimming fish, flowering plants, as well as walking paths, along the edges of which stone pagodas, statues and ancient lanterns are erected. The decoration of the garden is a small copy of the Korean bell, which was presented by Korean graduates for the centenary of the university.
Classic Japanese Oriental garden
The classic Japanese Oriental garden is part of the palace complex of the imperial residence in Tokyo.
The gardens are open to the public, unlike the palace. The garden is an example of traditional Japanese garden art. The garden is especially beautiful in the spring during the cherry blossom season.
The garden contains some administrative buildings, a music hall, and an Edo-era castle. This entire small area was recognized by the Japanese government as a “special historical relic” in 1963.
Tinzan Garden
Tinzan Garden is a typical Japanese garden located in Tokyo's Bunke district. It was built in 1877 and covers an area of 66,000 square meters.
During the Meiji era, these lands belonged to Prince Yamagata Aritomo, who built his own estate here and called it Camellia Hill House, or Chinzan-so. During construction, all the beauty of the relief was taken into account so that all the natural riches of this place were emphasized.
Previously, government meetings were held on the grounds of the garden, and documents found here indicated that Meiji held meetings here with influential dignitaries.
After the estate was transferred to Baron Heitaro Fujita, he decorated it with sculptures from the Japanese cities of Toba and Kyoto. At the very top of the hill, a three-story pagoda was built, which was brought to this place from the mountains of Hiroshima, where it had been built by monks even earlier, without using a single nail.
At the heart of the garden is the Inari Shinto Shrine, which was transported here from Kyoto. The garden is also decorated with carved Taoist and Buddhist images and more than thirty stone lanterns. The park contains a waterfall, streams, a spring, a large pond and a sacred tree that is approximately 500 years old.
Kansen-en Garden
Kansen-en Garden is located in the Shinjuku district of Tokyo and is a typical Japanese garden. Its area is approximately 14,000 square meters.
The garden was originally the residence of the Shimizu family, the most influential family of the Edo period, and belonged to the Tokugawa clan. During the Meiji Restoration in 1867, the garden was taken over by the Viscounts of Souma.
The name of the garden is translated from Japanese as “fresh spring garden.” This is explained by the fact that there was a spring here, from the water of which very tasty tea was prepared.
The garden itself is designed in the style of the Edo period, in its center there is a pond called Yamabuki-no-ido. The pond is surrounded by Japanese rose bushes. In the southern part of the garden rises Mount Mishima-yama, climbing which you can see picturesque views of the area. Also nearby is the Mizu-Inari Shinto Shrine.
Shin-Edogawa Garden
The Shin-Edogawa Garden is an ancient Japanese garden located near the Kanda River in the Bunke district of Tokyo. The name of the garden translates to New Garden by the Edo River. Until 1965, this section of the Kanda River was called Edo. The garden covers an area of approximately 18,500 square meters.
The garden's lands originally belonged to the Hosokawa samurai clan, which ruled the Kumamoto region during the Edo period. Then the residence of the Hosokawa family was located here. As a result, in 1959, the garden was donated to the city.
Part of the garden is located on a hillside, where there are viewing platforms and paths, as well as a spring that feeds the ponds below. The ponds are mainly inhabited by red carp. The garden is decorated with pagodas, bamboo hedges and stone lanterns. The building at the entrance to the garden was built during the Taisho era, and was intended for the education of the Hosokawa family.
Koishikawa Korakuen Garden
Koishikawa Korakuen Garden is the oldest landscaped Japanese garden in Tokyo.
Kiyosumi Garden
Kiyosumi Garden is located in the Fukugawa district of Tokyo, and is a traditional Japanese style garden. It covers an area of approximately 81,000 square meters, and was founded in 1875-1885, on the orders of Iwasaki Yataro, the largest industrialist of the Meiji era, one of the founders of the Mitsubishi brand.
The garden is located near a huge pond on which there are three islands and a tea house. There is a walking path around the shore of the reservoir, surprising visitors to the garden with its local beauty. The garden is separated from the noisy streets of Tokyo suburbs by a narrow strip of trees and shrubs. The garden pond is home to turtles, carps and a large number of birds - seagulls, ducks, herons that fly here from the Sumida River.
Stones also add uniqueness to the garden. The entire Iwatari family searched all over the country for water-worn and beautiful large cobblestones and boulders, which were then brought here by Mitsubishi steamships. Boulders were used to create dry waterfalls, artificial hills and shallow paths. The garden contains so many boulders and stone blocks that it is sometimes called a rock garden.
Hamarikyu Garden
Hamarikyu Garden is one of the most unusual and beautiful places in Tokyo. It was originally built in the 17th century by order of a local feudal lord, who loved to relax here. The perimeter of the garden is surrounded by the magnificent Tokyo Bay, and the Hamarikyu ponds flow into the ocean. This is a unique place for photographers, as there are many rare flowers and plants here.
The garden design is made in traditional Japanese style. Here you can see a magnificent display of stones, as well as take part in a unique tea ceremony, held in a cool wooden house with a magnificent view of the Bay. The park contains a small temple, a water bus pier, lock structures, as well as the remains of a historical pier from which Prince Tokugawa Ieyasu sailed to his ancestral castle.
The combination of the local ultra-modern skyscrapers with traditional Japanese park art gives tourists the opportunity to enjoy the original landscape, which combines a peculiar interweaving of eras.
Mikojima Hyakkaen Garden
Mikojima Hyakkaen - a garden in Tokyo. It was created during the Bunka-Bunsei era (1804-1830) of the Edo period.
Mikojima Hyakkaen is somewhat different from feudal gardens such as Koishikawa Korakuen and Rikugien. This beautiful garden was discovered by the wealthy antiquarian Kikku Sahara, teaming up with prominent writers and artists of the time.
The garden became famous for its hundreds of plum trees. At Mikojima Hayakkaen Garden, you can admire different types of flowers at any time of the year. In October 1978, the garden was recognized as a historical monument.
Mikojima Hyakkaen Garden is located near Higashi-Mukojima and Keisei Hikifune stations.
East Garden of the Imperial Palace
The Eastern Gardens are part of the castle's defensive fortifications that existed during the Edo period (1603-1867). There were two protective circles: honmaru (main circle) and nihonmaru (second circle). Today, no major buildings from that period have survived in the Eastern Gardens, but visitors can see the fortress moats, walls, gates and several gatehouses. Edo Castle was the residence of not only the Tokugawa shoguns, but also Emperor Meiji. The remains of the former palace's foundations are still visible on the lawn of the central hill. The castle was a typical castle of that era and was not much different from the Osaka-jo castle that has survived to this day. But the main tower of the ruined Edo Castle (built in 1638) was considered the tallest in Japanese history. But it was destroyed just a few years later, in 1657 it was destroyed during the famous “Fire of Edo”.
Kawachi Fuji Garden
A four-hour drive from bustling Tokyo, Kitakyushu, there is an amazingly beautiful place - the Kawachi Fuji Flower Garden, consisting of flowers of incredible beauty. The Wisteria Tunnel is the most striking attraction of this place and one of the most beautiful places on Earth.
A special feature of the garden are the millions of flowers that hang in waterfalls. These are wisteria. And wisteria in Japan is called Fuji. The symbol of Japan, Fuji, bears the same name as these flowers. In Japan, wisteria symbolizes youth, poetry and feminine beauty, healing and protection. These plants are very common in Japan and are almost as popular as the famous Japanese sakura. Deciduous wisterias of different colors and shades, hanging from special frames, can be found in any park in Japan. But at Kawachi Foods there are so many of them that they create a simply unimaginable feeling.
Riku's Garden
Riku Garden is a traditional Japanese garden in Tokyo. It was built in 1702.
In 1695, shogun Tokugawa Tsunayoshi gave these lands to his supreme adviser and favorite Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu. The garden was designed by Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu based on waka poetry. In 1938, Riku Garden was donated to the Tokyo government.
The area of the garden is 87809.41 square meters. In the center of the garden there is a large pond with islands. On the largest island there is a hill 35 meters high. This hill offers stunning views of the garden. On the middle island there are hills Imo-yama and Se-yama, which symbolize the divine consorts Izanagi and Izanami.
Kairakuen Garden
Kairakuen Garden is the oldest landscaped Japanese garden in Tokyo.
Its construction began in 1629 under the shogun Tokugawa Yerifusa and was completed under his successor.
The garden reproduces Japanese and Chinese landscapes in miniature, using ponds, stones, plants and creating artificial hills. Thus, while walking through the park, you can visit the sacred Mount Fuji, Kiyomizu-dera Temple, as well as the famous West Lake in China.
The garden is especially attractive in the second half of November during leaf fall, in February when the Plum Festival is held, and in April during cherry blossoms.
Kyu-Furukawa Garden
Kyu-Furukawa is the most beautiful garden in Tokyo. It was created at the beginning of the 20th century by Japanese businessman Furukawa Ichibei.
Tokyo is one of the four largest cities in the world and the most complex at the urban level. It abounds not only in architecture, but also in the most beautiful and spectacular botanical gardens and parks.
Truly artistic creations. The combination of plants, water, sand and rocks displays natural beauty. They invite tourists to meditate and just relax. Ponds that simulate lakes, rocks that are islands or mountains, trees simulated over the years with precise shapes, as well as dwarf trees in pots... Paths that cross the gardens and stop at beautiful tea houses where you can climb and contemplate nature reduced in size...
Traveling around Tokyo You should definitely check out one of the parks. It takes at least an hour to walk around this miracle of nature and craftsmen.
Koishikawa Korakuen. The garden, which occupies 7 hectares of land, was built in 1629 by the Mito Tokugawa family. Walking along it brings real pleasure. A lake, an island, a crescent arched bridge in the waters of a pond... This garden is a real miracle!
Rikugi-en. The garden is a typical example of Edo era gardens. The path from the very entrance will lead tourists to a magnificent lake, and then to a 35-meter elevation, from where you can enjoy the panorama of the park itself and the city.
Hama-Rikyu. This is Tokyo's most spectacular park. 250 hectares of gardens and lakes will not leave anyone indifferent. The park is home to a 300-year-old pine tree, and there is also a large and varied peony garden with 60 different species of these lovely flowers.
Kyu Shiba-Rikyu. This is another prime example of Edo period gardens. Artificial hills inviting you to enjoy the landscape, ponds, as well as chains of mountains...
There are many other gardens and parks in Tokyo that amaze with their grandeur and beauty.
When is the best time to go to Tokyo? The climate in Japan's capital is relatively mild throughout the year. It rains from the end of June until mid-July, so there is high humidity. Winter, on the contrary, is dry and with cloudless skies. So, if anyone suffers from high and stifling humidity, travel in October or November. Winter in Tokyo is cold, but there is practically no snow. April is another high point for tourism because it is the month of local outdoor celebrations and typical Japanese gardens are in all their sparkle.
If you decide to visit a theme park while in Japan, then you should seriously think about where exactly to go, because in addition to the well-known Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo DisneySea and Universal Studios Japan, there are many other worthy options in Osaka. To make it easier for you to make a choice, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the rating of the 10 most popular theme parks in Japan, compiled by TripAdvisor.
1. Universal Studios Japan, Osaka
Here you can see the dinosaurs from Jurassic Park, and also ride the slowest roller coaster in Japan. This theme park, located in Osaka, has seen a noticeable increase in visitors recently, especially with the advent of new Cool Japan attractions, which have become popular with foreign tourists.
2. Tokyo DisneySea, Chiba
One of two Disney theme parks outside of Tokyo, in the city of Chiba. With attractions based on the works of Jules Verne and plenty of staff in amazing costumes, DisneySea, a water theme park, managed to beat its big brother, which ended up in third place.
3. , Chiba
Probably all Japanese and guests of the country know this park. All this became possible thanks to the combination of a large number of attractions, colorful live performances and the atmosphere of a fairy tale in the air.
Not included in the top three and unknown to many tourists. In fourth place we have the first of the original Japanese theme parks (the previous three, as you may have noticed, come from the USA) - Adventure World in Wakayama Prefecture. Its most famous inhabitants are giant pandas, of which there are five (there are only nine in Japan). In addition to the animals themselves, the park hosts various concerts and even night safaris.
5. Nagashima Spa Resort, Mie
Do you want to relax, unwind and have fun? Then you should head to the spa resort in Nagashima in Mie Prefecture. There's a massive water park, botanical gardens, and Japan's largest onsen hot spring park, Yuami no Shima. At Nagashima Spa Land, everyone can find entertainment to their taste.
6. Fuji-Q Highland, Yamanashi
Hugely popular in Japan with several roller coasters that were records for speed, height or length at the time of construction, Fuji-Q Highland also has other ways to thrill its visitors, such as haunted rides (Haunted Hospital and No Hope Fortress) .
7. Tokyo One Piece Tower, Tokyo
The first completely enclosed area in the list of Tokyo theme parks. One Piece Tower is located in Tokyo Tower next to the official One Piece Manga Cafe. In addition to many attractions based on the manga and anime series, visitors can meet members of the Straw Hat team and watch the adventures of One Piece on stage.
Mega Web, located on the island of Odaiba, is a theme park dedicated to Toyota and stunning examples of motorized history. And if you have an international driver's license or a Japanese driver's license, you can take a Toyota car for a test drive here. Well, if you don’t have a license, then you can always go to the karting tracks.
9. Amanohashidate View Land, Kyoto
Although this park is completely different from the others on our list, it is nevertheless certified as one of the three best in Japan. This small park, located in Kyoto Prefecture, overlooks the famous Bridge to Sky sand gallery. Besides the breathtaking views, there are also several rides and a Ferris wheel.
10. Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura, Tochigi
This theme park doesn't have any rides, but it does take you back 400 years to the Edo period. Wear a kimono and stroll through the streets between stunning buildings, watching ninjas jump from rooftop to rooftop or a geisha stride along the river holding an umbrella. The park in Nikko, near Tokyo, is often used as a stage for historical dramas or samurai-era videos.
When cherry blossoms bloom in spring, Tokyo gets into a festive mood. For city residents, cherry blossoms are a symbol of celebration, nostalgic and aesthetic pleasure, or just a great reason to throw a party. All city residents want to go outside and spend as much time as possible under flowering trees.
In Tokyo, the hanami season begins in the second half of March and lasts approximately two weeks. The exact flowering dates are highly dependent on weather conditions. The city has hundreds of parks, streets, gardens, temples and rivers with cherry trees. And today we want to tell you about the twenty most popular places in Tokyo to admire cherry blossoms.
Tidorigafuti Ditch
Hundreds of cherry blossom trees grow along the moat of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. To admire the luxurious flowers not only from the shores, you can rent a boat and take a walk on the water surface, covered with fallen petals, which are especially abundant at the end of the flowering season. The Tidorigafuti moat is an incredibly beautiful place, especially when all the flowers are in bloom. It is such a popular hanami destination that you can wait in line for hours before you can rent a boat.
Shinjukugyoen Park
Shinjukugyoen is a 144-acre park located in the central Shinjuku district of Tokyo. There are about 1,500 sakura trees in the park. The park is quite large and it is easy to find a quiet, peaceful place. The park has more than a dozen different types of cherry blossoms and has an entrance fee and limited visiting hours. This is a popular place for cherry blossom viewing with the whole family, so noisy parties are not often held here.
Ueno Park
If you want to see a huge hanami party, visit Ueno Park. It is always crowded and very noisy here. The park covers an area of 133 acres and is home to about 1,000 cherry trees, which line the wide alley and the banks of Shinobazu Pond. In addition, the park contains varieties of sakura, the flowers of which bloom the earliest in Tokyo.
Meguro River
There are about 800 cherry trees along the banks of the Meguro River in Nakameguro. During the Nakameguro Sakura Festival they are illuminated brightly at night. The Meguro River itself is more like a city canal, but the trees here are very beautiful. It's a great place to walk, but there isn't much room for parties. The area is home to many fashionable shops, cafés and restaurants.
Yoyogi Park
The park covers 134 acres and has about 600 sakura trees. This park is already a very visited place, but during the hanami season there are many more people.
Inokashira Park
The park covers 95 acres and contains approximately 1,000 trees. Young people traditionally gather here to celebrate hanami because there are several large universities nearby. The park is also popular with couples who love to ride on swan-shaped boats on the Inokashira Pond. However, according to local legend, it is believed that such couples are doomed to break up.
Koganei Park
At 196 acres, Koganei Park is the second largest park in Tokyo. There are about 1,700 cherry trees here, which attract huge crowds during hanami.
Sumida Park
This is a small park on the banks of the Sumida River. About 1000 sakura trees grow along its banks. During hanami season, you can also take a pleasure boat ride on the river. The park is located near the Tokyo Skytree.
Koishikawa Korakuen Garden
Koishikawa Korakuen is one of the oldest gardens in Tokyo, founded back in 1629. The garden offers its visitors to admire several varieties of sakura, including early weeping sakura. There is a fee to enter the garden and visiting hours are limited.
Roppongi Sakurazaka
Roppongi Sakurazaka is a street behind Roppongi Hills, lined with 75 young cherry trees, which are also very beautifully lit at night. This is a very popular place for walks among couples. In addition, Mori Garden in Roppnogi Hills also has cherry trees to admire.
Aoyama Cemetery
At Aoyama Cemetery, several hundred cherry trees form a pleasant alley that runs right through the cemetery. Office workers who work in this area often go for a walk along this alley during their lunch break or in the evening after work. It would seem a little awkward to host parties among graves. But perhaps this could lift the spirits of the deceased.
East Garden of the Imperial Palace
The East Garden of the Imperial Palace is a park next to the Imperial Palace, which contains the ruins of Edo Castle, several gardens and fields with cherry trees. The park is only open during the day, there are no parties here, so the place is quite calm and not noisy.
Yasukuni Shrine
There are about 600 cherry trees near Yasukuni Shrine. The temple hosts a Sakura festival, which attracts about two hundred sumo wrestlers. There are no parties here.
Rikugien Garden
The Japanese Walking Garden, founded in 1695, is considered one of the best gardens in Tokyo. During hanami season, Rikugien's visiting hours are enlarged and several cherry trees are illuminated.
Shiba Park
This is a small park located next to the Tokyo Tower that has 70 cherry blossom trees. During hanami it becomes one of the most crowded small parks in Tokyo.
Komazawa Olympic Park
A fairly large park in Setagaya, popular with students from nearby Komazawa University. There are about 100 sakura trees in the park.
Hamarikyu Gardens
An Edo period garden with a large pond in the middle surrounded by a moat of salt water. In addition, the garden is surrounded by skyscrapers in the Sidome business district. The garden has about a dozen sakura trees, and is often illuminated during hanami season.
Kitanomaru Park
Kitanomaru Park is located on the other side of the Chidorigafuchi moat. The moat itself offers better views, and Kitanomaru Park has much more space for parties and picnics.
Hibiya Park
Hibiya Park is located in front of the Imperial Palace and the entrance to the Imperial Hotel. It is not very popular during the hanami season, but there are also several cherry trees on the grounds.
Kinuta Park
A large grassy park in Yoga, near Setagaya. The park is lined with spreading cherry trees, under which residents who live nearby usually take their place for parties. However, the park is much less crowded than other more popular hanami spots.
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The Tokugawa shoguns built Ueno Hill (now Ueno-koen Park) with temples and shrines, and since then the park with its cherry trees has become a favorite place for the aristocracy, especially during hanami - cherry blossom viewing. It was here in 1867 that modern Japan's first modernized army defeated 2,000 Tokugawa clan loyalists who opposed the Meiji Restoration. Surviving supporters of the military regime set fire to the buildings of the Kaneji temple complex to prevent them from falling to the reformers, but fortunately missed the Toshogu Shrine, built in honor of Tokugawa Ieyasu himself.
Edo Wonderland Park
In the Japanese city of Nikko there is an interesting theme park that deserves special attention. This is a park called "Edo Wonderland" (Nikko Edomura). The park is a small town that fully corresponds to the architectural style of Japan during the Edo period (1603-1868).
All park employees are dressed in historical costumes, which adds a special atmosphere to the overall image of the park. Visitors to Edo Wonderland can also rent a matching costume for a fee and look like a resident of Edo period Japan.
In Edomura Park, every visitor can feel that they have taken a leap into the past of Japan, and after purchasing souvenirs, they can easily return to the present and continue their journey through this interesting country.
Tobu World Square
In the Japanese city of Kinugawa there is an amazing park called Tobu World Square. In this park, each visitor can feel like Gulliver in the land of Lilliput. Tobu World Square is a park filled with smaller replicas of many of the world's famous buildings scattered around the planet.
Construction of the park dragged on for five years. Tobu World Square was first opened to visitors on April 24, 1993. The park features 102 historical monuments and buildings, made on a scale of 1:25. Every detail has been taken care of in creating the miniatures, making each one a stunning find for architecture lovers.
Tobu World Square also houses 140,000 figurines of people walking around landmarks and 20,000 miniature bonsai tree replicas.
Hanayashiki Amusement Park
Hanayashiki Amusement Park, which was formerly a flower park, is over 150 years old. It is located next to Sensoji Temple in the Asakusa area of Tokyo. This charming old park is one of the city's most striking attractions.
Hanayashiki is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is open all year round. There is an entrance fee here. Visitors to the park are offered all kinds of entertainment: small Ferris wheels, carousels, roller coasters, the Shot attraction - “outer space exploration”. Various exciting events, performances, and competitions are also periodically held in this area.
Tobu World Square
There is a place in the world where you can feel like a real Gulliver. And it is located in Japan, and is called Tobu World Square.
Tobu World Square is a theme park at the Kinugawa Onsen Resort in Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. The park features over 100 1:25 scale models of famous architectural and engineering structures from around the world, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites, surrounded by 140,000 miniature human mannequins, also 1:25 scale, and 20,000 miniature bonsai trees that complement the completeness of the landscape picture of a particular region where the original architectural structure is located.
It took five years to complete construction of Tobu World Square, and on April 24, 1993, the park opened its doors to visitors. It was built precisely in order to preserve the precious heritage of world architecture for future generations. Here you can see the Statue of Liberty, St. Basil's Cathedral, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Pyramid of Cheops, and much more.
Imagine all the world's monuments collected in one place! You wanted to, visited Paris, and within five minutes you were in New York. There is no need for plane flights or train rides, you just need to go from one part of the park to another, and you are already getting from Asia to America or Europe!
Vadakura Fountain Park
Vadakura Fountain Park is a small picturesque park with interesting figured fountains. It is located at the entrance gate to the Imperial Palace.
The park, built in 1961, was opened in honor of a significant event - the wedding of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko. In 1995, it was reconstructed in honor of the wedding of the young heirs - the prince and princess.
Another fountain was built in the park and four canals were installed connecting the two fountains, which is a symbol of the connection between two generations. The fountain complex is a pool of 30 fountains, connected by channels to a new fountain, made in the form of a stone arch, at the foot of which there is a fancy fountain in the shape of a spiral shell.
Yoyogi Park
Yoyogi Park, opened in 1967, is located in the Shibuya area. It is considered one of the largest parks in Japan. The famous Meiji Shrine is located in the forest here.
The park is very nice and pleasantly landscaped: it consists of spacious lawns, fountains, ponds, large rose gardens, forest areas, special areas for walking dogs and other attractions. It's no surprise that the park's vast expanses are an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts and athletes. Picnics and rehearsals are also held here.
The most suitable time to visit the park is spring, when the early white cherry trees bloom. At this time, many people gather here to drink sake and just relax under the fragrant spring branchy trees.
Shiba-koen Park
Tokyo's Shiba-koen Park is famous for the ancient Jojoji Temple, which was moved here in 1598. Shiba-koen used to be home to a huge temple complex with hundreds of buildings.
And in 1958, on the territory of Shiba-koen Park, it was decided to build the Japanese Eiffel Tower to broadcast radio and television signals.
The length of Tokyo Tower was 330 meters, and the large observation deck, located at an altitude of 150 meters, allows you to see the entire city from above. Here you can also find a wax museum; on the ground floor there are exhibition halls and aquariums.
Monkey Park on Mount Takao
The monkey park is located on Mount Takao, which you can climb by cable car in special transparent cabins, admiring stunning views of the Land of the Rising Sun. The mountain turns into an endless snow-white fountain when the cherry blossoms bloom. The park's cheerful inhabitants will greet you from the first steps along its paths. About 80 monkeys live here, mostly macaques, who do not sit in enclosures, but move completely freely around the territory. You may be allowed to feed some of them. Children are especially delighted by pranksters.
Next to the park there is a herb garden where you can see about 500 varieties of herbs.
Joypolis Park
Joypolis Tokyo (Joypolis) is the largest amusement park in Japan. This is a place where reality becomes virtual, and visitors find themselves in the endless expanses of the rich imagination of Japanese creators of interactive games.
All the latest computer interactive games and virtual attractions, of which there are still few in the world, are presented here. In this place, everyone can soar on a hang glider over tropical landscapes, cope with a snowboard flying along the snowy slopes of Fuji, or simply kill all the moles in their holes the old-fashioned way. In short, a visit to Odaibo is rarely complete for tourists and locals without a visit to Joypolis.
Shinjuku Imperial Park
Shinjuku Imperial Park, located in the Tokyo district of the same name, is one of the most famous parks in Japan, which is beautiful at any time of the year.
Shinjuku Park, opened to the public in 1949, has been the garden of the Imperial Family since 1903.
Every year, not only thousands of tourists, but also the Japanese come to the park, which is more than a hundred years old, to admire the cherry blossoms and wander through the spacious lawns and stroll through the greenhouse.
As in any traditional Japanese park, there is a garden with tea houses, and a French garden is located symmetrically to it. Not far from here is the Taisoji Buddhist Temple, where you can retire and immerse yourself in meditation.
Edo Mura Theme Park
Edo Mura Park is a medieval Japanese village recreated on an area of forty-five thousand square meters, which is located in a picturesque valley.
The park is considered one of the most famous attractions in Japan. After all, it is here that you can feel the spirit and culture of the Edo era with complete historical accuracy. It’s best to set aside a whole day to visit the park – there are plenty of activities for the whole family. You will be captivated by numerous performances with actors, various workshops, parades and other cultural entertainment.
A visit to the park is a real journey through time, which takes you to the era of the shoguns (XVII-XIX centuries).
Ueno Park
Ueno, the most famous and visited park in the Japanese capital, was created in 1873. It is the center of the 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. The oldest zoo is located on the territory of Ueno Park, with more than a thousand animals.
Today, Ueno Park is a museum reserve. The Tokyo National Museum located here houses amazing examples of Japanese art, a rich collection of works by European artists and sculptors is represented by the National Museum of Western Art, and various exhibitions are held within the walls of the Tokyo City Art Museum. The National Museum of Nature and Science and the Metropolitan Festival Hall concert hall are also located here.
Among the famous buildings of the park is also the temple of the goddess Kannon, to whom barren women pray. According to tradition, 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.
Samurai World Park Nikko Edo-Mura
World of Samurai Park is a theme park that recreates Japanese city life during the Edo period (1603-1868). The park is a small town built in the Edo architectural style. At the entrance to the park, you can rent traditional Japanese costumes from this period, visit shops and museums, as well as take part in games, concerts and theater performances.
The town has shops selling Edo period souvenirs (teapots, prints, toy weapons), two wax museums and a prison house showing gruesome scenes of prison life. In the House of Illusions and the House of Ghosts you can feel like you are in a completely different, mystical world.
