Tokyo Skytree

It is difficult to visit Tokyo without seeing the Tokyo Skytree.

Located in Sumida ward, with a height of 634 mt, it is the tallest building in Japan, and the second tallest structure in the world.

Started in July 2008 and completed in February 2012, it is used as a radio and television broadcast and communication tower.
It has been opened to the public in May 2012. Its two observation decks – at 350 and 450 mt - are the highest in Japan and among the highest in the world.

The height of 634 mt is not a case. It has been selected to be easily remember. The figures 6(mu), 3(sa), 4(shi) stand for Musashi, an old province which comprises today Tokyo Metropolis, most of Saitama Prefecture and part of Kanagawa Prefecture.

For those who suffer vertigo, a large shopping centre and Sumida aquarium are located at Tokyo Skytree’s base. 

Hama-rikyu gardens

I had never heard about Hama-Rikyu gardens before going there. I must say that it has been a very nice experience. 

Hama-Rikyu gardens have the typical features of the Edo era feudal lord’s gardens with a tidal pond and two duck hunting grounds. They are separated in two sections : the south part whose center is the Daimyo (feudal lord) garden and the south one, developed after the Meiji period.

Located next to Tokyo Bay, they have the only remaining pond, Shioiri-no.ike, using sea water within Tokyo. The rise and fall of the tide  make the sluice gate open and shut to regulate the level of water and as a result, a lot of sea water fishes live in the pond. 

Falconers in the park 

Tea ceremony at the tea house

Shibuya

Before my first stay in Japan, when I imagined Tokyo, I had in mind the colourful and crowded Shibuya.  I suppose that most people who have never visited Tokyo do the same.

Shibuya is one of the 23 city wards of Tokyo but it usually refers to the area around the Shibuya Station, famous for its department stores, restaurants and nightclubs. 

Shibuya is considered as a centre of the young fashion and culture - the major famous shopping centre is Shibuya 109, known as the origin of the kogal culture – but also of the IT industry in Japan.

However, the most famous place of Shibuya is probably the scramble crossing in front of Shibuya Station Hachiko exit.  As all the traffic is stopped in all directions, pedestrians are allowed to inundate the entire intersection. 

To see absolutely ! 

Odaiba

 Odaiba is an artificial island in Tokyo Bay connected to Tokyo by the Rainbow Bridge. 

The place, which is now popular for shopping and entertainment, was originally a set of 6 small island fortresses build in 1853 at the end of the Edo period (1603-1868) to protect Edo from attacks from the sea, especially from the Commodore Perry.

The name Odaiba comes from “daiba” referring to the cannon batteries placed on the island. 

With the opening of the port of Tokyo in 194, Odaiba started to take its new shape but it is only in the late 90s that it started to develop into a tourist attraction with many shopping and leisure options.

798 meter longs, the Rainbow Bridge was started in 1987 and was completed in 1993.
The bridge has two levels. It supports an expressway  : Route 11, a regular route : the Wangan route, the Yurikamome and Rinkai Lines and pedestrians walkways along both sides.

The headquarters of Fuji Television

Gundam statue in front of the Diver City Tokyo Plaza opened in 2012.

To commemorate France Year in Japan, the original Statue of Liberty in France has been sent to Tokyo for one year  in April 1998. 

The actual statue is a replica.

Tsukiji

"Tsukiji" means "reclaimed land".
It is situated near the Sumida river on land reclaimed from Tokyo Bay in the 18th century.

On September1, 1923 the Gran Kanto Earthquake caused serious damages in the central part of Tokyo and destroyed 20 private markets.  Completely razed, the Edo-era fish market of Nihonbashi was relocated in Tsukiji.

The Tsukiji fish market is known as one of the world's most famous fish markets.

It is possible to visit a tuna auction but the number of visitors is limited to 120 per day and people have to queue before 5.00 am.





























Outside the market, the Namiyoke Inari shrine whose name means "protection from waves" .....

… and then the narrow streets with their small shop and restaurants of fish and seafood …

One of my favourite places in Tokyo !