Tourist Attractions in Tokyo-to

Imperial Palace Garden East- Really ONLY a garden

Nissanmit 29 reviews

I can't exactly say its a "trap" per se cos it cost you nothing to enter the gardens. However, if you think you can see any buildings, structures remotely japanese or imperial, then drop this off your itinerary. There is NOTHING worthy to see in the gardens. Its just a huge park. Even the landscaping is non-Jap. A better option is to register a guided tour with the IHA (website) and get a guided tour of some parts of the inner palace. Although it is conducted only in Jap, I think it will be a more insightful trip.

Written May 28, 2008

Tokyo Tower - Don't Pay the Admission Price

3.5 out of 5 stars Helpfulness

cgutierrez 10 reviews

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Tokyo Tower is the oft photographed sympol of Tokyo, a orange and white radio station with two observation decks. Admission to the first observation deck is pricey and I didn't even bother to pay the extra fee to gain entrance to the second observation deck. I'm told other FREE observation spots around the city get you better views.

It could be kind of cool to see the city from up high and get a 360 view where you can even spot Mt. Fuji on a clear day, however in the end you're just paying to see the tops of a lot of buildings and at night you're paying to see the lights from those buildings. In the end, the most interesting pictures I have are OF Tokyo Tower from a distance and not from inside as the windows can get quite dirty and smudgey and its generally packed especially with middle school and high school students making it difficult to get a good view even if you wanted to.

Unique Suggestions: The 2nd-4th floor of Tokyo Tower has food courts and some souvenier shopping, while it is not difficult to buy these souveniers (the food gifts are particularly tasty) elsewhere, Tokyo Tower is a good place to find it all in one spot. So if you really want to go to photograph or see it up close, look at it from the outside and then maybe enter the inside (no need to wait in line to buy tickets) and travel up the stairs to Tokyo Tower's "Foot-Town" where all the shops are located to buy some gifts to bring home.

If your REALLY have to pay to go up to the observation decks, make sure to check it out on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday night when they have some sort of live music, DJ's, Jazz Ensembles, etc more information on what is offered each night on Tokyo Tower's website.
http://www.tokyotower.co.jp/english/04_club333/index.html

Fun Alternatives: Although I have yet to go, The Tokyo Metropolitan building is said to have a good and free observation deck.

Written Nov 5, 2007

Related to:: Architecture; School Holidays

TOURIST HAVEN

3.5 out of 5 stars Helpfulness

Onedragon 566 reviews

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THIS WAS FAR FROM A TRAP..BUT RATHER A FOOD HAVEN FOR THOSE WANTING TO SHOP AT ANY TIME OF THE DAY OR NIGHT....AND IT WAS ONLY TWO SHORT BLOCKS FROM THE PLACE I STAYED AT IN ASAKUSA...IN THE "ROX" BUILDING...
THE NAME OF THE STORE IS "SEIYU" WHICH IS A POPULAR STORE CHAIN IN JAPAN..
a GREAT A CONVIENT PLACE AND ALSO WITH FABULOUS PRICES FOR EVERYTHING!! !!Seiyu l ROX B1F, 1-25-15 Asakusa l 03-3836-7888

Unique Suggestions: SHOP. ... .SHOP... SHOP.. ..!!!!!!!!!

Fun Alternatives: SHOP.......SHOP.......SHOP....!!!!!

Written May 27, 2007

Gyoza Town... not worth the effort!! (Namja Town)

4.5 out of 5 stars Helpfulness

tigerjapan 538 reviews

Inside Sunshine City in Ikebukuro there is a game centre called "Namja Town. It's noisy and often so crowded you can hardly move, let alone try the gyoza you came for. The Gyoza Town costs 300yen to enter and then you have to buy your gyoza from the dozen or so gyoza shops inside.
Known as a gyoza theme park you'd be better to try gyoza in a ramen shop, from the food section of a department store or anywhere else. The only good thing about the gyoza here is the sheer range.
Gyoza are actually chinese and for those not sure what they are, they are a dumpling served in a variety of ways.
Gyoza are VERY good, but the namja town will do your head in before you've had a chance to really enjoy them

Unique Suggestions: If you must go then go and hope there aren't many people. Weekdays will have less people. If you are there in a crowd then log elbows and get in line... gyoza is worth the wait if you love a good dumpling!!

Fun Alternatives: Chinese restaurants sell gyoza.
Izakaya's have gyoza.
Ramen shops sell gyoza.
The food halls of department stores will sell gyoza.
Supermarkets sell gyoza.
Even family restaurants make gyoza.

Written Jan 25, 2005