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Doll Museum (Asakusabashi) – On March
3, girls celebrate the doll festival (Hina Matsuri) by displaying special
hina dolls representing the Japanese court. The hina dolls are taken out
once a year and are not for kids to play with. Visit the Doll Museum (Yoshitoku)
to see a gorgeous selection of dolls, including the emperor and empress
and royal family for the Doll Festival, and other samurai, geisha and sumo
wrestler dolls. |
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Asakusa Kannon Temple – This is one
of the oldest temples (Buddhist) in Tokyo, dedicated to Kannon, the Goddess
of Mercy. As you enter through the Gate of the God of Thunder, you'll pass
under a gigantic red red lantern. Inside the temple, there is a spectacular
multi-storied red pagoda, and the shrine to Kannon. Around the temple, stop
off at the stalls selling food and toys. |
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Sumida River Ferry (Asakusa) –
The Sumida River Line, from Asakusa to Hamarikyu Garden, crosses under 12
bridges of all shapes and sizes. From the river you get spectacular views
of the Tokyo Tower and a closer look at the big barges. |
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Fake Food Shops (Asakusa) – When you
go into a Japanese restaurant, the menu is displayed as plastic food in
the window. Go to Kappabashi street in Asakusa where you can see
store after store with displays of fake food (and buy some to take home
as a souvenir). |
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Drum Museum (Asakusa) – If you have
a budding musician in your house, visit the drum museum (Taiko-kan), where
you can see not only drums from Japan, including a really big taiko drum
but drums from all over the world. And best, of all, kids can try them out. |
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Ueno Park – Ueno Park (Ueno Koen)
was a huge temple complex in the 17th century, but in the 19th century many
of the temples were destroyed, and a few years later, it became one of the
first public parks in Japan. Today, it has not only has gardens and ponds,
but a zoo, small amusement park, museums and temples and shines. |
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 Ueno
Zoo – Highlights of the zoo are the panda bears and Siberian tigers. |
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Shinobazu
Pond – Shinobazu Pond is actually three ponds, the Boat Pond (rent
row boats or pedal boats to go around the pond), the Lotus Pond which has
flowering lotus in spring, and the Cormorants Pond, a sanctuary for hundreds
of these long beaked birds. |
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Tokyo
National Museum – The Tokyo National Museum is a blockbuster museum
that has the whole enchilada of Japanese art, including woodblock prints,
kabuki costumes, calligraphy, archeological treasures from burial mounds. |
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Toshogu
Shrine – This 17th century shrine, dedicated to the famous shogun
Ieyasu Tokugawa, is quite a splash. Hundreds of stone lanterns line the
entrance to the shrine. The main gate is flanked by two impressive Chinese
dragons. The building itself is a glorious example of Gongen architecture
with a blue roof and sumptuous black and gold decoration. Inside the shrine,
enjoy the brightly colored wall paintings and Ieyasu's armor. |
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Shitamachi
Museum – The heart of Edo was originally the "Low City," the flatlands
in the eastern section of the city. This bustling, vigorous area was largely
destroyed by the earthquake and fires of 1923. The Shitamachi Museum has
replicas of tenement houses, shops and workshops and provides kids a glimpse
of everyday life in the Low City. |
