YOU ARE ALMOST LIKE LOCALS IN TOKYO PARKS IN TOKYO
Fall colors always dresses up cityscapes around the world when the air starts cooling down. When the Central Park starts looking romantic, downtown Tokyo also becomes places for urban relaxation. Park is the great place to meet locals and to see their ordinary life in Tokyo. Pack your daypack and hit the road to parks during your stay in Tokyo to find the casual side of the cosmopolitan.
Tokyo Midtown has just opened in this April in the heart of Roppongi, the red light district in central Tokyo. This immediately became the hot tourism spot, attracting both locals and tourists. Other than the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, avant-garde museums and art studios, and world-famous Japanese architect’s contemporary architecture, this brand-new office and commercial complex provides two outside parks for deep breaths. Hinokicho Park is located on the east side of the complex, and is one of a few places in central Tokyo where old sceneries are maintained from Edo Period (1603 – 1868). The garden was originally of one of the powerful clans in Japan in the 17th century, and four centuries later, it provides the floral air of cypress and the nostalgic view in the modern urban complex.
Midtown Garden is another green space in the complex. This space is the green oasis in the urban atmosphere, drawing urban strollers for short break and fresh air. This park is particularly friendly for the digital generation, providing wireless internet access in the park. Avoid Starbucks and sit down on the lawn with your laptop to check e-mails, or open up your “i-gadget” to surf the digital world. (http://www.tokyo-midtown.com/en/facilities/green/index.html)
Meiji-Jingu Shrine is originally built for the commemorative site of the Emperor Meiji, who reigned from 1868-1911. Today this is one of the famous shrines in Japan as Shinto-style traditional Japanese wedding ceremonies, New Year’s pilgrimage. Located by the shopping district for younger crowds of Tokyo, this Shrine is dedicated to the defied spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, the first imperial leaders of modern Japan and passed away in 1912. The Shrine’s property has dense wooden areas and Yoyogi Park, one of the most popular and largest public parks in Tokyo, is also right next to it. In every year, Meiji-Jingu Shrine competes with other major shrines and temples in the country for the number of New Year’s Day pilgrimage visitors, who come to the Shrine praying for a good year. The main path the shrine is perfect for quiet stroll and escape from the urban noise. In fall, the property becomes colorful with leaves fall colors, and becomes the perfect urban getaway. (http://www.meijijingu.or.jp/english/)
Yoyogi-Koen Park
Sharing the border with the foresty Meiji-Jingu Shrine, this is one of the Tokyo’s most famous public parks for its area and location. The park was originally the US military compound after the World War II, then developed as the park and served as the Tokyo Olympic Village for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Since then, the Park has been not only the relaxation open space but also involved in sports-related events. Adjacent to the Park, the two buildings of Yoyogi National Gymnasium were designed by the world-famed Japanese architect, Kenzo Tange for the 1964 Olympics, which add the cultural and design interest to stroll this park today. The location also brings a lot of “Tokyoites” to this park: The pop culture epicenter Harajuku is on the East end of the park, and the traditional Japanese shrine stands passed the quiet woody property of Meiji-Jingu Shrine on the northern side of this park.
As absolutely the center of Tokyo, the Imperial Palace is the large open space in the middle of Tokyo. Although being a current imperial residence, the East Gardens of the Palace is open to the public. With several traditional facilities such as guardhouses, teahouses and small Japanese gardens, walking through the Imperial Gardens would be the good opportunity to see the traditional architecture and botanic art. Lying on the grass would be a good outdoor relaxation under a calm fall sun. The Palace is surrounded by the moat, along which is a locals’ favorite bike path with occasional benches and small parks. The promenade also goes around the Palace and is well-known among the locals as one of the most popular running courses in Central Tokyo for amateur marathon runners.
It is a nice stop to sit down on the way to major landmarks in central Tokyo, and instead of crossing from one side to the other, why don’t you get off the subway and take a walk through the Palace? Among nearby tourist spots include the Imperial Hotel, one of the Frank Lloyd Wrights’ designs. (http://sankan.kunaicho.go.jp/english/guide/koukyo.html)
—— Nori Akashi: Marketing Specialist at the New York Office of JNTO
Toei-Tokyo Metro Subway
The subway system in Tokyo is operated by Toei and Tokyo Metro Subway, and each line is shown in different color in the map and signs. Tokyo’s train system charges per distance, so it would be more money if you go further. The subway system offers One Day Pass at 1,000 yen (a little over $9), which you can purchase at most of the subway stations in Tokyo. *Note that there are two subway companies in Tokyo, and Toei-Tokyo Metro One Day Pass covers both companies’ lines.
Japan Railway (JR)
Along with the subway lines, the central Tokyo is covered by regular trains operated by Japan Railways (JR) lines. JR’s Tokyo Metropolitan District Pass (Tokunai Pass) is another very affordable and convenient train pass for multiple train rides in Tokyo, and is available at 730 yen for unlimited ride on any JR lines within the Central Tokyo area (the pass is available between station within “the 23 wards,” which are mostly within Yamanote and Chuo lines. Available to purchase at major JR train stations.
If none of the above tickets is easy enough and comfortable for you, this brand-new innovative system is for you. The IC card, a plastic pass with a small chip embedded is called Suica or PASMO (there are two distributors of the card and each has its own name), and once you add value on the card, you are ready to go on ALL trains, subways and buses in the greater Tokyo area. Pay 2,000 yen at the first purchase, which include 500 yen deposit for the IC card itself (refundable when return the IC card) and 1,500 yen for the minimum starting value. Once you get this innovative plastic card, you keep adding value at the ticket machine (cash only for adding value). Although there is no discount on this pass, Suica and PASMO make it very easy to cruise around Tokyo because you only have to touch the small panel on the gate to go through, and you don’t have to buy ticket for each ride. Since you most likely take multiple trains to get around, take advantage of this card, and this pass makes it much easier and faster for train rides. Available to purchase at major train stations. For more details, see
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/suica-nex/suica.html or http://www.pasmo.co.jp/en/index.html.
Japan National Tourist OrganizationNew York OfficeOne Rockefeller Plaza, Suite 1250, New York, NY 10020
TEL: 212-757-5640 www.Japantravelinfo.com
