Leisure / Hobbies Spots in Tokyo Area

  • Ueno Zoo
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    4.0
    3044 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Tokyo Taitou-ku Uenokouen 9-83
    This urban zoo located in Taito City’s Ueno-onshi-koen Park is Japan’s oldest zoo, having opened in 1882. Inside are more than 500 types of animals, and it is most famous for giant panda in particular. The zoo is breeding and displaying the world’s three rarest animals that include the pygmy hippopotamus and okapi as well as the panda. From the 1990s the animal enclosures were refurbished to provide a space for patrons to see animals in more natural surroundings.

    Some zoos are designed to look like the animals are really in nature. This zoo was not one of those. All the animals were in tiny cages. Some of the cages were just concrete, and there was nothing...

  • Imperial Palace East Garden
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    4.0
    2031 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Tokyo Chiyoda-ku Chiyoda The Imperial Palace East Gardens
    The Imperial Palace East Garden was created on land that had formerly formed part of the Honmaru, Ninomaru and Sannomaru zones of Edo Castle, during the construction of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo; the East Garden is open to the public. A number of historical remains and vestiges of Edo Castle can be seen in the East Garden, including part of the Tenshu-dai (the foundation platform for the castle’s main tower), the Ote-mon Gate, the Hyakunin Bansho guardhouse, etc., and as a result the East Garden attracts large numbers of both overseas and domestic tourists. The East Garden also has a wealth of natural beauty, including the “Prefectural Trees” presented to the Garden by every prefecture in Japan, making it a popular place for a stroll or just to sit and relax.

    I enjoyed a walk around the gardens on a sunny Tokyo day. It is a pleasant place to stroll around and it is free to access. A fun walk to do while you are in the city.

  • Ghibli Museum, Mitaka
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    4.5
    1918 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Tokyo Mitakashi Shimorenjaku 1-1-83 Metropolitan Inokashira Park In Saiten
    This is an animation art museum managed by Studio Ghibli's Hayao Miyazaki with a motto of “Let's get lost together.” In addition to displaying materials and storyboards of past Ghibli works, the museum always features various sections that will expand one's perception of animation such as the replicated animation studio and the screenings of short animated films made just for the museum. With a nostalgic building and a route that blends in greenery, this is a place that both adults and children can enjoy just as they please. Entry to the museum is only by reservation and the closest station is Mitaka Station.

    A must-visit for Ghibli fans!! We were extremely excited to visit this museum! You have to purchase the tickets online and collect them from the konbini. You can take a bus to the museum from...

  • Tokyo Big Sight (Tokyo International Exhibition Center)
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    3.5
    681 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Tokyo Koutou-ku Ariake 3-11-1
    Located in the Ariake district of Tokyo's Koto City, this is Japan's largest convention center. It opened in 1996 and is used for various trade fairs and exhibitions throughout the year including business as well as cultural events. It is famous for hosting the Tokyo Motor Show and the Comic Market. The interior is mainly divided up into the Conference Tower, East Hall, East New Exhibition Hall, West Hall and Restaurant Avenue.

    Currently visiting this wonderful structure for a lengthy work assignment and Im blown away by how large, impressive and well-run it is.

  • Tokyo Midtown
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    4.0
    939 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Tokyo Minato-ku Akasaka 9-7-1 others
    This facility is directly connected to Roppongi Station with a shopping area, the Ritz-Carlton Tokyo (hotel), an office area, museum, convention hall, medical institution, and residential area, etc. There are famous brand shops in the shopping area, and you can enjoy shopping in a stylish and open space. The restaurants serving international cuisine are popular to a variety of people. It is famous for its outdoor illumination in the Christmas season.

    found the back area of midtown with all the lights and illumination, all every nice and pretty great for pictures, not sure if its up all winter

  • Samurai Museum
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    4.5
    1907 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Tokyo Shinjuku-ku Kabukichou 2-25-6 Yongwa 6th Building 1F
    This museum is dedicated to generals and samurai of the Warring States period. There are displays of armor and swords by period, and explanations of the origins of the samurai. You can also rent armor to get your picture taken as a samurai! It's very popular with tourists from overseas. They also have an attraction letting you join in a sword battle, as well as lots of events like sword preparation and calligraphy classes. They also sell souvenirs and gifts like replica armor.

    Very engaging and interactive experience at this museum! The guides were very knowledgeable on the history but also had really cool activities at the end (ninja and samurai) to make it a good...

  • Tokyo Dome City
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    4.0
    761 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Tokyo Bunkyou-ku Kouraku 1-3-61
    This is a general entertainment area that is centered around Tokyo Dome, the baseball stadium that is home to the Yomiuri Giants. Facilities include Tokyo Dome Attractions (the old Korakuen Amusement Park) where guests can enjoy attractions such as thrill rides and a Ferris Wheel, LaQua with its spa facilities, Korakuen Hall which is known as a holy land for martial arts, and the Tokyo Dome Hotel.

    Went here on our last day of 3 weeks in Japan. For lunch After visiting the beautiful gardens near by. There the huge stadium and two huge shopping malls that surround some open plaza space and an...

  • Tokyo International Forum
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    4.0
    943 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Tokyo Chiyoda-ku Marunouchi 3-5-1
    A multipurpose public culture facility with eight halls of various sizes as well as 34 meeting rooms. The facility frequently hosts cultural events that help share with the world the unique charms of Japan. The airy Glass Building hall, walled in by huge glass panels, has been awarded three Michelin stars, and is a popular tourist spot in and of itself. The entire facility is decorated with works of art, and visitors can come and enjoy the building like an art museum.

    The Tokyo International Forum truly is a photography wonderland. Head into the main building and take the elevator to the 7th floor. There are so many cool angles to shoot in this architectural...

  • Tokyo Metropolitan Edo-Tokyo Museum
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    4.5
    2178 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Tokyo Sumida-ku Yokoami 1-4-1
    Located near Ryogoku Kokugikan, the museum has been popular since its opening in 1993 as a place to reflect on the history and culture of Edo Tokyo and to consider the future of the city and people's lives. Many foreign tourists visit this facility to enjoy learning about the city, its culture, and the lives of the people of Edo Tokyo.

    Well worth a trip - lovely exhibition, amazing building. I spent around 3 hours looking at the various displays. Truly fascinating and gives a great understanding of the Edo period. Staff were...

  • National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan)
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    4.0
    1089 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Tokyo Koutou-ku Aomi 2-3-6
    This is a national science museum on Odaiba island. The permanent exhibits cover a broad range of subjects from the simple science questions to those regarding the latest technologies including the earth environment, space exploration, and the wonders of life. The dome shaped theater that plays 3D science films and other three-dimensional planetarium presentations is very popular. The director of this museum is the famous astronaut, Mamoru Mohri.

    If you come expecting a museum of emerging science and technology, you might be a tad disappointed. This really is more of a set of more or less sophisticated art pieces and exhibits showcasing...

  • Kabukiza Theatre
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    4.5
    1016 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Tokyo Chuou-ku Ginza 4-12-15
    This theater located in the Ginza area of Tokyo's Chuo City is dedicated solely to kabuki. The current building is the fifth iteration of the Kabuki-za, having undergone reconstruction and remodeling in accordance with destruction by fire, repairs, and changing eras since it opened in 1889. In addition to the many types of seats from the first floor box seats to the third floor seats, on the fourth floor are the popular “hito-maku miseki,” special seats that allow people to see any one act of a kabuki play. The building's Japanese-style exterior with its tiled roof and balustrades makes for a splendid balance with the Kabukiza Tower that stands behind it and the Ginza streetscapes. In the basement is the Kobikicho Plaza with souvenir shops and restaurants.

    To let others know incase you share my characteristics - I am queer/trans, overweight, tattooed, use a walking stick with limited mobility, white british. We needed to pick up our tickets from under...

  • Showa Kinen Park
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    4.5
    710 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Tokyo Tachikawashi Midorichou 3173
    Established to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Emperor Showa's reign, this is a national park built on the grounds of the former Tachikawa Airport with an area of 180 hectares (approximately 40 times the size of Tokyo Dome). Visitors to the spacious park can view various flowers and plants throughout the year, and in spring guests can enjoy more than 1,500 cherry trees in bloom. Rainbow Pool, available only in summer, is a wide water space some 1.4 times the size of Tokyo Dome. In winter, there is also a Christmas illumination. The Green Cultural Zone is not only used as an event space but also for a fireworks festival in summer.

    Flowers & Gardens, like the Teien, are always beautiful, but it is not well known that the kids area is very imaginative, creative, and great fun for younger kids. There is a huge, white...

  • Hibiya Park
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    4.0
    1111 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Tokyo Chiyoda-ku Hibiyakouen 1-6
    A metropolitan park opened in 1903 as Japan’s first modern Western-style park. The park’s spacious grounds are filled with a variety of trees and flowers and is a popular and well-known place to enjoy flowers. Events are held in the park year-round such as gardening shows and a Christmas market.

    WHERE / how to get there: This park is humongous, and right in the midst of the main business district, just a 15-minute walk or 20-minute stroll along Naka Street (Naka-dori Avevue) from central...

  • Ryogoku Kokugikan
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    4.5
    884 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Tokyo Sumida-ku Yokoami 1-3-28
    Called the Ryogoku Kokugikan, this is widely known as a venue for sumo competitions. It can accommodate more than 10,000 spectators and hosts various events besides sumo including pro-wrestling, boxing and concerts. Inside the venue’s shop visitors can purchase sweets and original merchandise featuring sumo motifs even when an official sumo tournament is not being held. The facility also houses the Sumo Museum where visitors can see color prints and ornamental aprons, as well as photos of past yokozuna champions.

    This is the center of the Sumo Universe. Best venue to watch Sumo. The seating is traditional Japanese downstairs and western actual chair seats upstairs. If you enjoy being folded up like a lawn...

  • Ueno-onshi-koen Park
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    4.0
    504 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Tokyo Taitou-ku Uenokouen - Ikenohata 3
    This public park in Taito City is also called Ueno Park or Ueno Forest. In the Edo period this park was the premises of Toeizan Kaneiji Temple. The park has been selected as one of the 100 best places to see Japanese cherry blossoms, and in spring a large crowd turns out for hanami parties. Inside the park is the famous statue of Saigo Takamori, as well as cultural facilities such as the Tokyo National Museum, the National Museum of Nature and Science, the National Museum of Western Art, and the Ueno Zoo.

    Pretty park, with lots of green which is a lovely break from the urban scene. The water lilies weren’t blooming; their leaves are still gorgeous, and nice reflections of the skyscrapers in the lake.

  • Haneda Airport International Terminal
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Tokyo Ota-ku Hanedakukou 2-6-5
    This terminal located in Tokyo’s Ota City is just for international flights arriving to and departing from Tokyo International Airport (Haneda Airport). This airport is used by many tourists as an entrance to the metropolis of Tokyo. The arrival lobby is on the second floor while the departure lobby is on the third floor. Inside the building are various facilities such as a foreign exchange booth, a luggage storage service, a clinic, and a kids’ corner, as well as a complete assortment of shops and restaurants. Edo Ko-ji on the fourth floor is a commercial area that replicates the townscape of the Edo period, while the fifth floor is occupied by popular character shops. Visitors can take in the dramatic sight of airplanes landing and taking off from the free observation deck.
  • Tokyo Dome
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Tokyo Bunkyou-ku Kouraku 1-3-61
    The Tokyo Dome opened as Japan’s first covered stadium in 1988. With its dome shaped room and artificial turf field it’s the home stadium of the Yomiuri Giants. The Tokyo Dome is the core of the Tokyo Dome City urban entertainment area and doesn’t only host baseball games but also a variety of other events including concerts and exhibitions. Near entry gate 21 you’ll find the Baseball hall of fame museum where you can see uniforms of popular players and learn about the history of baseball.
  • Shibuya Hikarie
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    4.0
    524 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Tokyo Shibuya-ku Shibuya 2-21-1
    This is a multi-purpose high-rise building near Shibuya Station. Opened in 2012, a collection of approximately 200 shops, including fashion, household goods, and food stores catering to people of all ages, are assembled in the ShinQs shopping area. The building houses, in addition to cafes and restaurants, a musical theater, the Tokyu Theater Orb, and an event hall. The many upper level office floors are home to global businesses. It is one of Shibuya's landmark towers, attracting many visitors.

    Cool place, on a high end side. Accross from new Shibuya Scramble Square. Few shops and restaurants. Right above the station

  • Nezu Museum
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    4.5
    879 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Tokyo Minato-ku Minamiaoyama 6-5-1
    This art museum located in Minami Aoyama opened in 1941 to conserve and exhibit the collection of Kaichiro Nezu, whose career included being president of Tobu Railway Co., Ltd. The collection of over 7,400 items (as of March 2016) is mostly comprised of pre-modern Japanese and East Asian art, and encompasses many National Treasures, Important Cultural Properties, and important works of art. In addition to the galleries in the main building, visitors can also view the Japanese garden that includes a teahouse, a stone Buddhist image, and stone lanterns.

    The museum itself is lovely, if small-ish. But the real treasure here are the gardens and tea room! So thoughtfully designed, quiet, and wonderful to walk around—you’ll forget you’re in the middle of...

  • Shibuya109
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    4.0
    608 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Tokyo Shibuya-ku Dougenzaka 2-29-1
    This mall filled with shops on the cutting edge of youth fashion located in the Dogenzaka area of Shibuya City is popularly known as “Marukyu.” In addition to ladies fashion and cosmetic shops, here patrons can also find stores carrying unique items created in collaboration with famous young entertainers. Restaurants can be found on the seventh floor serving authentic Italian pasta and novel desserts. Known as a mecca for young people, this popular spot has come to be a symbol of Shibuya.

    I am in my forties so I would say, if you want to browse or eat, then yes. To buy, probably not. This is one of those pretty department stores. Some of the items were nice but I have gone past the...

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The setting of countless iconic movie scenes and the inspiration for songs, poetry, and literature worldwide, Tokyo barely requires an introduction. It’s hard for the kaleidoscopic neon lights, wacky pop culture, and some of the world’s tallest structures not to instill excitement in any first-time visitor to Tokyo, whether you’re in the very center of the hustle and bustle in Shinjuku or Shibuya or looking in from the quieter suburbs.

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