35. Garden Review: Kyu Shiba-rikyu Garden (Minato-ku)

The Kyu Shiba-rikyu Garden was built on reclaimed land in the Edo period. The 4th Shogun, Tokugawa Ietsuna gave the land to Lord Okubo Tadatomo to use as his Tokyo residence. It went through a variety of owners until it was sold to the Imperial Household Agency in 1875. The Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 destroyed all the buildings and nearly all the trees. The garden was restored, and in 1924 it was opened to the public. It is one of two surviving feudal era Japanese gardens in Tokyo.The Kyu Shiba-Rikyu Garden is a landscape garden built with a circular walking trail so that visitors can enjoy it from a variety of angles. The garden's focus is Sensui Pond, which takes up almost 1/4 of the total area of 43,070 m. Originally it was a salt water pond, but was converted to fresh water after additional land reclamation nearby. Many hungry carp now make the pond their home. In addition, there are man-made hills, a large stone lantern, islands connected by bridges, grassy picnic areas, and a lovely wisteria trellis.

The downside of the garden is that is is surrounded by a number of tall buildings, and a particularly ugly neon coffee billboard. But, it is always quiet, is well tended, and the entrance fee is only 150 yen. I do find it to be a pleasant oasis,and I especially recommend stopping here if you are walking to Hinode Pier from Hamamatsu or Daimon Station.

34. Museum Review: Tobacco & Salt Museum (Shibuya)

Located right in the middle of Shibuya, I've walked by the 'Tobacco and Salt Museum' many times and never even realized it was there. It was founded in November 1978 by the Japan Tobacco and Salt Public Corporation (the predecessor of Japan Tobacco Inc.) which monopolized the production and sale of tobacco and salt.

Upon entry, I was extremely surprised that the place was full of kids. Who takes their children to a tobacco museum? Obviously, lots of Japanese people do. I will admit that with the exception of the glorification of smoking tobacco, it is an interesting and informative museum.

There are four floors to the museum. On the 1st floor is the reception desk, auditorium, lounge corner, and museum shop. On the 2nd floor, the route of tobacco is traced around the world, and the history of tobacco in Japan is presented. There is almost no English, but the displays are really interesting. We enjoyed the cigarette packet designs, and the life sized re-creation of a traditional Japanese tobacco store from the Edo era.

The 3rd floor focuses on Japanese and foreign salt; production, natural forms,... The 4th floor is a special exhibition hall for a constantly changing series of exhibitions on themes relating to tobacco and salt. There were some science experiments going on there when we visited.Should you take your kids to this museum? I wouldn't necessarily recommend it. But, for adults wandering around Shibuya (especially smokers), it is an interesting and inexpensive way to spend an hour.

Entrance fees: 100 yen, 50 yen for children high school age and younger

Hours of Operation: 10:00 - 18:00 (last entry 17:30). Closed on Mondays. If the Monday is a national holiday, closed the next day. Also closed Dec. 29 through Jan. 3.

Address: Jinnan 1-16-8, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0041

The museum is close to Parco on Koen-Dori (street), just across from the Tobu Hotel

Phone: 03-3476-2041

http://www.jti.co.jp/Culture/museum/Welcome.html

33. Museum Review: Shinagawa Historical Museum (Shinagawa-ku)

The Shinagawa Rekishikan (Shinagawa Historical Museum) collects and preserves materials that pertain to the culture and history of Shinagawa, and also preserves the city archives. In addition to the museum itself, there is a traditional Japanese tea room, a study, and a Japanese-style garden.
The museum is not very large, but the presentation of exhibits is excellent. Unfortunately, there are no English explanations. It is best to visit this museum with someone who can read Japanese. If you live in the Shinagawa area, it is worth 100 yen just to relax in the garden.
Admission: 100 yen for adults, 50 yen for elementary and junior high school students.
Free for senior citizens who are 70 years of age or older and for those who are disabled.
*There is a separate fee for special exhibit periods.

Hours of Operation: 9:00 - 17:00 (last entry at 16:30), closed on Mondays, national holidays, during the year end/New Year holidays, and for exhibition renewals.

Address: 6-11-1 Oi
Phone: 03-3777-4060

Directions: A one minute walk from the Kashima Jinja-mae bus stop, taking the Tokyu bus headed for Ikegami or Kamata from JR/Tokyu/Rinkai Oimachi Station. Or, a 10 minute walk from the Sanno Kitaguchi (North Exit) of JR Omori Station. There are also paid parking lots within easy walking distance.

32. Attraction Review: Tokyo City View (Roppongi)

An observatory on the 52nd floor of Mori Tower in Roppongi Hills, the 'Tokyo City View' gives a great view of the city, especially at night. A 360 degree view from 250 meters above sea level, it is quite breath-taking.

If you are willing to pay the price, I recommend the Tokyo City View over the Tokyo Tower. It always seems to be less crowded, it is more stylish, and there are lots of places to sit and really get a good look at the city. Go right at sundown for the best views.

Inside, the 'Sunset Cafe' serves coffee, tea, juice, beer,... There is also the 'Mado Lounge' - haven't been inside, but it looks pretty fancy. They regularly have live music and special events, and I believe it is available for private parties (although I bet the cost is pretty high).

Hours of Operation: 9:00 to 1:00 am, open everyday

Admission: Adults 1,500 yen, high school and college students 1,000 yen, children 500 yen.

For English Information: http://www.tokyocityview.com/en/index.html

31. Museum Review: Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography (Meguro-ku)

The Metropolitan Museum of Photography is hidden behind the Yebisu Garden Place Tower. If you weren't looking for it, you wouldn't notice it. That said, you should set out to visit this museum!

Exhibits change continuously, so it is important to check the website. I was there to see two exhibits: 1) Tokyo seen by Magnum Photographers - an excellent collection of Tokyo photographs, taken by famous foreign photographers (1000 yen).
2) Yoakemae - a collection of photos taken during the final years of the Edo Period (1603-1867) and the first half of the Meiji Era (1868 - 1912). 180 photographs, mostly portraits and scenes. For those interested in Japanese history, this exhibit was especially great (500 yen).

This is an excellent photography museum. As a history and photography enthusiast, this is the museum that I will visit more often than any other in Tokyo.

Each exhibit is priced differently, usually between 500 yen and 2000 yen.

Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography
Yebisu Garden Place, Mita 1-13-3, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-0062

Phone: 03-3280-0099

Hours of Operation:
10:00-18:00 (Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday)
10:00-20:00 (Thursday, Friday)
Closed on Mondays (Tuesday, if Monday is a national holiday), and New Year's holiday.

Admission Fees: Varies depending upon exhibition or screening.
*Elementary school children and younger are usually free. Check at the information counter.

The museum is located in Yebisu Garden Place.

Transportation: 7 min. walk from east exit of JR Ebisu Station, via the Sky Walk.
7 min. walk from the bus stops at Ebisu 1-chome and Ebisu 4-chome (the #87 Shibuya - Tamachi route city bus).

http://www.syabi.com/

**Free entry to certain exhibitions with Grutt Pass 2007 (#24)

30. Garden Review: Koishikawa Botanical Garden (Bunkyo-ku)

The Koishikawa Botanical Garden was first established in 1684 as the Koishikawa Medicinal Herb Garden by Tsuneyoshi Tokugawa, the 5th Tokugawa Shogun. In 1877, shortly after the Meiji Restoration, it became a garden of the Tokyo Imperial University (now Tokyo University) and has been (and still is) used for botanical research. There are over 4000 plant species here, and the greenhouse still contains medicinal plants dating back to the Edo Period.

The garden is especially famous for its plum and cherry blossoms. It is not a well known garden, so crowds are usually minimal. I found it to be a very lovely park, well worth a visit.Admission: 330 yen

Closed on Mondays (or Tuesday if Monday is a national holiday) and Dec. 29 - Jan. 3.
The greenhouse is only open from 13:00 - 15:00 on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Hours of Operation: 9:00 - 16:30 (last entry at 16:00)

Address: 3-7-1 Hakusan, Bunkyo-ku

Transportation: A short walk from Myogadani Station (Marunouchi Line) or Hakusan Station (Toei Mita Line).

29. Temple Review: Gokoku-ji (Bunkyo-ku)

Gokoku-ji Temple was built in 1681 by the 5th Tokugawa Shogun, Tsunayoshi. It was built at the request of his mother, Keishoin. Spared from earthquakes, fires, and WWII; the main temple (Kannon-do) is designated as important cultural properties of Japan.A large cemetery, Toshimagaoka, surrounds the temple. The Emperor Meiji declared Gokoku-ji the Imperial mausoleum in 1873. Several of his children, and Emperor Meiji himself, are buried there.

Gokoku-ji also oversees the practice of Japanese tea ceremony in all the country's temples. On the day I visited, there were many women visitors in kimono.

The temple was built on the top of a hill and it is said that there was once a nice view of Edo Castle from its grounds. Now the view is of office buildings down Otowa-dori.

This temple is not a famous tourist spot, very few foreigners have even heard of it. I would recommend visiting the temple, then take a walk downhill through Meijirodai and Sekiguchi, until you reach the Four Seasons Hotel and their magnificent garden.

An antique/flea market is held on the grounds of Gokoku-ji on the second saturday of each month, from 7:00 - 16:00

Access: Gokokuji Sta. on the Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line
5-40-1 Otsuka, Bunkyo-ku
Phone: 03-3941-0764

http://www.kotoku-town.com/special/8/gokokuji (Japanese only)