Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
High-speed trains put several important sights within
day-trip
range of Tokyo,
including the ancient temple and shrine towns of
Kamakura
to the south and
Nikkō
to the north.
Mount Fuji
, 100km southwest of the capital, can be climbed between
June and September, while the adjoining national park area of
Hakone
offers relaxed
hiking amid beautiful lakeland scenery and the chance to take a dip in an onsen - a
Japanese mineral bath.
If you're looking for a quick and convenient trip to the countryside, sacred
Mount Takao
,
just an hour west of the capital, provides a verdant escape. Last, but not least, there's
Yokohama
, a whole other city - Japan's second largest, in fact - right on Tokyo's doorstep
and well worth visiting for its vibrant Chinatown and breezy waterfront districts.
When to visit
One of the best times to visit is in the spring, from April to early May. At the start of
this period (known as
hanami
) flurries of falling cherry blossom give the city a soft
pink hue and by the end the temperatures are pleasant. October and November are also
good months to come; this is when you'll catch the fireburst of
autumn
leaves in Tokyo's
parks and gardens.
Avoid the steamy height of
summer
(late July to early Sept), when the city's humidity
sees its citizens scurrying from one air-conditioned haven to another. From January
through to March temperatures can dip to freezing, but the crisp blue
winter
skies are
rarely disturbed by rain or snow showers. Carrying an umbrella in any season is a good
idea but particularly so during
tsuyu
, the rainy season in June and July, and in September,
when typhoons occasionally strike the coast.
When planning your visit also check the city's calendar of
festivals
and special events
(see p.25) for any that may interest you. Note also that many attractions shut for several
days around New Year when Tokyo becomes a ghost town, as many people return to
their family homes elsewhere in the country.
TOP 5 URBAN GREEN ESCAPES
Look at any map of central Tokyo and you'll quickly realize that there isn't much in the way of
parkland - just 5.3 square metres of park per resident compared to 29 square metres in New
York and 26 square metres in Paris. Then factor in that two of the biggest central patches of
greenery (those immediately around the Imperial Palace and the Akasaka Detached Palace)
are largely off-limits to the general public. Here are five bona fide urban green escapes; see
W
tokyo-park.or.jp for further suggestions.
Hama Rikyū Onshi Teien
Once the
duck-hunting grounds of the shogun, now
a beautiful bayside retreat (see p.82).
Higashi Gyoen
The tranquil east garden of
the Imperial Palace (see p.42).
Meiji-jingū Inner Garden
Peaceful
grounds surrounding Tokyo's most
important Shinto shrine (see p.110).
National Park for Nature Study
Limited
daily admissions help preserve this park's
natural serenity (see p.103).
Shinjuku Gyoen
English, French and
Japanese garden styles combine
harmoniously at this spacious park
(see p.124).
RIGHT FROM TOP
FUJI
HAKONE
IZU NATIONAL PARK AND MOUNT FUJI; HIE
JINJA SHRINE, AKASAKA; RUSH HOUR, SHINJUKU STATION
