TOKYO Top 50 Tourist Attractions 1. Idemitsu Museum of Arts The Idemitsu Museum of Arts is an exhibition of the Idemitsu collection of Japanese painting and calligraphy and Eastern Asian ceramic art. The building is designed to give the visitor a sense of the Japanese traditional spirit of wel- come, and visitors are able to enjoy the art dis- played in a comfortable and relaxed setting. The museum offers a mix of permanent and temporary exhibitions, with works selected from the Idemitsu collection, but also offering a view of other major art such as works by Edvard Munch that are currently on long-term loan. Generally, though, the most awesome part of the exhibition for westerners is the beautifully crafted calligraphy, and while you may have seen photographs nothing will prepare you for the sheer beauty of the real thing.  03-5777-8600

3-1-1 , Chiyoda-ku, 100-0005 Station [] ▪ www.idemitsu.co.jp

www.naomi.abe.plus www.naomi.abe.plus TOKYO Top 50 Tourist Attractions 2. Aqua City Odaiba & Mediage The unmissable huge complex of Aqua City in Odaiba is an entertainment and shopping cen- ter, set right by the Odaiba Kaihin Park at the new waterfront subcenter of Tokyo. It is really four separate zones devoted to shopping, eat- ing and entertainment and visiting Aqua City is a totally awesome experience. The ‘Shopping Zone’ consists of around 80 shops, mainly de- voted to fashion, and the ‘Gourmet Zone’ of- fers a wide range of ethnic foods, from Japa- nese, Chinese and Italian to traditional Western fare in over 150 restaurants and bars. The Me- diage Sony theater complex with its 13 cinema screens makes this an unmissable place to visit for people of all ages.  03-3599-4700

1-7-1 Daiba, Minato-ku, [Daiba] ▪ www.aquacity.jp

www.naomi.abe.plus www.naomi.abe.plus TOKYO Top 50 Tourist Attractions 3. Edo-Tokyo Museum Tokyo was known as Edo until the end of the shogun period. The end- ed in 1867, and Tokyo became the country’s capital in 1868. The Edo-Tokyo Museum walks you through the various ages of the city, start- ing at the replica Nihonbashi Bridge that leads you from reception into the museum where a number of dioramas offer a view of life in old Edo before it became Tokyo. You can see origi- nal katana swords, kimonos, samurai armor and many original books and scrolls. You get a good idea of the way people lived, and also of the poverty of these times. You then cross back over the bridge to the industrial area where you see the more modern Tokyo and the beginning of modern .  03-3626-9974

1-4-1 Yokoami, Sumida-ku, Tokyo 130-0015 Station [Ryogoku] ▪ www.edo-tokyo-museum.or.jp

www.naomi.abe.plus www.naomi.abe.plus TOKYO Top 50 Tourist Attractions 4. Ghibli Museum The Ghibli Museum features the productions of the anime film Studio Ghibli. It is unmissable for adults and children that love the anime genre, and has been open since 2001. Designed by film maker Hayao Miyazaki using many of the actual storyboards used in making his movies, the Ghibli Museum offers a mix of permanent and temporary exhibitions. Among the per- manent exhibits is one showing the history of anime, and the science behind the animation technology used in the movies. This is perfectly explained by means of stroboscopic exhibits showing how animation can be created from characters set in slightly differing poses. You will also find animation studio mock-ups, ex- hibits showing how anime movies are made  0570-055-777 and much more.

1-1-83 Simorenjaku, Mitaka-shi , Tokyo 181-0013 Station [Mitaka] ▪ www.ghibli-museum.jp

www.naomi.abe.plus www.naomi.abe.plus TOKYO Top 50 Tourist Attractions 5. Tokyo Imperial Palace East Garden The East Garden of the Tokyo Imperial Palace is open to the public, and is an oasis of peace on the former site of the main and secondary circle of ’s defense. This castle was at one time the residence of the Tokugawa sho- gun, Japan’s rulers from 1603 to 1867, and many parts of the castle can still be seen, in- cluding the moat, entrance gates and parts of the walls. The foundation of the castle’s tower, destroyed in 1638, is particularly impressive. The lawns are popular for strolls and the Nino- maru Japanese garden is very beautiful and must be visited if you visit the Imperial Palace. Redolent of the , the East Gar- den should be included on the itinerary of any visitor to the city.  03-3213-1111

1-1 Chiyoda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8111 Station [Nijubashi-mae] ▪ www.sankan.kunaicho.go.jp

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