Nestled at the foot of the iconic Tokyo Tower lies the area of Zojoji Temple and Shiba Park. Although surrounded by a forest of cutting-edge, ultra-modern skyscrapers, stepping into this spot instantly reveals a world where rich history from the Edo period and lush greenery are still deeply alive.

Is it true that there is a scenic spot where you can see Zojoji Temple and Tokyo Tower together?

Yes, it’s true! The view of Tokyo Tower towering right behind the temple’s traditional main hall is a one-of-a-kind magnificent sight that you can only see here. The surrounding Shiba Park is also full of lush greenery and makes for a perfect walking path, so you should definitely check it out!

In this article, we will introduce the charms of Zojoji Temple and Shiba Park.

The Charms of Zojoji Temple and Shiba Park

A one-of-a-kind Magnificent View: The Collaboration Between Zojoji Temple’s Main Hall and Tokyo Tower

The perfect composition of Zojoji Temple’s traditional Daiden (Main Hall) with Tokyo Tower soaring right behind it creates a collaboration so spectacular that there is no better place to take Instagram-worthy photos. It is the ultimate spot to capture that perfect shot, where a historic building and a symbol of the modern city overlap to create an overwhelmingly photogenic view.

Deep History Connected to the Tokugawa Shogun Family and the Gravesite of the Second Shogun Hidetada

Zojoji Temple is the family temple of the Tokugawa shogun family, and the Tokugawa Shogun Family Graveyard is located within the temple grounds. Here, the second shogun, Lord Hidetada, along with consecutive shoguns and their their lawful wives, rest peacefully.

Encounter Precious Historical Heritage at the Zojoji Temple Treasure Gallery

In the Treasure Gallery located on the first basement floor (B1) of the Daiden (Main Hall), precious temple treasures and historical documents passed down through generations at Zojoji Temple are open to the public as a permanent exhibition. The exhibits are highly worth seeing, featuring items such as the exquisitely detailed Taitokuin-den Mausoleum Model, which returned to Japan from the British Royal Collection for the first time in 100 years, and the overwhelmingly powerful Five Hundred Arhats Paintings (Gohyaku Rakan-zu).

The Former Taitokuin-den Mausoleum Somon Gate Leading to Shiba Park

Located on the south side of Zojoji Temple and standing at the path that leads into the greenery of Shiba Park, the Former Taitokuin-den Mausoleum Somon Gate is a precious Important Cultural Property of Japan that conveys the magnificent architectural beauty of the Edo period to the present day.

Of the vast mausoleum architecture built for the second shogun, Lord Hidetada Tokugawa, this is a highly valuable main gate that escaped destruction during the war and remains in its original state today. Its beautiful vermilion-painted appearance is deeply impressive, and passing through the gate brings you right into the lawn area of Shiba Park, where you can look up at Tokyo Tower. It is a highly recommended walking route that connects you to a pleasant stroll while feeling the weight of history.

An Oasis of Trees in the City: Shiba Park Walking Paths

Shiba Park, one of the oldest parks in Japan, features lush, green walking paths that make you forget the surrounding hustle and bustle of the city. Walking through the beautiful trees, it is a path where you can feel the sunlight filtering through the leaves and a pleasant breeze. You might even catch a glimpse of the overwhelmingly majestic, orange-glowing Tokyo Tower popping its head out from between the gaps in the greenery!

Spreading Green Lawns: Shiba Park’s Lawn Area

The open lawn square of Shiba Park is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing break. Under the beautiful sight of the massive Tokyo Tower towering against the blue sky, spending a slow, leisurely day in this open green lawn area is truly wonderful.

Zojoji Temple Location and Access

location

• About a 3-minute walk from Onarimon Station on the Toei Subway Mita Line. This is the closest station to Zojoji Temple and is a highly recommended route for a smooth access while enjoying the lush, green atmosphere of Shiba Park from the very start.
• About a 5-minute walk from Daimon Station on the Toei Subway Asakusa Line and Oedo Line. When you come up to the surface from Exit A6, Daimon, the main gate of Zojoji Temple, will appear right in front of you. This is the classic route where you pass through the historic gate and walk straight down the approach towards the main hall.
• About a 10-minute walk from Hamamatsucho Station on the JR Line and Tokyo Monorail. A very straightforward and easy-to-understand route where simply walk straight out of the North Exit. It offers excellent access from Haneda Airport and Shinkansen bullet train stations, making it perfect as a starting point for your Tokyo sightseeing.

When accessing from JR Hamamatsucho Station or Daimon Station on the Oedo Line, you will pass through the Zojoji Temple Daimon Gate. This main gate is even larger and more magnificent than it appears, making it highly worth seeing, so taking this route is also highly recommended.

Information on Zojoji Temple

Photo Gallery of Zojoji Temple & Shiba Park

Please enjoy these photos of Zojoji Temple & Shiba Park.

Photographed in July 2026

Daimon Intersection. Tokyo Tower soars beyond Daimon, the main gate of Zojoji Temple.

Photographed in July 2026

The Sangedatsumon Gate undergoing major repairs. It is covered with a life-sized printed sheet and is scheduled for completion in 2032.

Photographed in July 2026

Zojoji Temple’s Daiden (Main Hall) with Tokyo Tower soaring behind it. Walking up the stairs toward the hall to pray.

Photographed in July 2026

Ankoku-den Hall surrounded by urban greenery. Set against the backdrop of Tokyo Tower, it is the center for worshippers to receive amulets and Goshuin (red ink stamps).

Photographed in July 2026

A huge calligraphy piece displayed in the Zojoji Temple Treasure Gallery. A history-filled exhibit featuring striking, powerful brushwork.

Photographed in July 2026

The stone pagoda of the second shogun, Lord Hidetada, and Ogo (Sugen-in) located inside the Tokugawa Shogun Family Graveyard.

FAQ for Zojoji Temple & Shiba Park

Conclusion: Zojoji Temple & Shiba Park

Located at the foot of Tokyo’s iconic landmark, Tokyo Tower, Zojoji Temple and Shiba Park are sightseeing spots where a deep history dating back to the Edo period overlaps with rich nature. While surrounded by urban skyscrapers, stepping inside reveals a beautiful landscape enveloped in silence and greenery.

Zojoji Temple and Shiba Park make up a luxurious area packed with historical charm and urban relaxation. With outstanding access just a few minutes’ walk from major stations, it is one of the top spots you should definitely stop by during a stroll or your Tokyo sightseeing.

Recommended

Shimbashi, Hamamatsucho, and Shinagawa

The Shimbashi, Hamamatsucho, and Shinagawa area is an exciting place to just walk around, where modern landscapes lined with cutting-edge skyscrapers beautifully overlap with lush greenery, historic gardens, and shrines!

＼Feel the True Tokyo／

Shimbashi, Hamamatsucho, and Shinagawa Sightseeing! Click Here for the Food, Night View, and Downtown Guide

From bustling local food and Tokyo’s iconic sightseeing spots to vibrant business districts and rich traditions!

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The Shimbashi, Hamamatsucho, and Shinagawa area is an area where the modern scenery lined with cutting-edge skyscrapers and the beautiful greenery of historic gardens and shrines overlap beautifully, making you feel excited just by walking! We will introduce the sightseeing spots that tightly condense the highlights of the “present” and “tradition,” from lively local gourmet and Tokyo’s leading tourist destinations to office districts and traditions.

I wonder what kind of sightseeing spots are around Shimbashi, Hamamatsucho, and Shinagawa?

From the cutting-edge skyscraper clusters to beautiful gardens and deep gourmet streets, it is full of highlights of Tokyo’s “present” and “tradition”!

Shrines & Temples

The charm unique to the vicinity of Hamamatsucho and Sengakuji, such as temples and shrines.

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Landmarks

From Shimbashi, the town of salarymen, to the modern city Takanawa Gateway.

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Theme Parks

A great selection of urban entertainment spaces that adults can thoroughly enjoy, including an advanced aquarium.

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Activities

Plenty of exceptional experiences to fully experience the grandeur of Tokyo.

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Shopping

The Shimbashi-to-Shinagawa corridor is highly convenient and perfectly suited for retail therapy.

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Entertainment Districts

A massive spectrum of nightlife, ranging from high-end luxury spots to deep, lively drinking joints under the train tracks.

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Night Views

Breathtaking nightscapes spanning from the sweeping metropolitan skyline to romantic waterfront vistas.

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Gourmet

Tokyo stands as a gathering place for world-class fine dining and legendary local comfort food.

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Recommended Hotels

Excellent accommodations perfectly suited as convenient bases for both business and leisure travel.

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Shrines, Temples, and Gardens Where You Can Feel History and Culture

A Vast Daimyo Garden Linked to the Tokugawa Shogun Family: “Hama-rikyu Gardens”

It is a Nationally Designated Special Place of Scenic Beauty with a history as the falconry grounds and a villa for the Tokugawa Shogun family. The highlights are the “Shioiri-no-Ike” pond, the greenery, the teahouse (Japanese house) on the middle island, and their collaboration with the surrounding skyscrapers. The “contrast between the new and the old” woven by the surrounding cutting-edge skyscraper clusters and the historic, green Japanese garden is nothing short of spectacular. It serves as a massive oasis where you can forget the hustle and bustle of the city and relax while being healed by a dynamic, uniquely Tokyo view.

Recommended

Hama-rikyu Gardens

While being right in the middle of Tokyo, rich greenery and a vast pond spread in “Hama-rikyu Gardens.” The unique landscape woven by the surrounding Shiodome skyscraper clusters and the pure Japanese garden retaining Edo atmosphere, and the emotion of the Japanese garden inside Tokyo enjoyed at the central pond and teahouse is supreme.

A Hidden Oasis for Recommended Tokyo Sightseeing in Hamamatsucho

The collaboration of a good old Japanese garden from the Edo period and modern skyscraper clusters: “Hama-rikyu Gardens”

A recommended Hamamatsucho sightseeing spot, with relatively fewer tourists, where you can enjoy “Mattari” (at a relaxed pace).

The Family Temple of the Tokugawa Clan: “Zojoji Temple”

With a history of over 600 years, this is the grand head temple of the Jodo sect that enshrines the secret Buddha image “Kurohonzon” linked to Tokugawa Ieyasu. It has a deep connection with the Tokugawa Shogun family, and the magnificent gravesites of six shoguns, including the second shogun Hidetada, and their consorts stand solemnly within the grounds.

The heavy “Sanjadatsumon” gate is one of the largest gates in Eastern Japan and is a national Important Cultural Property.

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Collaboration of Zojoji Temple and Tokyo Tower

While being surrounded by skyscraper clusters where you feel the cutting-edge of the city, taking a single step inside reveals a spot where you feel history, where history from the Edo period and rich greenery breathe deeply.

The Zojoji Temple and Shiba Park area.

The one-and-only view where Zojoji Temple and Tokyo Tower collaborate: Shiba Park

A scenic spot where Zojoji Temple and Tokyo Tower can be seen together.

Near Takanawa Gateway, the Sacred Place of History Where the Ako Roshi Rest: “Sengakuji Temple”

It is a historic temple of the Soto sect founded by Tokugawa Ieyasu in the early Edo period. It is the stage of the widely known “Chushingura,” and many worshippers from all over the country still visit it as a sacred place where the Ako Roshi (Ako Gishi), including Oishi Kuranosuke who showed loyalty to their master Asano Takumi-no-kami, rest quietly.

In the grounds, besides the gravesites of the Gishi, there is also the “Ako Gishi Memorial Museum” that exhibits their articles, allowing you to feel the dramatic history firsthand. It has good access from Takanawa Gateway Station and is a famous temple with a quiet atmosphere.

Shimbashi, Hamamatsucho, and Shinagawa Urban Landmarks

The Eternal Symbol of Tokyo, Lighting Up Beautifully in the Big Metropolis: “Tokyo Tower”

Standing at a height of 333 meters, this is a comprehensive radio tower that has continued to watch over the streets of Tokyo since its opening in 1958. From the Main Deck and Top Deck, a grand panorama spreads out, looking out over the big metropolis’s building clusters and even Mount Fuji.

When night comes, you can see its mystical figure beautifully lit up in a warm orange color or seasonal designs. The overwhelming beauty looked up at from right close is natural, but the emotion of the moment when its vivid figure is suddenly seen from between the building clusters is Tokyo’s number one special seat that continues to fascinate people in any era.

“Shiodome Sio-Site,” Where Futuristic Skyscrapers and Commercial Facilities Blend

This is a huge multi-layered city where a futuristic landscape spreads. Within the area, cutting-edge skyscrapers stand in rows, and stylish commercial facilities, restaurants, theaters, etc. blend beautifully.

Walking on the futuristic pedestrian deck (pedestrian corridor) running as if weaving between the building clusters makes you feel as if you have wandered into the world of a SF movie. It is within walking distance from Shimbashi and Hamamatsucho and has good access, allowing you to feel the sophisticated urban dynamism firsthand.

The Latest Stylish Spot Like a Futuristic City: “TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY”

This is a cutting-edge, ultra-huge composite city around Takanawa Gateway Station. Modern skyscraper clusters stand in rows, and shops of the latest trends and gourmet making their first landing in Japan gather. Simply walking around is the most stylish and exciting new landmark now, where you can enjoy the cutting-edge Tokyo with all five senses.

Absolutely Want to Go Before Demolition! The Sacred Place of Showa Retro: “New Shimbashi Building”

Completed in 1971, this is an ultra-retro composite building with a net-like white exterior that catches the eye right in front of Shimbashi Station. While demolition plans due to future redevelopment are progressing, it is attracting attention from inside and outside the country as a sacred place that conveys the heat of Showa to the present.

Inside the building, old-fashioned coffee shops, Western food restaurants that draw huge lines, discount ticket shops, massage parlor stores, etc. are crowded chaotically, allowing you to feel the real daily life and deep culture of Shimbashi, the town of salarymen.

Familiar from TV! The Symbol of the Salaryman Town: “Shimbashi Station SL Square”

Located right outside the Hibiya Exit of Shimbashi Station, this is a square famous as a classic meeting place. A real C11 steam locomotive (SL), installed in connection with Shimbashi being the birthplace of Japan’s railway, releases an overwhelming presence, and you can also enjoy the performance where the sound of the steam whistle echoes several times a day.

 (Christmas season SL illumination *sound plays)

At night, the SL is beautifully lit up, shining beautifully in combination with the neon signs of the lively surrounding drinking streets. Especially during the Christmas season, you can see the SL shining like a special show of sound and light.

Theme Parks, Amusement Parks, Aquariums, and Zoos

The Cutting-Edge Urban Aquarium Blending Sound, Light, and Image: “Maxell Aqua Park Shinagawa”

Getting off at Shinagawa Station, this is an urban entertainment facility utilizing cutting-edge technology located on the Takanawa Exit side. It is not just about observing creatures; a mystical world blended with sound, light, and projection mapping spreads.

The “Dolphin Performance” that can be seen from 360 degrees anywhere is spectacular, featuring dynamic performances of water and light that change with the seasons. Access from the station is also outstanding, making it a place that can be enjoyed romantically by adults, as well as children and families.

Activities and Experiences in the Area

A Luxury Cruise to Overlook Tokyo’s Famous Spots from the Ship: “Tokyo Bay Cruise Symphony”

Departing from Hinode Pier, this is a restaurant cruise ship that dynamically tours Tokyo Bay. Its charm lies in the outstanding location where you can pass right under the Rainbow Bridge and overlook scenes such as Odaiba, Tokyo Gate Bridge, and Haneda Airport from the ship.

There are plans matched to the time zone, such as lunch, dinner, and afternoon tea, allowing you to spend a luxury moment while feeling the beautiful sea breeze. It is a classic activity unique to the Tokyo Bay area, boasting overwhelming popularity from domestic and foreign tourists.

The Night View Cruise That Colors Tokyo’s Summer: “Tokyo Bay Summer Night Cruise”

Operated every summer from the Takeshiba Passenger Ship Terminal near Hamamatsucho, this is a cruise of a large passenger ship that has become a summer tradition in Tokyo. At an affordable price, you can enjoy the glittering night view of Rainbow Bridge and Tokyo Bay from the ship while wearing a yukata and enjoying delicious alcohol and food.

Inside the ship, music events etc. are also held, with a liveliness just like a festival. It is a highly popular activity where you can experience Tokyo’s hot night energetically.

Helicopter Scenic Flight: “Metropolitan Cruise”

An activity where you can taste the ultimate ecstasy of monopolizing the night view of Tokyo’s big metropolis from the sky, which will surely make for the best day that moves you.

From inside the aircraft at an altitude of several hundred meters, familiar landmarks such as Rainbow Bridge, Tokyo Tower, and Tokyo Skytree spread out below as a diorama that looks like scattered jewels, and you will surely be able to spend a wonderful time that becomes a lifelong memory with your precious person.

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Tokyo Helicopter Scenic Flight

To you, the best performance to look out at the big metropolis Tokyo from inside the cabin in a world of just yourselves. Let’s experience a wonderful night, together with your precious person.

This is the supreme time of luxury

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Tokyo & Chiba “Metropolitan Cruise” Helicopter Sightseeing Flight

Experience the night view of the Tokyo metropolitan area—one of Asia’s largest and greatest cities.

Shopping, Shopping Malls, and Shopping Streets

Perfect for Shinkansen Waiting Time! Directly Connected to Shinagawa Station: “ecute Shinagawa / atre Shinagawa”

This is a huge commercial facility that can be accessed inside and directly connected to the gates of Shinagawa Station. In “ecute Shinagawa” inside the gates, Tokyo’s sophisticated classic souvenirs, limited sweets, and high-quality side dishes stand in rows, allowing you to enjoy shopping efficiently right up until boarding the Shinkansen.

In “atre Shinagawa” directly connected to the Konan Exit, there are famous cafes from New York and a stylish food court, perfect for coffee time or a meal during waiting time. It is a spot directly connected to the station that changes your transit time into a luxury time.

Entertainment Districts and Nightspots

Shimbashi Under-the-Tracks Drinking District, Corridor Street as a Drinking Place for High-Class Businessmen

This is an area where you can experience two faces of the night at once: the “Under-the-Tracks drinking district” continuing from Shimbashi Station under the elevated tracks, and the continuing “Corridor Street” as a social place for sophisticated adults.
Under the tracks, stores where you can rowdily enjoy cheap and delicious ya

a Showa retro atmosphere stand in rows, and many salarymen enjoy a drink after work. Entering Corridor Street, it completely changes, and stylish bars and dining bars stand in rows, bustling with high-career businessmen and highly sensitive adults.

Shinagawa’s “Hotel High-Floor Bar and Lounge” That Produces a Sophisticated Adult Night

Located on the upper floors of the ultra-high-rise hotel clusters in front of Shinagawa Station, a moment in the supreme luxury space overlooking the beautiful scenery of Tokyo also becomes one of the wonderful memories of your Tokyo trip. While tilting an original cocktail made by a sophisticated bartender or high-quality wine, the time spent gazing at the glittering Tokyo Tower and the illumination of the city center is exceptional.

It is a supreme spot you cannot miss for a special date or an adult dinner to conclude a day of sightseeing or business.

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Shinagawa Prince Hotel

Let’s stay at a wonderful hotel in Shinagawa, the western gateway of Tokyo, which is convenient for transferring to the Shinkansen and easy to go to Haneda Airport.

Let’s enjoy the hotel BAR together with your hotel stay

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Shinagawa Prince Hotel East Tower

There are many luxury hotels in Tokyo Shinagawa. Enjoying your stay is also a pleasure of a Tokyo trip.

Night Views of the Big Metropolis

The Light of Tokyo Tower Glowing in the Skyscraper Clusters of the Big Metropolis

Coloring the night of the Shimbashi, Hamamatsucho, and Shinagawa area, this is a breathtakingly beautiful night view that you absolutely cannot miss when sightseeing in Tokyo. The sight of the warm orange Tokyo Tower light-up floating inside the cutting-edge skyscraper clusters is a unique art of night view where new and old Tokyo fuse.

You can view its dramatic figure from everywhere within the area, such as Hamamatsucho, Tamachi, and the streets continuing to Shiba Park. It is an overwhelming location symbolizing Tokyo that is deeply engraved in the memory of the trip.

The Romantic “Boardwalk Along the Canal of Tennozu Isle”

With good access from Shinagawa Station, this is a beautifully maintained wood deck promenade along the canal where you can feel a pleasant sea breeze. The former warehouse district has been reborn into stylish art galleries, craft beer breweries, and floating restaurants, spreading a sophisticated landscape where any shot looks like a picture.

When night comes, the surrounding building clusters and bridges lit up sparkle on the water surface, turning into a more romantic atmosphere. It is the perfect urban hideaway spot to enjoy a relaxed stroll date with your precious person.

Gourmet in the Area

A Luxury Space of Traditional Western Food and Craft Beer: “Tsubame Grill (Shinagawa Ekimae Store)”

Standing right in front of Shinagawa Station’s Takanawa Exit, this is a historic, long-established Western food restaurant founded in 1930. The signature menu “Tsubame-style Hamburg Steak” is a supreme item where a hamburger steak topped with plenty of homemade beef stew is wrapped in aluminum foil and baked.

The hot steam and mellow aroma that spread the moment you open the delivered foil with a knife cannot be forgotten once tasted. The tomato farcie salad is also exquisite. It is the absolute ace gourmet of Shinagawa that luxuriously colors the lunch or dinner of the trip.

An All-You-Can-Eat of Overwhelming Scale! Shinagawa Prince Hotel’s “Hapuna (LUXE DINING HAPUNA)”

Located inside the Shinagawa Prince Hotel, this is a highly popular restaurant that can be called the pronoun for hotel lunch and dinner buffets. In a space boasting an overwhelming sense of openness with a ceiling height of about 9 meters, you can enjoy high-quality Japanese, Western, and Asian fusion food with all five senses.

The juicy roast beef overflowing with meat juice, the luxury all-you-can-eat crab, and the numerous colorful exquisite sweets are spectacular. Not to mention the taste, the entertainment aspect is also outstanding, making it a moving gourmet spot you absolutely cannot miss for a reward during a business trip or for making special memories of sightseeing.

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LUXE DINING HAPUNA

This is truly the ultimate luxury lunch! Shinagawa Prince Hotel’s LUXE DINING HAPUNA is a gorgeous space you want to taste at least once.

The highest peak of lunch buffets

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Shinagawa Prince Hotel

Have an unforgettable experience at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel!

The Supreme Black Wagyu Beef Grilled in Front of Your Eyes! Dai-ichi Hotel Tokyo’s “Teppanyaki Ittettsu”

Located on the highest floor (21st floor) of Dai-ichi Hotel Tokyo right from Shimbashi Station, this is a teppanyaki restaurant where you can spend a luxury time. While viewing the night view of the glittering Tokyo Tower and skyscraper clusters spreading outside the window, you can enjoy the live performance dynamically grilled by a skilled chef right in front of your eyes with all five senses.

With the luxury space of the hotel’s highest floor and sophisticated hospitality, it is a supreme famous store that elegantly produces a special anniversary or dinner of the trip.

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“Teppanyaki Ittettsu’s” Supreme Wagyu and Tokyo Night View

“Teppanyaki Ittettsu,” which sets up shop on the 21st floor of Dai-ichi Hotel Tokyo in Shimbashi, Tokyo, is an authentic teppanyaki restaurant where you can enjoy supreme Wagyu beef along with a beautiful night view.

Selected Wagyu Beef and Fresh Seafood

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A sophisticated space where you can overlook the glittering night view of Tokyo.

Savoring Highest-Grade Black Wagyu Beef! “Ningyocho Imahan Ginza Store’s” Luxury Sukiyaki

Loved across generations as a sukiyaki famous store representing Japan, “Ningyocho Imahan.” Among them, the “Ginza Store,” which sets up shop in a prime location in Ginza, is a supreme space where you can enjoy everything from selected highest-grade Black Wagyu beef and traditional warishita to sophisticated hospitality.

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Savoring Highest-Grade Black Wagyu Beef! “Ningyocho Imahan Ginza Store”

The meat, which a skilled waitress grills to the best condition right in front of your eyes, is truly a moving taste that melts in your mouth.

Meat That Unties in Your Mouth

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A store where you can have the highest-grade sukiyaki experience in Ginza.

Recommended Hotels in the Shimbashi, Hamamatsucho, and Shinagawa Area

APA Hotel Shinagawa Sengakuji Eki-mae

Located a few minutes’ walk from JR Yamanote Line Takanawa Gateway Station, this is a hotel in a location convenient for access to Shinagawa Station and Haneda Airport. The large public bathhouse exclusive for guests “Genyo no Yu” on the highest 21st floor is a large bath (with an open-air bath) to wash away the fatigue of the trip. The guest rooms are built with an emphasis on functionality while being compact, and the 1st-floor restaurant also serves a breakfast buffet.

Above all, the price is reasonable compared to nearby hotels, and the cost-performance is at the strongest level. It is a good hotel with a restrained price that can be said to be the only one in the Shimbashi, Hamamatsucho, and Shinagawa area, which is a hotel fierce battlefield area.

Check!

Click here for the accommodation experience review of APA Hotel Shinagawa Sengakuji Eki-mae →

APA Hotel Shinagawa Sengakuji Eki-mae

Right next to the new-sensation city Takanawa Gateway, equipped with a large public bath and a breakfast buffet—a highly recommended hotel.

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Early Booking is Important for Hotels

【Agoda】Click here for hotel details and reservations

If you are searching for hotels in the Shinagawa, Hamamatsucho, or Shimbashi areas, this is the best deal.

APA Hotel Shinagawa Sengakuji Eki-mae

Summary: Recommended Sightseeing in the Shimbashi, Hamamatsucho, and Shinagawa Area

While the Shimbashi, Hamamatsucho, and Shinagawa area has skyscraper clusters that transmit the latest trends and highly convenient hotels standing in rows, it is a highly attractive area where Tokyo’s “present” and “tradition” are beautifully harmonized, with historic gardens and famous temples continuing from Edo still breathing.

From activities to enjoy the sophisticated urban night view luxuriously, to supreme local gourmet where you can drop by casually between business trips or sightseeing, new discoveries and emotions are waiting every time you visit.

While having a face as a business district, its true charm is that it shows various expressions, such as an oasis of the big metropolis or a deep sacred place once you take a step inside. You can enjoy it even in a short gap time using the Shinkansen or Haneda Airport.

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“Hama-rikyu Gardens” is a place where rich greenery and a vast pond spread, despite being right in the middle of Tokyo. The unique landscape woven by the surrounding Shiodome skyscraper clusters and the pure Japanese garden retaining Edo atmosphere, and the emotion of the Japanese garden inside Tokyo enjoyed at the central pond and teahouse is supreme.

I wonder if there is a park in Tokyo where you can walk or rest at a relaxed pace?

Although it costs a small admission fee, “Hama-rikyu Gardens” is highly recommended. It is a garden linked to the Tokugawa family, and its vast grounds are packed with the greenery and deep beauty of a Japanese garden.

In this article, based on the photos actually taken by the author, we will introduce the charms of “Hama-rikyu Gardens.”

The Charms of “Hama-rikyu Gardens”

The Beautiful Garden Beauty of Edo (Japanese Garden), Perfect for a Stroll with Your Precious Person

This is a grand daimyo garden full of dignity, holding a history as the falconry grounds and a villa for the Tokugawa Shogun family, and also designated as a National Special Place of Scenic Beauty and Special Historic Site. Beautiful trees and flowers are arranged within the garden to surround the pond, allowing you to feel the emotion-rich Japanese style, the green of the trees, and the flowers each time you take a step.

On its vast grounds, a relaxed promenade is maintained, characterized by a quiet and comfortable time cut off from the hustle and bustle of the city. Because you can walk calmly and gently while looking at nature, you can spend a healing time together with your precious people, such as walking with the whole family, walking as a couple, or taking a stroll with close friends.

You can spend an elegant and comfortable moment that makes you forget you are in the center of Tokyo.

A Luxury Matcha Experience Savoring at “Nakajima no Ochaya” Floating on the Pond

“Nakajima no Ochaya” sits almost in the center of the pond, past the Otsutaibashi bridge which stands as if gliding on the water surface. While looking at the water surface of the pond spreading in front of your eyes, you can enjoy a set of seasonal fresh Japanese sweets and matcha. It is a comfortable space to spend a moment of your stroll pleasantly.

The tea sweets of Nakajima no Ochaya are colorful sweets where the Japanese sweetness stands out, and the matcha enjoyed together with them is atmospheric and deep in flavor—truly a moment where you feel the Japanese style.

The Collaboration of Hamamatsucho and Shiodome Skyscraper Clusters with the Green Trees of the Japanese Garden

One of the charms is that you can enjoy a unique view where the futuristic skyscraper clusters of Shiodome and Hamamatsucho tower majestically in the background of the historic, pure Japanese garden. The collaboration of the green of the lush traditional pine and trees with the skyscrapers of modern architecture goes beyond a sense of mismatch and draws a good contrast.

The scene where the solemn Japanese atmosphere continuing from the Edo period and the cutting-edge urban beauty fit beautifully into a single view has a special beauty that looks great in photos.

Savoring Seasonal Nature in the Center of the City: “Rich Flowers and the Three-Hundred-Year Pine”

Within the garden is the “Three-Hundred-Year Pine,” one of the largest in Tokyo, which is handed down to have been planted when the 6th Shogun Tokugawa Ienobu extensively renovated the garden. The spectacular pine pattern of its trunk and branches is worth seeing.

The flower field near the “Otemon” gate of Hama-rikyu is famous for having about 300,000 canola flowers in spring and “Kibana Cosmos (orange and yellow cosmos)” blooming all over from summer to autumn.

You Can Overlook the Pier from the Garden

You can also overlook the scenery of the pier (boat dock) from up close within the garden.

Looking at the waterway leading to the sea from the modern skyscraper clusters of the Takeshiba area that spreads beyond the water gate, from the water’s edge where the green-rich Japanese style spreads, is also one of the hidden charms of Hama-rikyu.

Location and Access of “Hama-rikyu Gardens”

Location

Located in Chuo-ku, Tokyo, it has good access, being about a 15-minute walk from Shimbashi Station and Hamamatsucho Station, and about a 7-minute walk from Shiodome Station and Tsukijishijo Station. It is close to the Tsukiji, Shiodome, and Ginza areas, allowing you to drop by casually in between Tokyo sightseeing.

It is recommended to enter from the “Otemon” gate. Since the ticket office is right near the gate, you pay the admission fee and enter.

Photo Gallery of “Hama-rikyu Gardens”

Please enjoy the photos of “Hama-rikyu Gardens.”

Shot in June 2026: “Hama-rikyu Gardens” history, standing next to the “Otemon” gate.

Shot in June 2026: The ticket office and entrance (the part where you enter) of “Hama-rikyu Gardens.”

Shot in June 2026: Inside the garden of “Hama-rikyu Gardens”—the beauty of the green and the contrast with the skyscrapers visible beyond it are also beautiful.

Shot in June 2026: Inside the garden of “Hama-rikyu Gardens,” a large tree right after entering.

Shot in June 2026: The Shiodome skyscraper clusters looking particularly large.

Shot in June 2026: Guide map inside the garden of “Hama-rikyu Gardens.” Walking all the way around takes about 1 hour.

Shot in June 2026: Bronze statue of the God of War, Umashimade no Mikoto.

Shot in June 2026: A teahouse standing by the pond. Multiple teahouses stand in “Hama-rikyu Gardens.” (Only “Nakajima no Ochaya” operates as a cafe).

Shot in June 2026: You can view the inside of one of the teahouses.

Shot in June 2026: A teahouse with beautiful glass doors, looking beautiful as you can see the tatami room inside.

Shot in June 2026: Souvenirs sold at “Nakajima no Ochaya.” Small items such as tenugui hand towels are sold.

Shot in June 2026: The wooden bridge over the pond also has atmosphere.

Shot in June 2026: A small hill inside “Hama-rikyu Gardens”—the climb is quite steep and slightly sloped. There is a bench at the top, but that is all.

Shot in June 2026: The middle pond is larger than imagined, and there is also something to feel in the way the buildings visible beyond it reflect on the water surface.

FAQ for “Hama-rikyu Gardens”

Summary: “Hama-rikyu Gardens”

Spreading right at the foot of the Shiodome skyscrapers in the very middle of Tokyo, “Hama-rikyu Gardens” is truly an oasis in the big metropolis where the history of the Edo period and modern urban beauty coexist with an amazing contrast. While feeling the atmosphere of the prestigious Japanese garden linked to the Shogun family, a special space spreads where you can spend time leisurely, forgetting the hustle and bustle of the city.

It has good access from stations, and is in an excellent location close to popular sightseeing areas such as nearby Tsukiji, Ginza, and Shiodome. When you want to take a breath during Tokyo sightseeing or when you want to enjoy a quiet and comfortable walk, please step into “Hama-rikyu Gardens” and experience the elegant moment where the past and present fuse.

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Once in Tokyo, in Shinagawa / Takanawa, there was an overwhelmingly low tunnel known colloquially as the “Obake Tunnel” (Ghost Tunnel). Its official name is “Takanawa Bridge Underpass” (Takanawa-bashi Kadokyo), a tunnel famous for passing under train tracks with an extremely low ceiling.

Due to its low height, the Obake Tunnel broke the roof lights (lanterns) of taxis, leading it to also be called the “Taxi Lantern Killer Tunnel.” There is even an anecdote remaining that taxis operating in Tokyo modified the height of their cars (the height of their lanterns) so they could pass through this tunnel.

In 2020 (Reiwa 2), the roadway was closed. This article introduces photos and videos of the tunnel from back then (the era when cars could still pass through).

An Overwhelmingly Low-Ceiling Tunnel That Feels Like You’ll Bump Your Head

A Tunnel Where Pedestrians and Bicycles Pass Through Bending Their Heads

Because of the low ceiling of the Obake Tunnel, pedestrians had to lean forward and duck their heads, while cyclists had to lean their bodies forward significantly to move ahead. It was also a tunnel visited by tourists (?) who wanted to get a look at this low height, and many people took photos there.

The ceiling of the tunnel has stepped sections, so if you walk carelessly, you will bump your head on these protruding ceiling parts and need to be careful. The danger level increases rapidly from around 170 cm in height.

(Video from actually walking through the tunnel – Contains sound)

This is a video shot while actually walking inside the tunnel. The photographer’s height is 177 cm, and it was filmed while their head was almost bumping against the ceiling.

Taxis Pass Through Barely

It was a shortcut from the Takanawa side to the Shibaura side (sea side) in Shinagawa. If not using this tunnel, one had to go toward Shinagawa Station or Tamachi Station to make a large detour. Because it was a famous passage (road) in Tokyo and an important vehicle tunnel, it was a tunnel used by many cars and taxis.

However, naturally only cars with low overall height could pass, and taxi lanterns in particular were bare-minimum close (there is even a story that taxis in Tokyo adjusted the height of their lanterns because they often bumped and broke them). Looking at passing taxis, it was an amazing tunnel where you could feel they were passing through on a truly razor-thin margin.

(Video of a taxi running inside the tunnel – Contains sound)

This is a video of an actual taxi running inside the tunnel. You can see that the lantern really passes right against the ceiling.

The Low Height Can Be Clearly Seen From the Tunnel’s Entrances and Exits

At the entrance of the tunnel, a height limit (the height limit for Takanawa Bridge Underpass was 1.5 meters) is written, but even if you know your car’s height is 1.5 meters or under, you would hesitate to enter this tunnel. If the car bounces while driving, it’s over (a bump on the ceiling awaits).

Even at the tunnel exit, its low height (danger) can be seen. Cars are one-way (this is the exit), but people can go back and forth; entering here requires considerable courage.

Location and Access of Takanawa Bridge Underpass

Location

It is about a 5-minute walk from Sengakuji Station on the Toei Asakusa Line and Keikyu Main Line, and is also within walking distance from JR Takanawa Gateway Station. Located right near the Takanawa Okido Gate Site along Daiichi Keihin (National Route 15), it is in a location easy to access from nearby stations.

History of Takanawa Bridge Underpass

Until around 2019, it was actively used with cars and bicycles passing through, serving as a useful tunnel appreciated by taxis heading toward Shinagawa Station from the Takanawa side.

Summary: [Tokyo / Takanawa] Obake Tunnel Photos From the Past (Landmark, The Taxi Lantern Killer)

The “Takanawa Bridge Underpass,” once a famous spot in the Shinagawa/Takanawa area, was an unusual tunnel that surprised many people with its overwhelming low ceiling. Although its appearance from back then can no longer be seen due to redevelopment, it holds a unique history that supported Tokyo’s traffic.

Currently, the pedestrian passage has also shifted, and the thrilling scenery of those days when cars passed each other on razor-thin margins has become a thing of the past. The cityscape around the newly transformed Takanawa Gateway has become very beautiful.

Meiji Jingu is Also Recommended if Enjoying Tokyo

An oasis in the metropolis of Tokyo, the power spot Meiji Jingu has many attractions beyond worship alone. For those who like the atmosphere of Shinjuku Gyoen, a walk through Meiji Jingu is also recommended.

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Meiji Jingu: Walking Trails in an Urban Forest of Tokyo (Power Spot)

An oasis in the heart of Tokyo, Meiji Jingu Shrine is a power spot offering many attractions beyond worship. Here is an introduction to the attractive walking trails within the urban forest of Meiji Jingu.

＼ Super Powerful Power Spot ／

Click here for the article: Meiji Jingu: Walking Trails in an Urban Forest of Tokyo (Power Spot)

Having a beer at Forest Terrace is the best

＼Deliciousness is justice!／

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“Oimachi,” located in a prime location just 1 station from Shinagawa on the Keihin-Tohoku Line, is a super hidden gem of a town in the metropolis of Tokyo that still exudes a Showa retro feel; we explore Oimachi.

In this article, we introduce the back alleys of Oimachi.

Exploring “Oimachi,” a Fascinating Town Retaining a Downtown Feel

1 Station from Shinagawa on the Keihin-Tohoku Line

“Oimachi,” located in a prime location just 1 station from Shinagawa on the Keihin-Tohoku Line, is a super hidden gem of a town in the metropolis of Tokyo that still exudes a Showa retro feel.

Getting off at the station, it is a prime location where you can watch the Keihin-Tohoku Line to your heart’s content. Does that have any meaning? The station in Oimachi is a bit complex, with two types of stairs going up from the platform to the ticket gates; depending on which one you climb, the exit is completely different. Futuristic buildings stand side by side, and YAMADA DENKI LABI stands imposingly right before your eyes in Oimachi.

The exit on the Atre side ticket gate of Oimachi Station is huge.

I also like the downtown-side ticket gate with a Heisei-like feel; since I don’t know which is which, I’ll take my chances when I exit.

Downtown Atmosphere Overflowing with Showa Retro Vibes

Getting off at the West Exit (downtown-side ticket gate) and making a U-turn toward the train tracks, entering a small path leads to the Azuma-koji restaurant district, where this back alley overflowing with Showa retro vibes is irresistible.

Nostalgic-feeling restaurants (small eateries) and drinking spots stand side by side, making it fun just to walk around, although shops are not open yet during an exploration around 4:00 PM.

Ramen shops are open even at this time. Diner-style eateries and drinking spots are filled with good shops operating at old-fashioned Showa prices; the restaurant district of Oimachi is a back alley you want to visit at least once. Entering takes a bit of courage, but let’s take a leap of faith and go in!

Passing by without entering Azuma-koji, there is a 24-hour, year-round manga cafe, DiCE, so even if you miss the last train, you’re fine.

Super Public Bath “Ofuro no Osama”

If you want to enjoy Oimachi, the recommended super public bath “Ofuro no Osama” is on the Hankyu Hotel side upon exiting the Atre-side ticket gate. Exiting the Central Exit (Atre-side ticket gate), the first thing that catches your eye is the escalator leading to the “Rinkai Line”; if you accidentally get on the Rinkai Line escalator, you’ll be carried far underground, so be careful! Seriously long…

Riding it in reverse like an elementary school student would be a huge nuisance, so let’s give up on that.

Exiting safely outside, “Ofuro no Osama” is right in front of your eyes. Guests staying at Ours Inn Hankyu can apparently also enter “Ofuro no Osama” (*In the case of plans with a bath ticket).

be nice~

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Ours Inn Hankyu

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Looking at “Ofuro no Osama,” it always looks like “Hadaka no Osama” (The Emperor’s New Clothes) to me, but…

The indoor bath and open-air bath are spacious, the facility interior is spacious, and the dining spot is also spacious and relatively uncrowded, so you can relax. Spending the whole holiday slacking off here might be nice. A useless human… It is a super public bath equipped with good conditions.

Summary: Oimachi Where You Can Enjoy Showa Retro Vibes

Located right next to the metropolis—just 1 station from Shinagawa on the Keihin-Tohoku Line—Oimachi surprisingly retains a rich “downtown emotion” and “Showa retro” feel to this day. Futuristic building groups decorating the front of the station, and a restaurant district where stepping inside feels like time-traveling. This dual nature can be called the greatest pleasure of walking through the town of Oimachi.

Oimachi is an urban oasis with a triple threat: good to live in, good to play in, and good to drink in. After shopping in a futuristic shopping mall, having a drink in a back alley lined with red lanterns… Please do visit Oimachi to experience such a luxurious gap. Surely, you will encounter a new side of Tokyo!

Tokyo Date Itinerary: Asakusa, Sumida River Cruise, Tokyo Tower & Night Views

Looking for a Tokyo date itinerary that feels a little different from the usual tourist route? This carefully planned route offers a unique and memorable experience, starting from the famous sightseeing area of Asakusa, cruising along the Sumida River, visiting Tokyo Tower, and ending the day in Ginza.

It's a great choice for couples who want to enjoy Tokyo's classic attractions while discovering a few less-common experiences along the way.

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Asakusa, Sumida River Cruise & Tokyo Tower!

Starting in Asakusa with a delicious sukiyaki lunch, this recommended Tokyo date itinerary includes a river cruise, Tokyo Tower, and plenty of time for leisurely strolling. Perfect for couples who have been together for a long time as well as for a first date, here is how to enjoy a fun-filled day together!

＼ A Hidden Gem Tour /

Click here for the article: Asakusa, Sumida River Cruise, Morioka Cold Noodles near Tokyo Tower, and Recommended Night View Tour

Complete with stunning Tokyo night views to cap off the day

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“Shinjuku Gyoen” is a wonderful space where you can enjoy cherry blossoms in full bloom, a space where your heart is spontaneously dyed in cherry-blossom color by blooming cherry blossoms and a carpet of cherry blossom petals. A Gyoen stroll filled with “cherry blossoms”—one of spring Japan’s wonderful pleasures—and the charm that Shinjuku Gyoen possesses is just right for a pleasant day in March or April. We introduce how to enjoy such “Shinjuku Gyoen.”

Charms of “Shinjuku Gyoen”

A Spot Where You Can Calmly View Beautiful Cherry Blossoms

Shinjuku Gyoen is a cherry blossom viewing spot away from the hustle and bustle of the city, despite being located close to Shinjuku Station. Inside the vast park grounds, over 1,000 cherry trees of about 70 varieties—from early-blooming to late-blooming—are planted, and its major charm is being able to enjoy peak viewing over a long period. Because the lawn plazas are kept spacious, sufficient space can be secured even when spreading out picnic sheets, allowing you to gaze at cherry blossoms relaxingly without worrying about congestion.

Varieties in scenery are also abundant, such as large weeping cherry trees that look great in photos and Somei Yoshino that look picturesque in the Japanese garden. Shinjuku Gyoen is recommended precisely for people who want to do high-quality cherry blossom viewing while avoiding crowds.

No Alcohol Allowed, So It Is Not Noisy

One of the reasons Shinjuku Gyoen is optimal for cherry blossom viewing and strolling is the point that bringing in alcohol is prohibited.

At general cherry blossom viewing spots, loud voices and cluttered atmospheres due to banquets can sometimes be a concern, but at Shinjuku Gyoen there is no such worry. Quiet, calm air is maintained inside the park, allowing families, couples, and people who want to slowly take photos to spend time with peace of mind.

Calmly strolling while gazing at cherry blossoms, spending time leisurely on the lawn—the charm is being able to savor the beauty of nature itself. For people who want to avoid hustle and bustle and feel spring calmly, Shinjuku Gyoen becomes an ideal environment.

Paid Admission, So It Doesn’t Get Overly Crowded

Because Shinjuku Gyoen is a paid national garden, its characteristic is that excessive congestion is less likely to occur compared to parks you can enter casually for free.

Many people visit especially during the cherry blossom season, but with an admission fee set, park visits for banquet purposes and usage by large groups are naturally suppressed, maintaining the park’s calm atmosphere. Having leeway in space even in large lawn areas and the Japanese garden, making photo-taking and strolling easy, is also a delightful point.

An environment is prepared where you can spend time at your own pace, such as relaxingly gazing at cherry blossoms or enjoying a quiet date. Shinjuku Gyoen is recommended precisely for people who want to spend high-quality time without getting tired from crowds.

Cherry Blossoms in Full Bloom “Shinjuku Gyoen” Experience Report

March 2023 Cherry Blossom Season (Weekdays)

Shinjuku Gyoen’s Cherry Blossoms in Full Bloom, Exceptionally Beautiful in Shinjuku

Boasting a size of 58.3 ha (approx. 180,000 tsubo) and a perimeter of 3.5 km, “Shinjuku Gyoen” is a wonderful space where you can enjoy cherry blossoms in full bloom, a space where your heart is spontaneously dyed in cherry-blossom color by blooming cherry blossoms and a carpet of cherry blossom petals.

Entering the Gyoen, numerous cherry blossoms are in full bloom and beautiful on the wide lawn. In Shinjuku of the great metropolis Tokyo, there is such a wonderful space of cherry blossoms and nature. That, too, is one of the charms of Tokyo, and of Japan.

On a pleasant holiday in March or April, at Shinjuku Gyoen where you can admire cherry blossoms and stroll through the park, eating tea sweets at a tea house inside the Gyoen is the best.

A Day Enjoying Shinjuku Gyoen’s Cherry Blossoms

Shinjuku Gyoen’s cherry blossoms in full bloom, which can be called one of the famous cherry blossom spots, is a world so wonderful that the inside of your heart is filled with cherry blossoms. With the feeling of walking under a roof of cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms spread out overhead in full bloom—cherry blossoms overhead, it is truly a rivalry of cherry blossoms.

The cherry blossom flowers scattered and covering the ground beneath your feet feel as beautiful as a carpet of cherry blossoms adding flavor to the stroll.

Colors bloom vividly, pink cherry blossoms; flowers bloom gorgeously, full-bloom cherry blossoms are beautiful. Shinjuku Gyoen’s cherry blossoms allow you to truly feel the goodness of cherry blossoms in a space enveloped by cherry trees.

Entering “Sendagaya Gate” from “JR Sendagaya Station” is Recommended

Shinjuku Gyoen is in Shinjuku, but caution is required regarding how to go. At Shinjuku Gyoen, there are 3 “gates”: “Shinjuku Gate,” “Okido Gate,” and “Sendagaya Gate.” Shinjuku Gate requires quite a bit of walking from Shinjuku South Exit and is hard to find; Okido Gate is on the opposite side of JR, so entering “Sendagaya Gate” from “JR Sendagaya Station” is 100% overwhelmingly recommended.

Please note that advance reservations are required for entry on weekends and holidays during the cherry blossom season! ( For advance reservations, please check the Official Website – Here )

Shinjuku Gyoen’s merit above all is that an “admission fee” is charged! This is important.

The admission fee is 500 JPY for general adults and is by no means cheap, but it is not an amount that cannot be paid either. Precisely because there is an “admission fee,” people can enjoy the beauty of cherry blossoms with respect and consideration. Many of the visitors come looking forward to the cherry blossoms, and precisely because of that, it is comfortable—such a wonderful famous cherry blossom spot, that is Shinjuku Gyoen.

Bringing alcohol into Shinjuku Gyoen is prohibited. Precisely because there is no alcohol, the Gyoen has become a garden where you can fully enjoy cherry blossoms. Bringing in bento lunches and sheets is OK, so for couples and families, viewing cherry blossoms while eating a delicious lunch on top of the lawn is also good.

Even by mistake, hiding alcohol at the bottom of a backpack to bring it in or putting alcohol in a water bottle to bring it in goes beyond a breach of manners, so please be careful!

Entering Shinjuku Gyoen from Sendagaya Gate, right in front of your eyes a grove of cherry blossoms spreads out all at once, and if you advance your feet further to the center of the Gyoen, there is a lawn area with all-you-can-picnic. Saturdays and Sundays with cherry blossoms in full bloom are packed with everyone who spread out mats in the bento lunch zone, but because it is quite wide, being unable to sit almost never happens. You can enjoy picnicking to your heart’s content.

Beauty of the Japanese Garden and the Pondsides

At Shinjuku Gyoen, ponds line up from “Kami-no-ike” ~ “Naka-no-ike” ~ “Shimo-no-ike,” and you can enjoy collaborations between ponds and cherry blossoms. The ponds and cherry blossoms seen from the pondside or on top of bridges form photogenic compositions.

Collaborations between the Japanese garden and cherry blossoms are also beautiful, and the collaboration with Yoyogi’s famous pointed building (NTT Docomo Building) also becomes one of the unique views seen from Shinjuku Gyoen.

Hydration and Restroom Situation

Things of concern when going to facilities and parks such as Shinjuku Gyoen are the restroom situation and hydration, but “outdoor bottle water refillers” are installed inside the park.

Next to the “outdoor bottle water refiller,” a “tap water you can drink” is also installed. Drinking either is free, but it has charm.

Restrooms are moderately installed inside the park, so basically you won’t be in trouble. The restrooms of Shinjuku Gyoen have been marked with red circles, so please use them as a reference when strolling the park.

Starbucks Has a Long Queue, the Free Area Below Starbucks is Comfortable

There is a long queue for something, but it is the line waiting for Starbucks. The 2nd floor with clear-view glass windows is Starbucks, and if you could enter here and relax, it would be wonderful.

The area below Starbucks is a terrace bench where anyone can sit, and you can use this without entering Starbucks, so taking a breather with tea in hand (PET bottle) or similar is fully sufficient here.

There is a Peculiar Tree Called Cockscomb Coral Tree

At Shinjuku Gyoen where diverse trees line up and diverse flowers bloom, the rivalry between flowers and flowers is also worth seeing, but occasionally you find a “This tree, what tree, curious tree~♪”.

It is a tree called “Cockscomb Coral Tree (Amerikadeigo)”; there are thorns on the branches and petioles, the flowers are red, and the petals are round. It is a tree introduced to Japan around the middle of the Meiji period.

Strolling Path on the Shinjuku Side and Nostrils, Not Flowers, Getting Itchy

The Shinjuku side is a strolling path where you can walk while gazing at trees, with fewer people, making it a strolling path just right for a trekking-feeling walk. Walking through the northern area “Mother and Child’s Forest,” nostrils get itchy, realizing the pollen flying around is no joke.

Σ (๑ °꒳° ๑) Startled!!

Those with hay fever, by all means take measures!

Slowly Enjoying Tea Sweets at the Eatery “Tsuburano”

Once you have enjoyed everything, there is the eatery “Tsuburano,” where you can enjoy light meals, and also take a breather with coffee or matcha and sweets.

Cherry blossom roll cake and matcha eaten while gazing at cherry blossoms are the best. Please spend a wonderful time on a day at Shinjuku Gyoen enjoying Japanese beauty and cherry blossoms. Enjoy a nice time in Shinjuku Gyoen Sakura Garden.

Location and Access of “Shinjuku Gyoen”

Location

The entrances to Shinjuku Gyoen are at 3 places: “Shinjuku Gate,” “Okido Gate,” and “Sendagaya Gate.” The entrance that is close changes depending on which station you get off at.

How to Go from Shinjuku Station to Shinjuku Gate

When going from Shinjuku Station, exit at the South Exit and walk along Koshu-kaido for 7 minutes. Walking straight and crossing the intersection, a large entrance comes into view.

How to Go from Sendagaya Station to Sendagaya Gate

When going from Sendagaya Station, it is about a 4-minute walk after exiting the station. This way lets you go smoothly without getting lost, but Sendagaya Station is served by local trains.

Meiji Jingu is Also Recommended if Enjoying Tokyo

An oasis in metropolitan Tokyo, the power spot Meiji Jingu has many charms besides worship. For those who like the atmosphere of Shinjuku Gyoen, a Meiji Jingu stroll is also recommended.

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An Urban Forest in Tokyo: “Meiji Jingu” Walking Trails (Power Spot)

An oasis and famous power spot in the heart of Tokyo, Meiji Jingu offers so much more than just worship. Discover the charming walking trails winding through this unique urban forest.

＼ An Incredibly Powerful Power Spot ／

Click here for the article: An Urban Forest in Tokyo: “Meiji Jingu” Walking Trails (Power Spot)

Nothing beats enjoying a cold beer at Forest Terrace

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An oasis in metropolitan Tokyo, the power spot Meiji Jingu has many charms besides worship. Meiji Jingu is an urban forest, introducing its charming strolling paths.

Charms of the Urban Oasis & Power Spot “Meiji Jingu Stroll”

Ground That is Larger Than Imagined: “Meiji Jingu”

An oasis in the city, green-rich grove and forest that is Meiji Jingu, is one of the tourist attractions you definitely want to go to as part of sightseeing when coming to Tokyo. Worshiping at the shrine is of course wonderful, and from there enjoying the forest lush with trees uncharacteristic of Tokyo through a stroll is also good; let’s stroll through Meiji Jingu, filled with the goodness of Japanese shrines. It is larger than imagined.

The Journey from Harajuku Station to Meiji Jingu is Already Deeply Emotion-Stirring

There are several nearest stations to Meiji Jingu, but the easiest to understand is Harajuku Station, a station on the JR Yamanote Line. Getting off the station, there is a bridge (Jingu Bridge) leading directly to Meiji Jingu. In the Showa era of the past, there was a time of the “Takenoko-zoku” (Bamboo Shoot Tribe) where youths rushed with boomboxes (boxes that play music) to Jingu Bridge, sat down, and cropped up out of nowhere like bamboo shoots after rain. However, in the Reiwa era of today, it is extremely peaceful, so you cannot do bamboo shoot hunting.

Paying respects in front of the Otorii of Meiji Jingu, which comes into view right after crossing the bridge, you worship at the shrine. Feeling a dignified beauty at Meiji Jingu, worshiping with a mind that feels like it has a firm core running through it.

Since I came all the way to Meiji Jingu, I thought I’d walk grandly right down the middle of the approach, but by the time I realized that walking down the middle of the path gets gravel in your shoes, gravel had already gotten into my shoes. Let’s walk quietly on the edges paved with stone tiles. Everyone is walking on the edges.

Walking along a path covered by trees so tall you have to look up, a refreshing breeze containing the comfort of nature flows through, feeling great.

Truly, it is a pleasant feeling like walking through a forest tunnel while feeling the bright sunlight, but if you go into the trees, you will surely get lost, so be careful! (I won’t go, lol)

Meiji Jingu Museum and Forest Terrace

Walking for a while, the sign for Meiji Jingu Museum (General: 1,000 JPY) comes into view. I thought I wanted to see the museum, but on the way there I am full of desire to go to the main hall, so thinking of stopping by on the way back, I leave the museum behind and head toward the main hall.

As I walk, a restaurant sign comes into view. (Too many temptations!) I certainly want to eat soft-serve ice cream too, and I feel like beer is calling me, but with unwavering determination, I advance down the path toward the main hall.

Dedicated Japanese sake is lined up right in front of my eyes! Searching for sake from your home prefecture here is an absolute requirement.

Strongest Power Spot: “Meiji Jingu Main Hall”

At the main hall, two large round trees are enshrined on the left and right. This tree, what tree, curious tree~, since it’s a tree whose name I don’t even know~♪

I don’t know the name, but the trees are huge.

Properly worshiping at the main hall. There is something that deeply touches and sinks into you!

Vast Grounds, Strolling Through Meiji Jingu

Advancing past the main hall, there is a path where you can feel the natural breeze enveloped by trees. While it is a path where you can stroll pleasantly, please note that the path is longer than imagined!

Most people do not come this far, so it is not well known, but at Meiji Jingu there is a greenery-filled lawn. (It’s a hidden gem spot)

There is also a pond. (It’s a hidden gem spot)

Beer at Forest Terrace is the Best

Walking slowly through everything for an hour, after strolling through Meiji Jingu, drinking beer at the Forest Terrace Restaurant that you stop by on the way back! It’s delicious☆.

Location and Access of “Meiji Jingu”

Location

Meiji Jingu is located in Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, a green-rich oasis in the city center.

Access Methods:

• JR Yamanote Line: Right from “Harajuku Station” or “Yoyogi Station.”
• Tokyo Metro: Right from “Meiji-jingumae Station.”

Within walking distance from each station, optimal for visiting together with Omotesando or Harajuku sightseeing.

Information of “Meiji Jingu”

Meiji Jingu was founded in 1920 (Taisho 9) to enshrine Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. The man-made forest created from about 100,000 trees donated from all over the country has passed 100 years of time and is affectionately known as the “Eternal Forest.”

Currently it is the beautiful season of fresh green, so worshiping during the cool morning time slot is especially recommended.

Bonus: Dressing Young at Takeshita Street

Meiji Jingu is in Harajuku; speaking of Harajuku, it’s Takeshita Street. Walking through Harajuku, where midriff-baring girls and middle and high school girls act cheerful, takes courage for an old guy alone, but you must definitely go, you must eat crêpes; this old guy is sitting on the street eating too. A Meiji Jingu stroll that you definitely want to go to on a sunny day.

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Introducing a unique date idea for a change of pace: the “Around Tokyo Bay Date Course.” Perfect for couples looking to break out of a routine, this itinerary is packed with charm—eat, drink, feel the sea breeze, and experience a fresh new way to enjoy Tokyo together in a fun-filled day.

＼ Enjoy a Day Out of the Ordinary ／

Click here for the article: Recommended Tokyo Cruise Date “Around Tokyo Bay (Tokyo → Kamakura → Kurihama → Ferry → Kanaya)”

A full-day adventure exploring Tokyo, Kanagawa, and Chiba

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Starting from Asakusa, while enjoying a sukiyaki lunch, featuring a boat ride and Tokyo Tower, as well as allowing for a leisurely stroll—this recommended Tokyo date route will keep boyfriend and girlfriend from getting bored.

I want to plan an all-day date route that my girlfriend will be happy with!

In that case, there is a recommended route going from Asakusa to Tokyo Tower using a boat. I’ll introduce it in detail.

Introducing a fun day optimal both for close couples with a long history together and for a first date.

Tokyo Date Route (Asakusa, Sumida River, Tokyo Tower Route)

Meeting Up in Asakusa: A Premium Sukiyaki Lunch at Imahan

The meeting point is Asakusa Kaminarimon; famous enough that you won’t get lost, Kaminarimon—which even a boyfriend or girlfriend unfamiliar with Tokyo will naturally arrive at upon getting off Asakusa Station—is the absolute best landmark for meeting up.

Kaminarimon makes you excited just waiting, and while there are many people, the crowd flows, so you can find each other right away. Under that Kaminarimon, a Tokyo exciting date begins its day; as soon as you find each other, head straight for lunch! Coming without eating breakfast is a ironclad rule; enjoy the afternoon lunch.

Walking a few minutes from Asakusa Kaminarimon, entering an alley, you find a large sign for the long-established Asakusa “Imahan Main Shop”—let’s charge into their “sukiyaki lunch.”

(Advance reservation recommended)

With a great-value lunch time where supreme sukiyaki can be enjoyed in the 2,000 JPY range, the two of you get excited while savoring the staff member’s performance-like skill of simmering “meat.” As your waiting stomach fills up, conversation naturally picks up, allowing you to enjoy a fun time together with supreme sukiyaki. A time where both naturally smile! Deliciousness is invincible!

A Stroll Through Asakusa Nakamise Shopping Street

After enjoying lunch, it’s stroll time; spreading out in front of you is Asakusa Nakamise. Just looking at Nakamise with its many fun shops makes your heart excited like a child visiting an amusement park for the first time. Walking and stopping by shops, occasionally eating while walking, and proceeding while stopping by shops again, the destination you arrive at is Senso-ji Temple, where the two of you can worship happily together.

Sumida River Water Bus: Cruise to Takeshiba Pier

After enjoying stroll time, proceeding toward the famous “that” object at Asakusa’s Asahi Beer Headquarters, the water bus boarding area comes into view. Traveling down the Sumida River from Asakusa by water bus while heading out into Tokyo Bay to Takeshiba Pier is actually a hidden transportation method that lets you enjoy mini-sightseeing of Tokyo Bay.

If you are lucky, you might be able to ride a boat designed by Leiji Matsumoto. Inside the boat, sip tea while resting legs tired from strolling, spending a relaxing time together.

A Short Stroll Around Takeshiba Pier, Then On to Tokyo Tower

Upon arriving at Takeshiba Pier, a stroll date along the seaside; occasionally resting on a bench is good, resting while gazing at the sea is good—the area around Takeshiba Pier lets you enjoy an urban collaboration of blue sky, Tokyo sea, and the Rainbow Bridge.

After fully enjoying Takeshiba Pier, casually get into a taxi…

And let’s go to Tokyo Tower! Skytree is nice too, but Tokyo Tower—still thoroughly attractive—is in a prime location surrounded by the greenery of Shiba Park; please be sure to climb Tokyo Tower, which has supported and guarded Tokyo. While enjoying the geometric yet fluid base woven by red and white steel frames, overlooking all of Tokyo from the Tokyo Tower observation deck is also wonderful. After enjoying shopping at the Tokyo Tower “souvenir shop,” take the train to Yurakucho.

Dinner at Pyonpyonsha Yurakucho: Yakiniku & Morioka Reimen

In Yurakucho, “Morioka Reimen Pyonpyonsha” dinner is recommended (reservation required). Despite being a yakiniku restaurant, it has a stylish interior optimal for couple dates. Ordering 1–2 portions of high-grade yakiniku to enjoy first, the spiciness and deliciousness of Morioka Reimen afterwards is a first-time experience, making for a fun meal where both of you are guaranteed to be impressed, saying “This is delicious .”

“Sukiyaki” during the day, “yakiniku” at night, yet easily eaten—it is a day of “body-friendly” meat meals.

Tokyo Station Night View from Yurakucho Glass Building: A Hidden Gem

After dinner comes time for just the two of you; the Tokyo International Forum “Glass Building” in front of Yurakucho Station is an unexpectedly unknown hidden spot. Free to enter, it is a wonderful building with a beautiful interior landscape unfolding geometrically inside glass, and heading to the upper floors creates a romantic atmosphere by itself.

The night view of Tokyo Station seen from the window is a beautiful, recommended night view spot. Looking at Tokyo Station colored in orange from atop the glass building, close out your day of dating coolly and stylishly.

Why You Should Ride a Rickshaw in Asakusa

When sightseeing in Asakusa, riding a rickshaw once is something you want to try. It’s a bit embarrassing, but surely fun, and even better if traveling as a couple or female friends.

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＼Book early!／

Book your tour here.

東京・浅草観光人力車ツアー

Recommended

Tokyo Bay Loop Tour (Tokyo → Kamakura → Kurihama → Ferry → Kanaya)

Introducing a unique “Tokyo Bay Loop Date Course” that offers an unconventional Tokyo date experience. Perfect for couples stuck in a routine, this route is full of charm—enjoy delicious food and drinks, feel the ocean breeze, and spend a fun-filled day discovering a brand new way to enjoy Tokyo.

＼ Experience a Day Like No Other ／

Click here for the article: Recommended Tokyo Boat Date “Tokyo Bay Loop (Tokyo → Kamakura → Kurihama → Ferry → Kanaya)”

A full day to enjoy Tokyo, Kanagawa, and Chiba

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