What to see in Tokyo in 2 days: first day, gardens and temples
Ueno District
The Ueno district, north of the city center, is the ideal starting point to discover the city. Also known for the large station – one of Tokyo’s main railway hubs, it appears chaotic and colorful at first glance, but to find tranquility it is enough to enter the oldest public garden in Japan: Ueno Park (Ueno-koen).
Already in the 17th century, this raised plain attracted attention and became the site of temples and pagodas, while today it is one of the city’s most popular leisure and walking spots – not to be missed during hanami the Yozakura, to admire cherry blossoms at night. Standing out in the heart of the park is Tosho-gu, a Shinto shrine built in 1627 by shogun Iemitsu Tokugawa in memory of his grandfather, which, surviving through the centuries, is now a national treasure and boasts, in addition to the magnificent Chinese-style gate covered with gold leaf, splendid carved ceilings, painted walls, and animal-shaped bas-reliefs.
Asakusa
From the Ueno district, continuing eastward, you reach the Asakusa area where you can find all the charm of old Edo and the atmosphere of the ancient lower city (Shitamachi), inhabited by humble people, artisans, and full of popular theaters. Not to be missed is Kaminari-mon, the imposing “Thunder Gate,” characterized by the huge paper lantern bearing the two ideograms and the statues of Raijin and Fujin – respectively deities of lightning and wind – that scare away demons.
Passing through the gate, you arrive at Senso-ji, the oldest temple, the largest and most popular in all Tokyo. Legend has it that it was built in the 7th century by two fishermen who had recovered from the river a golden statuette of the goddess Kannon. During the Sanja Matsuri, the third weekend of May, millions of people watch the parade of about one hundred mikoshi (portable shrines), while daily it is frequented by those who pray for courage to face an important test, those who consult the oracle boxes, or those who stop to breathe in the beneficial incense vapors.
Nihombashi
From the river to the city center. Once you reach the river, the Tokyo Waterway Line allows you to reach the Nihombashi district enjoying the view, and from there you venture, following the water branch, into the center of Tokyo until reaching the city’s nerve center: the Tokyo Station. Completed in 1914, inspired by Amsterdam’s station, the station hides under the tracks an underground city made of long corridors, restaurants, and an infinite number of shops.
Crossing the financial district, you arrive at the Imperial Palace of Tokyo, which since 1868, the year in which Emperor Meiji moved the capital from Kyoto, has been the main official residence of the Emperor of Japan. Not to be missed is Higashi-Gyoen (East Garden), accessible through the Ote-mon gate. Here, majestic trees, green lawns, and an incredible amount of flowers line the huge dark walls, the legacy of the old Edo castle, surrounding the palace. A mandatory photo from the famous Nijubashi Bridge.
Night in Tokyo
At dusk, it is worth going to the nearby Roppongi Hills complex, composed of towers, squares, and suspended walkways, where a stop under Maman is indispensable, a bronze and steel sculpture by artist Louise Bourgeois, shaped like a spider that the sculptor dedicated to her mother, highlighting these qualities: intelligent and protective.
In the Roppongi district, there are many places to spend the night, starting with Tokyo City View, perfect for admiring the splendid night panorama of the city. Those looking for something more special can opt for the restaurant-theater Roppongi Kingyo, where you can watch extravagant drag queen performances, while those who just want to spend an evening focused on sports can choose the Legends Sports Bar.
What to see in Tokyo in two days: second day, jump into the future
Shibuya District
We start again from Shibuya, a district known worldwide, where the future seems to materialize already now and Japan shows an unusual, young, and extremely modern face. The best-known image of this area is undoubtedly that of the Shibuya crossing, a pedestrian crossing where thousands of people alternate every three minutes, illuminated day and night by the screens located on the surrounding buildings.
This is not the only iconic place in the district; in front of the station is the bronze statue of Hachiko, the famous dog who waited for his owner at the station exit every evening, even after his owner’s death, and made even more famous by the film with Richard Gere.
Yoyogi Park
Going one train stop away from Shibuya, moving north, you discover the more traditional soul of this district. Inside the magnificent Yoyogi park, the avenues are lined with gigantic trees, whose foliage offers splendid views in all four seasons of the year, and here lies the popular Shinto shrine Meiji Jingu, inaugurated in 1920, to house the remains of Emperor Meiji and his wife Shoken.
Shopping in Tokyo
Nothing better than ending the day by giving free rein to your desires in the Shinjuku area, the largest commercial and entertainment district in the country. Around the station are imposing electronics stores offering an endless range of products including cameras, phones, and PCs.
Here also abound the large department stores frequented by tourists and locals, who often prefer the basement floors, specialized in the sale of food, Japanese and Western sweets, ready meals, lunch boxes, and anything related to food. To find something more characteristic and detach yourself from the craving to buy, you must go to Golden-gai, a bar district born in the chaotic post-war days and still lively today on its streets with small places to eat and drink: there are about three hundred, including old 1950s taverns and trendy bars run by a new generation of managers.
