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, just enter the oldest public garden in Japan: Ueno Park (Ueno-koen).
Already in the 17th century, this elevated plain caught attention and became home to temples and pagodas, while today it is one of the city’s most popular recreational and walking areas – not to be missed during hanami is the Yozakura, to admire the 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 has survived through the centuries and is now a national treasure boasting, besides the magnificent Chinese-style gate covered in gold leaves, splendid carved ceilings, painted walls, and bas-reliefs of animal shapes.
Asakusa
From the Ueno district, moving 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 by the statues of Raijin and Fujin – respectively gods of thunder and wind – who scare away demons.
Passing the gate, you arrive at Senso-ji, the oldest temple, the largest and most popular in all Tokyo. Legend has it it was built in the 7th century by two fishermen who had retrieved a golden statuette of the goddess Kannon from the river. On the occasion of the Sanja Matsuri, the third weekend of May, millions of people watch the parade of about a hundred mikoshi (portable shrines), while daily it is frequented by those who pray for the courage to face an important test, those who consult the oracle boxes, or those who pause to breathe in the beneficial incense vapors.
Nihombashi
From the river to the city center. Once at the river, the Tokyo Waterway Line allows you to reach the Nihombashi district enjoying the scenery and from there you delve, following the water branch, into the center of Tokyo until you reach the city’s nerve center: Tokyo Station. Completed in 1914, inspired by the one in Amsterdam, the station hides under the tracks an underground city made up of long corridors, restaurants, and an endless quantity of shops.
Crossing the financial district you arrive at the Tokyo Imperial Palace which since 1868, the year when 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 (Eastern Garden) which is accessed through the Ote-mon gate. Here, majestic trees, green lawns, and an incredible number of flowers line the huge dark walls, heritage from the old Edo castle, that surround 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, made up of towers, squares, and suspended walkways, where a stop under Maman is essential, a bronze and steel sculpture by artist Louise Bourgeois shaped like a spider, which the sculptor dedicated to her mother, recognizing in her the qualities of intelligence and protectiveness.
In the Roppongi district, there are plenty of places to spend the night, starting with the Tokyo City View, perfect to admire the splendid night panorama of the city. Those looking for something more peculiar can opt for the restaurant-theatre Roppongi Kingyo, where to watch extravagant drag queen performances, while those who simply want to spend an evening of sport can choose the Legends Sports Bar.
What to see in Tokyo in two days: second day, leap into the future
Shibuya District
We start again from Shibuya, a district known worldwide, where the future seems to already take shape and Japan shows an unusual, young, and extremely modern face. The most famous image of this area is undoubtedly that of the Shibuya crossing, a pedestrian crossing where thousands of people pass every three minutes, lit day and night by the screens on the surrounding buildings.
This is not the only iconic place in the district; in front of the station stands the bronze statue of Hachiko, the famous dog who waited for his owner at the platform exit every evening, even after the owner’s death, made even more famous by the film starring Richard Gere.
Yoyogi Park
Just 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 beautiful views in all four seasons of the year, and here is the popular Shinto shrine of 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, there are also many department stores popular with tourists and locals, who often prefer the basement levels, specialized in selling food, Japanese and Western sweets, ready meals, lunch boxes, and everything related to food. To find something more characteristic and break away from the greed for shopping, you must go to Golden-gai, a bar district born in the chaotic post-war days and still animated today in its streets by small places to eat and drink: there are about three hundred of them, ranging from old ’50s taverns to trendy bars run by a new generation of owners.
