Hey pals. My title is Thuyen, I spent 1 12 months learning overseas at Ochanomizu College in Tokyo. My hobbies are cooking, touring and running a blog. Presently, I’m enterprise translation work and different administrative work on the Consultant Workplace of the Japan Tourism Promotion Company in Vietnam (JNTO) since September 2020.
Throughout my time learning overseas in Japan, I had the chance to expertise and discover many locations within the land of cherry blossoms. Immediately, I’ll introduce some locations to go to in the course of the day in Tokyo.
As a result of impression of the COVID-19 epidemic, details about working hours or different posted info is prone to change kind of, so earlier than visiting, please affirm the data to be correct. okay!
Locations on this journey
On this journey, I’ll go to the Imperial Palace – the Emperor's residence after which expertise making Edo wind chimes (Edo is the outdated title for Tokyo) at Shinohara Maruyoshi Furin. Subsequent, I’ll transfer to the Edo – Tokyo museum to discover the lives of Tokyo folks from the Edo interval to the current and finish the journey by admiring the attractive night time view from Tokyo Tower. Let's discover this journey with me!
Take a stroll across the Japanese Imperial Palace
I obtained off at Otemachi station after which walked about 200m, earlier than my eyes appeared an attractive scene like I used to be misplaced in a wonderland. The Japanese Imperial Palace was once Edo Fortress, the residence of the generals of the Edo interval, and is now the residence and office of the Emperor and the Japanese Royal Household. The Japanese Imperial Palace has a really giant space, surrounded by deep moats and stable stone partitions, creating an especially solemn and calm ambiance, far completely different from the bustling and noisy look of Tokyo. .
From the Otemon Gate – previously the primary gate of the outdated Edo citadel, now the primary entrance to the East Backyard of the Imperial Palace, going somewhat deeper you possibly can see the stone bridge known as Nijubashi, the bridge is spanned. The moat is deep and related to the palace inside. As a result of the form of the bridge when mirrored within the water resembles a pair of glasses lenses, the Japanese additionally affectionately name it “glass bridge” (Meganebashi). The inexperienced house of bushes mixed with the peace from the water helps me neglect the fatigue and hustle and bustle of on a regular basis life. Trying far-off from Nijubashi Bridge, you possibly can see the Jap backyard of the Imperial Palace with the white Fushimi-Yagura tower roofed with blue tiles, hidden behind cool inexperienced bushes.
Usually, the Royal Palace is simply open to the general public twice a 12 months, January 2 to have a good time the New 12 months and the Emperor's birthday. Due to this fact, on weekdays, you can not go to contained in the Royal Palace however can solely view it from the skin. In case you are unfortunate sufficient to come back on these two days, you possibly can nonetheless go to a part of the internal palace – the East Backyard of the Imperial Palace. The backyard is open to guests freed from cost all 12 months spherical, besides Mondays, Fridays and a few holidays. It may be mentioned that this backyard is like an oasis with seasonal flowers and a moat, the place you possibly can chill out and immerse your self in nature. Nonetheless, as a result of impression of the COVID-19 epidemic, the opening for the general public to go to was postponed for 2 consecutive years (2020, 2021).
Expertise blowing and portray Furin wind chimes at Shinohara Maruyoshi Furin
Shinohara Maruyoshi Furin is one in all solely two institutions in Japan which have handcrafted Edo wind chimes because the Edo interval. Right here, I skilled making wind chimes from blowing to form to drawing patterns from contained in the bell. As a result of there are additionally many overseas vacationers right here, the bell maker can clarify in easy English. Even in case you don't know Japanese, you possibly can nonetheless take part with peace of thoughts.
First, the wind chime maker will briefly clarify and show to you the best way to craft the glass a part of the bell. The primary time I noticed them, I assumed it was very simple, however when it got here time to apply, I nonetheless did not blow 4 occasions and ended up having to ask for assist from a bell maker. To get an attractive, spherical bell form, you have to slowly blow the glass in order that it has a balanced thickness. After the blowing and shaping course of, I used to be instructed on the best way to combine colours and sketch on paper earlier than drawing patterns on the within of the bell. After a interval of struggling to learn to draw, I lastly accomplished my first work. Lastly, the bell maker will connect a string to the bell, and on the string may even connect a bit of paper so that you can write your want on.
Go to Edo Museum – Tokyo
Edo – Tokyo Museum is a spot to show the historical past, life, and tradition of Tokyo from the Edo interval to the current by means of fashions and dioramas and attracts many guests. As a result of the museum makes use of many fashions, mannequins, sand tables… to recreate historic Tokyo extraordinarily vividly, each time I come right here I’m extraordinarily excited. The everlasting gallery is split into two areas: Edo zone on the sixth flooring and Tokyo zone on the fifth flooring. These two areas are respectively exhibition areas about tradition, historical past, and folks's lives in the course of the Edo and Edo intervals. Tokyo.
At Edo zone, you’ll uncover the extraordinarily genuine life and tradition of historic Edo by means of portray paperwork resembling Ukiyoe work, Nihonbashi bridge fashions, objects utilized by Edo folks,… The characters showing within the mannequin are all very expressive, from their costumes to their facial expressions, they’re all recreated in nice element, making me by no means get bored with them. I used to be extraordinarily stunned once I noticed with my very own eyes the dimensions of Sushi in the course of the Edo interval. Once you look carefully, you will note that Sushi at the moment was twice as large as it’s now. If at the moment Sushi is taken into account a fairly high-class dish, it’s mentioned that within the Edo interval it was only a quick meals.
At Tokyo zone, you’ll be taught extra concerning the capital Tokyo from the Meiji interval to the current by means of artifacts about homes, infrastructure, provides, and many others. As a result of the sightseeing house may be very giant, I like to recommend Please watch the elements that curiosity you first, then relaxation and proceed sightseeing. As well as, you possibly can take pictures on the everlasting galleries, however there are some galleries the place flash images will not be allowed, so please concentrate earlier than taking pictures!
As well as, there may be additionally a show house the place you possibly can immediately contact and expertise Edo extra “realistically”. Don't neglect to take digital pictures with the automobiles and vintage objects right here!
Benefit from the night time view from Tokyo Tower
The final level of my journey at the moment is the night time view from Tokyo Tower. At Tokyo Tower there are two observatories: the primary observatory at a peak of 150m (Essential Deck) and a particular observatory at a peak of 250m (Prime Deck). I heard that standing from a peak of 150m at night time you possibly can observe “one other Tokyo Tower”, so I made a decision to purchase a Essential Deck ticket.
Trying down from the Essential Deck, you possibly can see the lights of the highway and automobiles making Sakurada Avenue close to the Akabanebashi intersection tackle the form of Tokyo Tower. This stunning scene can in all probability solely be noticed when coming right here at night time. On clear days, you too can see Mount Fuji from the Essential Deck!
I had a leisurely day in Tokyo. Though I used to be drained, I skilled a whole lot of attention-grabbing issues. I loved peaceable moments on the Japanese Imperial Palace, made Edo wind chimes, realized extra concerning the lives of individuals in Tokyo up to now and in addition found “a Tokyo tower”. When you have the chance to go to Japan, don't miss this stunning capital metropolis of Tokyo. I imagine Tokyo will go away unforgettable reminiscences in your coronary heart!
Details about places within the article:
Japanese Imperial Palace
Deal with: 1-1 Chiyoda, Chiyoda district, Tokyo
Tips on how to get there: Nearest stations: Nijūbashimae station of the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line, Otemachi station of the Mita Line, Takebashi station of the Tozai Line.
Admission: Free
– Time to go to contained in the Royal Palace: January 2 yearly and the Emperor's birthday.
– For the East Backyard of the Imperial Palace: common holidays: Monday and Friday, New 12 months's Day (December 28 ~ January 3 of the next 12 months), the Emperor's birthday (Nonetheless, if the vacation falls on a Saturday, 2 shall be open, closed Tuesday as an alternative), opening hours depend upon the time of 12 months.
URL: https://www.kunaicho.go.jp/occasion/higashigyoen/higashigyoen.html (Japanese)
URL: https://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e-event/higashigyoen02.html (English)
Shinohara Maruyoshi Furin wind chimes making website
Deal with: 4 Chome-25-10 Taito, Taito district, Tokyo
Tips on how to get there: From Shinokachimachi station, exit from exit A2 and stroll about 200m
Working hours: Closed each Monday, working from 10:30 to 18:00; Sunday working from 11:00 ~ 17:00
Admission: 2,200 JPY (Together with glassblowing expertise and drawing patterns contained in the bell)
URL: https://edo-fuurin.com/ (Japanese)
Edo-Tokyo Museum
Deal with: 1 Chome-4-1 Yokoami, Sumida district, Tokyo
Tips on how to get there: From Ryogoku station, stroll out from the West exit for about 3 minutes
Working hours: All 12 months spherical, closed each Monday; work from 9:30 ~ 17:30
Admission: Common: 600 JPY
Center faculty college students (learning or residing in Tokyo), elementary faculty college students, kids below faculty age: free
Highschool college students, center faculty college students (residing and learning exterior Tokyo), folks over 65 years outdated: 300 JPY
College college students, vocational faculty college students (senmon): 480 JPY
Reductions apply if touring in teams
URL: https://www.edo-tokyo-museum.or.jp/ (Japanese, with directions in a number of languages)
Tokyo Tower
Deal with: 4 Chome-2-8 Shibakoen, Minato district, Tokyo
Tips on how to get there: From Akabanebashi station on the Oedo Line, stroll for about 5 minutes
Working hours: All 12 months spherical, no breaks
URL: https://www.tokyotower.co.jp/ (Japanese, with directions in a number of languages)
Ticket worth to go to Tokyo Tower: Reductions apply if touring in teams
– Tickets to go to observatory 1 (Essential deck 150m): (Entry hours 9:00～23:00)
Grownup: 1200 JPY; Highschool college students: 1000 JPY; Elementary and center faculty college students: 700 JPY; Kids over 4 years outdated: 500 JPY
– Full tour ticket for two observatories (150m & 250m): (Entry time 9:00～22:45) Reserving on-line shall be 200 yen cheaper:
Grownup: 3000 JPY; Highschool college students: 2800 JPY; Elementary and center faculty college students: 2000 JPY; Kids over 4 years outdated: 1400 JPY
URL: https://www.tokyotower.co.jp/worth/index.html (Japanese, with directions in a number of languages)