About this experience
Is Tokyo perfect gardens in the feng shui style? Or ultra-modern architecture? Or ancient atmospheric temples? After this tour, the puzzle of different landscapes will come together - and you will get a multifaceted view of the city. We will visit three districts, non-touristy places, a park. And we will also ride a river tram and discuss urban legends.
What to expect
This tour will help you organize your impressions of the chaotic and dynamic capital. Three districts - three stages of acquaintance and immersion in life in a big city. The first one is a business-functional district; the second one is comfortable, residential and calm; the one next to it is also important, but old-fashioned, yet very hospitable.
Our route
We meet at Shimbashi station, at the starting point of not only our walk, but also the first transport line in Japan. We will take a 2-kilometer promenade through modern Shiodome, observing the city from a comfortable height.
To leave the newest area of Tokyo, we will use water transport and at the same time uncover the topic of 'Japanese Venice'. Where did the Tokyo rivers go? We will sail deep into the city, past Hamarikyu Park, numerous bridges, and the famous Ryogoku district, famous for Japanese sumo wrestlers.
We will visit the city park with all the attributes of Japanese garden architecture. We will forever remember the '5th element', without which the philosophy and aesthetics of the garden will never reach perfection. If desired and if time allows, we will visit an unusual museum of Japanese swords.
Finally, we will take a peek 'behind the scenes' of a cult place: we will approach the temple complex of Asakusa from an unusual angle in the old part of the city.
During the walk, we will discuss:
- What do the great founders of St. Petersburg and Tokyo have in common
- How much does the view from a Japanese window cost in the capital
- Why don't we encounter crowds of curious tourists, as everywhere else in this big city
- Where did the Tokyo rivers go and which bridge the Japanese come to see
- How many bridges can be found in the southeast of the capital
And also:
- We will discuss the attractiveness of the Japanese sumo hobby and remember a number of other traditional Japanese sports
- We will understand the landscapes and concepts of Japanese gardening and urban greening programs
- We will argue about the feelings of local residents who have chosen houses and apartments near the canals of Tokyo Bay
- We will talk about traditions and religion
- We will enjoy church incense, as well as the smells from restaurants on the wide street to the temple
Organizational details
- We will spend half an hour on a river tram (tickets included in the price), and the rest of the time will be a walking tour, which we can spice up with metro or taxi rides if desired
- A visit to the sword museum is not included in the program, but we can stop by there if there is time. Tickets are paid on the spot: adult - 1000 yen, students - 500 yen, up to 15 years old - free of charge.
