If you want to know what the Japanese do on a Sunday afternoon, then head off to Yoyogi Park. The whole of Tokyo seems to descend on this wonderful park. Families come for a picnic, unsigned pop bands play inpromptu gigs, theatre groups practise their latest plays and people just hang out letting the world go by! Everything seems to happen in this one place! When I went there a year ago, I felt like I saw the real Tokyo - seeing the Japanese at play.

Don't miss it!

Adjacent to Yoyogi-koen and Meiji-jingumae Stations on the subway Chiyoda Line, and Harajuku Station on the JR Yamanote Line

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

If you go down to Yoyogi park on a Sunday, you‘re sure of a big surprise. The rockers can be found in the entrance to the park. Managing to dance and keep their sky-high quiffs in place at the same time is as much a testament to the architectural ingenuity of the Japanese as the Tokyo tower. They must be using some industrial strength hair gel that has not yet been introduced to the west.

Equally baffling is their ability not to crack into a smile as they sombrely strut their stuff whilst being gawped at by passers by. On hot days they slip out of their worn black leather jackets to reveal skin sexily embossed with red and green dragons. Nearby on the concourse next to Harajuku station you can catch gangs of teenagers dressed up in the latest outrageous trends. Don’t worry if they scowl at you when you take their photograph, it’s all part of the attitude.

Turn right out of Harajuku station.

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

A 200,000 square metre plot of unspoilt nature, right in the heart of Tokyo's urban sprawl. This reserve, set aside for mostly academic purposes, teems with birds, frogs, insects and the occasional snake, and offers the kind of sanctuary that many never find in the city.

Entry is 200 yen, and tranquility is conserved by only allowing a strictly limited number of visitors inside at any one time.

East of JR Meguro station, next to the Teien Art Museum.

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Ueno park is a haven of serenity in this bustling city. This beautiful park contains all you need for a lovely day out. Within the park are several art galleries and museums, a zoo, antiques market, an opportunity to go boating or to simply sit and marvel at the temples. In the spring season the cherry blossom really does take your breath away!

Metro Ueno

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

After you've amused yourself with the bizarre architecture and shopping malls of Odaiba, get the ferry across Tokyo Bay to Hammariku park (entry included in the ticket bought in Odaiba) and enjoy a relaxing stroll around the peaceful Japanese gardens.

South of Shimbashi metro station, a 10-15 minute walk from Ginza.

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Not particularly original this one, featuring in a Belle & Sebastion song and all. Just outside the Meiji shrine on Sunday afternoons, right near Harujuki, all sorts of weird creatures and freaks assemble dressed as their favourite anime characters or gothic victorian dolls amongst other things, and all seem willing to have their picture taken. Once you tire of this, your right near trendy Harujuku with limited edition trainer shops, perhaps Japan's only Pizza Express and even a Gold's Gym.

Meiji jingu mae station

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

This is a collection of houses and buildings saved from various locations around Tokyo which in the UK would be classed as listed buildings. The buildings include pre-Meiji period farms houses, an old sento (bath house), izakaya (bar), photography studio and houses of past luminaries. If you want to capture a condensed image of what Tokyo looked like before and during its many traumas and incarnations this is a good place to start. (As is the Edo-Tokyo Museum proper at Ryukoku Station on the Sobu line).

Take the Chuo Line (Orange train) west out of the city from JR Tokyo or Shinjuku Stations and get off at JR Koganei Station. It's about a 15 minute walk from the north exit, walking north away from the station. When you reach the Tamagawajosui (Tamagawa Canal) you are almost at Koganei Park. The museum is in the park. Koganei Park is a pleasant enough place to pass time if you aren't in a major hurry.

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

An exquisite park, used for weddings on the weekend, it's an enchanting way to experience a very personal side of Japanese culture. The brides are lined up in a holding pattern like jets coming into Heathrow. They marry somewhere nearby and come to the park for the photographs. The most fabulous thing is when the bridal party are in traditional Japanese clothing. Incredible, ornate, solemn.

The koi in the pond are ravenous and beach themselves in an attempt to get food, their lips rival Mick Jagger's.
Spend a morning or more here, the actual park is traditional and has a tea house, ducks, the aforementioned pond, and some beautiful stonework.
Don't miss it.

Shirokanedai metro

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

A pleasant park/garden close to the famous Tsukuji fish market and Ginza shopping area. Attractive and relaxing strolls to be had in the shade of trees or beside a lake with the glistening office tower blocks to the north. Nice for picnics. The Sumida river boat calls at the corner and can take you up to the old Asakusa area of town (and back!) as well as over to Hinode pier a little further towards the Rainbow bridge. Entry to the garden was about 400 Yen. Bowl of green tea and a small cake at the teahouse sitting looking across the lake and watching little fish leaping, about 300 Yen.

As given above.

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Leave the hectic streets behind and lose yourself in the paths of Aoyama Cemetary. The spiritual atmosphere contrasts with the space-age skyline in the distance. Usually you'll only encounter the local cats, but in spring time jolly drunken parties descend on the cemetery to picnic and take pictures of the cherry blossom (sakura). You can walk back to Omotesando past the gem-like Prada building.

Nogizaka on the Chiyoda line, and walk over the bridge.

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

A park in the centre of Tokyo, the former site of Edo Castle and next to the Imperial Palace. It includes a wonderful Japanese garden, is rarely crowded (almost deserted when I went on a glorious Saturday afternoon), and, best of all, admission is free. Note that it is closed on Mondays and national holidays.

1-1 Chiyoda, Chiyoda-ku Metro: Otemachi, Takebashi, or Nijubashi-mae. Within walking distance of JR Tokyo Station.

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Built exclusively for the Imperial family almost 100 years ago, has been a favourite retreat for Tokyoites since the end of the second world war. It closes a little early, at 4 pm, but is a world away from the concrete jungle that encloses it. Admission is 200 yen for adults.

Take the metro to Shinjuku Gyoen-mae station; www.shinjukugyoen.go.jp/

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends