Taito Ward Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center
Located right in front of Kaminarimon, this tourist information center offers information about Asakusa and Taito Ward under the concept of "Find, Show, Support."
The observation deck on the top floor is awesome! You get a great view of Kaminarimon and Tokyo Skytree.
Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse Hakodate History Plaza
Built in 1909 (Meiji 42), the Kanemori warehouses played a major role in the development of shipping in Hakodate Port. Hakodate History Plaza is a valuable facility that preserves the building’s original character, from its beautiful English-bond red brick exterior to the cypress pillars supporting the high ceilings.
Inside, it’s more like a cultural and creative shopping mall, selling lots of cute little items and Hokkaido specialties.
You can find cheesecake, Jaga Pokkuru, chocolates—pretty much all the classics.
Kaeru Shrine
Established in 2010 on Yunomachi Street in the Gero Onsen area, Kaeru Shrine features a unique name derived from a wordplay between "Gero" (the name of the onsen) and the Japanese onomatopoeia for a frog's croak, "gero gero”.
Besides praying for safe travels, Kaeru Shrine is also a great place to wish for family harmony and safety.
Hanamikoji-dori Street
Hanami-koji Street is a main street crossing Gion north to south from Sanjo to Kenninji Temple. It is “koji” (small alley), but the street is wide and lively with lots of stores hosting many tourists. The Teahouse district still maintains the traditional ambience in the district from Shijo-dori to the south. The original teahouses were on Shijo-dori and to the north of it, which were gathered to the current southern district in Meiji and Taisho Periods.
Most of the buildings on Hanamikoji Street are teahouses and restaurants. They keep their old-fashioned look and interior decor, making you feel like you've traveled back to the Edo period.
Yasaka Shrine
The shrine’s deities are Susanoo-no-Mikoto, Kushiinadahime-no-Mikoto, and Yahashira-no-Mikogami, and it is the head shrine of approximately 2,300 Yasaka Shrine and related shrines with Susanoo-no-Mikoto enshrined scattered throughout Japan.
The buildings inside the shrine are really well preserved. The main hall's gorgeous decorations and intricate carvings show off the artistic beauty of traditional Japanese architecture.
ecute Shinagawa
Step inside the central gate area of JR Shinagawa Station to find the shopping zone "ecute Shinagawa". This expansive, 2-floor zone is home to some 100 different shops. The store types range from fashion and food to daily goods, souvenirs and so much more to keep you on your toes.
The restaurants and snack shops here offer a wide variety of food, from traditional Japanese dishes to Western fast food. It's a great spot for travelers to enjoy a tasty meal during a short stop.
Sensoji Temple
This iconic destination in Asakusa sees as many as 30 million visitors each year. It stands as a well-loved mainstay in Tokyo, all while hosting a number of annual traditions like the first temple visit at New Years, Setsubun and more across the year.
This is one of Tokyo's most popular spots—it's always packed! Super close to the subway, and not far from Tokyo Skytree either!
Mt. Otowa Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Opened in the year 778, the temple was registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 1994. In the 130, 000 m2 area of the precincts spread out on the hillside of Mt. Otowa, there are more than 30 cathedrals and monuments, including national treasures and important cultural properties.
There are lots of kimono rental shops near Kiyomizu-dera. Since I came all this way, I definitely recommend trying it out.
Kenroku-en
Kenroku-en was founded and developed for about 180 years by the Maeda clan lord in Kaga, which is a strolling-style landscape garden and one of the three most beautiful gardens in Japan.
The scenery here changes completely with each season. Every time you visit, you'll find a totally different and charming view.
Toyosu Market
To avoid further deterioration, the aging Tsukiji Market, known as the “kitchen” feeding Tokyo’s people, was moved to Toyosu in 2018. Along with improving safety, observational tour routes were set up, making it easy for visitors to enter the market.
I still prefer the lively atmosphere and environment of the old Tsukiji Market.