王小鈞's Reviews Page 1/34

Tucked away in Tokyo, Aso Shrine is guarded by enormous cypress trees and has a long history spanning more than 1,400 years, with a peaceful, rustic atmosphere. I came here especially to see the “golden needle tree,” which is said to have been growing here since 940 AD. Even after more than a thousand years, it still stands quietly within the shrine grounds, making you marvel at the vitality of nature and history. Perhaps because the location is relatively remote and transportation is not as convenient as at Tokyo’s popular attractions, there were surprisingly almost no tourists even though I visited on a holiday, making the entire shrine exceptionally quiet. With no bustling crowds or noisy commercial atmosphere, it was easier to feel the tranquility and solemnity of an ancient Japanese shrine.

Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens is one of Tokyo's historic daimyo gardens. The garden has a strong Chinese-inspired atmosphere, with features such as Horai Island, small bridges over flowing water, and the Karamon Gate, making you feel as though you've stepped into a classical landscape painting.

Although the garden isn't particularly large, every area has its own distinctive scenery. The pond, lush trees, garden stones, and pavilions complement one another beautifully, making it well worth seeing. It is especially charming during cherry blossom and fall foliage seasons.

I visited this time in the summer. The weather was clear and sunny, and the entire garden was filled with lush greenery. It lacked the colorful scenery of fall and winter, but instead had a fresh and peaceful summer atmosphere.

Tokyo Port Wild Bird Park is a great place to take a walk for anyone who enjoys nature and birdwatching. You can observe various wild birds and wetland ecosystems while experiencing a natural landscape that is rare in Tokyo.

Admission is only JPY 300, which is quite affordable. The entire park feels a bit like Guandu Nature Park in Taiwan. As an important habitat for migratory waterfowl and native wildlife, it also gives you a sense of how beautifully the city and nature can coexist.

When I visited over the holiday, I was surprised to find that there weren't many visitors. Without the crowds of a typical tourist attraction, the atmosphere was quiet and relaxing. Walking through the greenery and wetlands, listening to birdsong and taking in the natural scenery, it was hard to imagine that I was still in bustling Tokyo.

When visiting Tokyo, you have to find a good angle to see Tokyo Tower. Its red-and-white structure rises above the bustling city. Even as Tokyo gains more and more landmarks, Tokyo Tower still has an irreplaceable presence. Up close, it is even more impressive than I imagined, and the surrounding streets add a touch of Tokyo's distinctive urban character. Whether during the day or at night, you can enjoy it from different angles and capture a different beautiful view each time.

When you're near Tokyo Tower, don't forget to stop by the historic Tokyo Metropolitan Shiba Park. The park has large natural lawns and plenty of greenery, making it especially pleasant to walk through. It creates a wonderful contrast with the bustle of central Tokyo.

What I like most is that you can see Tokyo Tower right from the park. Every casual photo captures a view that feels distinctly Tokyo.

We happened to visit on a clear, sunny day. Sunlight filtered through the trees and fell across the grass, making the scenery especially beautiful. Every photo looked great!

When visiting Tokyo, besides the bustling streets and shopping areas, I also highly recommend setting aside some time to walk around the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace. Historic remains of Edo Castle have been preserved here, with old castle ruins, stone walls, and garden scenery all woven together. As you stroll through the grounds, you can experience a sense of tranquility that is rare in Tokyo.

The area around the Imperial Palace is also great for walking and jogging. Taking your time to make a full loop around the grounds, without rushing, feeling the gentle breeze, and enjoying the natural scenery of each season is really relaxing. I’m sure the scenery would be different and beautiful during cherry blossom or ginkgo season. The weather was excellent when I visited, and the sunlight filtering over the lush green gardens made the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace look especially peaceful and beautiful.

When visiting Ueno Park in Tokyo, of course you can’t miss Japan’s first zoo—Ueno Zoo! Although the zoo isn’t very large, admission is affordable, and the grounds are well maintained and pleasant. It’s a great place to bring children for a walk and see all kinds of cute animals. The zoo is divided into the East Garden and West Garden, with a bridge connecting them, and walking along the way is enjoyable too.

If you have enough time, you can spend half a day or even a full day exploring at a leisurely pace, taking breaks along the way without feeling rushed at all. For a family trip, it’s a great place to take the kids! The main reason for visiting Ueno Zoo this time was to see the adorable pandas. Just thinking about them felt so soothing!

Overall, the surroundings are beautiful, it’s easy to get to, and you can see many animals all in one place. It’s well worth adding to your Tokyo itinerary.

While in Tokyo, I made a special trip to Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. It skillfully blends the natural scenery of the four seasons with historic architecture, making it a beautiful garden that’s perfect for a leisurely walk and relaxing.

The weather was wonderful on the day I visited. Sunlight fell across the lush green garden, making the scenery look especially fresh and beautiful. Although my visit didn’t coincide with cherry blossom season, so I missed the romance of a garden full of blossoms, I could still feel the garden’s peaceful and elegant atmosphere.

This time, I only visited the Japanese garden area. Walking among the ponds, stone lanterns, neatly trimmed trees, and small bridges was really pleasant, and every corner had the charm of a Japanese garden.

Adult admission is JPY 500. Coming from the Isetan side, it’s only a few minutes away on foot, so it’s very convenient to get to. If you happen to be shopping in Shinjuku, consider stopping by. Walking from the bustling streets into this greenery feels like instantly entering another world.

Rikugien Gardens is one of the few places in central Tokyo where you can quiet your mind and fully appreciate the beauty of a traditional Japanese garden. Winding paths weave through small bridges, streams, teahouses, and pavilions, and every step feels like walking through a Japanese landscape painting.

It is also a well-known spot in Tokyo for viewing cherry blossoms and fall foliage. Unfortunately, I visited in the summer and missed the seasons when the cherry blossoms and fall colors are at their best. Still, the lush greenery, sunlight filtering through the treetops, and good weather that day made for some beautiful summer scenery.

The garden isn't very large, and you can leisurely walk through it in about an hour. Rather than rushing from one sightseeing spot to another, I prefer the atmosphere here, which lets you slow down and enjoy a moment of peace.

Arisugawa-no-miya Memorial Park is a hidden green oasis tucked away in a residential area in central Tokyo. It's within walking distance of Hiro-o Station, and I never expected to find such a spacious and relaxing park in the heart of bustling Tokyo.

The park has a pond, small bridges, streams, and dense woods. Walking through it really makes you feel far removed from the noise of the city. The scenery is especially beautiful during cherry blossom season and fall foliage season, so it's no wonder the park is so popular with Tokyo residents. I visited in the summer, so there were no cherry blossoms or fall colors, but the lush greenery and sunlight filtering through the trees still made it very pleasant.